Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 62

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 62

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1887, Mr. Zahniser was married to Miss Winnifred Lowry, who was born in Mercer County, Pa., and they have three children: Leroy S., Julia and Wilda. The

940

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

family attend the Jefferson Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. The handsome family home is situated at No. 711 Jefferson avenue, Washington.

ALEXANDER HALLAM, who owns the old family homestead of 203 acres, which is situated in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pa., about three miles from Washington and has been in the family since 1793, has one of the best improved properties and the finest rural home in all this section. He was born in South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., Feb. 12, 1844, and is a son of William and Lydia (Munnell) Hallam.

William Hallam spent almost his entire life in Amwell Township. His father was John Hallam and his grand- father was Thomas Hallam. The family came very early to Washington County and has always stood high in public esteem, its members having been men of char- acter and public spirit. William Hallam died in 1884 and of his children the following survive: Thomas, who resides in Indiana; Charles, who lives at Canton, Ohio; William, who lives in Amwell Township; Samuel, who lives at Winona, Ill .; Alexander, who owns the old homestead; and John, who resides in Ohio. William Hallam was an extensive farmer and stock dealer and was known all over Washington County.

Alexander Hallam was educated in the schools of South Strabane Township and Amwell Township. He has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and in ad- dition to farming and stock raising has, for years, done a large business in buying and selling stock. He is one of the best judges of live stock in this section, hav- ing been associated with the industry since boyhood. He has taken much pride in the improving of his prop- erty and in 1906 erected his handsome and commodious brick residence.

Mr. Hallam married Miss Phebe A. Ross, a daughter of Timothy and Elizabeth (Hewitt) Ross, who were pioneers of Washington County. To. Mr. and Mrs. Hal- lam eight children were born, the four survivors being: Joseph A. and Thomas R., both residing at Washing- ton; Dolly, wife of William Riggle, of Washington; and Mary M., wife of Russell Warner, of Washington. Joseph A. married Nettie McCoy and they have two sons, Paul and Leslie. Thomas R., married Laura Shape, and they have a daughter, Iona. Mr. and Mrs. Riggle have one son, Merle. Four children of Mr. and Mrs. Hallam are deceased: Grace, who died at the age of 14 years; Madaline, who died when two years old; Bessie, who died aged 23 years, left one son, Lewis Hallam; and Alexander, Jr., who met an accidental death while hunting, when he was 26 years old. He left a widow, Mrs. Goldie (Brice) Hallam.

In politics, Mr. Hallam is a Democrat, but he gives

more attention to business than to public matters. He is interested as becomes a good citizen, but has always been unwilling to accept political office.

L. R. BOYD, who has been actively engaged in the practice of law at Washington since 1901, has been a resident of this city for some 29 years. He was born in 1873, in Allegheny County, Pa., and is a son of James V. Boyd.

Mr. Boyd was educated at Washington and after completing the High School course, he entered Wash- ington and Jefferson College and was graduated from that noted institution in the Class of 1897. He then became an instructor in the High School, teaching one year in the scientific department, in the meanwhile be- ginning his study of law and registering as a student with T. F. Birch. He completed his course with R. W. Irwin, a leading attorney of Washington, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1901, and later was admitted to the Supreme and Superior Courts of Pennsylvania and to the United States Circuit and District Courts of Western Pennsylvania. Aside from a very satisfactory practice, Mr. Boyd has other remunerative interests and is president and general manager of the Monte Rico Mining and Milling Company and is also individually interested in mining lands in Southwestern New Mexico.

In August, 1907, Mr. Boyd was married to Miss Daisey E. Sawyer, of Washington at that time, formerly of New York, and they have one son, Lawrence R. Boyd. Mr. Boyd is one of the representative men of Washing- ton and takes an active part in promoting the best in- terests of the city.

J. ELLIOTT STEWART, whose valuable farm con- taining 230 acres of well improved land, is situated in Jefferson Township, Washington County, Pa., is one of the representative and substantial citizens of the town- ship in which he was born, Mar. 13, 1853. His parents were Robert and Sarah Jane (Elliott) Stewart.

The Stewart family traces back to one Lord Stewart, a native of Scotland, who later settled in County Tyrone, Ireland. James Stewart, great-grandfather of our sub- ject, came with his family to the United States in 1812, on the ship "Doras." They were in the neighborhood of six months making the voyage, during which the ship was seized by a British man-of-war and all the able bodied young men were impressed into the navy. One of them was Robert Stewart, who was born in Ireland in 1795, and was a son of James and Elizabeth (Hemp- hill) Stewart, who was taken on to the man-of-war on which he was kept until several months later, when he was released through the efforts of a young lady, who pretended he was her husband. He landed at Phila- delphia, and after a short time joined his parents in

941

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Smith Township, Washington County, Pa. Ile later moved to Mt. Pleasant Township, where his father died. llo was married soon after to Miss Ann MeGough, who was a native of Ireland, and was the young lady who secured his release from the navy, a proper culmination of the early romance.

The parents of Mr. Stewart were well known and highly respected residents of Jefferson Township. The father, Robert Stewart, was born on the old farm in Jefferson Township, May 21, 1824. Their family con- sisted of three sons: John Elliott, James and Robert. The mother passed away while her sons were yet young, dying in 1857, and her burial was at Burgettstown. The father survived until September 26, 1893, and his burial was in the cemetery near Patterson's Mill. Both were worthy members of the United Presbyterian Church.

J. Elliott Stewart was sent to the district schools near his father's farm, in his boyhood, and lived at home until his own marriage, after which he acqquired his present property and has engaged in farming and stock raising ever since.

Mr. Stewart was married (first) September 18, 1878, to Miss Belle MeKnight, a daughter of William Mc- Knight. She died in the following year, leaving one son, Leman Edward, who grew to manbood and married Jessie Noah. They have two children: John Harold and Hilda Mary. Mr. Stewart was married (second) Sep- tember 8, 1885, to Miss Flora A. Anderson, a daughter of H. C. Anderson, and one daughter was born to this union, Roberta V., who is the wife of Earl Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have two children: Pearl Elliott and Ray- mond Anderson. Mr. Stewart was a second time bereft of his companion, Mrs. Stewart passing away July 5, 1909. Her burial was in the Cross Creek village ceme- tery.

Like his father, Mr. Stewart has always been a sup- porter of the principles of the Democratic party. He has acceptably served in township offices, having been inspector of elections and road superintendent and for the past sixteen years has been a school director. He is identified with the Patrons of Husbandry and has been master of the local Grange, and he belongs also to the lodge of Odd Fellows at Eldersville.

SAMUEL CHRISTIAN WEBB, president of the Herron-Webb Engineering Company, who are extensive manufacturers of fans for mines, boisting engines, cages for mines, elevators, etc., has been a resident of Monon- gahela City sinee December, 1901. He was born October 24, 1874, at Wilkesbarre, Pa., a son of Samuel C. and Alice (Bisher) Webb, and comes of one of the old es- tablished families of Wilkesbarre, Pa.

Samnel C. Webb was born at Wilkesbarre, Pa., as was also his father, Wilson W. Webb, and his grand-

father Webb. He was a mechanic by trade and was pursuing a course of engineering at Yale University, when he enlisted in the Union army as a member of the 53rd l'a. "Zouaves, " and gave his services to his coun- try until the close of the Civil War. Upon his return to Wilkesbarre after the war, he engaged in the manu facturing of hoisting and hauling engines for a time, then engaged in the railroad business until the time of his death in 1898 at the age of forty four years. He was united in marriage with Alice Bisher, a native of Trucksville, Pa., who is still living and resides with her son, Samuel C. They were the parents of two chil- dren : Samuel C. and Robert B.

Samuel C. Webb was reared at Wilkesbarre, P'a., where, when about seventeen years of age he began learning the machinist's trade in the railroad shops, with which his father had been identified. He later was chief engineer for the Exeter Machine Works of Pitts- burg for four years, and in 1901 came to Monongahela City as chief engineer of the Monongahela Manufactur- ing Company, of which he was shortly afterwards made superintendent and later manager. In May, 1906, he leased the plant, which he operated one year under the firm name of the Webb Machine Works, then consoli- dated with the Capell Fan and Engineering Company of Pittsburg. In 1909 their plant was destroyed by fire, and he then invested his interests in that concern in his present plant, which he had previously purchased and had in operation in partnership with D. C. Herron, of Monongahela City. The plant, which was originally the old Black Diamond Engineering Company, covers a tract of three and a half acres ,and lies between the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Monongahela River. The company, which has a capital stock of $100,000, em- ploys 150 men, and ship their goods extensively to all parts of the world. The officers of the Herron-Webb Engineering Company are as follows: Samuel C. Webb, president ; A. S. Cooke, of Pittsburg, vice president ; and D. C. Herron, of Monongahela City, secretary and treasurer. In connection with his interests in the Her- ron-Webb Engineering Company, Mr. Webb is also identi- fied with the Wallace & Kennedy Webb Harness Com- pany.

Mr. Webb was married October 22, 1903, to Jennie M. Hitchner, who is a daughter of Joseph Hitehner, of West Pittston, Pa., and they have three children: Vir- ginia, Samuel, Jr., and Joseph H. Mr. Webb is a mem- ber of the B. P. O. E., and the Masonic fraternity at Monongahela City. ITis religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church. The family reside at No. 415 Ninth street.

D. NELSON HALL, engaged in business at Charleroi, tinner and slater and installer of the famous 20th Cen-

942

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

tury Warm Air Furnaces, blast pipes, cornices and sky- lights, doing also general repair work along the same lines, has his quarters at No. 401 Fallowfield street. He was born at Hockingport, Ohio, a village on the Ohio River, October 26, 1866, and is a son of James H. and Eliza Edna Hall.

The Hall family is an old one in Washington County and both father and grandfather of D. Nelson Hall were reared near Canonsburg, Pa., where many of the name reside. In 1867, James H. Hall moved to a small village named New England, in Wood County, W. Va. He was a carpenter by trade and died when his son was only nine years old.

D. Nelson Hall was reared in Wood County and at- tended school there, afterward teaching for one year in West Virginia before going to Chattanooga, Tenn. In that city he secured a position as shipping clerk for a large patent medicine concern. In 1902 he came to Charleroi and at first was with the firm of Hall & Whitlatch, and succeeded to the business. He is well and favorably known all through the surrounding towns where he has recommended and installed the 20th Cen- tury Air Furnaces, these modern, fnel-saving stoves hav- ing given entire satisfaction, and the handling of them as a specialty has reflected credit not only on Mr. Hall's business integrity, but also his business judgment. He employs seven competent men.

Mr. Hall married Miss Minnie Cornes, who was born at Springfield, Ohio, and they have had four children: Charles, who was born October 26, 1900, died January 11, 1905; and Ruth, Raymond and Harry Madison. Mr. Hall is an Odd Fellow.

JOSEPH FULTON MCFARLAND is a grandson of Samuel McFarland, Sr., and Margaret (Fulton) Mc- Farland, who arrived from Northern Ireland shortly before the year 1800. Samuel McFarland purchased lands on Raccoon Creek in Smith Township, near the location of the present mining town of Cherry Valley, and there reared his family of seven sons and three daughters. He retired to Cross Creek village, where he survived his wife nine years and died February 16, 1846. Several of his sons were located at that time on farms he had purchased in Smith and Robinson Town- ships. Samuel McFarland, son of Samuel, spent most of his life as a farmer in Robinson and Smith Townships and died in Burgettstown June 29, 1889.

The youngest child of his marriage with Jane Van Emen was Joseph Fulton MeFarland, born in Robinson Township. He attended the common schools, academies in Florence, Uniontown and Canonsburg, and finally Washington and Jefferson College. Besides his early farm life he was engaged in surveying in Allegheny

County and as a superintendent and bookkeeper at the Uniontown Woolen Mills.

He was admitted to the bar of Washington County Oct. 14, 1868, where he has since continued to practice. He united in marriage with Mary Agnes Rankin, dangh- ter of Rev. James Rankin and Katherine (Pollock) Rankin, March 9, 1882, and to them have been born one daughter and two sons, namely: Katherine Pollock, Samuel Audely, (recently admitted to practice law by the State Board Examiners of Pennsylvania), and Jo- seph Rankin.

He has followed the leading of his ancestors by being a Presbyterian and as independent Democrat.

JAMES V. BOYD, one of Washington's prominent and representative men, serving as treasurer of the borough, was born in 1844, at Fredericktown, Washing- ton County, Pa., and is a son of William P. Boyd. The Boyd family settled very early in the vicinity of Fred- ericktown and it is probable that William P. Boyd was born after his parents located in that section. He lived into advanced age, dying in 1877.

James V. Boyd was reared near his place of birth and attended school at Fredericktown and subsequently taught school for several winters. His father owned a grist and saw-mill and he assisted in operating them and later learned the carpenter trade and for a number of years worked in lumber. He continued at the car- penter trade until elected treasurer of Washington Bor- ough, in which capacity he is now serving his second term. He is also interested with his son in valuable mining properties in New Mexico. In politics he is a Democrat.

Mr. Boyd was married in 1865 to Miss Ada Etta Reed and they have six children, namely: James Ernest, who resides at Wheeling, W. Va .; Harry and Charles, twins, both of whom reside at Washington; Lawrence R., who is a well-known attorney at Washington and is interested with his father in New Mexico lands; William Howard, who resides in New Mexico; and Nora, who is at home. Mr. Boyd and wife are members of the Second Presby- terian Church of Washington.

J. R. McCOY, one of Mt. Pleasant Township's repre- sentative retired farmers, who owns a valuable farm of 210 acres, is also an honored survivor of the great Civil War, in which he took part from 1862 until 1865. Mr. McCoy was born in Ohio County, W. Va., February 12, 1834, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Frazier) McCoy.

Samuel McCoy was born in Ireland, a son of William McCoy, the latter of whom never came to America. In early manhood Samuel McCoy reached the United States

JOSEPH F. MCFARLAND

945

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

and settled in Ohio County, W. Na., where he spent his She was also of Scotch extraction and was the only child of John and Catherine ( Gilkesson) Snodgrass. Her death occurred in 1885, when she was 75 years old. They had five children: Catherine, who died in 1900; Reuben; James; John, who died in 1891; and Anna Murray. life. He engaged in farming and also was a mason con- tractor and was employed on the construction of the Government turnpike road from Baltimore to Crawford, Ind. He belonged to the MeCoyites or Dissenters, a re- ligions body in West Virginia, but later attended the After his marriage, Wilson Kerr settled first on a farm in Allegheny County and then bought a farm near the river, in Union Township, Washington County, which he later sold and returned to Allegheny County. In 1554 he came back to Washington County and rented a farm on the hill, near Houston Run, and in 1875 bought the present Kerr farm from the heirs of Jamison Beatty, Reformed Presbyterian Church at Middle Wheeling. He was buried at Stone Church, near where he lived and his wife was interred there also, although she died in Wash- ington County, Pa. He married, in Ohio County, W. Va., Elizabeth Frazier, and they had eight children born to them: Eleanor (Bell), William, Jane (McCoy), Samuel, Margaret (Slater), Rosanna (Robinson), James R. and . which then contained 200 aeres. He made farming his Hamilton.

J. R. McCoy obtained his education in the subscrip- tion schools in his native county and then engaged in farming. He went west to Marshall County, Ill., where, in 1867, he bought a farm of 210 aeres, 40 aeres of which is timber and coal land, and continued to live there for six years after his marriage. Prior to this he had served in the army, being enrolled Angust 13, 1862, in Co. D, 12th W. Va. Vol. Inf., under Capt. W. B. Curtis, and discharged June 15, 1865. In 1873, Mr. McCoy re- moved from Marshall County, Ill., to Allegheny County, Pa., where he resided for ten years and then came to the farm which he has occupied ever since. Ile made many substantial improvements here, in fact erected all the buildings which now stand, with the exception of the wagon shed, which was in fair condition. A test for oil and gas resulted in a loss of tools at a depth of 700 feet, and work in that line was discontinued.

On December 24, 1867, Mr. McCoy was married to Miss Sarah Jane Dinsmore, a daughter of Robert Dins- more, and they have two children: William, who mar- ried Elizabeth B. Glass and they have a daughter, Zella Alice Ann; and Elizabeth Margaret, who married Boyd Emery. Mr. and Mrs. MeCoy are members of the Cove- nanter Church in Cecil Township.

JAMES KERR, with his brother, Reuben Kerr, and his sister, Anna M. Kerr. resides on the old Kerr home- stead farm of 180 acres, situated in Union Township, Washington County, Pa., about one and one-half miles east of Finleyville, and they are the only living children of Wilson and Jane (Snodgrass) Kerr.

The Kerr family is of Seotch-Irish extraction and the grandparents of the present representatives, settled at a very early day in what was then Elizabeth, but is now Forward Township, Allegheny County, Pa., and there Wil- son Kerr was born and was the eldest of seven children, all of whom are now deceased. His birth took place in 1812, and his death occurred on the present farm in 1882. When he reached manhood he married Jane Snodgrass, who was born where Castle Shannon, Pa., now stands.

business through life.

Both Reuben and James Kerr were born in Washing- ton County, but the three other members of the family were born in Allegheny County. The family is one wide- ly known and universally respected. All its members are united with the Presbyterian Church. The two brothers are Republicans in their political views.

JAMES L. PROWITT, a representative business citizen of Washington, Pa., who is identified with the Manufac- turers Light, Heat and Power Company, was born at Washington, in 1860. His father, the late Alfred Prowitt, was born in Philadelphia, but came to Washington in early manhood and for years was connected with the business interests of this place.

James L. Prowitt was reared at Washington and en- joyed school advantages here. During the earlier period of his business life he was interested in the baking and later the grocery business, but for the past eighteen years he has been connected with the Manufacturers Light, Heat and Power Company, at present being in charge of the low pressure line. He has been an active and earnest citizen and has frequently served on the school board and in the city Council.

In 1889, Mr. Prowitt was married to Miss Mary Gless- ner, of Somerset County, Pa., and they have five chil- dren, namely: Gratten, who is in the employ of the Manufacturers Light, Heat and Power Company; Lizzie, who is a clerk in the county commissioner's office; and Pauline, Alfred and Eldine. Mr. Prowitt and family are members of the Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified for a quarter of a century. His fraternal associations are with the Odd Fellows and the Heptasophs.

FRANK W. MILLER, general farmer and stock raiser, whose 130 acres of valuable land is all in one body and lies in Mt. Pleasant Township, one mile east of Hiekory, Washington County, Pa., was born on this farm January 16, 1872, and is a son of John M. and Agnes (White) Miller.

946

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The grandfather of Mr. Miller was born in Ireland and accompanied his father to Washington County, and settled in Mt. Pleasant Township, near Hickory. The father of Mr. Miller was born and reared here and be- came one of the leading men of this section. His death occurred in 18SS. His widow survives and resides on the homestead with her son, Frank W., who is unmarried. To John M. Miller and wife five children were born, namely : Catherine, who married John C. Baine, and they have four children-Edith, John, Agnes and Donald; Frank W .; Janet, who died in July, 1904, was the wife of John Hood and she is survived by one daughter, Janet Miller Hood; and Ralph and Harry, both of whom are civil engineers, the former of St. Louis and the latter residing at Terre Haute, Ind.

Frank W. Miller attended the public schools at Hickory and then entered Washington and Jefferson College, after which he spent some eight years working on the North- eru Pacific Railroad. After he returned to Mt. Pleasant Township, he bought the interests of the other heirs in his grandfather's homestead and immediately began to make improvements. He built a handsome residence and a substantial barn and other farm buildings and in a short time had the whole estate in condition to till profit- ably. The coal underlying has been sold to the Pitts- burg Coal Company, and Mr. Miller has one gas well on the place. He raises quite a large amount of cattle, of mixed grade, which he keeps for sale, finding an easy market. In his political views he is a Democrat and is serving as road supervisor in Mt. Pleasant Township, his present term expiring in January, 1910. With his mother he attends the Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church.

THOMAS DENNISTON, one of the substantial farm- ers of Washington County, Pa., in equal association with his brother, William Denniston, owns a farm of 225 acres in Union Township and a second farm of 125 acres in Peters Township and resides on the Union Township property. He was born on this farm, May 11, 1847, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Denniston.

William Denniston, grandfather of subject, came from Ireland to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, to which cause he later gave his services, and after the close of same located in Chester County, Pa., where he married Elizabeth Wilson. He afterwards brought his family across the mountains on pack horses to Allegheny County and settled in what is now Bridgeville, Pa. His death occurred at Thompsonville, Pa. Eight children were born to William and Elizabeth Denniston, namely : Nancy, who married a Mr. Thompson; Abigail; James; Mrs. Patterson; Mary, wife of William Gilmore; Sarah, wife of Isaac Boyce; Thomas; Samuel; Joseph, Will- iam, all deceased.

Samuel Denniston was born in 1796, at Bridgeville,

Allegheny County, Pa., and about 1838 came to Thomp- sonville, Washington County, where he was married to Elizabeth Caldwell, whose father was one of the pioneers of the county. In the spring of 1838 he purchased a farm in Union Township, locating on same the following year, and died here in 1879, aged 84 years. His mar- riage with Elizabeth Caldwell, who died in 1850, result- ed in the following issue: Wilnam, who served in the Civil War in Co. I, 1st Pa. Cav .; John W., who died in infancy; Mary J .; Elizabeth, who married Frank Hus- ton; Thomas; and Sarah, deceased. Samuel Denniston married (second) Elizabeth Applegate, of Allegheny County, Pa., and to them were born two children: James and Rachel, both now deceased.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 62

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