Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 67

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 67

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WILLIAM R. THOMPSON, M. D., one of Washing- ton County's leading citizens, who has been a resident of Washington since 1871, was born in what is now Blaine Township, Washington County, Pa., in 1835, a son of James and a grandson of James Thompson, the latter of whom was one of the early settlers in the county.

The second James Thompson, the father of Dr. Thomp- son, was born on the same farm that witnessed the birth of his son. He followed agricultural pursuits through life. ITis marriage was to Miss Sarah Reed and they reared a family of five children, William R. being the only survivor.

Dr. William R. Thompson completed his primary edu- cation in the common schools and later entered Washing- ton and Jefferson College, from which institution he was graduated in 1864, shortly afterward entering Jef- ferson Medical College at Philadelphia and in 1867 was graduated from that old and deservedly honored insti tution. For a short time he engaged in practice at Cadiz, Ohio, and then returned to Washington County and continued in the active practice of his profession at Taylorstown, until he came to Washington. llere he has beeome one of the foremost physicians and sur- geons, and for many years has been considered an emi- nent exponent of medical practice and science. He is identified with many learned bodies and is a valued member of the Washington County and Pennsylvania

State Medieal Societies and of the American Medical Association. lle was one of the organizers of the City Hospital at Washington and remains one of its directors. Many benevolent enterprises have found in him an active helper and he has ever been carnestly concerned in the advancement of education and at present is a trustee of both the Washington Seminary and Washington and Jefferson College.

Dr. Thompson was married in 196s to Miss Margaret Agnes Ely. They have three surviving children, namely : Sarah K., A. E. and Cora M. A. E. is a physician. Cora M. is the wife of James N. Rule and resides at Washington. Dr. Thompson and family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church and for several years he served on the Board of Sessions.

J. R. DINSMORE, a large land owner and a success- tul farmer, owns 200 acres in Mt. Pleasant Township and 152 aeres in Cross Creek Township, in Washington County, and also ninety-two acres in South Fayette Township, Allegheny County, and an additional farm in Jefferson County, Ohio. Mr. Dinsmore was born near Taylorstown, Washington County, l'a., December 31. 1838, He is a son of Robert and Margaret Met'lay Dins- more and a grandson of James and letty (Hamilton) Dinsmore.

The Dinsmore family is an old and prominent one in Western Pennsylvania and through marriage is con- nected with others of the same class. When Rev. John Mc Millan was president of Jefferson Academy, the great- grandfather of Mr. Dinsmore was one of the organizers with him of the Hill Presbyterian Church at Canons- burg. The father of Mr. Dinsmore was a third cousin of Rev. Robert Breckenridge, who was then president of Washington and Jefferson College. The grandmother of Mr. Dinsmore was Hetty Hamilton, whose mother was a Renniek, and her mother was a MeCamey, and her mother was a Breckenridge.

When Mr. Dinsmore was a boy he was given only the pilucational advantages that he seenred for himself. After working hard all day he made companions of his school books at night and by the light of the back log. in front of the fireplace, mastered arithmetical problems that often puzzled people a good many years older than himself. He is one of the best informed men in his community, but is entirely self taught. After his mar- riage in 1868 he continued to live in South Fayette Township, Allegheny County, near the Washington County line, which he crossed in 1895 and settled on his present farm of 200 aeres in Mt. Pleasant Township. This property he has spent much to improve, erecting all the attractive and substantial buildings now stand- ing. not the least of these being his barn. the dimensions of which are 40x60 feet. llis residence is fitted up with

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modern comforts and its surroundings display much good taste. Mr. Dinsmore cultivates all his land except ten aeres, this being in timber, two aeres being a val- uable locust grove. He has a stable which accommo- dates forty head of cattle and on his Allegheny Connty farm he keeps 200 sheep and on his Cross Creek farm, 190 sheep, his flocks being valuable for every purpose. Mr. Dinsmore is recognized as a very able business man.

On February 27, 1868, Mr. Dinsmore was married to Miss Sarah MePeak, a daughter of James and Jane MePeak, and they have had eight children and five grandchildren, namely: Robert Walker, who married Rosanna McCarrell, a daughter of Leman MeCarrell, has two children-Elmer MeC. and Ruth Elvira; Mar- garet J., who died of typhoid fever; William MeC., who died also of fever, when aged nineteen years; Sarah Ida Evelyn, who married Harry W. Denny, has one son, Jay MeClay Denny ; Anna Clarissa, who lives at home; Agnes Irene, who married Norman Russell, of Washington, has two sons; John Y., who assists his father; and Martha Elizabeth, who is a popular teacher in Mt. Pleasant Township. Mr. Dinsmore and family are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of the Covenanters. In politics Mr. Dinsmore is entirely independent and has never consented to consider any suggestion of his holding office. He has always been a busy man and has many reasons for being a contented one, having been able to accomplish a great deal in liis seventy-one years.

JOHN BAVINGTON McBRIDE, the subject of this sketeh, is a native of North Strabane Township, Wash- ington County, Pa. He was born on the farm on which he has always resided, March 15, 1837. He received bis primary education at the common schools of his district, supplemented by an extended course of study at Jeffer- son College, then located at Canonsburg, this county. A diligent and thoughtful reader of selected books and periodicals furnishing the best food for the mind, tlmus keeping himself posted in the current literature of the times. A close observer of men and methods, he was well qualified to take a leading part in all questions and enterprises of interest to the community for their moral and material development.

In his political predelections he has always been a leading Democrat . A stanch advocate of "clean poli- ties, " honest elections and honest men for election, he has held with characteristie ability various township offices. Without solicitation on his part he was nomi- nated for the State Legislature in 1869, and again in 1890. Although in a strongly Republican district, he was defeated in each contest by less than 100 votes. Again in 1908 at the carnest solicitation of friends, he slood as opposed to ring rule, booze and boodle at elec-

tions and for a higher standard of citizenship, as a candidate for the Legislature and received the hearty support of the best citizens of the county, but failed of election, owing largely to the affiliation of the liquor and kindred interests.

He was one of the charter members of the "Oak Spring Cemetery Company," located near Canonsburg. Pa. Mr. MeBride was twice appointed by Gov. Patti- son to the board of managers of the Morganza Reform School. For many years he served on the school board of his district and worked for the efficiency of the schools, believing them to be the children's golden op- portunity.

Mr. MeBride's ancestral history is an interesting one The great grandparents of the most numerous family of Washington County MeBrides were natives of near Bel- fast, County Antrim, Ireland, where they lived and died. The great-grandfather's name was Nathaniel McBride and the great-grandmother's maiden name was Hamil- ton. The grandfather's name was James McBride and the grandmother's maiden name was Sarah Sprowls. Both were natives of Ireland, but were married in this country. Nathaniel and some other brothers never came to this country.

James MeBride, when twenty-three years of age, came to America with his brothers, Samuel and Isaac, about 1772, and settled first on what was known as the "Wash- ington lands" on Miller's Run, Washington County, Pa. Soon after their settlement here, Gen. Washington, at the suggestion of his agent, Capt. William Crawford, had a survey made of these lands, and on July 5, 1775, a military patent was issued to Washington for 2,813 acres from Lord Dunmore, Gov .- General of Virginia. In the meantime they, with other settlers, made improve- ments on said lands, believing, as Col. George Croghan, an Indian agent, informed them, that Washington bad no rights there, and being advised by him to remain.

Washington's Journal shows that on September 19, 1784, he came to the settlement, but having learned that they were a religions people, deferred his visit until "Monday, September 20, went early this morning to view the land and to receive the final determination of those claimants ' . "Obtaining a pilot near the lands, I went first to. the plantation of Samuel MeBride, who has abont five acres of meadow and thirty acres of arable land under good fencing. a logged dwelling-bonse with a puncheon roof and a stable or small barn of the same kind. The land rather hilly, but good, chiefly white oak. . . .. Next James MeBrides, three or four acres of meadow, twenty-eight aeres of arable land, pretty good feneing, land rather broken, but good, white and black oak timber mixed, a dwelling-house and barn- of middling size-with puncheon roofs." His journal further shows that they, with Thomas Biggert and

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nine others, were ejected from their improved lands in 1785. Samuel McBride and family, with his brother Isaac, a bachelor, went to Mahoning in Eastern Ohio. James McBride, Thomas Biggert and several others of those ejected, settled in what is now Robinson Township, Washington County, Pa. These sturdy pioneer settlers felt that they were not justly treated by Gen. Washing- ton, believing they were entitled to these lands from the Indian agent's claim, and their improvement according to the custom of the country. Ejected from these homes which they had literally hewed out of the forests-de- feated but not disheartened-they again entered the forest to carve out for their families new homes.

James McBride selected 240 acres and in 1785 secured a patent named "Pumpton" from the receiver-general's office of Pennsylvania, which patent contained this unique clause: "Reserving only the fifth part of all gold and silver for the use of the Commonwealth to be delivered at the pit's mouth free of all charges."

This tract was owned successively by his sons, William and Alexander, and is now owned by his grandson, John C. McBride. Another grandson, William (now deceased), owned and his family still own and reside upon a part of the ". Washington lands" in Mt. Pleasant Township. It is said that the MeBride settlements were on the lands now owned by Luther Morgan, in said township. Mr. MrBride's family was one of the three that formed the Associate Presbyterian Congregation of Clinton, Rev. William Wilson, pastor. James MeBride died October 6, 1827. aged eighty-four years; his wife died March 6, 183%, aged eighty-one years. Both are buried in the Clin- ton Church Cemetery. They had an issue of ten sons, to wit: Nathaniel, died in Is60, aged eighty-two years; Francis, James and John at their deaths were aged 59, 69 and 3%, respectively. Mathew Hamilton, born in 1787, died March 12, 1871, aged eighty-four years. Sammuel died in 1857. aged eighty-seven. Isaac died aged eighty-three years.

David died aged seventy-two years. William, born 1797, died October 22, 1878, aged eighty-one. Alexander, born in 1800, died November 20, 1585, aged eighty-five. By the help and industry of this large family of boys Mr. MeBride accumulated a large estate, about 1,100 acres, which he divided among his children. Alexander McBride was one of the elders chosen at the organi- zation of the Robinson Associate Congregation.

Mathew Hamilton McBride was married March 12, 1834, to Mary Bavington, daughter of Capt. John and Ruth (MeKinnon) Bavington, one of the pioneer and influential families uf Smith Township. They then took up their home in North Strabane Township.

To Mathew H. and Mary (Bavington) McBride were born three children, viz .: James Hamilton, who died October 23, 1862, from wounds received while in the

military service of the State; John Bavington (our sub- ject ) and Samuel Bruce, graduated from Jefferson Col- lege, Canonsburg, Pa., in 1862, and at the call of his country enlisted in Co. G, (Capt. Frazier) 140th Reg. Pa. Vol. He was severely wounded at Fredericksburg and was discharged from service on account of this dis ability. As soon as his health permitted, he resumed his theological studies and was licensed to preach by the Chartiers U. P. Presbytery.

Mr. and Mrs. McBride spent the whole of their mar- ried life upon this home farm, where they brought up their children to manhood. They were members of the Associate, (now United Presbyterian) Congregation of Chartiers, and enjoyed the ministrations for many years of that venerable and notable pastor, Dr. Ramsey.

Mr. McBride was an old line Democrat, but never made himself prominent in politics. In educational mat- ters, however, and every other question claiming the consideration of thinking men, he took a deep interest. Ile served as school trustee in his distriet for many years. llaving taught school in his young manhood, he was able to act efficiently for the uplift of the common schools of his day. lle was a progressive farmer and a sne- cessful stock raiser, to which business the best days of his long life were given. Mathew H. MeBride died Sep- tember 12, 1871, aged eighty-four years. His wife died February 12, 1873, and they are buried in Oak Spring Cemetery.

After his parents' death, John B. MeBride obtained full control of the farm. On May 1, 1873, he was mar- ried to Alice, daughter of Maj. James S. Scott, of Wash- ington County, Pa. An interesting family of six chil- dren have come to brighten their home, viz .: James Scott, born November 23, 1874, graduated at Washing- ton and Jefferson College in 1897, mechanical engineer ; lohn Bavington, born September 8, 1876, graduated at Washington and Jefferson College in 1898, practicing law at Pittsburg, Pa .; Charles Cubbage, born September 17, 1875, graduate of Duff's College; Samuel Bruce, born June 2. 1880, graduate of Jefferson Academy. Canonsburg, Pa .; Mary Alice, born September 28, 1883, graduated at Washington Female Seminary, 1903; George Wallace, born November 17, 1884, graduate Washington and Jefferson College, 1906.

The mother of these children dying November 17. 1884, Mr. MeBride wedded on June 28, 1887, Frances Emma Jones, of Canonsburg, Pa. By this union there is no issue. The family are members of and liberal contrilmters to the Chartiers United Presbyterian Con- gregation, Canonsburg, Pa., and enjoy the respect and esteem of the entire community. Mr. McBride is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising. He is noted as a thorough and successful farmer in a region cele- brated for its good farms and its model farmers. Like

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his father, he has devoted much of his income to the improvement and adornment of his farm, and as a result he has now one of the most desirable and best improved farms in this section of Washington County.

In all his undertakings he has met with well merited success, a success due to his perseverence, sound judg- ment and progressive spirit.

GEORGE W. DUVALL, general farmer and dairy- man, residing on his excellent farm of eighty-four aeres, which lies on the road running from California to the National turnpike, some two miles west of California, in East Pike Run Township, was born in West Pike Run Township, Washington County, Pa., January 5, 1852, and is a son of John and Mary (Yorty) Dnvall.

Both parents of Mr. Duvall were born in Washington County, the father on the farm which George W. Duvall now owns. All of their seven children survive them : George W., Hannah, John L., Amanda, Lewis, Ellen and Lizzie. Amanda is the wife of William Hornbake, and Ellen is the widow of Frank Bake, Mr. Duvall also has three half-brothers: William, Robert and Frank, all liv- ing, and had one half-sister, Victoria, who is deceased. Both parents died in West Pike Run Township.

George W. Duvall attended the schools of West Pike Rnn Township and then assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage, February 22, 1877. On April 10, 1877, Mr. and Mrs. Duvall came to the present farm and they have resided here ever since. Mr. Duvall cul- tivates his land, raises some good stock and also is in- terested in dairying.

Mr. Duvall married Miss Maggie J. Marker, who was born in East Pike Run Township and her parents both died on that farm. They were Lewis and Eliza (Wil- liams) Marker, the former of whom was born in Beaver County. Pa., and the latter in West Pike Run Town- ship. They had five children: John, William, Maggie J., James and Charles, the last named being now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Duvall have three children : Charles; John Lewis, who married Pearl Myers, has three children-Naoma, Velma and Sarah Margaret ; and Aaron MeKinley. Mr. Duvall takes no very active interest in polities, bnt is always to be found lending his influence in public matters to the side of law and order.

BENJAMIN BEDELL LYTLE, one of Finleyville's representative business men, dealing in hardware, flour, feed and farm implements, has been a resident of this county all his life, and he was born on his grandfather's farm in Union Township, October 11, 1871. His parents were William Gaston and Amanda J. (Bedell) Lytle.

Few families in this section can more clearly trace their ancestry than the Lytles. The first of the name came from Ireland to Western Pennsylvania, settling

in what was a tangled wilderness, now Snowden Town- ship, Allegheny County. They were killed by the Indians and the survivors were Robert Lytle and a sister. Robert lived on what is now the Sheplar farm, married and reared a family. One of his sons, Joseph Lytle, lived in Westmoreland County and followed farming there. One of his sons, Benjamin Lytle, the grandfather of Benjamin B. Lytle, settled at what is now Gastonville, at an early time, and ran a cooper shop there. He mar- ried Arsulla Farland, who survived him. They had nine children, as follows: William G .; Mary Jane, wife of William Bates; Joseph F .; Josephine, wife of Emmett Ross; Isaac; Anna S., wife of Elmer Murry; and James E., John HI. and Theodosia.

William Gaston Lytle was born at Gastonville, Pa., July 30, 1839, spent his boyhood on the farm and was engaged in farming more or less all through his active life. He also learned the cooper trade and worked in his father's shop, usually occupying his winters at the trade. On February 14, 1869, he married Miss Amanda J. Bedell, a daughter of A. W. Bedell, of Jefferson Township, Allegheny County, Pa., and they had two children : Sarah and Benjamin B. The former is the wife of G. W. Dill.

Benjamin B. Lytle attended the Union Township schools and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age and then entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and worked ten years as a fireman for that company. In 1894 he settled at Finleyville and became a merchant and has done a very prosperous business, being located on the corner of Washington avenue. In 1907 he put in a stock of five and ten-cent articles, thus adding a popular feature to his trade and this has been a very satisfactory venture.

Mr. Lytle was married in April, 1903, to Miss Julia Moore ,who was born in the State of New York, a daughter of William Moore. They have three children : Romaine. William MeBurney and Mary. The family residence is on Washington street.

In politics, Mr. Lytle is a Democrat. He is identified with several fraternal organizations, the B. P. O. E. No. 455 at Monongahela and Iron City Lodge, B. of L. F. & E., at Pittsburg, Pa.

ROBERT S. STEWART, M. D., one of Washington 's best known men of medical science and for years a leading and useful citizen, is a representative of one of the oldest and most honorable families of Washington County. He was born in Canton Township, Washington County, June 23, 1837, his parents being John W. and Jane (McCall) Stewart.

John W. Stewart was born in 1806 in Chartiers Town- ship and was a son of Thomas Stewart, whose father, in very early times. founded the family in this section.

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John W. Stewart was a general farmer and raised much stock. lle married Jane McCall, who was also born in Chartiers Township, and to them were born four sons and two daughters, the two surviving members of the family being, Dr. Robert S. and Anna M., the latter of whom is the wife of Samuel Wright, of Taylorstown, l'a.

Robert S. Stewart was reared on the home farm and in boyhood attended the district schools and later. as his plans for other than an agricultural lite matured, he became a student at Buffalo Academy and West- minster College. Four years he taught school, during this period doing his early medical reading. He con- tinned his study of medicine during one year in the medieal department of the University of Michigan and later in the University of Pennsylvania, and was grad- uated from the latter institution in 1869. For two years thereafter he engaged in the practice of medicine at West Middletown, Washington County, and then moved to a point near MeKeesport, Allegheny County, where he continued in active practice for twenty two years. In 1893 he returned to Washington County and has been identified with the interests of Washington ever since. lle is very closely associated with medical affairs in the county and was one of the incorporators of the City Hospital, of which Washington is justly proud. He is a member of its board of directors and is also on its medical staff. He is a valued member of both county and State medieal societies and also of the American Medical Association. Ile has ever been an active citi- zen, deeming it the duty of every one who is in the en- joyment of the well ordered civic life which surrounds and protects him, to lend his influence to sustain and pro- moto good government.

On May 1, 1870, Dr. Stewart was married to Miss Harriet A. Davis, of Washington County. They have an adopted daughter, frene, who is now the wife of Ray G. Courson. Dr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the United Presbyterian Church and he is a member of the Sessions. Politically he is a Republican.

ROBERT S. CALDWELL, a substantial and repre- sentative citizen of Mt. Pleasant Township, who resides on his well improved farm of 126 acres, lying one and one-quarter miles northeast of Hickory, Pa., was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County. Feb- ruary 26, 1875. His father and mother were lames and Nancy (Smith) Caldwell.

William Caldwell, the grandfather, was probably born in Ireland and family records show that he came to Washington County in ISIO and settled in what is now Mt. Pleasant Township. His first marriage with a Miss Moore. resulted in the birth of two children: . James and Isabel. The second marriage of William Caldwell was to Sarah French, and five children were born to that

union: Maria. David, Anna, Hattie and a babo that died in childhood. William Caldwell lived for two years at Raccoon and then returned to his farm, where the re. mainder of his life was spent. Ile was a Whig in poli- ties. In him the Mt. Pleasant Hickory Church found an exemplary member and liberal supporter.

James Caldwell, father of Robert S., was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, in 1835. He attended school in a log building used for school purposes and continued to live on the home farm until within one year of his death, when he retired and removed to llickory, where he passed away in 1905. His widow survives and still re- sides at Hickory, where she is highly esteemed by her circle of friends and church members. James Caldwell was active in church and Sunday school work, serving as an elder in the Hickory Church and as superintend- ent of the school. He was a great advocate of temper- ance and was identified with the Prohibition party.

Robert S. Caldwell obtained his primary education in the Cockin Distriet School, near his father's home- stead, andd later attended Hiekory Academy for two years, after which he entered Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio, with the intention of preparing for one of the professions. Sickness in the family at home, how- ever, recalled him in his first term and as he found he was needed to take charge of the farm, he never re- turned to college. After his marriage he settled on his present farm, which his father had purchased from W. S. White, a good property at that time, but one which Mr. Caldwell saw that he could vastly improve both in appearance and productiveness. He has erected fine new buildings which can be seen from the public high- way and has made many improvements all over the place. He cultivates the usnal grains that do well in this section, tilling 120 arres, and has some thoroughbred Holstein cattle that he is justly proud of. He ships about 20,000 gallons of milk yearly. He is one of the stockholders of the Farmers National Bank of Hickory ; of the Midway National Bank of Midway; and also of the Guardian Trust Company of Pittsburg. The coal under the farm has been sold to the Pittsburg Coal Com- pany, but there are no banks open. Some tests have been made for oil and gas, but not enough to decide whether further operations would be profitable in that direction. In the meanwhile, Mr. Caldwell has one of the best farms in the township and under his eapable man- agement its pro rata production of grain to the aere, is yearly increasing.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 67

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