Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 68

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 68

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On November 20, 1902, Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Jane Timmons, a daughter of Joseph Timmons, and they have had four children: Robert Timmons, Jane E. and two infants, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cald- well attend the United Presbyterian Church. In poli- ties, he is identified with the Republican party.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

CHARLES F. FERGUSON, manager of the Canons- burg Opera House, at Canonsburg, Pa., is one of the borongh's leading citizens and occupies a handsome resi- denee at No. 252 North Central avenue. He was born at Coal Center, Washington County, Pa., June 1, 1879, and is a son of John and Annie Ferguson.

The parents of Mr. Ferguson spent many years of their lives at points along the Monongahela River, and the father died at Smithton, Pa., in August, 1903. He was a miner and became a contractor, his work being the sinking of shafts and putting in drifts in coal mines. His widow survives and resides with a daughter at Brownsville, Pa. The family consisted of three daugh- ters and one son, the latter being Charles F. Ferguson, of Canonsburg.

Until he was twelve years old, Mr. Ferguson attended the Sisters' school at Irwin, Pa., and then became a miner and spent the greater part of three years under- ground, performing the lighter duties of the work, and was then given more responsibility, being made a driver and later a trip-rider and during this time learned enough about the management of the boilers to be made a stationary engineer. He earned further promotion through his carefulness and industry, becoming outside foreman at the Somers mine at Belle Vernon. He then became interested in the workings of the electrical ma- chinery and shortly absorbed enough of the practical part of the work to gain his standing as a master me- chanie and electrician. In that capacity he was with the Pittsburg Coal Company and the Dunkirk Coal Com- pany and also the Monongahela Consolidated Coal and Coke Company, and in 1907 he passed the State ex- amination as an electrical engineer. He also served as mine boss of the Prairie mine at Clarksburg, W. Va. Prior to coming to Canonsburg he was mine electrician at the Knobb and Baumont coal mines for the Monon- gahela Consolidated Coal and Coke Company for five years. Mr. Ferguson then retired from mine work and turned his attention to theatrical matters, opening the Canonsburg Opera House on February 1, 1909. He has prospered in this as in his other undertakings. He ad- mits attractions of high moral tone only, giving two performances to the publie nightly, the seating capacity of the building being 1,000, and has gained the confi- lenee of the community by never advertising any feature he does not give, and its approval, by catering to a high class of patronage. IIe contemplates extending his business connections in this line of work, possibly in the future having a large circuit under his control. Mr. Ferguson deserves the name of self-made man, of which there can be no more honorable title given to an inde- pendent American citizen.

Mr. Ferguson was married October 14, 1902, to Miss Mary J. MeCullough, of Smithton, Pa., a daughter of

Daniel MeCollough, now a resident of Sonth Canonsburg. They have three children: Irene, Charles and Daniel. Mr. Ferguson is identified with the Elks and the order of Moose.

THOMAS H. MeNARY, one of the leading jewelers and opticians of Washington, Pa., was born in 1872, in Washington County, Pa., and is a son of J. D. MeNary.

Thomas H. MeNary received his educational training in the schools of Washington, and in 1891 entered the jewelry store of A. A. Pool, with whom he learned the trade and with whom he remained about four years. He then spent some years in the same business at Wil- mington, Del., New York City and Washington, D. C., after which he returned to Washington, Pa., in 1901, and purchased his present jewelry store from his former em- ployer, A. A. Pool, and has since been snecessfully en- gaged in that business. Mr. MeNary has for three years been president of the Washington Board of Trade, to which office he has recently been re-elected. He is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Washington, in which he has served on the official board. In fraternal eireles he is prominent in Masonry, in which he has attained the 32nd degree; is a member of the Blne Lodge, Chapter, Conneil and Commandery at Wash- ington and the Consistory at Pittsburg. He was one of the organizers and charter member of the Bassett Club.

- In 1902, Mr. McNary was joined in marriage with Snsan G. Morrow, of Wilmington, Del., and they have two sons, Charles F. and Thomas W.

FRANK BEBOUT, one of the leading funeral diree- tors and furniture dealers of Monongahela City, Pa., who has been a lifelong resident of Washington Coun- ty, was born Dec. 28, 1865, at Canonsburg, Pa., a son of David R. and Dorothy (McMurry) Bebout. This branch of the Bebout family was established in Wash- ington County, Pa., by John Bebout, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and at an early period came to this part of the State from New Jersey. He was the father of ten children: William; Sarah, who mar- ried a Mr. MeLain; Susan (Mrs. Long) ; Israel; Peter, grandfather of subject; John; Mary (Mrs. John Haines) ; Israel; Elizabeth, (Mrs. Weaver) ; and Ira.

Peter Bebout, grandfather of subject, was born and reared on the home farm near Canonsburg, Pa., and served in the War of 1812, enlisting from Ohio. He was married in 1805 to Betsey Kinney, also a native of Washington County, Pa., and shortly afterward moved to Jefferson County, Ohio, where the following ehil- dren were born: John, William, Peter, James, Israel, Sarah, Elias and Elizabeth, all now deceased. Betsey Bebont died in Jefferson County, Ohio, and Peter sub- seqnently married Isabella Cooper, by whom he became

FRANK BEBOUT

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the father of eleven children: Mary Jane, who married William llays, both deceased; Susan, married William Bebont ; Ira, deceased; Margaret, married Cephas Coch- ran, both are deceased; David R., the father of sub- ject ; Isabella, deceased wife of John Crouch, also de. ceased; Joshua; Stephen; Martha J., deceased; Caro- line, dereased wife of Joseph Means, deceased; and Herman. Peter Bebout died on his farm near Canons- burg, Pa., Apr. 12, 1860.

David Bebout, father of subject, was born Sept. 3, 1832, on the home farm near Canonsburg, where he re- mained until 15 years of age, after which he spent five years learning the cabinet-maker's trade with Joseph Huston, of Canonsburg, and two years as a journey- man, and then eondneted a cabinet shop and furniture store at Canonsburg for many years, and subsequently became the first station agent of the Pennsylvania Rail- road at Canonsburg, resigning that position ten years later on account of ill health. Then he retired to his farm north of Canonsburg, but for some time has been a resident of Canonsburg, Pa. He was married to Dorothy MeMurry, a native of Washington County, Pa., and a danghter of James McMurry, who came to the United States at the age of 6 weeks from County Tyrone, Ireland, with his widowed mother, who settled in Washington, Pa., and of their union were born the following children: Catherine, who is the wife of S. W. MeNary; James C .; Mary Isabella, who is the wife of William Greer; Frank, the subject of this sketch ; Martha, who married William MeCorkle; Elizabeth, who married L. C. Fox; and Dorothy, who died in infancy. Dorothy (Mc Murry) Bebont died May 24, 1903.

Frank Bebont was reared at Canonsburg, Pa., where he attended the public schools and the Jefferson Acad- emy and in 1889 came to Monongahela City, where he entered the employ of W. A. Patterson, a furniture dealer, with whom he continued until January, 1892, when he became a member of the firm, Patterson & Bebout, funeral directors and furniture dealers of Mo- nongabela City. Mr. Patterson died in 1895 and the following year Mr. Bebout became sole owner of the establishment, which covers three floors of the main building, with two additional rooms. Mr. Bebout re- ceived a diploma from Clark's Embalming School of Pittsburg, Pa., and is recognized as one of the leading funeral directors and furniture dealers of the city. He was married Apr. 29, 1891, to Price Patterson, who is a daughter of Joseph Patterson, deceased, who was one of the pioneer grocers of Monongahela City, and of their union was born one daughter, Ruth.

Mr. Bebout is fraternally a member of the I. O. (). l'., the Jr. O. U. A. M., and in polities is a Democrat. He is a member of the school board, a director of the City Library, president of the Y. M. C. A., and holds

membership with the Presbyterian Church, of which he is also an elder.

JOHN W. CLUTTER, one of East Finley Township's prominent and substantial men, secretary of the school board and road supervisor, owns a large amount of valuable land in this section, his home farm containing 125 acres. He was born in Amwell Township, near Point Lookout, Washington County, Pa., in 1952, and is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Sanders) ('lutter.

The grandfather of Mr. Clutter was Isaac Clutter, ,who was of German parentage, but was born in Washing- ton County, near Prosperity. Ile resided there for many years, but prior to his death purchased and moved to a farm in Greene County. Ilis son Christopher and family accompanied him to Greene County. Christopher (lutter died in 1906 and his burial was at Claysville. He had survived his wife since 1984. They had the following children: John V .; Isaac P., who is now de- ceased; Annie Elizabeth, who married James Ely, of East Finley Township; Thomas P., who is deceased ; George B., who resides at Pleasant Grove; Mary M .. who died when aged fifteen years; Sadie, who married JIenry Byers. of East Finley Township; and Christopher W., who is an engineer and is employed in that great undertaking, the building of the Panama Canal.

John W. CItter obtained his education in the schools of Greene County as he was small when his parents moved there. When eighteen years old he began to devote all his time to farming and for three years carried it on quite successfully. In 1877 he opened up a country produce store on Diamond Square, Pittsburg, and con- tinned in business there for eleven years and then sold out, determining to return to agricultural pursuits. He purchased that year one farm of ninety-five acres in East Finley Township and another farm of 108 acres adjoining his home farm of 125 acres. Mr. Clutter makes sheep raising a feature of his farming and is one of the large growers in East Finley Township. While he has been a remarkably successful man in bis various undertakings, he owes his prosperity entirely to his own efforts and be has been heard to remark that the only money he has ever received beyond what he worked for, has been the income from a gas well on his place, which has already paid him $3,300. A good busi- ness man is always valuable to his community in public office and Mr. Clutter has frequently been elected to responsible positions in East Finley Township. He has served continuously as secretary of the school board for the past five years, and during his present term as road supervisor, has rebuilt one mile of the publie high- way in the most substantial manner. He has also served as a director of the Claysville Cemetery Association since 1895. To all offices of a public character he gives

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the same close and careful attention which he has be- stowed on his own affairs. In politics he is a Democrat and in 1908 was sent as a delegate to the State Con- vention at Harrisburg.

Mr. Clutter was married (first) in 1880 to Miss Min- nie E. Herzog, who died in 1895. She was a daughter of George and Barbara Herzog, of Smithport, Mckean County, Pa. Two children were born to this union: Arthur and Harry T. Arthur conducts a milk business at his father's old stand in Pittsburg. He married Ber- nice Campbell of that city and they have one son, Mer- rill. Harry T. Clutter has recently bought a farm near Ashtabula, Ohio. He married Flossie Carroll, a daugh- ter of Anderson and Annie Carroll, of East Finley Town- ship, and they have one son, Christopher Carroll. In 1896, Mr. Clutter was married (second) to Mrs. Nettie A. (Dean) Rice, widow of Fred Rice, late of Roulette, Potter County, Pa. Mrs. Rice had one son, Fred E., who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Clutter have had two children: Grace M., who was born in 1898 and died in 1905, and Walter Dean, who was born in January, 1902. Mr. Clutter and family are members and liberal supporters of the Baptist Church at Claysville. Fra- ternally he is an Odd Fellow, being a member of Lodge No. 182 at Pittsburg and of Pittsburg Encampment No. 2.

ROBERT D. MeCLEERY, who is a representative of one of the old Scotch-Irish pioneer families of Washing- ton County, Pa., has been a resident of West Alexander, Pa., since 1902. He is a son of the late Alexander and Mary (Davidson) McCleery and was born in West Fin- ley Township, Washington County, Pa., April 19, 1861.

Mr. McCleery's education was secured in the public schools of West Finley Township and Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. On October 5, 1897, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Blayney, daughter of James and Linda (Gilfillan) Blayney, residents of West Alexander, Pa. He is a member of and active in the business af- fairs of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. McCleery 's main business in life has been along agricultural lines. He owns 382 acres of valuable farm- ing and grazing land in Donegal and West Finley Town- ships, where he resided until removing to West Alex- ander. In polities he is a Republican. He is a director in the West Alexander National Bank and prominent in the business affairs of the town and community.

Alexander MeCleery, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in West Finley Township, and died there November 11, 1897, after a long and useful career. He served two years as county commissioner and four terms, twenty years, as a justice of the peace. In his views on publie questions he was clear-headed and broad- minded. In early years he was a Free-soiler, but later

became identified with the Republican party. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.

R. L. HETHERINGTON, who resides on his valuable, well improved farm of 218 acres, situated in Somerset Township, about three miles north of Bentleyville, was born near Jonestown, in Fallowfield Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., April 1, 1848, and is a son of Abraham and Sarah ( Hughes) Hetherington.

Abraham Hetherington was born in 1814, on what was then farming land in Somerset Township, but is now the site of the town or borough of Bentleyville. His father, Hughie Hetherington, was born in Ireland and came to Washington County as a young man, lo- eating on the farm land above mentioned. The maternal grandfather was Remembrance Hughes, who was born in Greene County, Pa., but died in California. Mrs. Hetherington was born and reared in Greene County. After marriage, Abraham Hetherington and wife settled first in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, but later moved to Iowa. The climate of that State did not agree with Mr. Hetherington, which caused him to return to Washington County and he spent the remainder of his life at Bentleyville, where he survived into old age, his death occurring March 30, 1904, when in his ninetieth year. His wife died in 1894. They were most worthy and respected people.

R. L. Hetherington grew to manhood on the farm near Bentleyville and has followed farming and stock raising ever since gaining an age to direct his own industries. He came to his present farm in 1875, where he makes growing grain and raising stock his specialties. His full name, which he shortens for convenience, is Remembranee Lindsay Hetherington, in memory of his maternal grandfather, a name that indicates Puritan ancestry.

Mr. Hetherington married Miss Mary Jane Myers, a daughter of Henry and Mary Ann (Myers) Myers, old residents of Somerset Township, where Mrs. Hethering- ton was born and reared. Five children have been born to the above marriage: Mary Capitola, wife of William M. Gault, of Charleroi; Guy M., who married Mary Cassandra Williams; Thomas, who resides in Monon- gahela City, married Mabel Bennett; Sallie Leota, who is the wife of Andrew Crouch, of Somerset Township; and one that died in infancy.

WILLIAM HOCKLEY, who has been a resident of Washington for over a quarter of a century, does an extensive business in stone contracting and house rais- ing, his reliability in all this kind of work having long been established. He was born in England, May 28, [844, and obtained his education in the schools of his native land.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Mr. Hockley has led au active and honorable life. For ten years he served in the Royal Engineer Corps in the English Army, after which he learned the trade of stone-mason, and from 1867 until 1870 he was employed at his trade working on the fortifications of mighty Gibralter. lle was thirty four years old when he came to America and he located first at Pittsburg, where he found employment on a boat on the river and then he did construction work for two years on the Davis Island dam. Mr. Hockley came from there to Washington and for about 20 years followed contract bridge building, and fully 100 of the substantial bridges in different parts of Washington County were built by contract by Mr. lock ky. llis work covers stone contracting, house moving, smoke-stack raising and bridge building, each line requir ing that certain knowledge and exact calculation which Mr. Hockley has acquired through his many years of ex- perience.

In December, 1553, Mr. Hockley was married to Miss Mary Lavinia Day, a daughter of John Nelson Day, an old family of property in Washington County, residents of Morris Township. Mrs. Hockley is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Their beautiful home is situated at No. 302 Duncan Ave., Washington.

SAMUEL MILLER DOWNER, a member of the well known real estate and insurance firm of Downer & Ham- ilton of Monongahela City, Pa., has practically been a lifelong resident of this city, but was born June 12, 1860, in Fayette ('ity, Pa., and is a son of Eliphalet and Cath- erine (Procia) Downer.

Eliphalet Downer, who was a native of Elizabeth, Pa., spent his entire life along the Monongahela River, and was a tinner by trade. After learning his trade at Pitts- burg, he returned to Elizabeth for a time, then removed to Fayette City, Pa., where he remained until 1860 work- ing at his trade, and at that time came to Monongahela ('ity, where his death occurred at the age of 66 years. le was married in Jefferson County, Pa., to Catherine Procia, who was of German extraction, and of their union were born the following children: William S .; Mary E., deceased; Samuel Miller; Jennie; Eve C., who is the wife of Prof. Edwin W. Chubb; James E .; Harry R .; and Charles D.

Samuel M. Downer was but three months old when his parents came to Monongahela City, where he was reared and attended the public schools. At the age of 15 years he took up the tin roofing trade with his father, and one year later began looking after his father's outside inter- ests, and remained with him until about 1894, when he embarked in the real estate business in partnership with John M. Grable, of one of the old established real estate firms of Monongahela City. The business was conducted under the firm name of Grable & Downer until the death

of Mr. Grable in 1903, and in June, 1904, T. A. Hamil ton became a member of the firm, which is now known as Downer & Ilamilton, their offices being located at No. 305 Main Street, where they engage in large real estate operations. Mr. Downer is chairman of the Monongahela Chamber of Commerce, and was one of the organizers of the Monongahela City Gas Company, of which he has been president sinee its organization. le is identified with the Republican party in politics, has served on the city council, was city treasurer. In fraternal circles he holds membership with the Junior O. U. A. M., of which he is the oldest past counciler, and the B. P. O. E.

On Nov. 1, 1586, Mr. Downer was joined in marriage with Ella Kern, a daughter of Godfrey and Mary E. Kern of Monongahela City, and to them have been born the following children: (fødtrey K .. a student at Ilar vard University; Catherine; and Eliphalet. Mr. Downer resides in a comfortable home. located on the corner of Meade and Lincoln Streets.

JAMES MARTIN TEMPLETON, whose entire life has been spent at Canonsburg or in the vicinity of the borough, resides in one of the beautiful homes of the place, which is situated at No. 255 North Jefferson Avenue. He was born in Chartiers Township. Washing- ton County, Pa., Oet. 26, 1856, and is a son of James M. and Elizabeth ( MeNary) Templeton.

The father of Mr. Templeton was born in North Stra- bane Township, Washington County, and was a son of David and Mary (Martin) Templeton. The latter was the first wife of David Templeton and they had three children: John, Margaret and James. For his second wife he married Jane MeNary, and they had the follow- ing children: Matthew, Thomas, David, Anna and Jo- seph. James MI. Templeton was married (first) to Eliza- betli MeNary, and they had three sons, namely: Joseph MeNary, a resident of South Canonsburg. married a widow, Mrs. McDonough; David, who died at the age of nine years; and James Martin. The mother of the above children was born in Cecil Township, Washington County, in 1825, and died in 1839. Her father was Joseph MeNary, one of the old settlers of the county. James M. Templeton was married (second) to Miss Mary MeCoy, who still survives. There were two children born to that union: Martha Jane, who is the wife of Robert Hemphill, residing on Greenside avenue. Canonsburg ; and William Hunter, who also resides at Canonsburg. James M. Templeton was born in 1825 and died in the summer of 1891. He was long a leading member of the United Presbyterian Church. Prior to moving to Canonsburg, in 1875, he was a farmer in Chartiers Township, but in later years his health failed and he lived retired. In politics he was a Republican.

James Martin Templeton attended the public schools

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

of Chartiers Township, after which he learned the paint- ing trade, with L. D. Smith of Canonsburg, and has fol- lowed the same for thirty-three years. He is one of the borough's best-known and most highly respected citizens.

In 1883 Mr. Templeton was married to Miss Harriet B. Cochran, a daughter of Samuel and Matilda Cochran, of Canonsburg. They have two daughters and one son: Ethel Matilda, Mary Elizabeth and Paul Cochran, the latter of whom is in the office of the Fort Pitt Bridge Works. Mr. Templeton and family are mem- bers of the First Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg. In polities he is a Republican and for three years he served acceptably as a member of the Borough Council. He is a member of the Royal Areanum.

ANDREW NICHOLS, who is a prosperous general farmer in South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, owns 126 acres of excellent land, situated within two and one-half miles of that city, and was born in Ireland and came to America in 1851.

On July 8, 1854, Mr. Nichols was married to Rachel Patterson, who died January 21, 1908. She was a daugh- ter of William and Jane ( Kennedy) Patterson. Mr. aud Mrs. Nichols had the following children : Martha ; Anna, who married Samuel P. Farley; Edward; Sarah J., who is deceased; James; John, who married Jennie Johnston ; and Rachel, who is deceased.

After marriage Mr. Nichols resided in the city of Philadelphia for a short time and then came to a farm near Washington, later moving to the farm which he still owns. He had few improvements to make, as substantial buildings were on the place. Later he sold the coal. He carries on general farming and stock raising. In politics he is a Democrat. With his family he attends the Second United Presbyterian Church at Washington. He is one of South Strabane Township's most highly respected citizens.

HON. HUGH J. GILMORE, one of Washington's highly esteemed retired citizens, whose beautiful mansion is situated at No. 297 East Beau street, has passed almost a quarter of a century here and has been closely associated with business interests and public affairs. He was born in German Township, Fayette County, Pa., April 11, 1830, and remained there until he came to Washington.

For a number of years prior to taking up his residence in this city Mr. Gilmore engaged in farming in Fayette County. He had been active in polities since early man- hood and was a leader in Democratic circles in Fayette County. Under the administration of the late ex-Presi- dent Cleveland he was a ganger in the United States revenue service in charge of a number of distilleries along the Monongahela River and later was engaged in

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 68

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