Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 73

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 73

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John Simmons was the third born in a family of nine children and he was in early manhood when he ae- companied the other members of the family here from New Jersey, making the most of the distance on foot, most likely driving cattle and stock. Later he pur- chased the Union Township farm in Washington County, owned by his heirs, and both he and wife died on the above farm. They had the following children born to them: Joseph H., deceased; William; Sarah and Mar- garet Ann, both deceased; Peter II .; John; and Philip N., who is deceased.

John Simmons obtained the usual country school edu- cation afforded to the children of farmers within a cer- tain radius, but he, like others, had to go to work early on the farm. When he grew older and could decide his future for himself, he chose to learn the carpenter trade, which he followed for some twenty years, doing a large proportion of work in his line in his immediate neigh- borhood. He continued to live on the home farm until 1903, when he bought the place on which he resides, from Mrs. Mathias J. Guinn.

On June 23, 1903, Mr. Simmons was married to Miss Mary MeQuisten, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Braden MeQuisten, and they have four children: JJohn A., Oliver P., Samuel M. and Rhoda May. Mr. Simmons and wife belong to the Baptist Church, in which he is a deacon. lle is a Republican.

JOSEPH W. HUNTER, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Charleroi, and vice-president of the Washington County Medical Society, has been identified with the medical profession of Charleroi since April 1, 1898. He was born October 8, 1865, on a farmi near Buffalo, Hopewell Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of William W. and Elizabeth (Smiley) Hunter, prominent and highly esteemed citizens of the village of Buffalo.

Joseph Hunter was reared on his father's farm and after attending the district schools and taking an ara- demie course at the Buffalo Academy, entered the Jeffer son Medieal College of Philadelphia, from which he grad. uated with the class of 1893. He then spent one year in hospital work in Philadelphia, after which he embarked in the practice of medicine at Buena Vista, Allegheny County, Pa., where he continued with much success until 1898. He then came to Charleroi, where he has since been located at No. 406 Washington avenue. In De rember, 1908, he was elected viee-president of the Wash. ington County Medical Association, of which he has been a member since coming to the county. Dr. Ilunter is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church. In the fall of 1899, Dr. Hunter married Martha Jane Nicholas.

JAMES JUNK, who for many years was a leading farmer and stock raiser of Fayette County, Pa., and later an esteemed retired citizen of Washington, died in this city in 1902, leaving the clear record of a long, kindly and useful life. He was born in Fayette County in 1841 and continued to reside there during the whole of his active business life.

In early manhood Mr. Junk was married to Miss Lonisa Wells, who was born in Fayette County, near Brownsville, a daughter of Joseph Wells and a member of one of the old and leading families of Fayette County. Mr. and Mrs. Junk had four children: Frances, who married Rev. C. L. McKee, of LeMoyne avenue, Wash- ington; Anna Mary, who died aged ten months; Mar- garet, who is the wife of John W. MeDowell, an attor- ney of Washington; and Ruth, who resides with her mother, in their beautiful home at No. 52 South Wade avenue. To the education of his daughters, the father gave close attention. The eldest daughter was a student at Westminster College and both Margaret and Ruth, at the Washington Seminary. They are all ladies of su- perior culture and many accomplishments. Mr. Junk was a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church and one of its board of trustees. He was an early mem- ber of the Prohibition party at Washington and was a strong advocate of temperance in all things.

WILLIAM JOHN MILLER, a prosperous agricul- turist, residing two and one-half miles southeast of Me- Donald, Pa., owns a fine farm of 148 acres situated in Ceril Township, which he devotes largely to stock and dairy purposes, having high-grade cattle. He was born in Ireland, September 19, 1837, and is a son of Riehard and Mary Ann (Ramsey ) Miller.

The parents of Mr. Miller came to America with their family, in 1847, and settled in Washington County, Pa. They had the following children: James R .. who re-

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sides on the homestead in Cecil Township; Jane; Richard, who is deceased; Daniel, who is deceased; Elizabeth, who married Andrew Shane; and William John.

W. J. Miller was ten years old when his parents came to America and settled on the farm in Cecil Township, where he has lived ever since. He assisted in the erect- ing of the buildings now standing and has been the owner of the homestead for a number of years. He sold the coal deposits to W. P. Renn, who later disposed of them to the Pittsburg Coal Company and there are no open banks now on the farm. He has seven valuable oil and gas wells on the place. All the land has been cleared off except fifteen acres and this standing timber is con- sidered very valuable.

On January 1, 1867, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Sarah E. MeWhennie, a daughter of James McWhennie, of Cecil Township, and they have nine children: Richard R., who resides in Allegheny City; James M., who re- sides in the State of California; Thomas S .; Anna Ger- trude Matilda, who resides in Allegheny City ;. and Mary Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah Wilhelmina, W. J., Jr., and Isa- bella English, all reside at home. Mr. Miller and family are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Rob- inson Run. Mr. Miller is a stanch Republican. He is one of the stockholders in the MeDonald Trust Company.

CHARLES L. CRAWFORD, who has been a resident of Washington, Pa., since May 8, 1888, when he came as superintendent of the Northrop Shops, which position he still retains, was born in November, 1867, in Hazel Green, Wis. When very young Mr. Crawford was brought east by his parents and was reared and edu- cated in Philadelphia, where he remained until about 21 years of age, when he came to Washington, Pa., where he began learning the machinist's trade with the Standard Machine Company. One year later this com- pany discontinued business and he then entered the em- ploy of B. D. Northrop, and with the exception of one year spent at the Allegheny shops, and one year at the Hazel Glass Company's No. 1 Machine Shop, he has been continuously in the employ of Mr. Northrop ever since, as superintendent of the shops, which covers a period of 15 years.

In September, 1894, Mr. Crawford was joined in marriage with Nora F. Weills, of Washington, and to them have been born: Charles L. and Marian Shirley Crawford. Mr. Crawford is a member of the Presby- terian Church, at Washington.

WILLIAM JAMES ELLIOTT, farmer, gardeuer and fruit grower, whose land is situated on the Elizabeth State road, about two miles east of Finleyville, in Union Township, Washington County, Pa., was born in this

township, March 20, 1860, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Lowers) Elliott.

Thomas Elliott was born in England, where his father died. In boyhood Thomas Elliott began work in the mines under hard conditions, the miners having to push the coal out by hand. He was eighteen years old when he accompanied his mother and three brothers to America and was the youngest of the family. The two older brothers are living-James, in Missouri; and Joseph, in Kansas; but the third, Ralph, is deceased. When the Elliott family reached America they settled first in Ohio and then came to Washington County and for many years afterward Thomas Elliott followed mining along the Monongahela River. He now lives retired at Charleroi, Pa. At Youngstown, Ohio, he married Sarah Lowers, who is a member of an old family of western Pennsylvania. Nine children were born to them: William James; Agnes, who is the wife of Rev. S. M. V. Hess; Joseph S .; Charles; Jennie; Robert F .; Ella, who is the wife of William Parks; John, and Elizabeth.

William James Elliott had few school advantages, at- tending a school at Coal Bluff for a short time, but by the time he was 11 years of age he was working as a miner along the Monongahela River and continued that hard life until 1897, when be bought his present farm from the Kerr and Beaty estate. He has done consider- able improving and in 1907 erected the new residence. Mr. Elliott does truek farming and raises small fruits, having both a retail and wholesale market for his ber- ries, which are unusually fine and abundant on account of the excellent care and cultivation he gives them.

In June, 1882, Mr. Elliott was married to Miss Ada Barkby, and they have had three children: Edith, who teaches school at Canonsburg; Norman J., who died in 1905, aged sixteen years; and Mary A. Mr. Elliott and family belong to the Methodist Protestant Church at Coal Bluff, of which he is a trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school. He occupies the same relation with the church at Gastonville. For the past twelve years he has acceptably filled the office of road supervisor, for six years served as township assessor and for one year was constable. He is a Republican.

EDWARD J. MURPHY, who for twenty years has been a resident of Washington and is successfully identi- fied with oil production in this seetion, was born at Montreal, Can., in 1848, and is a son of Owen Murphy, a native of Ireland.

Edward J. Murphy was reared near Rome, N. Y., and in his earlier years followed farming. In 1864 he en- listed for service in the Civil War, entering Co. I, 15th N. Y. Eng. Corps, and remained in the army until the elose of hostilities. He was attached to the Army of

CHARLES L. CRAWFORD

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the Potomac and was stationed near City Point and Petersburg. Va. After his honorable discharge ho re- turned to New York and resumed farming for a time and then decided to visit the Pennsylvania oil fields, From Titusville in Crawford County, he went to Venango County, and from there to the Clarion County fields and later worked in the fields of Butler, Westmoreland and Greene counties, reaching Washington County about 1889. HIe has prospered in the oil industry and now has valuable wells in Washington County, Pa., and in West Virginia and Ohio. He is a representative citizen of Washington, taking an interest and doing his part in publie matters and at times has been a valuable member of the city couneil.

In 1890, Mr. Murphy was married to Pauline Hlouch, of Grapeville, Pa. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and is identified with the Knights of Columbus, with the Elks and the German Beneficial Union.

WILLIAM ALLEN KENNEDY, postmaster and gen- eral merchant at Courtney. Pa,, has been a resident of Washington County all his life and was born in Union Township, January 7, 1850, a son of Thomas and Hannah E. ( Roberts) Kennedy.

The Kennedy family was established in Washington County by the great-grandfather, James Kennedy, who came here from Ireland. Here his nine children were born and here he and wife died in old age. Thomas Kennedy was a son of Samuel Kennedy, a son of James Kennedy, and spent his life in Washington County, in early manhood marrying Hannah E. Roberts, also of Washington County. They had three children: John F .. William Allen and Samuel, the latter of whom is de- ceased. Thomas Kennedy died in 1865, when aged thirty- nine years. His widow survived until 1894, dying when aged seventy-four years.

William Allen Kennedy grew to manhood on the home farm, went to the neighboring schools until he was seven- teen years of age and then began to teach, and filled positions in both Union and Carroll Townships for about four years, after which he spent three years profitably in the oil fields, Mr. Kennedy then embarked in the mer- cantile business, opening a store at Houston's Run, in Union Township, but later removed to Courtney and has been postmaster of the town since 1905. For twelve years Mr. Kennedy was manager of the coal company which makes Courtney its headquarters. He has been a very active member of the Republican party and an im- portant factor in directing its policies in this section. For three successive terms he served as auditor of Wash- ington County, and for fifteen years has served on the school board.

In 1873, Mr. Kennedy was married (first ) to Margaret Van Kirk, who died in 1901. To that marriage were

born the following children; Frank, who married Alice Brown, has three children-Mildred, Margaret and Gladys; Edith, a daughter, and Adna, a son, are both dereased; Samuel, who is a physician, married Gladys Emery and they have one child, William Finley. In 1904, Mr. Kennedy was married (second) to Laura Dias, and they have one daughter, Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are member of the Presbyterian Church. He is identi- fied with the Elks, Monongahela Lodge, No. 455.

W. M. UART, a pioneer merchant at California, Pa., is the senior member of the firm of W. M. Hart & Son, grocers, and has been continuonsly in this business and at the same stand, since the winter of 1874-5. It is one of the landmark points. Mr. flart was born at Magnolia, Carroll County, Ohio, July 7, 1837, and is a son of William and Maria L. Hart.

The mother of Mr. Hart died in his infancy and his father, who was a merchant, in Ohio. The boy remained at home until he was nine years old and was then sent to Virginia, now West Virginia, and remained on a farm there until he was eighteen, when he became an employee of a canal company, and he drove a team on the Ohio Canal from Cleveland to Portsmouth, Ohio, for a year. IIe then went to railroading and was baggageman on the first express train that ran between Marietta and ('in- rinnati, Ohio, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He re- mained on the railroad for two years and then came back to West Virginia, loeating opposite Wellsville, Ohio, taking charge of the ferry between Wellsville and Hamilton, W. Va. This was his business at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. Although the greater part of his life had been spent in Virginia, he was loyal to the Union at heart, and one of his neighbors, James Steel, who had been a boyhood comrade, was equally so. Mr. Hart put ont the first United States flag that floated to the breeze in West Virginia and Mr. Steel's sister and the daughters of William Hamilton, kept that flag floating at this point, all through the war. Thousands of United States soldiers had their hearts gladdened by the sight of it as they passed up and down the river. and cheered it to the echo. James Steel served all through the war and spent eighteen months in southern prisons, living through every kind of hardship only to return and meet death in an accident, drowning in ton inches of oil.

When the war broke out. Mr. Hart was one of the first to enlist in his section, entering Co. I. Ist Va. Inf .. for three months, in April, 1861, and at the expiration of this time he re-enlisted in Co. F. Ist Va. Vol. Inf., contraeting for three years. He served as corporal of his company until January 1. 1863, when he was ap- pointed hospital steward of the regiment. and during the remainder of the time was mainly with the Army of

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

West Virginia. in the winter of 1864 he again re-en- listed, as a veteran. His regiment and the 4th W. Va., Inf. consolidated, forming the 2nd W. Va. Vet. Inf., and Mr. Hart was made hospital steward of this organi- zation and served until the elose of the war, being mus- tered out at Clarksburg, W. Va., August 1, 1865.

After this long continued period of military service, Mr. Hart returned to peaceful pursuits and as that was a time of great activity in the Pennsylvania oil regions, he went there and remained for several years, after which he returned to Hamilton, W. Va., and in the win- ter of 1873-4 entered into the grocery business at Pitts- burg, in partnership with Samuel Steel under the firm name of Steel & Hart. One year later he came to Cali- fornia and has lived here ever since, His first location was on the corner of Union and Second streets, which is the present site of the Odd Fellows' building, but in 1877 he was burned out and when he resumed business it was at his present stand.

At California, in 1876, Mr. Hart was married to Miss Bessie Eberman, a daughter of George M. Eberman, a pioneer boat builder and one of the founders of Cali- fornia. They have one son and one daughter. William E. is associated with his father in business. Pearl is the wife of C. I. Lewis, of East Pittsburg, and they have two children: George William and Elizabeth.

Mr. Hart has ever been an active and useful citizen. For several years he served as president of the borough council and was also borough treasurer. He has given encouragement to the cause of education and has served on the school board, and has so carried on his business that he is respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens. He is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 168.

JOHN MeKEOWN, deceased, formerly a highly re- spected resident of Washington, Pa., was one of the prominent and successful oil producers of Pennsylvania, and a strictly self-made man. He was born on a farm three miles from Newry, in the parish of Newtown Cloughage, County Armagh, Ireland, and was a son of Bernard and Margaret MeKeown.

Coming from his native land to America, he landed at the port of New York, in April, 1865, on the day that its citizens were bowed down with griet and observ- ing the obsequies of the martyred President, Abraham Lincoln, and his warm Irish heart was touched with sympathy for those with whom he expected to spend the remainder of his life. He was willing to work at any- thing that came to hand and his evident honesty pro- cured him enough small jobs to keep him from want, but this class of work was not the kind he had crossed the ocean to find and when opportunities for better things were presented in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, he soon

was on the ground at Petroleum Center, in Venango County. From there he went to Parker's Landing, in Armstrong County, where he found an abundance of work at remunerative wages and it was there, while working by the day, that he determined to become a proprietor instead of a laborer. Economy was necessary for a time, but he gradually accumulated the funds that he used for his first venture in contraeting and drilling which developed into producing.

Mr. MeKeown's first marked sueeess as an oil producer was in Bradford and Washington fields. In nearly all his early ventures he was alone, taking all the risks him- self and avoiding business alliances, and no man ever worked harder or put in longer hours than he in order to gain a footing which he felt sure would end in fortune. There are those who remember him wrapped in a rubber coat and wearing a slouch hat, this garb making him a recognized figure, when he would ride his powerful horse knee deep in mud or snow, at all hours of the night, looking after his men and the work. He gave his per- sonal attention to his wells, hired his own workers, ne- gotiated for all materials without the aid of a middle man, and let no details, however small, eseape his atten- tion. In 1885 he moved his family to Washington, leased 1,000 aeres of land and commenced operations for oil, and such was bis snecess that at the height of the oil excitement in Washington County, his wells were pro- ducing 10,000 barrels a day. His business grew to such vast proportions that it would have strained the nerves of a half dozen ordinary men to merely supervise it; but with his constitution and well regulated business methods, he managed every detail. However this could not last, and at length Nature began to take toll. The hard work combined with the exposure beagn to tell on his unusually robust constitution, and his devoted wife vainly begged him to take a rest. He continued, however, until he broke completely down and at length was not able to arise from his bed. The eminent physicians summoned from Pittsburg and Philadelphia were not able, with all their medicaments and skill to restore his squandered vitality and this remarkable man passed out of life, while comparatively young. He was born April 4, 1839, and died February 8, 1891, his age being fifty-two years. His burial was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery at Pittsburg, in the presence of a great concourse who had come to pay their token of respect, among these being many who had been admiring competitors and hundreds of those who, in his employ, had received the justice which he had not only demanded at all times for himself, but never failed to give others. No matter how men had differed with hint in opinion on many subjeets, one and all they ae- corded their meed of praise for his courage, perseverance, energy and honesty.

Mr. MeKeown was married at Petroleum Center to

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Mrs. Sarah King who survives and resides in her hand- some residence on the corner of Maiden and College streets, Washington. Five sons were born to them, all of whom reside at Washington: Arthur J., Byron D. J., James B., Scott Alexander and John Me. Of the above sons, Scott A. MeKeown was born at Parker's Landing, Pa., and has been identified with oil porduction during the whole of his mature life. In 1905 he was married to Miss Emily Quin, of Bradford, Pa., and they reside in the beautiful MeKeown homestead at No. 106 Maiden street.

Although a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Washington, Mrs. MeKeown, in desiring te honor her late husband, presented to the Catholic Church at Wash- ingten, which he attended, a most beautiful memorial window, which cost $1,000. In Calvary Cemetery, in Pittsburg, she has had erected, under her own super- vision, a fine Italian marble vault, with bronze doors which were made by Tiffany, New York. On the ent- side is pictured the derrick of the Martin oil well, No. 4, which was the source of Mr. Mckeown's fortune to a large degree, one which, in its development, toek so much of his energy and strength.

SAMUEL DICKSON, general farmer, residing on his valuable tract of forty acres of land, situated one mile north of Canonsburg, Pa., in Cecil Township, was born in Ireland, June 17, 1845, and is a sen of Samuel and Elizabeth (Dickson) Dickson.

The father of Mr. Dickson died when he was but twe weeks old. The mother was left with twe small sens: William and Samuel. William Dickson was the first ef the family te come to America and he settled in Wash- ingten County nine years before his mother and Samuel jeined him. William Dieksen is a respected resident of South Canonsburg. He married Margaret Ferguson.

Samuel Diekson obtained all his scheeling in his na- tive land. In 1863 he accompanied his mother te Amer- ica and they settled on the present site of the Referni School at Merganza, where Samuel engaged in farming. Mrs. Dickson became well known and highly esteemed in the community. She survived inte old age, her death occuring in 1899, in her ninety-third year. Her burial was in Oak Springs Cemetery. For many years she had been a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

In 1887, Mr. Dicksen was married (first) to Miss Agnes Jane Allen, daughter of James Allen, of Ireland. She left no children. He was married (second) to Miss Sarah Valentine, a daughter of James Valentine, of Can- ensburg. After his first marriage he resided for a time in Cecil Township and then moved to South Fayette Township, in Allegheny County, for a few years, but sub- sequently returned te Cecil Township and in 1895 benght his present farm. It was in good condition and required

no new buildings. Tests for oil and gas had already been made, but Mr. Dickson has had no drilling done since he came into possession. Both he and wife are members of the Center Presbyterian Church at Canens- burg. lle votes with the Republican party.

WILLIAM B. MeCHAIN, who resides on his farm of twenty-five acres, which lies in Union Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., about one and one-half miles east ef Finleyville, Pa., carries on general farming and also does butchering. He was born at the Twelve-Mile Honse, in Allegheny County, Pa., September 17, 1852, and is a son of James and Margaret (Kelley) McChain.

The parents of Mr. McChain were beth natives of Ire- land. The grandfather was Hugh MeChain, who followed deep sea fishing and lived in a coast town, in County Down, Ireland. James McChain was born in 1812, in his father's house at Ballywalter, this town being six- teen miles distant frem Belfast, Ireland. James became a sailor when young and later a pilet on boats passing up the dangerons channel. He learned shoemaking and also was in the limestone and coal business in County Down and owned two lime kilns there. During his life he crossed the Atlantic Ocean seven times, coming first te America in 1832. He visited New York, Boston and Philadelphia, and walked the whole distance from the latter city to Pittsburg. He left that place on Christ- mas Day and started baek east, werking his way until he reached St. John's New Brunswick, where he shipped as a sailor and in that way crossed to Ireland. He re- reived a hearty welcome and was shortly afterward mar- ried to Margaret Kelley, who survived him, dying in Union Township, Washington County, many years later, aged eighty-six years. Her father had been an officer in the Dragoons, in the battle of Waterloo.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 73

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