Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 79

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 79

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James Maxwell moved on this tract about 1830 and later more land was added to the purchase. It con- tinued in his possession and in that of his son, James B. Maxwell, until 1901, when Benjamin W. Hazen, father of the subject of this sketch, bought it. Ben- jamin W. Hazen died on the old Hazen farm in Fayette County, Pa., in 1904, and his wife passed away at Union- town in 1909. They were survived by the following children: James P., residing on the home farm in Fayette County; Annette, widow of E. L. Phillips, of Fayette County; Ella, wife of Fredrick O. Shearer, re- siding in Eighty-Four, Washington County; William ; and Leora, the wife of W. L. Dunn, residing in Union- town.

William Hazen attended the public schools near his

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

home and his first and only business has been farming and stock raising. Hle assisted his father as long as the latter lived and then received the present farm by his father's will. He has made many improvements on the place and has a very comfortable and attractive resi- denee. The visitor immediately notes the heads of deer and moose which adorn its walls, and other trophies, and learns that they were secured by Mr. Hazen him- self in the woods of Northern Maine. He is very fond of hunting and has spent much of his spare time in his favorite pursuit over the mountains and in different sections of his own State. He inherits this love of the sport, the family records showing that his ancestors were skilled hunters in their days, when the forests of Penn- sylvania supplied plenty of game.

On August 11, 1897, Mr. Hazen was married to Miss Minnie Cooper, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dunn) Cooper, and they have one son, George Custer Hazen, who was born March 22, 1903. Mr. Hazen, who very early united with the Flatwoods Baptist Church, of Fayette County, still gives it his support. In politics, like all the members of the Hazen family, he is a Demo- crat and cast his first presidential vote for William J. Bryan in 1896. In 1909 he was elected a delegate to the Democratic State Convention. He is one of the re- liable younger citizens of Hopewell Tewnship.

WILLIAM H. DAVIS was born in 1865 on the old Davis homestead, which is located in South Strabane Township, about three and a half miles east of Wash- ington, Pa., and is a son of William and Mary (Kerr) Davis.

William Davis, great-grandfather of our subject, and a native of Scotland, emigrated to this country at an early period and located in Washington County, Pa., where he passed the remainder of his life engaged in farming. He was the father of the following children : Elizabeth, Thomas, Sarah, William, Samuel, Joshna and Rezin. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and in politics a Whig of the old school. Joshua Davis, grandfather of subjeet, was born October 6, 1787, in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, and obtained his education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood. He married Mary McNeelance and to them were born the following children: William, Lu- cinda, George, Eliza and Margaret. After his marriage Joshua Davis made his home for some time in West Bethlehem Township, subsequently moving to Buffalo Township, where he resided until late in life, when he went to live with his son William, where he died October 10, 1864. He was survived by his widow until June 6, 1871, and both were interred in the Washington Ceme- tery. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

In polities he was originally a Whig, and later a stanch Republican.

William Davis, father of our subject, was born Octo- ber 6, 1810, in West Bethlehem Township, where, dur- ing his boyhood days he attended the schools of the neighborhood. Early in lite he began working on his father's farm in North Strabane Township, continuing there until 1847, when he purchased a farm of his own in South Strabane Township, where he devoted his time to agricultural pursuits and the growing of Saxony sheep. lie was very successful in both these industries, his flock of sheep numbering at one time 1,100 head, and he aceminulated over 500 acres of fine farming land. Mr. Davis was a member and for many years elder in the Presbyterian Church of Pigeon Creek, and during the later years of his life was an elder in the First Pres- byterian Church of Washington, Pa. For several years he was a director of the First National Bank of Wash- ington and for a period of nine years a member of the Washington County Poor Board, and held various other township offices. Mr. Davis was married (first) on January 28, 1836, to Juliet Palmer, who died October 11, 1841, and by whom he was the father of three ehil- dren: George, Jom K., and Mary Elizabeth. On Sep- tember 23, 1853, he was united in marriage with Mary Kerr, who was born in Finleyville, a daughter of David Kerr and a granddaughter of James Kerr, a native of Chester County, Pa., and a descendant of stalwart Scotch-Irish ancestors. To them was born a son, Will- iam H., who is the subject of this sketch.

William H. Davis was reared on the old Davis home- stead which has been in the family for over 60 years and obtained his education in the public schools and Wash- ington and Jefferson College, where he attended two years. Upon leaving college he returned to the farm where he has been very successful, owning the Littleton Stock Farm as well as two other tracts of land. From 1889 to 1893 he was also engaged in the wholesale and retail lumber business in Washington. In addition to general farming he is interested in coal lands and the development of oil, and for 20 years has been breeding high class light weight harness horses, having purchased in New York in 1902 the famous stallion "Moquette," who trotted to a record of 2:10 in 1892, which was at that time a record for four-year olds. This animal is one of the best known horses of his age, having a world- wide reputation.

Mr. Davis was married in 1894 to Annie Mowell, a daughter of Solomon Mowell and Permelia (Ross) Mow- ell. Solomon Mowell was a grandson of Peter Mowell (or Mowl) who immigrated from Germany and after a brief residence in Maryland came west to his final loca- tien in West Bethlehem Township. Peter's son Abram,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

who died at the ancestral home in 1861, was the grand- father of Mrs. Davis. Her father, Solomon Mowell, died in 1889, widely known and highly respected in the com- munity where he had spent his long life.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis have retired from the farm and are comfortably located at their home, No. 51 South Wade Ave., Washington.

WILLIAM A. WRIGHT, a leading business man and substantial citizen of MeDonald, Pa., proprietor of a tea store and the owner of at least four other properties in this borough, was born at Eldersville, Washington county. Pa., Dec. 6, 1868. His parents were William C. and Amanda (Wiley) Wright, and his grandfather was David Wright.

The father of Mr. Wright died Oct. 6, 1909, having been an invalid for the last 31 years of his life. The mother is in business at Midway, Pa., where she con- duets a notion store. 'there were two sons in the fam- ily: William A. and L. E.

William A. wright enjoyed no educational advantages beyond those offered in the public schools of Washington County, and he was not very far advanced in age when he became self supporting, entering the employ of J. S. MeCarty & Brother, who were in the lumber and hard- ware business at Midway. in 1898 he embarked in the tea business for himself in MeDonald, later associating F. L. Descutner with him, and the partnership continned for seven years. After it was dissolved, Mr. Wright opened his tea store at MeDonald and is doing a thriving business.

On Sept. 22, 1890, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Elizabeth Herdman, a daughter of William and Eliza- beth Herdman, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Herdman had eight children, namely: Elizabeth, Lilly, George, Alexander, Margaret, Jesse, William and Nellie. ,Mr. and Mrs. Wright have three children: Frederick Allison, Ruth Amanda and Harry L. Mr. Wright and wife belong to the First United Presbyterian Church at MeDonald and he takes a deep interest in the work of the Sabbath-school and has been officiating as its super- intendent since early in 1909. He is a Prohibitionist in his views on publie questions. .

JAMES T. HEFFRAN, who was elected to the im- portant office of coroner of Washington County, Pa., in November, 1908, and assumed the duties of the position on January 4, 1909, is a representative citizen who is widely known and held in general esteem. He was born in England, in 1873, and came to America when twelve years of age.

Mr. Heffran had attended school in his native land and completed his education in the schools of Shire Oaks,

Washington County, after which he engaged in mining, making work in the mines his main employment, working continuously in that line until he was elected to his present office, with the exception of two years, during which he was employed by the General Assembly at Har- risburg. Mr. Heffran is an active and successful worker in the ranks of the Republican party and also in the miners' organizations. He is a member of the U. M. W. of A., of the Sons of St. George, and of the Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge and Encampment.

In 1895, Mr. Heffran was married to Miss Hettie Beazelle, who is a member of one of the prominent old pioneer families of the southeastern section of Washing- ton County. Mr. and Mrs. Heffran have three children: Harold, Hazel and Lillian. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Speers, where he has re- sided for the past fifteen years. He is a member of the official board or this church and conducts the Bible class in the Sunday school.

DANIEL GOTTHELD, sennor member of the well known business firm of Gottheld Bros., at Charleroi, proprietors of the New York Grocery, located at Nos. 613-615 Fallowfield Avenue, was born at Sharon, Pa., May 13, 1873, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Beshman) Gottheld.

The parents of Mr. Gottheld moved to MeDonald. Washington County, in 1880. The 'father worked for many years in the coal mines in this county, and when Daniel was old enough, he also was put to work in the mines. Knowing that it was his duty to obey his father and to assist in his own support, the youth worked hard and saved his money and in this way was able in the winter of 1897-8 to take a commercial conrse at a col- lege, at Scio, Ohio, and thus was able to prepare himself for a more congenial occupation than mining. After he returned to MeDonald, he operated a small store there until the fall of 1898, when he came to Charleroi. Short- ly afterward he induced his father to also give up the hard life of a miner and come to Charleroi. His par- ents listened to this filial plea and became members of his household, and here the father died, surrounded by comforts, in 1901. The mother still survives.

The firm of Gottheld Bros. represents the oldest gro- cery house at Charleroi. It was established in a small way in 1898, by Daniel Gottheld and J. C. Lang, the latter now of Donora. In 1901, after three years of suc- cessful partnership, Mr. Lang retired from the firm to look after other interests, and Daniel Gottheld continued alone until 1905, when he admitted his brother, William C. Gottheld, as a partner. This firm has greatly pros- pered and is now recognized as one of the most substan- tial business concerns of this section. Together with business integrity and business understanding, they have

JAMES T. HEFFRAN

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

adopted modern methods which have brought their house to the favorable attention of residents along the Monon- gahela River from Monessen to Roscoe. They send de- livery wagons to each place and their suggestive trade mark "Do you eat?" serves to immediately call atten- tion to their varied and excellent products. These they handle on so large a scale that they are able to quote prices far below those of many competitors. The busi ness was first started in a small frame building near Second street, on Fallowfield avenue, but shortly after Mr. Lang's retirement, Daniel Gottheld erceted the pres- ent home of the firm, which is a substantial four-story briek block, one of the most ereditable business strue- tures in the place. They also occupy a two-story brick building connected with the store and this is used as a stork room.

Daniel Gotthekdl married Miss Mary Reese, and they have one son, John D. Mr. Gotthekl is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Charleroi, of which he is a trustee. Ile is an active and useful citizen and has served one term as a member of the borough council. He is identified with the Odd Fellows.

WILLIAM JAMES NELSON, who is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock raising on a farm of 100 acres, which is located about two and a half miles southwest of Monongahela City in Carroll and Fallowfield Townships, has been a lifelong resident of Washington County, Pa., and was born on the home farm in Carroll Township, Mar. 28, 1854, a son of Francis and Jane (Keenan) Nelson.

Franeis Nelson, who was a native of Ireland, came to the United States at the age of IS years, and first settled in West Elizabeth, Pa., where he married Jane Keenan. who was also born in Ireland, and came to this country when IS months old with her parents, who settled on a farm near Monongahela in Carroll Township, where she was reared. After his marriage Franeis Nelson moved to Elizabeth, Pa., where he resided a short time, then purchased and located on a farm in Carroll Township and there spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were the parents of ten children: John, who died aged fifteen years; Samuel, who died at the age of sixty-five years; Eliza, who mar- ried John Williams, both now deceased; Frances; Sadie. who is the widow of Andrew Griffith; Mary Jane, who {lied in childhood; Catherine, who is the wife of James McGowan; William James; John II .; and Martha, who is the wife of Frank Myers.

William James Nelson obtained his educational train- ing in an old stone schoolhouse in Carroll Township, and ever since has followed general farming and stoek rais- ing on his present farm, which he purchased from his father-in-law, Enoch Colvin. He was united in marriage.

March 30, 1892, to Rosalie Colvin, a daughter of Euoch Colvin, and their union resulted in the following issue: Enoch Raymond; James Wilbur: Mary Jeanette, and Charles Emmerson. Mr. Nelson is one of the substan- tial citizens of bis community, and enjoys the confidence and good will of his fellow men. He is politically an adherent of the Democratic party. His father served two terms as county commissioner of Washington County.

GEORGE WAGNER, proprietor of Wagner's Con- tertionery and Ice Cream Parlor, at Charleroi, Pa., which is one of the most beautiful and elaborate estab- lishments of its kind in western Pennsylvania, is also a manufacturer of ice cream, in which he deals both wholesale and retail, doing an extensive business in Char- leroi and surrounding towns. lle has been a resident here for the past nineteen years, and was born January 22, 1862, at Sharon, Mercer County, Pa., a son of Peter and Catherine Wagner, the former of whom died previous to our subject's birth.

George Wagner was reared at Sharon, Pa., where he learned the bakery business, at which he worked in vari- ous places for several years, then went to West Middle- sex, Pa., where he ran a bakery until the spring of 1591, when he came to Charleroi and built a frame building on MeKean avenue, where, for fourteen years he ran a bakery, which he subsequently sold to John Kuth. In 1906 be erected a fine brick business block, which he leased to a clothing house, and in the spring of 1908 re- moved his confectionery store to his present location, where he carries on an extensive business, and, as men- tioned above, has one of the finest establishments of its kind in this section of the State.

While a resident of West Middlesex, Pa., Mr. Wagner was married to Delia A. Bateman, who was born and reared there, and is a daughter of James H. Bateman. who conducts a blacksmith shop near West Middlesex. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are the parents of five children: Lloyd G., Ethel, James, Edith and Frank. Mr. Wagner is a member of the B. P. O. E., of Charleroi; the I. O. O. F., both lower lodge and Encampment, and also the P. H. C.

WILLIAM JENKINS, a' well known and highly re- spected citizen of West Finley Township. Washington County, Pa., general farmer, was born on his present home place, June 8, 1835, and is a son of Thomas and Susan (Miller) Jenkins.

Thomas Jenkins came to Washington County from Maryland, about 1830 and purchased the farm of 105 avres, in West Finley Township, which is now owned by his son William, the second horn of his children, the others being as follows: John, who is deceased; Jane, who is the wife of William Mitehell, lives in West Virginia: Thomas B., who was a member of the 85th

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Pa. Vol. Inf., during the Civil War, was terribly wounded, thirty-six pieces of bone being removed from his limb, but he survived until 1891; Alexander, who was a cap- tain in an artillery regiment during the Civil War, was practically starved to death in Libby Prison ; Katherine, who is deceased; and David and George, twins, who live near Roney's Point, W. Va.

William Jenkins had few sebool advantages, but if his book training was inconsequential, he had plenty of physical exercise in splitting rails and carrying on the farm industries. In 1863 he entered the army as a teamster and served under the command of Gen. Negley until the war closed. While, from the nature of his work, he was never exposed to the dangers of real bat- tle, on several occasions, as he relates in a most inter- esting way, he assisted other army teamsters to make a protective circle of the wagons and from the center de- fended their contents in many a sharp skirmish.

When the father died the home farm was sold and re- mained in the possession of other parties until 1890, when Mr. Jenkins, desiring to own the old place, purchased it of C. Miller together with the adjoining farm, making in all 202 acres. In 1904 he also purchased what is known as the Gunn farm, of 161 acres, on which his son Cliff now resides. For many years following the Civil War, Mr. Jenkins was actively engaged in agricultural operations, but now the heaviest burdens are born by his very capable sons, Earl and Clifford. The land is pro- ductive and there is a flowing gas well on the place which brings in a very satisfactory revenue.

In 1877, Mr. Jenkins was married to Miss Mollie Sprowls, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Sprowls, of West Finley Township, and the following children were born to them: Harry E., born April 4, 1878, is deceased; Edwin, born September 3, 1880, is engaged in the oil business; Cliff W., born May 6, 1882, resides on the old Gunn farm; Earl, born December 30, 1883, manages the home farm; and Carma E., born October 17, 1888, lives at home, and is a teacher in the schools of Wash- ington County. Mrs. Jenkins, daughters and son Cliff are members of the Windy Gap Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Jenkins is an uncompromising Republican but he has never permitted the use of his name in con- nection with publie office. Although in his seventy- third year, Mr. Jenkins has the appearance of a man much younger, old Father Time having left his hair un- touched, and his bodily vigor very little impaired. Mr. Jenkins attributes much of his good health to ont-door life.

MATTHEW B. BROWN, general merchant at Thomp- sonville, Pa., is a member of a prominent family of Washington County. He is a descendant of Rev. Alex- ander Brown, D. D., the noted pioneer minister of that

name, and the grandson of Rev. Alexander Brown, D. D., who at one time was president of Washington and Jef- ferson College. Mr. Brown was born in Peters Township, Washington County, and is a son of Dr. David Finley - and Mary Elizabeth (Caldwell) Brown.

Dr. David Finley Brown was born at Canonsburg, Pa., after which his parents moved to their farm at Mt. Blaine, Peters Township, and there he grew to manhood. He was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Caldwell, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Caldwell, of near Thompsonville, and to them two sons were born, Mat- thew B. and Joseph C. The latter died while yet an infant, the mother's death having preceded that of her babe. After the death of his wife, David F. Brown fol- lowed various pursuits for a while, but finally gave his attention to the study of medicine and was graduated from the medical university of Clevleand, Ohio. He located for practice at Tappan, Ohio, and after remain- ing there for some time, married Miss Carrie Rolland. He then moved to Elsie, Mich., and had a very success- ful practice there, but the severity of the winters caus- ing him to fail in health, he looked toward the sunny South for a new home aud subsequently located on the banks of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, some fifty miles north of Norfolk, Va., where he still resides with his wife and daughter Wanda.

Matthew B. Brown was educated in the common schools and at Pittsburg Academy, Pittsburg. He began indus- trial life as a lineman with an electric company. In the spring of 1906 he turned his attention to merchan- dising and opened up his present store at Thompsonville, where he carries a first-class stock of goods and also handles farm machinery and supplies .. Mr. Brown has fully demonstrated his business capacity and has pros- pered in his enterprises. He is numbered with the lead- ing men of the village. He has never married, 'and ever since the death of his mother has made his home with his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Joseph E. Caldwell.

J. E. RICHARDSON, a retired merchant and highly esteemed citizen of Bentleyville, Pa., who was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Som- erset Township, was born June 17, 1860, on a farm, which adjoins the borough of Bentleyville, and is a son of Harrison and Sarah (Leatherman) Richardson.

Harrison Richardson was also born on the farm ad- joining the borough of Bentleyville, where be followed farming all his life and died there in 1884. He was a son of Thomas Richardson, a native of Bethlehem Town- ship, who was of Irish extraction, aud settled on the farm in Somerset Township, where he spent his later years engaged iu agricultural pursuits. There were five children born to the parents of our subject, namely : Leonadis, who died in boyhood; Winfield F., is a resi-

JOSEPH F. BOYER

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dent of Bentleyville; Celia, deceased wife of Alfred Moore, a prominent attorney of Beaver, Pa., who was appointed judge of Alaska by President MeKinley; J. E .; Richard E., who resides at Scenery Hill, Washington County. The mother of our subject passed out of this life in 1906.

J. E. Richardson attended the district schools of Som- erset Township, and Jefferson Academy at Canonsburg, Pa., and grew to maturity on the old home farm, which he subsequently cultivated until the spring of 1909, when he disposed of the land and came to Bentleyville, where her engaged in the livery business. He shortly after- ward placed the livery business under the management of his son, I. B. Richardson, who is still at its head. Mr. Richardson then became proprietor of a general store which he conducted for nearly a year and disposed of same in September, 1909. In March, 1907, Mr. Richard- son moved into a large pressed-brick residence, which he ereeted, and which is considered the finest residence in the borough of Bentleyville. He is also owner of sev- eral other houses which he rents ont, and is largely in- terested in eoal stock in Ohio, West Virginia and Penn- sylvania. He is a stockholder and director of the Farm- ers' and Miners' National Bank of Bentleyville.

Mr. Richardson married Ruth Crumrine, who was born and reared in Pike Run Township, a daughter of Will- iam and Matilda (McCarty) Crumrine, and is a cousin of Boyd Crumrine, the author of the last history of Washington County, and also of Superintendent Crum- rine, of the Washington County schools. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are the parents of five children: Ethel, Isaac B., who married Cora Huffman, has one child, Norman; Wayne, who married Lucille McCormick, has two chil- dren, Delmas and William; Ross; and Charles. Mr. Richardson holds membership with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which he is a trustee, and served four years as superintendent of the Sabbath school.

JOSEPH F. BOYER, cashier of the First National Bank of Finleyville, Pa., is also a stockholder and di- rector of that concern and has been identified with the business and social interests of the borough for the past seventeen years. He was born November 24, 1858, on the old Boyer farm in Peters Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of John W. and Margaret .l. (Townsend) Boyer, and a grandson of Samuel Boyer, who was of the pioneer settlers of Washington County.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 79

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