Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 82

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 82

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

Alanson Ritner Day, the subject of this sketch, spent his early boyhood days in the West with his parents, and when about fifteen years of age came to Washing- ton County, where he lived with his parents on a farm in Carroll Township. After graduating from the Homestead high school, he entered the Pittsburg Academy, where he spent two years, then returned to the farm for a period of four years, after which he came to Monongahela City, where he engaged in contract painting and decorating. In politics, he is a Republican and was elected alderman of the Second Ward, Monongahela City, by that party in 1907. He is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F. and the B. P. O. E.

On April 3, 1895, Mr. Day was united in marriage with Nannie D. Collins, who was born and reared in · Monongahela City and is a daughter of Frank and Mary Jane (Brown) Collins, old settlers of Monongahela City. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Day: Theo and Alanson, twins ; Luther Allen; Ruth; Howard; Dorothy; aud Eleanor. Mr. Day and his family reside in a com- modious residence at No. 126 Chess street.

NICHOLAS S. VEATCH, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of California, who has been en-

NICHOLAS VEESER

NEW YORK BRARY

STOR, LES PV ForDAD'S.

1079

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

gaged in the practice of his profession since March 18, 1869, was born on a farm in East Pike Run Township, Washington County, Pa., October 25, 1846, and is a son of William David and Elizabeth (Jackman) Veatch. The father of our subject was born at Leesburg, Va., and died September 1, 1890, at California. During his early days he engaged in shoemaking. Later he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. Nicholas S. Veatch was reared on the farm near California, attended the common schools, and Johnson 's Academy, which was afterwards known as the Normal School at California, after which he began reading medi- eine with Dr. O. A. Hunter at California. He snbse- quently graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, with the class of 1873, and has since been located at California, where he has been highly successful in the practice of his profession. Dr. Veatch is a stockholder in the Peo- ple's Bank at California. Fraternally he is a Mason, and is past master of the Blue Lodge at California, past eminent of the Commandery and a member of the Shrine.

S. A. MeCALMONT, whose valuable farm of 170 acres is situated in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington Coun- ty, Pa., was born on this farm, June 9, 1857. His father was Alexander McCalmont, his grandfather was John and his great-grandfather was William MeCalmont, all men of sterling character, early settlers in several see- tions and useful to the communities in which they found homes.

The grandfather, John MeCalmont, was born in Lan- easter County, Pa., and from there he came on horseback to Washington County, and in the fall of 1806 bought the farm which his grandson now owns, the latter of whom possesses the sheepskin deed. John MeCalmont died on what is known as the John H. MeCalmont farm and he was buried at Hickory, where he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Demeerat.

Alexander MeCalmont, father of S. A., was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, March 28, 1821. He attended the old-time subscription schools, these being the best that the parents of that day could provide for their children, and he grew up an intelli- gent young man and later became a very well informed one. He also was a capable business man, did much in the way of dealing in wool and in raising sheep and was known all over the county. He was held in high regard in his own township, where he served in all the offices except that of justice of the peace. At the time of death he owned 270 aeres in Mt. Pleasant Township. He mar- ried Mary Allison, a daughter of Samuel Allison, and they had the following children born to them: Mary E. (White), John, Agnes, Margaret (Lindsey), Samuel Alli-

son and James A., twins, Cora B. (Conner), Ira Alma ( Mc Burney), Lilly (Lane), Emma J. (Manson), Mande ( MeCabe), and Abraham Lincoln. The oldest of the family, Mary E. White is the only one deceased, her death occurring at the age of fifty-nine years, and dur. ing her life-time no member of this large family had passed away. In 1888, Alexander MeCalmont retired from agrien]tural pursuits and with is wife moved to West Middletown, where his death occurred August 31. 1896. She survived until Jannary 22, 1904. She was born August 26, 1828, in Beaver County, Pa. They were worthy members of the United Presbyterian Church at Hickory.

S. A. MeCalmont attended the Rankin District school and then turned his attention to farm pursuits, and dur- ing his father's lifetime assisted in caring for about 300 head of sheep annually. He has always resided on the homestead and after his marriage when he came into possession, he did considerable improving, although the only building that had to be erected was a new resi- dence, which is a commodious and comfortable one, which was built in 1904. Mr. MeCalmont now keeps abent 125 sheep over winter, these being very choice in quality, of the American Merino breed, and he also has a fine herd of both Holstein and Jersey cattle and sells about 900 gallons of milk a month. About ten aeres of the farm has never yet been cleared and he has a large tract of valuable timber, but the coal has been sold to the Pittsburg Coal Company and no test has ever been made for oil or gas. Nevertheless, aside from these possible sources of income, the farm is an unusually val- nable one. Mr. McCalmont is a practical business man and his good judgment is shown in the snecess he meets with in his undertakings.

On May 17, 1888, Mr. MeCalment was married to Miss Elizabeth MeCarrell, a daughter of Leman MeCarrell. Mrs. MrCalment died April 20, 1909. She was buried at the Mt. Pleasant United Presbyterian Church at Hick- ory, of which she had been a devout member since ISSS. To Mr. and Mrs. McCalmont seven children were born, namely: Leman A., Ellen W., Samuel Lodowick, Mary Elizabeth, Florence Miller, Donaldson MeCarrell, and Allison Proudfit.

Mr. MeCalmont is a member of the United Presbyte- rian Church in Mt. Pleasant Township and sereved several years as a trustee. In pelities he is a Republican. and he served six years as school director.

WILLIAM MADGWICK, notary public and formerly justice of the peace at MeDonald, is engaged in handling his own large real estate interests and also conducts a fire insurance business. He was born in England, April 8, 1846, and is a son of James and Ann (Wilds) Madg- wiek, and a grandson of William Madgwick.

1080

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The parents of Mr. Madgwick were natives of England. His father died when he was three years old, leaving two children: William aud Annie, the latter of whom mar- ried James Elliott aud is now deceased. The mother contracted a second marriage, with William A. Cole, who is now deceased, aud one son, James A. Cole, was born to that union. Mrs. Cole still survives, being now in her eighty-fourth year, aud resides at Oakdale, Pa., with her son James A. Cole.

William Madgwick attended the Euglish public schools until he was fourteen years of age. Being fatherless, he was obliged to take eare of himself and thus drifted into the English navy, which proved a hard life for the youth, but he endured it for six years and then, while his ship was at an Australian port, he ran away. He made his way to the Australian gold fields, where he worked for four years and then homesickness led him baek to Eng- land. After a visit of six months he decided to come to the United States and after reaching Steubenville, Ohio, in 1870, he worked on the railroad for a year, then came on to Burgettstown in Washington County, at the same work, and in 1872, came to MeDonald. Here he went into coal mining and for twenty years he was engaged in that industry and acquired property and independence. Although he had such meager advantages in his youth, Mr. Madgwiek had natural talents, and his many years of adventure broadened his mind and gave him a clearer outlook on life than years of collegiate instruction might have done. He learned to understand men and after he had become a settled citizen at McDonald, went into polities and since then has been almost continuously in office, serving his fellow eitizeus so efficiently and hon- estly that they willingly aeknowledge his leadership. He is a Republican in his political views and he has been justice of the peace, tax collector and assessor, and for seven years has been borough treasurer.

On July 16, 1871, Mr. Madgwiek was married to Miss Elizabeth Judd, a daughter of Edward and Sarah Judd, both of whom died in England. Mr. and Mrs. Madg- wick have had the following children: Minnie, who is the wife of Frank B. Atkinson; Elizabeth, who is now deceased; Cora Ann, who is the wife of John Holmes; and William A., Edward J. and Clara, the last named being now deceased. The family belong to the Presby- terian Church. Mr. Madgwick is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at McDonald.

WILLIAM S. NICODEMUS, cashier of the First Na- tional Bank, and one of the enterprising citizens of Cali- fornia, Pa., was born December 31, 1849, at Martinsburg, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of J. S. and Elizabeth (Spang) Nicodemus, who were prominent farmers of Blair County.

William S. Nicodemus was reared on a farm near Mar-

tinsburg, and when seventeen years of age became a elerk in the bank of William M. Lyold & Company, of Altoona, Pa., and four years later went to Salina, Kas., where he was cashier in the bank of John Geis & Com- pany for ten months, after which he returned to Penn- sylvania, and accepted a position as cashier in the Farm- ers' and Miners' Deposit Bank at Irwin, Westmoreland County. Three months later he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company with which he con- tinued for one year, then served as cashier of the Mar- tinsburg Deposit Bank until November, 1900, when he came to California, where he has since been eashier of the First National Bank.

Mr. Nicodemus was first united in marriage with Emma L. Ochs, who died leaving two children: Warren Edgar, who is a resident of Oil City, Pa., is married and has one son, Thomas Edgar; and Emma, who lives in New York City, and is a graduate nurse of one of the New York hospitals. Mr. Nicodemus formed a second union with Alice M. Lytle. Mr. Nicodemus is affiliated with the Masonie order, and is a man who stauds very high in his community.

NICHOLAS PEES, justice of the peace in East Finley Township, serving in his thirty-third year in this re- sponsible office, is one of the best known men and most valued citizens in this part of Washington County. He belongs to an old and respected county family and was boru in South Strabane Township, Washington County,, Pa., ou what was known as Rich Hill, in 1835, and his parents were John and Sarah (Grey) Pees.

The great-grandfather, Nicholas Pees, came to North Strabane Township, from east of the Allegheny Moun- tains, about 1763 and he built the old mill at Wyland Station which was known as Pees mill and attracted eus- tom from a distance of twenty miles or more.

Andrew Pees, the grandfather and a son of Nicholas, was about ten years old when he accompanied his parents to Washington County. They settled in 1773 on the farm in North Strabane Township which is now owned by John Berry. Andrew Pees served in the early Indian wars on the border and was with Colonel Crawford at Sandusky.

John Pees, father of Nicholas and son of Andrew, was born in Washington County, Pa., near Eighty-four, in 1788, and died in October, 1858. He followed farming throughout his entire life. Iu 1813 he was married to Sarah Grey, who was born near Belfast, Ireland, and was in her infancy when her parents came to America and eventually settled in Washington County. To John and Sarah Pees the following children were born: Mary, who died at the age of ten years; Margaret, deceased, who was the wife of William Moser, of Washington County ; , Elizabeth, who is deceased; John, Andrew, James L. and George, all deceased, the first named dying

1081

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

in April, 1909; and Nicholas, the only survivor. The mother died in 1868, having survived her husband for ten years, and their burial was in the Claysville Ceme- tery.

Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Pees never enjoyed more than eight months of school attendance in his life, Washington County can boast of few men who possess a more practical education or have a deeper fund of real knowledge to call upon. lle spent many a long winter evening over books he purchased himself and thoroughly mastered their contents without assistance. lle thus came to understand the laws of grammar and maiho- maties, extending his studies even into the difficult per- plexities of algebra, geometry, trigonometry and survey. ing. and it is no uncommon occurrence at the present time for surveyors to bring their notes to him to have him make their calculations, relying entirely on his nn failing accuracy. He also frequently proves his neigh- borliness by computing interest an straightening out ar- counts for those not competent to do it for themselves.

The first work that Mr. Pees ever did was farming for his father and he has continued to be interested in all branches of agriculture up to the present time, in- eluding sheep raising. By 1850, he and his brothers had accumulated $800, and with that capital they came from North Strabane Township to East Finley Township and purchased 150 acres of land. To this they later added an adjoining farm and still later a third farm, all of which, 360 acres, now belongs to Mr. Pees, he being the only survivor. It is all valuable, well improved land.

Mr. Pees is a Jeffersonian Democrat and has always rendered support to the Democratic party. He has been shown much respect, esteem and confidence in East Fin- ley Township, having been elected to numerous offices and he has also been called to Erie, Pa., to serve on the U. S. Jury. He recalls distinctly so many events of both a local and public nature, that a visit to either his comfortable home or his office, makes a lasting impres sion, for he is a very entertaining conversationalist. He remembers many incidents of the Mexican War and anecdotes of the campaign which resulted in the election of Hon. James K. Polk, to the office of President of the United States. Hle can tell of the days when the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad was not even projected and farm- ers in this section sold their produce and stock to travel- ing dealers, their eggs bringing four cents a dozen and at one time wheat sold for forty-eight cents a bushel. Those were the days when drovers took their stock over the highways on foot from western Pennsylvania and Ohio to Philadelphia. In his boyhood game was yet plentiful in this section, and a dinner of rabbit, squirrel or partridge was not difficult to procure.

Mr. Pees was reared in the Presbyterian faith but since be reached maturity he has been identified with the

Methodist Episcopal Church and serves as trustee of the church at Stony Point. He has never married.

JOHN LISTON LANK, M. D., a prominent medical practitioner of Monongahela City, Pa., has been a life- long resident of Washington County, and was born June 10, 1837, at Finleyville, Pa. He is a son of Dr. William Blocksom Lank and his wife, Anna J. Lank, whose maiden name was Anna J. Dagne.

Dr. William Blocksom Lank was a native of Zanes- ville, Ohio, and after graduating from the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, was engaged in the practice of medicine for a short time in Ohio. Hle then went south to New Orleans, La., where he followed his profession for some years, after which he returned to Ohio, prae- tiring for a short time in Zanesville . About 1835 he settled in Finleyville, where he subsequently practiced medicine until the time of his death in 1880. He was first united in marriage at Zanesville, Ohio, with Anna Jane Dague, and of their union were born seven chil- dren: John Liston, the subject of this sketch; Eliza- beth, now deceased; William; and Augustus, Gertrude, Adelaide and Joseph, all four deceased. The mother of the above family died shortly after their removal to Finleyville, Pa., and the father subsequently married the widow of Maj. Robert Love.

Dr. John L. Lank was reared at Finleyville and early in life began the study of medicine with his father, sub- sequently graduating, in 1870, from the medical de- partment of the University of Pennsylvania. He first embarked in the practice of medicine at Finleyville with his father, after whose death he continued there until 1900, when he came to Monongahela City and purchased his present residence, located at No. 814 Main street. Here he has won the confidence and esteem of the public. has established an extensive practice and has formed many pleasant friendships. Dr. Lank owns the old farm of eighty-six acres near Finleyville. In November, 1851. he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Darr, who died in 1893, leaving one daughter. Gertrude. Dr. Lank is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

BYRON CLARK, M. D., deceased, for many years was a well known physician and prominent citizen of Wash- ington, Pa., and almost his entire life, one unusually full of activity and beneficence, was spent in Washington County. He was born at Millsboro, Pa., January 17, 1837, and died at his home, No. 715 East Maiden street. Washington, August 5, 1909. His parents were Nathan- iel and Edith (Biddle) ('lark.

Dr. Clark took justifiable pride in his ancestry, being connected on the maternal side with the Biddles of New Jersey and the Taylors of Maryland, both families of distinction in their respective states. The Clark family

1082

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

also belonged to New Jersey, and the father of Dr. Clark was a grand-nephew of one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence. In 1809, the grandfather of Dr. Clark removed from Mercer County, N. J., to Washing- ton County, Pa., and settled in Amwell Township. His children were born and grew up there although his own life was shortened by the hardships attendant upon pio- neer conditions. His eldest son, Nathaniel Clark, married Edith Biddle, and Byron was the eldest born of their four children. Nathaniel Clark was well known in Washington and Greene counties.

Byron Clark attended school at Carmichaels, being a student at Greene Academy, and later took a partial course at Waynesburg College, not remaining to complete it there before accepting a position of teacher in the higher grades of the public schools of Pekin, Ill. There he began his serious study of medicine, with a local practitioner, and from there went to Cleveland, Ohio. He was dependent upon his own resources and through a competitive examination he secured a very helpful posi- tion, that of assistant in the Charity Hospital of Cleve- land, and was thus enabled to attend lectures at the Western Reserve Medical College. In the spring of 1859 he returned to his father's home and shortly afterward associated himself with Dr. J. W. Alexander in the prac- tice of medicine at what is now known as Scenery Hill. Washington County. In the spring of 1873 he came to Washington. He was an enthusiast in his profession and continued his scientific studies for years afterward. He took special work in biology and chemistry in Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and at the same time attended lectures in the medical department of the University of Maryland and also the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons and graduated from both institutions. In 1882 he became professor of theory and practice of medicine in the Eclectic Medical College of New York City and continued that effort until failing health made the trip to New York from his home, too great a tax on his strength. He handled a large practice at Wash- ington for many years, retiring from the field about 1900, after which he lived in comparative retirement, finding a measure of enjoyment, however, in looking after the improvements he had under way on his various properties.

In 1861, Dr. Clark was married to Miss Lucy M. Letherman, a daughter of John Letherman, formerly a prominent farmer of West Bethlehem Township. Three children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Clark, two sons and one daughter, the latter of whom died in 1883. The elder son, Dr. Homer Clark, resides with his mother on East Maiden street. The younger son, John B. Clark, is as- sistant solicitor for the Title, Guarantee & Trust Com- pany, of New York City. Dr. Clark was a stanch Re- publican. He was a man of high personal integrity and

was charitable to an unusual degree and in a practical way.

JOSEPH D. MeNARY, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Washington, Pa., was born Janu- ary 28, 1836, on the home farm in North Strabane Town- ship, and is a son of David and Janet (Edgar) MeNary, and a grandson of Thomas MeNary.

David MeNary was born in 1771 in Chanceford Town- ship, York County, Pa., and when about fourteen years of age came with his father to North Strabane Town- ship, where he was reared, and in 1816 he married Janet Edgar, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1792. She emigrated to this country in 1798, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, which required twenty-one weeks, and encountered many severe storms, the voyagers were twice compelled to return to land for repairs on the vessel. Her parents first located in New York, where they lived a few years, when they moved west to Washı- ington County, Pa., and located two miles south of Can- onsburg on a farm in North Strabane Township. Mr. MeNary was a Whig in politics, and was 'religiously identified with the Christian Seceders Church.

Joseph D. MeNary was reared on his father's farm south of Canonsburg and attended the subscription schools of that locality, in 1854 entering Jefferson College at Canonsburg where he continued until the summer of 1856. On April 1, 1857, he located on a farm two miles north of Washington in South Strabane Township, it having been inherited from his father, and in August, 1868, purchased from the heirs of the Matthew MeNary estate, a tract of sixty-six acres adjoining him, where he followed farming and stock raising until 1892, when he purchased his present home at No. 297 Locust avenue, Washington, where he has lived in retirement since March 17, 1892.

In February, 1857. Mr. MeNary married Mary Wal- lace Caldwell, who was born December 6, 1835, in Ohio County, W. Va., and died of pneumonia, January 23, 1896. Of their union were born the following children: Lizzie Jane, who was thrown from a horse and killed; James Luther, a farmer operating in the oil fields of West Virginia; Martha Ellen, the widow of Dr. E. M. Cundall, lives with our subject; Clara Viola, married Rowley M. Cook, of Washington, Pa., John Ralph, of Washington; Thomas Harry, a jeweler, is president of the Board of Trade of Washington ; and Mary Josephine, who is bookkeeper for her brother, Thomas Harry.

Mr. McNary is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, with which he has been identified since 1857, and on January 28, 1864, was ordained and installed an elder, in which capacity he still continues to serve. In local politics Mr. McNary is not a partisan, but in na- tional questions he is always identified with the Repub-

JOSEPH D. MONARY

IOR ..

ARZ

1083

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

lican party. Ile was elected a member of the board of education of South Strabane Township in 1871, in which office he has continued for thirty-seven years, first in that township, afterwards in the borough of Washing- ton. Mr. Me Nary is a director in the Union Trust Com- pany of Washington and is also interested in other en- terprises of this locality. He was married (second) February 5, 1907, to Mrs. Phoebe D. Liggitt, who was born at Northwood, Logan Co., Ohio.

EDWIN MeKAY, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Charleroi, Pa., who has been identified with the medical profession here since April, 1904, was born in Nova Scotia, April 20, 1874, and is a son of Alexander and Sarah (Collie) MeKay.

Dr. Mckay was abont six years old when his parents came to Pennsylvania and located in Jefferson County, where he was reared on a farm and attended the district schools. After a three-year preparatory course at the Ohio Northern University at Ada, he entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., in 1897, and graduated in the spring of 1901. Ile first engaged in the practice of medicine at Punxsutawney, Pa., where he was highly successful, and in April, 1904, came to Charleroi, where he has won the confidence and esteem of the public and enjoys an extensive and lu- crative practice. He is secretary of the Board of Health and is a member of the American Medical Association, and the State and county medical societies.

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

Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 82

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