Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 83

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 83

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Dr. MeKay married Belle E. Jenks, who is a daughter of John G. Jenks, of Jefferson County, and of their union have been born three children: Olive Collie; Ed- win Jenks and Ronald Alexander . Dr. Mckay and family reside in a comfortable home on Washington avenue. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee. Fraternally he is a Mason.

JOHN F. PHILIPS, a progressive and enterprising young business man of MeDonald, who is owner and proprietor of a grain, feed and flour store, and dealing also in hay and straw, was born in Allegheny County, Pa., August 9, 1888, and is a son of Elmer E. and Mary A. (Kennedy) Philips, and a grandson of John F. and Myra (Kennedy) Philips.

Mr. Philips had some experience in his present line of business prior to coming to McDonald, as his father conducted a similar trade at Bridgeville for twenty-two years. The latter's family consisted of four children : Myra, who married Lawrence Fife; and John F., Edna and Grace.

John F. Philips attended the public schools in Alle- gheny County, the High School at St. Cloud, Minn., and then took a course in shorthand and bookkeeping in a commercial school at Pittsburg, Pa., after which he

worked for his father for three years, coming then to MeDonald and establishing his present business on April 15, 1909.

On November 4, 1907, Mr. Philips was married to Miss Anna M. Gerhold, a daughter of William and Eliz- abeth (Edwards) Gerhold. Mr. Gerhold is a farmer in Allegheny County. To Mr. and Mrs. Philips a son was born on February 17, 1909, which bears the name of William Gerhold Philips. In politics, Mr. Philips is a Republican. With his wife he belongs to the Presby- terian Church at Bethel, Pa.

JOHN M. MILLER, deceased, was long one of Mit. Pleasant Township's prominent citizens and honorable and valued business men. He was born in Washington County, Pa., March 18, 1842, and was a son of Thomas and Catherine (Shaw) Miller.

The Miller family was founded in Pennsylvania in 1784-5 by James Miller, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who settled first in Chester County, but soon pushed on to the western part of the State and secured a patent for more than 1,000 acres of land in the wilder- ness of Washington County. A part of this land, lying in Mt. Pleasant and Chartiers Townships, is still owned by his descendants. In 1811 Thomas Miller followed his brother from Ireland to Washington County, and in 1812 he purchased the traet named Peace and Plenty, in the patent he secured, and this farm became the Miller homestead. The children of Thomas Miller bore the following names: Thomas, Andrew, Margaret, Sarah and Mary.

Thomas Miller (2), son of Thomas and father of the late John M. Miller, inherited the homestead. He was thrice married and to his third union the following chil- dren were born: Thomas, Elizabeth, Sarah, Jane, Mary, Catherine and John M.

John M. Miller attended the district schools until fourteen years of age and then entered Elder's Ridge Academy, where he prepared for Jefferson College at Canonsburg, and was graduated from the latter insti- tution in the Class of 1861. It was his purpose to pur- sue the study of law in Philadelphia, but circumstances caused a change in his plans and he returned to the homestead, where for many years he successfully carried on farming and stock raising. He had a national repu- tation as a breeder of North Devon cattle and high grade sheep, and at the time of his death, was president of the Spanish Merino Sheep Breeders' Association. He was also a member of the State Board of Agriculture and of the Western Pennsylvania Agricultural Associa- tion. His fine personal appearance and genial manner brought him admiration and friendship and his high standards of business honor increased the esteem in which he was held. He was a Democrat in his political

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

sentiments and for some years he served in the office of justice of the peace. His death resulted from an attack of apoplexy, May 14, 1888.

On September 13, 1866, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Agnes White, a daughter of W. S. White, of Canonsburg, and they became the parents of three sons and two daughters.

JOHN C. LAING. owner of the "fastest growing store in Donora," and one of the leading business men of that town, was born in Scotland January 28, 1860, a son of Dugal and Jeanette (Thompson) Laing, both of whom were born and reared in Scotland and died in MeDonald, Pa.

Johu C. Laing remained under the parental roof in his native country until nineteen years of age, when he came to the United States, the family following him here some time later. He first located at Coal City, Ill., on a farm, but subsequently went to Michigan, later to Ohio and finally to Indian Territory, where he received serious injuries in an accident in the mines. In 1883 he came to Washington County, Pa., engaging in the grocery business at McDonald for ten years, when he sold out and went to Charleroi, where he operated the "New York Grocery" until the fall of 1901. In this year he came to Donora and embarked in the dry goods business on Fifth street, building up such an extensive trade that he was soon compelled to remove to larger quarters in the Bank of Donora building, in which he remained until 1909, and then erected a fine three-story brick business block at MeKean avenue and Fifth street. Here he carries a complete line of dry goods, notious and ladies' and gentlemen's furnishings.

Mr. Laing was married February 8, 1884, to Susan Thompson, who was also born in Scotland, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Thompson, who located at Me- Donald, Pa. One son, John C., Jr., has been born to . this union. He attended Grove City College and is now putting younger blood into his father's business in- terests.

Mr. Laing is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the I. O. O. F. of Coalgate, Okla., and the Knights of Malta and the Heptasophs of Donora, and is well known and highly esteemed among the Scotch residents of the Monongahela Valley.

LEROY BEDSWORTH, proprietor of one of the lead- ing tailoring establishments of Charleroi, Pa., was born December 15, 1854, in Belle Vernon, Fayette County, Pa .. and is a son of Samuel and Rachel (Beazell) Beds- worth. The father of our subject was a boat-builder and brick-maker by trade, but during his later years was engaged in farming near Belle Vernon, Pa., and died in February, 1905, at the age of eighty-two years.

The mother died in August, 1902, aged seventy five years.

LeRoy Bedsworth was reared on his father's farm near Belle Vernon and attended the district schools of Westmoreland County, where he subsequently engaged in farming during his early manhood. He then engaged as loek-tender at Lock Four, from July, 1888, until Sep- tember 30, 1892, after which he learned the tailoring business, and on March 15, 1894, came to Charleroi, where he first embarked in tailoring on Fifth street, where Piper's drug store is now located. One year later he removed to the Masonic Building, where he remained until November, 1896, when re removed to his present two-story briek business block at No. 407 MeKean ave- nue, his residence being located on the second floor of same.

Mr. Bedsworth was united in marriage with Mary Channey, a daughter of Riley Channey, and a native of Fayette County, Pa. He is fraternally affiliated with the B. P. O. E. and I. O. O. F., of which he is a charter member.

STEWART A. DAGUE, who owns a fine farm of 125 acres, which lies in East Finley Township, Washington County, Pa., is one of the representative men and sub- stantial farmers of this section. He was born in Somer- set Township, in 1869, and is a son of John A. and Me- lissa J. (Roberts) Dague.

The father of Stewart A. Dague, was born in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County. His oecu- pation was farming and he carried on agricultural pur- suits in East Finley Township for 25 years and his death occurred there. He served for three years as a soldier in the Federal Army during the Civil War. In . polities he was a Republican and was frequently elected to office by his fellow citizens by whom he was very gen- erally esteemed. He married Melissa J. Roberts, who is also deceased, and they both rest in the Fairmount Ceme- tery. Their children were as follows: Anna R., who is deceased; Stewart A .; Ella N., who married D. Wy- land, of Strabane Township; David E., who lost his life in the Philippine Islands; Ollie, who lives in East Fin- ley Township; Daniel, who resides in North Strabane Township; Luey E., who resides with her eldest brother; and L. E., a stenographer, who lives at Washington, Pa.

Stewart A. Dague attended the district schools of West Finley Township until he was about eighteen years of age and then went to work on a farm by the month, four years later becoming a tenant farmer. He con- tined to rent land for seven years and then purchased a farm of eighty acres from the Alexander Montgomery estate and resided there for four years before disposing of it. After that transaction, Mr. Dague bought his present farm of 125 acres from the Hamilton Carrol

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

estate. There are few rural homes provided with the comforts and conveniences that he has installed in his residence. lle made extensive improvements as soon as he came here and together with other buildings, added a porch and slate root to the dwelling and introduced a modern system of hot and cold water throughout the whole building. In addition to general farming, Mr. Dague looks after the output from two valuable oil wells which bring him a fine revenue, one of these pro- ducing 100 barrels of oil a day for an entire year. IIe is a director and stockholder in the Farmers National Bank of Claysville. Mr. Dague is one of the township's men of ample means and for this condition he is in- debted only to his own industry and good management. no particular good fortune having descended upon him except what he brought about himself.

lu 1891, Mr. Dague was married to Miss Sallie A. Sprowls, a daughter of Simon and Jane ( Wise) Sprowls, of East Finley Township. They have one daughter, Ruby F., who was born in 1901. Mr. Dague is recog. nized as a man of judgment and character by his fellow citizens as has been frequently shown when they have chosen him by their ballots for responsible township offices. He has served several times on the board of elections and at present is road supervisor.

THOMAS R. BELL, cashier of the West Alexander National Bank at West Alexander, Pa., is a man who gained an enviable reputation as an educator in Wash- ington County before he became associated with this well known financial institution. He was born in East Finley Township, Washington County, Pa., April 5, 1870, and is a son of Zadoe L. and Martha (MeKeen) Bell.

Zadoc L. Bell, who died in 1891, was long one of the leading men of East Finley Township, where he was born. His father, Samuel Bell, was an early settler in South Franklin Township, where he was both farmer and blacksmith. Zadoe L. Bell engaged in agricultural pur- suits and became a man of ample fortune. Ile was a Democrat, of the old-time type, and frequently served with effieieney in the township offices to which his fellow citizens elected him.

Thomas R. Bell was reared in East Finley Township, attended the public schools and then entered Washington and .Jefferson College, later attended the Pennsylvania State Normal School at California, following which he engaged in educational work for fully fourteen years. For seven years of this time he was principal of the West Alexander public schools and a portion of the time was principal of the High School. He became well and favorably known all over the county and his being cashier of the West Alexander National Bank, has added to his popularity. Ile accepted this position on August 1, 1904, and he enjoys the confidence and good will of the whole business community.

Mr. Bell was united in marriage November 5, 1896, with Miss Mary M. Trussell, a daughter of Charles H. Trussell, of South Franklin Township, and they have one son, Charles Howard, who was born November 11, 1904. Formerly, Mr. Bell served as secretary of the West Alexander Farmers' Fair Association, for two years, this organization being subsequently merged into the West Alexander Agricultural Association and he served three years as its treasurer. Ile is a member of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander, has served as trustee and church treasurer and is also superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is identified with the Masonic lodge at Claysville.

LEWIS W. MORGAN, one of the veteran business men of California, whose location here antedates the lay- ing out of the town, was born at Waynesburg. Greene County, Pa., November 5, 1$30, and is a son of William M. and Mary (Whitaker) Morgan.

Mr. Morgan was thirteen years old when he came first to Greenfield, now known as Coal Center, Washington County, and since 1851 has been a continuons resident of Coal Center and what is now the borough of Cali- fornia. He spent several years as clerk on different steamboats, mainly the old steamer Telegraph, on the Monongahela River, in his earlier business life and since then has been interested in the mercantile and coal busi- ness, formerly operating two mines, the last one under the firm name of Morgan & Dixon. He retired from the coal industry in 1889, but still continues his mer- cantile interests. In partnership with Solomon Sibbit, under the firm style of Morgan & Sihbit, he established the first general store in what is now California, and in every way, ever since, he has been identified with the development of the place. Upon the organization of the first board of trustees of the Southwestern State Normal Sebool at California, he was elected president of the board, this honor being conferred June 5, 1864, and at different times since he has served as a member of this body.

Mr. Morgan was united in marriage with Miss Ann J. Gregg, a daughter of John R. Gregg. Mrs. Morgan died May 31, 1909. They had seven children born to them, three of whom are living: P. W., who is cashier of a bank at Wilmerding. Allegheny County; Elizabeth II. and A. T., who is a prominent attorney at Pittsburg. Mr. Morgan's residence is located on Third street, Cali- fornia. He is one of the older members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at this place, belonging to its official board. For fifty-three years he has been a Free Mason and is identified with the lodge at Coal Center. Few men are better acquainted with Washington County history than Mr. Morgan and he is frequently consulted

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

concerning reliable data. He is a valued member of the Century Literary Club of California, and every year since 1898 he has prepared and read a historical paper of great interest before this scholarly organization.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TAYLOR, in for- mer years an enterprising and successful business man of Washington County and one of its most respected citizens, was also a native son, born in South Strabane Township. His parents were Matthew and Nancy Jane (Hutchinson) Taylor. He was a grandson, on the pa- ternal side, of Henry Taylor, who came to this county from Cecil County, Md., some time prior to 1780. Henry Taylor was the first judge or president of the courts of Washington County, being thus appointed by the chief executive council of Pennsylvania October 2, 1781, the county having been organized in the preceding March. He served with ability in this position for several years and after a brief interval, was reappointed in 1788. He had what was then known as a "tomahawk right" to over 1,200 acres of land in the Rich Hills, in this coun- ty, all of which, with the exception of the Matthew Taylor estate of South Strabane Township, has since passed out of the family. Judge Henry Taylor was also a general in the militia and his commission as such is still in the possession of the family. He married Jane White and they had eleven children. In the year 1800, this sturdy old pioneer, whose character was typical of the best manhood of the day, laid down the burden of life, his loss being mourned as that of a leader among the people among whom he had cast his Iot.

Matthew Taylor, son of Henry and father of the late William H. H. Taylor, was born in South Strabane Town- ship and it has been claimed for him that he was the first white child born west of the mountains, in Washington County. He became in time the owner of the parental homestead, on which he followed farming for the rest of his life. He also did considerable traveling through the county, which, on account of lack of easy convey- ances and good roads, called for a large amount of exertion. Matthew Taylor married Nancy Hutchinson, a woman of firm will and strong character, in every way qualified to be the wife of a pioneer settler. She pos- sessed a large share of thrift with her other admirable characteristics. Her vigor of body seems to have been equal to that of her mind and character, she attaining the venerable age of ninety-two years. To her children she left, as their best heritage, the imprint of her strong personality. To Matthew and Nancy Taylor were born eleven children, namely: Matthew, James, Thomas, George, William H. H., Polly, Sarah Jane, Eliza, Henry, Nancy and Rachel. Of these, the first five mentioned, died in Washington County. Polly became the wife of John McFarland. Sarah J. married Oliver Lindsay.

Eliza became Mrs. Van Eman. Henry was killed by a falling chimney at a fire in Washington. Nancy hecame the wife of Hugh Reynolds and Rachel married Work- man Hughes.

William Henry Harrison Taylor, son of Matthew and Nancy Taylor, was born in 1830 and when old enough started to school, his mother looking carefully after the education of her offspring, always helping and encourag- ing them. He later attended Washington and Jefferson College for several years, after which he hecame in- terested in farming and continued his agricultural pur- suits exclusive of all other business interests until 1866, when he moved to Washington. This change was made in order to give his children better educational advan- tages, but it also was an openingg for him to go into a mercantile business. He formed a partnership with Robert Charlton in the general fresh and salt meat busi- ness, which included pork packing and stock buying. After the death of Mr. Charlton, Mr. Taylor carried on the business alone until his own decease, which took place February 9, 1884, from diabetes, from which he had suffered for some years, he being then in his fifty- fifth year. His remains were interred in the Washing- ton Cemetery.

Mr. Taylor was married in 1850 to Miss Jane E. Jones, a daughter of Charles E. Jones, a well-known building contractor at Washington. Mr. Jones was born in England in 1799, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and where he married Sarah Judson. They came to America in 1827, settling in Washington, Pa., where Mr. Jones followed his trade and engaged also success- fully in contracting. He and his wife had the following children, two of whom died in infancy: Mary, Sarah, Jane E., William, Susan, Sylvester F., James J. and George O. The last mentioned was formerly a mem- ber of the Washington County bar. The mother of Mrs. Taylor died in 1871, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. Jones survived until January 11, 1885.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of six children, of whom a brief record is as follows: Edward M., pastor of the Tremont Methodist Episcopal Church at Boston, Mass., was graduated in 1872 from Washington and Jefferson College, and afterward with first honors, at the Boston School of Divinity. He was on the circuit for a time before locating in Massachusetts. He mar- ried Miss Mary Bradford, a descendant of Gov. Brad- ford of the Plymouth Colony, who was one of the original passengers on the Mayflower. James Franklin, the sec- ond son, is now associate judge of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District of Ohio. Emma and Alice are both deceased, the latter dying when a little maid of eleven years. The older sister was the wife of John A. Hall, also deceased, who was postmaster and prominent citizen of Washington. William Nelson, the third son, is the

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ANTHONY KANE

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

senior member of the firm of Taylor & Speer, who are engaged in the iron commission business at Pittsburg. He married a daughter of Stephen Crump. Susan Jane, the youngest daughter, is the wife of Dr. J. C. Mau- rer. The mother of the above children still survives and is in the full enjoyment of all her faculties. She con- tinues te occupy the old family residence at No. 59 West Wheeling street, Washington,

Mr. Taylor was a Republican in polities, but at no time was a sceker for office. However, he always took a strong interest in public affairs, and during the period of the Civil War, was very outspoken in favor of pre- serving the Union at all hazards. His religious affilia- tions were with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a faithful and consistent member. He was prominently concerned in building the First M. E. Church at Washington, of which he was a trustee. He was also much interested in the cause of education and made it one of his principal objects to give his children the best educational advantages possible. His sons were all sent to college while his daughters received an ex- eellent educational training in seminaries. At various times he held the office of school trustee. He was in all things honest and straight forward, a hater of shams and deceit of every kind, and could never tolerate a lie. He was beloved by his family and a large circle of friends and they knew and appreciated the worth of his character.

ANTHONY KANE, a well known general merchant of Finleyville, Pa., who has been a resident of Washing- ton County for the past thirty years was born Septem- ber 19, 1858, in Ireland, and is a son of Owen and Mary (MeAdams) Kane.

Anthony Kane is one of seven children born to bis parents, both of whom died in England, namely: John; Robert; Ann, who is the wife of James Donnely; Ellen, who is the wife of James Barry; Anthony; and Charles.

Anthony Kane was very young when the family re- moved to England, where he was reared. In 1880 he came to the I'nited States and located in Washington County, Pa., where he worked some years in the coal mines. In 1892 be formed a partnership with William Kennedy, now deceased, with whom he operated a general store under the firm name of Kennedy & Kane until 1894, when he came to Finleyville and opened a small store which he conducted until July, 1903, when he re- moved to his present location, where he carries a full line of groceries, china, lamps, etc.

Mr. Kane is a Democrat in polities, and is fraternally a member of the A. O. H. of Monongahela City. Mr. Kane was married in April, 1880, to Margaret Burke, who was born in England and is a daughter of Barthol- omew and Mary (Madden) Burke, both of whom died

in England. In 1902 Mr. and Mrs. Kane spent four months visiting friends and relatives in England.

ALEXANDER B. COCHIRAN, justice of the peace at MeDonald, Pa., and president of the borough Council, carries on a successful business in the line of real estate and insurance. He was born in Scotland, February 24. 1866. Ilis parents were Robert and Susan (Bell) Coebran.

The parents of Mr. Cochran came to America in 1879. They are both now deceased. They were most werthy people, members of the United Presbyterian Church, and their burial was in the Rebeson Run Cemetery. Their family contained nine children, as follows: Anna, whe married Andrew MeWilliams, is a widow and lives at Braddock, Pa .; Gilbert; Alexander B .; Robert, who is new deceased; John; William; James; Susannah, who married Thomas Graham; and Adam, who is chief of the police force at McDonald.

Alexander B. Cochran was thirteen years old when be accompanied his parents to America and he had al- ready completed his school attendance by several years, having become a coal miner when only eleven years of age. He had many years of experience in this dangerous and exhausting work, continuing to mine all his life until within the past ten years. He then embarked 11 the insurance and real estate line and has shown excep- tional ability as a business man. This faenlty has made him valuable as a member of the berougb Ceuneil, and when his present term expires, he will have served con- tinuonsly for twelve years. For ten years he bas accept- ably and satisfactorily filled the office of justice of the peace and during this time has many times adjusted cases of the greatest importance, thereby saving indi- viduals a large amount of expense.

In December, 1889, Mr. Cochran was married te Miss Charlotte Carson, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Bell) Carson, who came from Ireland. Mrs. Cochran is the youngest member of her parents' family, the others being: Elizabeth, who married Henry Smith, who is pro- prieter of a hotel in North Fayette Township. Allegheny County ; Robert; John; Samuel; William; Matilda, who married Robert J. Cook, who is a justice of the peace at MeDonald; Mary Ann, whe married G. M. Couch; and Margaret, who married James Querns.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 83

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