Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 85

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 85

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BENJAMIN FRANKLE, owner and proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, at MeDonald, Pa., who also is sec-

retary of the McDonald Heat and Light Company, is one of the most energetic and progressive business men of this borough. Mr. Frankle comes from a land that has sent many good citizens to America. He was born in Russia, September 10, 1877, and is a son of David and Dinah Frankle, and a grandson of Aaron Frankle. The parents of Mr. Fraukle have never left Russia and the aged father is now in his ninetieth year. Of their children, Benjamin was the third in order of birth, the others being : Morris, Louis, Philip and five daughters.

In 1892, Benjamin Frankle crossed the Atlantic Ocean and after landing on American soil, made his way to Pittsburg, Pa. He had capital and during his first year remained in Pittsburg and then came to MeDonald as manager of a dry goods store for Burnstein & Rosen- field, and during the four years that he managed no less than $50,000 worth of business was done annually. He had demonstrated that the trade was permanent and he displayed his business discernment by buying them out, in 1897, and he conducted the business for himself for the following eight years. In 1904, in partnership with a Mr. Conner, he went into the hotel business and they continued together until April 20, 1909, when Mr. Frankle purchased Mr. Conner's interest in the Commercial Hotel, and has remained sole proprietor. He has equipped the house with electric lights and added other modern com- forts and conveniences, and has twenty bedrooms for hotel purposes. He is a careful and obliging bost and has about as much patronage as he can handle. He is well known to the traveling public and his books show many well known names as his guests.

In politics, Mr. Frankle is a Republican. He is promi- uent in fraternal life, being identified with Garfield Lodge No. 604, F. & A. M., at McDonald, and is seere- tary of this lodge; with Cyrus Chapter No. 280, R. A. M., at Carnegie; with Mount Moriah Council No. 2, R. & S. M., at Pittsburg. He belongs also to McDonald Lodge No. 605, Odd Fellows; and to McDonald Lodge No. 30, Loyal Order of the Moose.

W. E. MeMAHON, postmaster at Reissing, Washing- ton County, Pa., taking charge in April, 1909, also fills the position of general manager for the Federal Supply Company No. 42, at this point. He was born at Walker 's Mills, Allegheny County, Pa., January 18, 1886, and is a son of John and Mary (Riley ) McMahon.

The parents of Mr. McMahon continue to live at Walker's Mills, where the father has business interests. There W. E. MeMahon attended school and also had his first business experience. In 1904 he became connected with the Federal Supply Company at that point and appreciation of his fidelity and business qualifications was shown when he was appointed general manager at Reissing, Washington County. In polities he is a Re-

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publiean and he succeeded A. F. Beaumariage, as post master here when the latter removed to Bishop, as gon- eral manager there of the Federal Supply Company. Mr. MeMahon is a member of the Catholic Church. He is an enterprising, active and reliable young man who evidently has a business future of magnitude before him.

MRS. LAVINIA BENTLEY JONES, who comes of one of the old established and highly esteemed families of Washington County, Pa., was born August 28, 1825, at Bentleyville, a daughter of Sheshbazzar and Hannah (('leaver) Kinworthy Bentley, and a granddaughter of Sheshbazzar Bentley, who laid out the town of Bentley- ville.

The Bentley family was first established in this country by George Bentley, a native of England, who was draft- ed into the English army during the colonial days, and came to America as a member of the Royal troops. He subsequently located in Chester County, Pa., where he married a Miss Carson, a native of Ireland, and they reared a large family of children. Their eldest child, Sheshbazzar Bentley, who was born in Chester County, Pa., came to Washington County at an early period, where he died in 1800 at the age of fifty-one years. He established and operated the first grist mill on Pigeon ('reek, and the first election of his district was held in 1787 at his residence near Bentleyville.

Sheshbazzar Bentley, father of our subject, was born in Washington County, on the old Bentley homestead near Bentleyville, and for many years operated the old mill at Bentleyville. He was first united in marriage with Elizabeth Moore, of Washington County, and to them were born the following children: Mary, who married William Pusey, a merchant of Pittsburg: Hannah, who married Dr. Fleming; and Henry and Ann, both deceased. ITis second union was with Hannah (Cleaver) Kinworthy, a widow, by whom he became the father of four chil- dren: Susan, the deceased wife of Robert West ; La- vinie (Mrs. Jones). the subject of this sketch; Martha Jane, deceased wife of John W. Stephens; and Amanda (Mrs. Newkirk), deceased. Mr. Bentley died in 1866 and was survived by his widow until 1874.

Lavinie Bentley was born and reared at Bentleyville, Pa., and was first united in marriage with Rev. Fleming Jones, by whom she became the mother of three children : Hannah, now deceased. was the wife of Alfred Davis; Felicia, who married John Ing, a resident of Illinois; and O. B., who became the minister and has charge of a Methodist Episcopal Church at Youngstown, Ohio. His son, Olin Clark Jones, also is a minister of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Jones subsequently married R. L. Jones, a brother of her former husband, and of this union were born : Belle, who married Warren Piersol, of Bentley-

ville; Cornelia Roberta, who married Benjamin Crouch; Edmonia, who married Frank Gibson; and Bazzenia, who married Donald Darroch.

HENRY W. TEMPLE, D. D., professor of history and political science at Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pa., has figured conspicuously in religious and educational life in this community for the past nine- teen years. He was born in 1864 in Logan County. Ohio, graduated from the Geneva College with the class of 1883, and from the Covenanter Theological Seminary. Allegheny, Pa., in 1887. He first entered the ministry at Stanton in Jefferson County, Pa., going from there to Leechburg, Pa., where he remained until he came to Washington. He was a pastor of the First United Pres- byterian Church from 1891 until 1905, and in 1898 was made adjunct professor in political science at Washing- ton and Jefferson College, in which capacity he served until 1905, when the professorship of history and po- litical science was offered him by the same institution, which position he accepted, and is still the efficient in- cumbent of that office. Dr. Temple was editorial writer for the "Presbyterian Banner," of Pittsburg, from 1898 until 1900, and has been associate editor of the "United Presbyterian," of Pittsburg, since 1903. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him in 1902 by Westminster College. He has been chaplain of the 10th Pa. Regt. since 1902, is a member of the American His- torical Association, the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and the American Society of futer- national Law.

In 1892 Dr. Temple was united in marriage with Lucy Parr, of Leechburg, Pa., and they have five children: John, Martha, William, Henry and Edward.

JOHN IRVIN, one of the highly esteemed residents of East Finley Township, Washington County, where he is the owner of an excellent farm of 412 acres, was born in 1835 on the farm on which he now resides, a son of James and Martha (Harvey) Irvin.

Franklin Irvin, the, grandfather of John Irvin, came to the United States from Ireland in the latter part of the seventeenth century and settled in Washington Coun- ty, Pa., where he spent the remainder of his life. His son, James Irvin, was born in East Finley Township, in 1800, and was a farmer and dealer in stock, making two trips to Illinois in 1851 and 1852, from which State he drove stock baek to Pennsylvania. He was very sue- cessful in his operations and was widely known in Wash- ington County. His death occurred in 1855, and that of his wife in 1839, both being buried in Fairview Ceme- tery, and they were the parents of four children: Eliza- beth Ann, who died young; John; and two children who died in infancy.

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John Irvin attended the common schools of East Fin- ley Township during several months of each year until he was twenty years of age, when he took charge of the home farm, then consisting of 239 acres, which, however, was heavily incumbered. Selling 119 acres of the land, Mr. Irvin cleared off the indebtedness, and went to Illinois and Iowa for one year, but not being favorably impressed with conditions there, returned to Pennsylvania and during the following year was married. Within five years he had torn down the old residence and erected a new ten-room house, in addition to making many other improvements on the place, and kept adding from time to time to his land, his system being to go into debt for new land and then gradually to clear up the amount of indebtedness. He was a dealer in stock, raising sheep, logs and cattle, and he prospered to such an extent that his property of 412 acres is unincumbered. This land is made more valuable by the presence of two flowing oil wells. Mr. Irvin is a stanch Republican in politics, and is serving his second term as director of the poor, having served many years as school director, member of the petit and grand juries, and executor of many estates. He is a stockholder and was formerly a director in the Fairview Cemetery. For more than twenty years he has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Old Concord.

In June, 1859, Mr. Irvin was married to Elizabeth Ann Blaney, daughter of Henry and Jane (Rodgers) Blaney, natives of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Irvin there have been born children as follows: James H., who lives in East Finley Township, married Mayme Gamble, daughter of Rev. Gamble, and they have six children --- James P., William Donald, Frederick Gamble, John Vic- tor, Mabel Estella, and Emma Rebecca; Martha J., who is deceased, was the wife of Jesse Montgomery, of East Finley Township, and had two children-Nora and John I; William, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Mary, who married Robert Marshall, of Washington, and have one son, Harry G .; Addie, deceased, who mar- ried Dr. Winget, of Waynesburg; Jonathan, who died in infancy; Cad B., who died at the age of eight years; Samuel, who resides on his father's farm, married Susan Bell, danghter of Robert Bell, of South Franklin Township; Charles Oakley, who lives at home; and John, who resides with his father, married Mary Simpson, foster-danghter of L. H. Simpson, of East Finley Township, and has one son-Byron S. Mrs. Eliza- beth A. Irvin died in 1898, and was buried at Fairview Cemetery.

ROBERT M. McCARTNEY, a representative business man of MeDonald, Pa., owner and proprietor of a cigar factory, dealing both retail and wholesale, is one of the borough's most progressive and enterprising citizens. He

was born in Finley Township, Allegheny County, Pa., October 9, 1870, and is a son of Alexander and a grand- son of Robert McCartney.

Alexander McCartney was a farmer in Allegheny Connty. He was a Democrat in his political opinions and religiously was identified with the United Presby- terian Church. He married Elizabeth B. Harper, a daughter of James Harper. Both Alexander and Eliza- beth McCartney are deceased, their burial being near Bethlehem Cemetery, in Independence Township, Beaver County, Pa. Their family consisted of the following children : Robert M., J. H., A. O., Mary Eliza, Johanna S. and Sarah T.

Robert M. McCartney obtained his primary education in the country schools and then entered the Ingleside Academy, at McDonald, and after completing a course there, was employed for a short time by J. C. May. In 1893, with the cooperation of his father, he bought the business of J. C. May, and they continued for three years, when Robert M. purchased his father's share, but subse- . quently sold the whole business to W. F. Woods. He then served as a commercial messenger between McDonald and Pittsburg, for six years, in the meanwhile making his business plans which resulted in his purchasing the tobacco store and news depot of Samuel Smith, at Me- Donald. Later he purchased a cigar factory from Morris Levison, and at first carried on only a retail trade, but subsequently added candy to his commodities and en- 1 tered into wholesaling. He has an excellent market with- in a radius of twenty miles of McDonald and also ships to points in the East, West, North and South. He af- fords constant employment to about sixteen people.

In November, 1896, Mr. McCartney was married to Miss Anna B. Wagner, who is a daughter of Herman and Katherine Wagner, and a sister of Margaret, who is a wife of Mack Reed, of Coraopolis, Pa. The father of Mrs. McCartney died when she was young. Her mother subsequently married W. V. Eaton, and they had two children : A. L. G. and William Eaton. Mr. and Mrs. McCartney are members of the First United Presbyte- rian Church at MeDonald. In polities he is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the borough conncil for two terms, where his business judgment proved very valuable, and he has also served one term on the board of healthı. He is identified with a number of fraternal or- ganizations, being past grand of the Odd Fellows, secre- tary of the Royal Arcanum, and a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Heptasophs, all at McDonald.

JOHN A. STEN, one of Washington's representative business men, who has been a resident for over twenty years, is a member of the well known firm of Zahniser

JOHN A. STEIN

THE NEW YORK PUBLBEEN

LOEM FON DATIC

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Brothers & Sten, foundry men and machinists, and also owners of an antomobile garage. Mr. Sten was born in Sweden, in 1859.

Mr. Sten was edneated in the schools of his own land as he did not come to America until he had reached man- hood. For three years he resided in Clinton County, Pa., prior to coming to Washington County, and there learned the machinist and foundry trade, with which he has been connected over since. After coming to Washington he became a member of the present fim, one that probably turns out as much business as any other in its line in this city. lle has other interests in prospering industries of this section, and is one of the city's substantial, re- liable, self-made men.

On April 17, 1892, Mr. Sten was married to Miss Vio- let Thomas and they have a family of four children: Anna, Leona, Charles and Lloyd. Mr. Sten was reared in the Lutheran faith. lIe is a member of the frater- nal order of Eagles.

JEFFERSON P. DITVALL, a prominent farmer and highly respected citizen of Fallowfield Township, who owns three tracts of farm land in Fallowfield and East Pike Run townships, was born April 10, 1830, on a farm in East Pike Run Township, and is a son of Jacob and lane (Patterson) Duvall. Jacob Duvall, who was born in Washington County, was a son of Alexander Duvall, a native of France, and died in 1864 on the farm on which our subjeet was born. He was a farmer and miller by trade, and owned a farm of forty acres and a mill located on the Little Pike Run. His wife, Jane Patter- son, was born in Chester County, Pa., and died in 1854.

Jefferson P. Duvall was reared on his father's farm in East Pike Run Township, where he remained until 1866, when he located on another farm in the same township. He has been living on his present farm of 130 aeres in Fallowfield Township, since 1893, and also owns two farms of 100 and 185 acres, in East Pike Run Township. He is a director in the Bank of Charleroi, also the Bent- leyville National Bank, is a stockholder in the California, Pa., Bank. Since 1862 he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.

In 1851, Mr. Duvall married Sarah Robinson, who was born in East Pike Run Township, a daughter of Hiram Robinson, and died April 1, 1908. Of their union were born eight children: Thomas R., a farmer and owner of 220 acres in Fallowfield Township, married Elizabeth E. Carson, and has two children, J. Blaine, and Ira J .; .Fane, who is the wife of Allan J. White, of California, Pa., has three children, Harry, Jessie and Harold ; Melis- sa, who is the wife of John B. Carson, of Ohio, is the mother of eight children; Jacob D., who is engaged in farming in West Pike Run Township, married Anetta Carson, and they have one child, Bartley; Hiram, who

resides in Stark County, Ohio, is married and has three children; Carl, who lives with his father; Harrison, who lives on one of his father's farms in East Pike Run Township, married Frances Nixon, and they have three children; and Jefferson L., a twin brother of Harrison, who died January 23, 1909. Mr. Duvall has ten great- grandchildren living.

GEORGE MeLEOD, deceased, who attained consider- able prominence as one of the most successful oil opera- tors of his day, in Pennsylvania, was of Scotch ancestry, and was born April 2, 1839, and reared in Thamesford, County Oxford, Ontario, Can. He remained under the parental roof until about nineteen years of age, when he came to the United States and located at Cow Run, Butler County, Pa., which was then the oil center of the State. He was entirely without funds upon landing in this country, but possessed an abundance of determina- tion, enterprise and pluek, and began working at any- thing honest he could find to do. His chief ambition was to rise to the top as an oil operator, so with an indom- itable spirit of perseverance, he toiled on at day work until he had acquired sufficient capital to establish him- self in contracting and drilling, and through his thor- oughness and reliability, soon found himself on the road to financial success, and after overcoming reverses and interference, he became one of the successful oil produe- ers, and of all the oil wells of which he eventually be- came owner, he considered the one at Karns City, Butler County, as his best.

Mr. MeLeod passed out of this life December 1, 1892, after an illness of two years. He left an imperishable legacy for probity and honesty in all his dealings, and his life was marked by many good deeds, rather than by loud pretenses. He was recognized as one of the most generous men of his day and locality, always having taken the greatest pleasure in giving assistance to bis fellow men, who were not so fortunate as himself. He acquired considerable wealth but would have been the possessor of a greater fortune at the time of his death, had he been less liberal and benevolent. It is impossible to enumerate his many traits of character that marked him as one of nature's noblemen, but all the aets of his life spoke for itself. In private or home life he was at his best, for there he exemplified the purity of his char- acter by his devotion to his family.

Mr. McLeod was married to Eliza Amelia Smith, an accomplished young lady of Buffalo, N. Y., and no better helpmate could have been found. During the two long years of illness, which preceded the death of Mr. Mc- Leod, who was suffering from locomotor ataxia, and ut- terly unable to move his limbs, she was constantly by his side, for under no consideration would he have any nurse save her. Mr. and Mrs. McLeod were the parents

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of six children: George K., who is a resident of Mason- town, Pa., married Ola Altman; John Thomas, who is deceased; Edward S., who is a wholesale produce mer- chant of Washington, Pa .; Ina Emily, who is an artist and accomplished musician; Lotta Olive, who is a grad- uate of Vassar College; and Carrie M., who is deceased. Mrs. McLeod and her two daughters, Ina and Lotta, reside at the beautiful family home at No. 500 East Beau street. Mrs. McLeod, who is esteemed and loved for her many womanly qualities and Christian-like spirit, is ever ready to assist her friends and the needy, and to relieve suffering wherever found.

CHARLES FREMONT THOMAS, cashier of the Bank of Donora, with which concern he has been identified since February 1, 1905, was born September 24, 1879, on a farm which now forms a' part of the present site of Donora, Pa., and is a son of Capt. George and Ella (Dias) Thomas, and a grandson of George W. Thomas, who came to this country at a very early period from Mckeesport. He was mine superintendent for the Gil- more Coal Company, and in 1885 was killed at Webster, Pa., in an explosion in the mine.

Capt. George Thomas, the father of subject, is the vice-president of the Bank of Donora, and is manager of the People's Coal Company of Pittsburg, and for a score of years has been a prominent figure in the Monon- gahela Valley. He began life as a pilot on the river at the age of ten years, and has steadily advanced to posi- tions of greater importance. During his fourteen years as pilot on the river, Capt. Thomas piloted over 100,000,- 000 bushels of coal into the Pittsburg harbor with the "Charles Jutte. " During this period he only sank two coal boats, both of which were subsequently recovered, and he had the honor of towing the first coal out of the Monongahela River, after the freeing of navigation by the government, which purchased the locks and dams from the Monongahela Navigation Company. Capt. Thomas followed the river until 1899, when he sold his interest in the River Coal Company, and in 1901, he and W. C. Jutte established the People's Coal Company of Pittsburg, with which he is still associated. Capt. George Thomas was nnited in marriage with Ella Dias, a daugh- ter of Joseph Dias, of Webster, Pa., and they reared a family of five children; Charles Fremont, the subject of this sketch; and Albert, Minerva, Iva June, and Anna Mary.

Charles Fremont Thomas spent his boyhood in the vicinity of Donora and Webster, and when twelve years of age went to Charleroi, where he attended the public schools until seventeen years of age. He then entered the First National Bank as messenger boy and was sub- sequently made teller of that bank, with which he was as- sociated for nine years. In 1905 he returned to Donora,

where on February 1, 1905, he accepted a position as cashier of the Bank of Donora. He is fraternally affili- ated with the Masons, and the B. P. O. E., and is identi fied in politics with the Republican party. He is the present treasurer of the school district, and is one of the enterprising and progressive young citizens of Donora.

Mr. Thomas, on October 27, 1909, was married to Georgianna Eggers, daughter of Charles F. Eggers, for- mer president of the Monessen Savings & Trust Co., Mon- essen, Pa., and a retail lumber dealer, at Uniontown, Pa.

W. R. STEPHENS, who is well known in the financial circles of Bentleyville, Pa., is cashier of the Bentleyville National Bank, with which he has been identified since August 24, 1908, when he succeeded T. F. Wickerham, who is now cashier of the First National Bank of Eliza- beth, Pa. Mr. Stephens was born December 25, 1885, on a farm in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of Louis and Jennie B. Stephens. His boyhood days were spent on the farm near Fayette City, where he attended the common schools and the Fayette City high school, after which he took a commercial course at Duff's Commercial College. at Pittsburg. Upon leaving school he accepted a posi- tion as stenographer with the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, with whom he remained one year, when he entered the Monessen Savings & Trust Company, of Monessen, Pa., in whose employ he con tinned until he accepted his present position as cashier of the Bentleyville National Bank. The officers of the Bentleyville National Bank are as follows: C. K. Frye, who has long been identified with Bentleyville as the leading merchant of the borough, is president; Dr. A. N. Booth, of Bentleyville, first vice-president ; Capt. J. C. French, of Bentleyville, second vice-president; W. R. Stephens, our subject, cashier, and B. J. Duvall, assistant cashier. The directors are: C. K. Frye; J. C. French; J. P. Duvall, a prominent farmer of Fallowfield Town- ship; J. W. Piersol, of Bentleyville; J. D. Duvall. of Coal Center; John W. Frost, a prominent farmer of Somerset Township; W. H. Mitchell, a well-known farm- er of West Pike Run Township; Dr. A. N. Booth, and Smith F. Scott, of West Pike Run Township, all of whom are well known and successful local business men. It is a well established fact that the strength of a bank is measured largely by the ability and character of its officers and directors, as well as by the amount of capital invested. Thus it can be readily understood why such great confidence is placed in the Bentleyville National Bank, which is headed by such men of character, integrity and business ability. The Bentleyville National Bank began business May 1, 1906, in a fine brick building, which is owned by that concern, and the following com- parative statements of deposits, shows the rapid growth of that institution : June 23, 1906-$18,576.78; June 23,

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 85

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