USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II > Part 9
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The paternal grandfather ef Mr. Irwin, David Irwin, was an early settler in Canton Township, Washington County, and there beth William C. Irwin and wife spent the greater portion of their lives and died there. They
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were for many years members of the East Buffalo Pres- byterian Church, but in later years were members of the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington. For a long period William C. Irwin was one of the large sheep growers of this section, raising annually as many as 250 head, his preference being for the Black Top Delaine as superior in wool. He was in his seventy-fourth year when he died, and was a well informed man and took a very active part in politics.
His immediate family contained thirteen children, many of whom married and had children of their own, and the following survive: James D., living in Canton Township; John D., Leman N., William M. and Asa C., all living at Washington, Pa .; Milton C., living in Buf- falo Township; and Clifton C., Edith and Etta, all three residing in Washington.
Milton C. Irwin was reared on his father's farm in Canton Township and attended the district schools in that neighborhood until he was sixteen years of age, when he started out for himself, going to the oil fields. Through his industry he made the business profitable and remained in one capacity or another, for a number of years, confining himself to Allegheny and Washington counties. About the time of his marriage he settled on his present place in the southern part of Buffalo Town- ship, and has prospered as a farmer and raiser of good stock.
Mr. Irwin was married July 22, 1897, to Miss Sarah Chambers, a daughter of James Chambers, of Buffalo Township, and they have two children: Clark C. and Mary M. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin attend the East Buffalo Presbyterian Church. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party, and he takes an interest in town- ship affairs of a public nature.
COL. L. M. MARSH, deceased, who bore an honorable record for service in the Union Army during the Civil War, was one of the foremost citizens of Washington, Pa., that borough having been the scene of his greatest business activities. He was born at Orange, Essex Co., N. J., June 23, 1824, and was a son of Abraham R. and Sarah (Munn) Marsh.
Abraham Marsh was born in Rahway, N. J., July 8, 1800, where he was reared and educated. He learned the shoemaking trade and worked at it and also engaged in merchandising, both in his native State and subse- quently in Ohio. He married Sarah Munn, a daughter of David Munn, of New Jersey, and she died in Huron County, Ohio, in 1860, aged fifty-eight years, but he sur- vived into extreme old age, dying two days after his ninetieth birthday. He was a Presbyterian of the old Knox faith and for many years was an elder in the church. He saw the formation of the Republican party and became a strong supporter of the same. His nine
children bore the following names: L. M., David, Stephen, Harriet, George, Abraham, Charles, Henry and Mary.
When the late Col. Marsh was thirteen years old, his parents moved from New Jersey to Coshocton County, Ohio, and there he completed his school attendance and then learned the tailoring trade. When twenty-one years old he went to Marietta, Ohio, where he followed his trade, and from there to West Virginia, where he was residing at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. His loyalty to the Union was manifested by his immedi- ately enlisting, and his standing was shown by his being made captain of Co. E, 10th W. Va. Vol. Inf., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He encoun- tered many of the direst misfortunes of war. At the battle of Kernstown he was wounded in the foot and being left helpless on the battle field was taken captive. ror two months he was confined in the infamous Libby Prison at Richmond, at the end of that time securing a parole, and six months later was exchanged and rejoined his regiment. His subsequent career as a soldier was bril- liant and when he was honorably discharged and mus- tered out it was with the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Col. Marsh then returned to peaceful pursuits, locating at Washington, Pa., and he was occupied for two years as bookkeeper for a large business concern. In 1870 he was made secretary and treasurer of the Washington County Fire Insurance Company and he continued to discharge the duties of that position during the remain- ing years of his active life. He had additional interests, being associated for some years in the real estate busi- ness with his son, Addison C. Marsh, under the firm name .of L. M. Marsh & Son. He was a man of upright life and sterling character.
On January 14, 1850, Col. Marsh was married to Miss Louisa MeCollum, a daughter of Asa MeCollum, and they reared two children: Ella, who became the wife of Will- iam S. Park; and Addison C., who is a representative citizen of Washington, of which he has been burgess since March, 1906. The late Col. Marsh was a Republican in his political affiliation. Both he and wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in March, 1899.
Hon. Addison C. Marsh was born February 26, 1858, and was educated in the Washington schools. He is seere- tary and treasurer of the Washington County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with office at No. 55 South Main street. He was elected burgess of Washington Borough on the Republican ticket and his official career has been satisfactory to his fellow citizens to whose best interests he has devoted his careful attention for the past three years. He married Miss Nettie Foster, a daughter of E. D. Foster, a resident of Bradford, Pa., and they have four children: Ola E., Ellis F., Helen L. and Ruth. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. They
AADDISON C. MARSIT
COL. L. M. MARSH
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have a beautiful home, the family residence being situ- ated at No. 205 West Beau street.
L. M. IRWIN, who is cashier of the Avella Bank at Avella, Pa., is one of the youngest men in Washington County to hold so responsible a position, one that he has acceptably filled since January, 1908. fle belongs to an old and honorable county family and was born in Cross Creek Township, May 7, ISS1, and is one of three children born to his parents, Dr. J. B. and Louisa Irwin, resident of Washington. Mr. Irwin has two brothers: Russell B. and Jesse B.
1 .. M. Irwin attended school in Cross Creek Township mutil he was eighteen years of age, graduating then from the high school at Cross Creek village. For a short time he taught school and then accepted an offer, which promised more remunerative work, from the James G. Corcoran Company, of Pittsburg, and remained with that concern for five years, engaged in construction work. In Jannary, 1908, he came to the Avella Bank as cashier, having fairly won this appointment by reason of his energy, determination, industry and fidelity to the in- terests of his employers in his former capacity.
In June, 1902, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Anna M. Brown, a daughter of W. J. and Margaret Brown, of Cross Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin are mem- bers of the Lower Buffalo Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. He is identified with the Masons and belongs to the Burgettstown lodge.
A. M. CARLISLE, one of Smith Township's leading farmers and representative citizens, residing on his well improved property which contains 145 acres, all tillable land, with three oil wells, owns also a farm of eighty- five acres, situated in Mt. Pleasant Township. He was born in the latter township, February 5, 1862, and is a son of Joseph Elizabeth (White) Carlisle.
.Joseph Carlisle was born on an adjoining farm in Mt. Pleasant Township, a short distance south of Hickory. and during a long and provident life which extended to eighty-four years, acquired two farms both in the same township. He was an intelligent and upright man at different times was selected for township offices by his fellow citizens. He married Elizabeth White, a daughter of Nicholas White, and they had three children: Annie, A. M., and I. M. Annie is deceased. Joseph Carlisle died September 16, 1898, and his widow, November 25. 1905, and both were buried in the cemetery at Hickory. They were worthy members of the United Presbyterian Church.
A. M. Carlisle attended school in Mt. Pleasant Town- ship and later at Hickory, and lived at home until his first marriage when he moved on the farm he now owns, south of Hickory, and lived there until Jannary, 1906,
when he moved to Smith Township, buying his present farm from his father-in-law, J. L. Rankin. Ile repaired tho house and crected new farm buildings, his barn being the best structure of its kind in the township. fle has sold his coal to the Pittsburg- Eaton Coal Company. He raises superior stock, cattle and sheep and when he ex- hibits at the county fairs is very sure to carry off many of the best prizes. He is a stockholder and a director in the Farmers' National Bank of Hickory; a stockholder and president of the Farmers' Telephone Company at Burgettstown; and for eleven years has been a director in the Union Agricultural Association of Burgettstown.
Mr. Carlisle was married (first) March 7, 1889, to Miss Emma Hastings, a daughter of Daniel Hastings, of Allegheny County. She died July 14, 1893, and her burial was in the Hickory Cemetery. She is survived by one son, Joseph Edgar, who lives at home. Mr. Car- lisle was married (second) November 7, 1894, to Mary L. Rankin, a daughter of J. L. Rankin, and they have two children: John Charles, a manly youth of fourteen years; and Emma Elizabeth, who, although but twelve years of age, is a student in the high school at Burgetts- town. Mr. Carlisle and family are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown. In politics he is independent and fraternally he is identified with the order of Elks.
WILLIAM CAMERON, deceased, who is well remem- bered by the older residents of Sonth Strabane Township, Washington Co., Pa., as one of its most prominent citi- cents at an early period, was born in the county, in Som- erset Township, in 1808. He was a son of John and Esther (Twinem) Cameron.
John Cameron was a native of Scotland and was a young man when he left his own land and went to Ire- land, where he took up his residence in County Armagh and there married Esther Twinem. Shortly afterward they emigrated to America and settled near Gettysburg, Pa., and he secured his naturalization papers there. These papers are still preserved by a son of William, our subject, George M. Cameron, who has them framed in his home. He moved from there to the part of Washington County, Pa., known now as Somerset Township. John Cameron became a man of considerable importance in the section in which he settled and as he was intelli- gent and thrifty, he became a leader in public affairs and an owner of property. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious matters he was a Presbyterian and one of the founders of the church in Somerset Township. To John Cameron and wife were born the following children : Johu, James G., Esther, Margaret and William.
William Cameron, the youngest of the above family, was reared on the pioneer farm in Somerset Township and all the formal education be seeured was in the prim-
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itive schools. After marriage he and wife, started to housekeeping on a small tract of land, twenty-one acres in extent, in South Strabane Township, and to this he subsequently added 200 acres, this having been part of the farm of his father-in-law, George Mitchell. This was a large body of land and as it was almost entirely unimproved it required many years of hard work to con- vert it into productive farms, but from youth he had been inured to labor and he bad inherited a large meas- ure of his father's Scotch persistency and success crowned his efforts. He always took an interest in the public affairs of his community and performed every public duty with faithfulness and according to conscience. In politics he was a Democrat. For many years he con- sented to serve on the school board.
On September 28, 1837, William Cameron married . Creek Township, she now residing at Washington; Will-
Miss Martha Mitchell, a native of South Strabane Town- sip, born August 9, 1804, and died August 16, 1860. She was a daughter of George Mitchell and his wife, who had formerly been a Miss Alexander. George Mitchell was born in Ireland and his death occurred May 8, 1847, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cameron.' In early manhood he had come to America and settled in South Strabane Township, Washington County. In his political views he was a Democrat, and religiously he was a Pres- byterian. He bad five children, namely: Martha, Mary, Eleanor, Thomas and Catherine.
To William and Martha Cameron were born the fol- lowing children: John, who was born August 12, 1838, has always engaged in farming in South Strabane Town- ship; Ellen, wbo married John G. Paxton; Margaret; Mary J .; George M., who was born April 22, 1849, is a prominent citizen of Washington, president of the E. J. Young Packing Company and a director of the Wash- ington Trust Company; and Martha A., who married J. C. Pease. William Cameron survived his wife for thirteen years, his death occurring October 15, 1873.
WILLIAM W. McCLAY, a prominent citizen of Can- ton Township who owns a fine farm of 191 acres, which he devotes to general agriculture and stock raising, making a specialty of sheep, was born on this farm, March 2, 1845, being a member of one of the old and honorable families of Washington County. His parents were John and Jane (Welsh) McClay.
Samuel McClay, the grandfather, was born in Ireland and came of Scotch and Irish stock. When he emigrated to America he settled at first in Chester County, Pa., and from there came to Washington County. He located on the farm which his grandson, William W. McClay now owns, probably before the township divisions were made. A former owner had made some slight improvements but the greater part of the clearing was accomplished by grandfather McClay. John McClay, son of Samuel and
father of William W., was born on this farm in Canton Township in March, 1809, and died in 1895. He was a successful business man and carried on farming and stock raising for many years, devoting much attention to the growing of sheep. In his early political life he was a Whig and later became a strong advocate of the aboli- tion of slavery. During the Civil War he lent his sup- port heartily to the preservation of the Union. In early days he was a member of the Covenanter Church but later was identified for years with the North Buffalo United Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder. He married Jane Welsh, who was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, and three of their chil- dren survive, namely: Sarah J., wbo is the widow of Dr. William Morrison, who was a practitioner in Cross iam W., of Canton Township; and Robert H., who re- sides at Washington, Pa. John McClay was a director in the First National Bank at Washington.
William W. McClay has never lived in any other home than the old family homestead and it is endeared to him by recollection of his boyhood and of his parents who have passed away. He attended the neighborhood schools and also an academy at Buffalo village while he was growing up and later was a student in the Eastman Busi- ness College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he was grad- uated in 1867. From choice he has always been a farmer and stock raiser and has met with excellent results in rais- ing the Black Top sheep, usually having-from 250 to 300 head in his flocks.
In 1878, Mr. McClay was married (first) to Miss Myra C. Crothers, who was born in Buffalo Township, a daugh- ter of the late Samuel J. Crothers. He was married (sec- ond), in 1894, to Miss Jennie Maxwell, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, a daughter of Robert Maxwell, who formerly lived in Buffalo village.
Mr. McClay is a Republican. He has frequently been elected to township offices and has served most accept- ably as township auditor and also as judge of elections. Both he and wife are members of the North Buffalo United Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee.
HAINES H. REED, postmaster at Rea, Pa., where he is also proprietor of a general store and also ticket and freight agent for the Wabash Railroad, belongs to one of the old and substantial families of this section. He was born in Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., in January, 1879, and is a son of John C. and Mary (Barnes) Reed, being the youngest member of their family of six children, the others bearing the following names: Lulu B., who married S. J. Welsh and they re- side at MeKee's Rocks; Edwin C .; Wylie B., who is now deceased; and Norman W. and J. Howard.
Haines H. Reed was educated in the common and high
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REAL ESTATE TRUST COMPANY. WASHINGTON
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.CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK.
WASHINGTON COUNTY JAIL
CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK WASHINGTON
PUMP STATION. CITIZENS WATER COMPANY, WASHINGTON
THE NEW YOR .: PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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school of Cross Creek and continued his studies until he was nineteen years of age, when he went to Pittsburg and for a time was engaged there and in tho vicinity as a clerk. He returned to the farm for a season and then decided to visit the far West, extending his jour- ney to California. Ile remained there for two years, working as an electrician and continued work in the same line after coming as far east as Colorado, from which State he later returned to Pennsylvania. When he next left Washington County it was to engage in the gas fitting business for a time, at Andover, Ohio. In 1905 he came back to Cross Creek Township and became manager of the branch store at Rea Station for the firm of I. M. Reed & Son, of Cross Creek village and also was appointed U. S. rural mail carrier. In October, 1908, he purchased the store he had formerly been operating for the Reed firm, and in November following be was ap- pointed postmaster and subsequently assumed the rail- road duties mentioned above. He is one of the leading and busy men of the village. In polities he considers himself an independent, although he favors the prin- ciples of old Democracy in which his father reared him.
Mr. Reed was married in December, 1906, to Miss Anna Mae Pyle, a daughter of W. S. and Mary Pyle, of Cross Creek Township, and they have a beautiful little daughter of two years. Mr. Reed and wife are members of Mt. Prospeet Presbyterian Church.
RICHARD GLADDEN, one of Robeson Township's most substantial citizens, the owner of valuable farming land aud stock in several of the leading financial institu- tions of Washington County, has been a valued and es- teemed resident of McDonald for some years, where he now lives retired from business and enjoys the comforts of a beautiful home. He was born in Cecil Township, Washington Co., Pa., March 3, 1855, and is a son of Richard and Mary (Kelso) Gladden.
Richard Gladden, Sr., father of Richard, was born in Washington County, a son of William and Mary (Woods) Gladden, all of whom have passed away. Richard Glad- den was a prosperous farmer and was a respected citizen. He married Mary Kelso, who was a daughter of Ben- jamin and Martha (Murdock) Kelso. She survived ber husband but a short time and they both were interred in the Arlington Cemetery. They were worthy members of the United Presbyterian Church. Their children bore the following names: William. Martha, deceased; Ben- jamin J., deceased; George, deceased; Richard and Joseph. Martha was the wife of Thomas Reed.
Richard Gladden went to the public schools in early boyhood and from there to Oakdale Academy and had further advantages at the West Philadelphia Academy. After bis school days were over he engaged in farming
and continued in agricultrual pursuits for a number of years. Prior to settling permanently at MeDonald, he spent a year in travel in California. Mr. Gladden still retains his farm of 200 acres which is situated in Cecil Township. He has other large investments and is a di- rector in the MeDonald Savings and Trust Company; is a stockholder in the First National Bank at McDonald; is a stockholder in the Warner Glass Company, and is vice- president of the Water and Light Company at MeDonald. .
On October 25, 1876, Mr. Gladden was married to Miss Lavina Tuten, a daughter of George and Catherine (Trimmer) Tuten. Mr. Tuten was a farmer and also was proprietor of a hotel at Hickory, Pa. Mrs. Gladden has two sisters: Iantha, who is the widow of Albert Sauters; and Clara, who is the wife of Oliver Pearson. To Mr. and Mrs. Gladden the following children were born: Anna Mary, Iva C. and Frank R. Mr. Gladden has given his children superior educational advantages, his daughters being educated at Wilson College at Cham- bersburg, and his son at Purdue University, Indiana. The second daughter is the wife of Samuel H. Ridall, of Pittsburg, and they have one danghter, Elizabeth Ann. Mr. Gladden and family belong to the First United Presbyterian Church at McDonald. He is identified with the Republican party.
WILLIAM E. LANE, county treasurer of Washington County, Pa., and senior member of the firm of Lane & Spriggs, dealers in real estate and insurance, with offices at No. 433 Washington Trust building, is a representa- tive of an old county family and a leading citizen of Washington. He was born at West Middletown, Wash- ington Co., Pa., January 26, 1866, and is a son of Thomas and Rebecca (McElroy) Lane.
Thomas Lane came to Washington County in early life and his interests remained centered bere throughout his entire career. For many years he was connected with the U. S. mail service and he was proprietor of a livery stable for some time. His death occurred Janu- ary 25, 1908. He married Rebecca McElroy, and they had twelve children.
William E. Lane was educated in the schools of West Middletown and then engaged in teaching school until he embarked in his present business at Washington. He is in partnership with H. H. Spriggs and they handle a large amount of valuable realty and represent the lead- ing fire, life and accident insurance companies of the country. Mr. Lane has been an active Republican for a number of years and in 1908 was elected county treas- urer with a large majority. He is a man well qualified for this important public office and has proved his effi- ciency.
Mr. Lane married Miss Lillie M. McCalmont, a daugh-
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ter of Alexander MeCalmont, and they have four chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are members of the Second United Presbyterian Church.
SAMUEL CLARENCE IMHOFF, who owns a fine farm of ninety-four acres which is situated in Canton Township, Washington Co., Pa., is numbered with the successful agriculturists of this section, and is also one of its most enterprising business men. He was born on his present farm, August 16, 1863, and is a son of Sam- uel and Mary J. (Stewart) Imhoff.
Samuel Imhoff was born in Canton Township and is a son of Martin Imhoff, who was born in Switzerland. During the early days of the gold excitement in Cali- fornia, Samuel Imhoff visited the far West and there was engaged for a time in mining. After he returned to Washington County, Pa., he followed farming in Canton Township, where he died in 1874. He married Mary J. Stewart, who was also born in Canton Township and died here in 1881. Of their children, Samuel Clarence Imhoff is the only survivor.
Samuel Clarence Imhoff grew to manhood in Canton Township and in boyhood attended the district schools. He has been engaged in farming and stock raising ever since he entered into business. He also followed thresh- ing for a time and then bought a portable sawmill and for some years has done a large amount of work with this machine in different sections. He is a practical business man and stands well with his fellow citizens per- sonally.
On January 28, 1886, Mr. Imhoff was married to Miss Emma J. Smiley, who was born in Cross Creek Township, Washington County, and is a daughter of the late James G. Smiley. They have two children: Mary S. and James C. Mr. Imhoff and family belong to the North Buffalo United Presbyterian Church, the membership of which includes the larger number of the substantial and rep- resentative people of this section. In his political views, Mr. Imhoff is independent, having connected himself with no definite party, but is sure to cast his vote, how- ever, for a responsible and reliable candidate.
LIEUT. JOHN FULTON BELL, a highly respected citizen of Washington, Pa., residing in his fine residence at No. 80 West Prospect avenue, for many years was en- gaged in farming and stock raising in Amwell Township, Washington County. He was born in Jefferson, Morgan Township, Greene County, Pa., August 23, 1841, and is a son of Levi Harrod Bell, the Bell family having settled in Greene County in pioneer days.
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