Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 92

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 92

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Annarena Frye, mother of the subject of this sketch, and her daughter, Anna May Frye, are residents of Ell- wood, Ind., and his brother, William S. Frye, is a resi- dent of Indianapolis, Ind., and his eldest and youngest brothers, Thomas A. and Woodson H. Frye, are residents of San Francisco, Cal.

Charles O. Frye was about three years old when his father died. In 1889 his mother removed to a farm in Washington County, Pa., and in 1891 moved to Char- leroi, then in its infancy, where Charles has since re- sided. Here, after his school days were over, be was employed as assistant to a civil engineer for two years, after which he held the position of timekeeper and pay- master in the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company's works No. 6 for about ten years, which position he resigned to go in business for himself. Mr. Frye is president of the Frye Reunion organization which holds annual reunions of the descendants of Benjamin and Christen Frye, mem- bers of which number about 300 families, being scat- tered throughout all the states in the Union, Mr. Frye is also a member of Charleroi Lodge, No. 615, F. and A. M., Monongahela Chapter, R. A. M., and of Lodge No.

ODELL S. CHALFANT

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IHISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

623, K. of P. Ile is now serving his second year as a member of Charleroi borough council. And is assistant fire chief of the Charleroi volunteer fire department.

Mr. Frye was united in marriage with Lulu Porter, October 21, 1903. She is a native of Donegal Township, this county, and a daughter of Isaac and Sarah Ellen Porter. To them have been born two children-Benjamin Porter and Helen Christen.

ODELL SWEITZER CHALFANT is a descendant, on the paternal side, of the Chaltants who were promi- nent in High Wycombe, England, during the reign of Henry VIII., and on the maternal side, of the Crows, who came to this country from Londonderry, Ireland, about the middle of the eighteenth century . Some of the Chalfants came over with William Penn and settled near Philadelphia.

Chadds Chalfant, a descendant of one of these immi- grants, was born in the middle of the eighteenth cen- tury at Chadds' Ford on the Brandywine. After marry- ing, he started westward with his bride and settled at Brownsville, Pa. He was a millwright by trade, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Mason. He was the father of seven children, the young- est of whom, Walter B., was born May 8, 1794.

On the 2Ist of March, 1816, Walter B. Chalfant mar- ried Mollie Budd Brown, and to this union there were born three girls and eight boys. One of these, Dr. Henry Sweitzer Chalfant, was born near Brownsville, March 23, 1828. He took a course in Allegheny College at Meadville, Pa., and in 1849 graduated at the C'leve- land Medical College. After graduation he located at Greenfield (now Coal Centre), later moved to the farm in East Pike Run Township, and practiced his pro- fession with great success for nearly fifty years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Mason. He died on March 9, 1897.

Lawrence Crow came to this country from London- derry, Ireland, with his brother John, and each took up and patented a large tract of land in the eastern part of Washington County. Lawrence patented what is known as "Crow's Egg" about the year 1785. Upon his death the title to the larger portion of this land be- came vested in his son, William Crow. William Crow was married to Jane Johnson and to this union there was born one danghter, Lucinda, June 17, 1831, and who was married to Henry S. Chalfant February 3, 1852.

To this union there were born twelve children, four girls and eight boys, namely: William Crow, December 5, 1852, died in infancy; Charles Anson, March 22, 1854, farmer, residing in Fallowfield Township; Irene .Jane, April 11, 1856, intermarried with John H. Frye, and residing at Charleroi, Pa .; Ruth Annie, January 3, 1858, residing on the old home farm; J. G. Sansom,

August 11, 1859, farmer, residing on part of the old home farm; Odell Sweitzer, 1862; Mary Catharine, Sep- tember 5, 1863, died at the age of five years; Luna Crow, February 17, 1865, intermarried with Thomas A. Frye, died September 1, 1903; John Archibald, November 12, 1866, died in infancy; Ilarry Malcolm, June 26, 1869, a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and editor, residing at Harrisburg, Pa .; Walter Wood, April 14, 1872, farmer, residing on the old home farm; and Cyril Kingsley, July 31, 1873, a teacher, residing at Speers, Pa. Lucinda Chalfant, who has been a lifelong member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, is still living on the old home farm which was patented by her grandfather, Lawrence Crow.

Odell S. Chalfant was born at Greenfield (now Coal Centre), February 25, 1862. He spent his earlier years on the farm in East Pike Run Township, and grad- uated from the California Normal School in the Class of 1886. His sister, Luna C., and brother, Harry M., graduated in the same class. After graduation he taught two terms in the public schools, attended Waynes- burg College for a time, and in the fall of 1888 en- tered the law office of Aiken & Duncan, at Washington, Pa., as a student. He was admitted to the bar on De- cember 31, 1891, and practiced his profession in the office with his preceptor, T. Jeff. Duncan, Esq., until in April, 1905, when the law firm of Duncan, Chalfant & Warne was formed. Aside from his profession he has other business interests, being president of the Washington Brick Company, a director in the Capitol Paint, Oil & Varnish Company, and is identified with other corporations. In politics he is an Independent Republican, and served seven years as a member of Council in the borough of East Washington. On June 21, 1894, he was married to Miss Annie M. Baglin, of Washington, Pa., and to this union there were born three children, Paul Sweitzer, May 5, 1895; Ruth Hannah, March 15, 1897, and Lois Irene, May 25, 1905. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are all his brothers and sisters, and for about ten years has been a member of the official board of the First Church, Washington, Pa. He is also a member of the Washing- ton Lodge No. 164, F. & A. M.

CHARLES E. BAKER, of Washington, Pa., well known to the people of western Pennsylvania as an ex- tensive dealer in real estate, stocks, bonds, etc., was born in West Pike Run Township, March 29, 1863. He is a son of Lewis F. and Mary Dorsey Baker.

The family of which Mr. Baker is a descendant was established in Washington County more than a century ago, Mr. Baker's great-grandfather, John Wood Baker, and his brother George coming from Lancaster County,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Pa., in 1781. They settled on lands in West Pike Run Township, following the occupation of agriculture. It was here on the old Baker farm that Lewis Baker, the grandfather of Charles E. Baker, was born. He lived his entire life at the old home farm and died in Cali- fornia, Pa., in 1874, at the age of eighty-four years.

In 1828 Lewis F. Baker, father of Charles E. Baker, was born on the old home farm in West Pike Run Town- ship. Mr. Baker was a pioneer of the sheep breeding in- dustry in western Pennsylvania, specializing the Spanish Merino variety, for which he has received as high as $500 per head. He was nnited in marriage to Mary Dor- sey, who was born at Morgantown, W. Va., and who died in April, 1890. A family of six sons was brought up on the old home farm as follows: H. B. Baker, a resident of Pittsburg, is employed by the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Railroad Company; George Plummer Baker is a prominent attorney of Washington, Pa .; Charles E. Baker, the subject of this sketch; W. L. Baker, a druggist of Indianapolis, Ind .; John T. Baker, who is engaged in the insurance and real estate business at Clairton, Allegheny County, Pa .; and Frank Baker, who actively pursues the real estate and insurance bnsi- ness at California, Pa. Lewis F. Baker, for many years an active Republican, having been a candidate for county treasurer at one time, is now living in retirement at Cali- fornia, Pa., at the advanced age of eighty-one years.

Charles E. Baker, during the early years of his life, lived with his parents on the home farm. He attended the township schools, later going to California Normal aud the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. Mr. Baker was a prominent educator, having tanght in the schools of Washington and Fayette counties for nearly a score of years. He subsequently went back to the farm and for three years raised Black Top Merino sheep.

In 1889, Mr. Baker was married to Mary Sharpnack, who was born in Fayette County, Pa. They have been blessed with eleven children as follows: Colley S., Ellis E., Lewis W., Charles Q., Helen G., George S., Sara Ruth, Donald D., Josiah T., Mary I. and Ralph R.

Mr. Baker moved from West Pike Run Township to California, Pa., in 1893, where he built up a large real estate and insurance business, specializing in coal prop- erties. In 1900 he moved to Washington, Pa., having been elected clerk of the Washington County courts. At the expiration of his term in 1902, he was again chosen to fill the office for three more years, having had no opposition.

Since the expiration of his second term as clerk of the courts, Mr. Baker has been extensively engaged in the sale of real estate, coal and timber lands, oil property, stocks and bonds. Mr. Baker has always taken an ac- tive interest in politics, being affiliated with the inde- pendent element in the Republican party.

In fraternal circles Mr. Baker is affiliated with the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic order, is past master of the Blue Lodge, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Elks. Mr. Baker and his family are members of the Central Presbyterian Church, of Washington and are all actively connected with the work of the church.

ROBERT B. PLANTS, a prosperous agriculturist and well known citizen of East Finley Township, was born in this township in 1861, son of Christian and Rosanna (Marshall) Plants. His great grandfather on the pa- ternał side was Christian Plants, of German descent, who resided in eastern Pennsylvania, where he married Cath- erine Haines. In 1796 this early progenitor of the family came with his wife to Washington County, settling at the foot of "Gallows Hill" near the present borough of Washington. In 1806 he settled on what is now the En- low fork of Wheeling Creek, in Finley (now East Fin- ley) Township. He and his wife had thirteen children -Leonard, Solomon, George, Christian, Catherine, Max- well, Elizabeth, Hannah, Jacob, Mary, Daniel, John and an unamed infant. Christian Plants, the father, in addi- tion to farming, taught school during the winter months. He died at an advanced age.

Leonard Plants, the next in the present line of descent, was born on his father's farm near Washington, March 22, 1797. He accompanied his parents to East Finley Township in 1806, and endured with them the hardships of pioneer life. At the age of eighteen years he began an apprenticeship to the stone mason's trade, which lasted for three years. He then obtained work as a journeyman stone mason on the National Pike, and was subsequently engaged in building operations. He con- tinued to follow his trade until 1880. He was married May 6, 1819, to Elizabeth Barney, who died in 1826. The issue of this union were, Elizabeth, who became the wife of Stephen Hill, of Wetzel County, W. Va .; Christian, father of the subject of this sketch; George, and one other that died in infancy.

The son George, born July 13, 1824, learned the trade of stone mason, which he followed many years, and also engaged in farming. He acquired a comfortable com- peteney. He was married June 1, 1848, to Mary (Goues) Seeman, of East Finley Township, and their children were Franklin, Ethelinda B., MeFarlin, Mary, Elizabeth, Clarissa, Leonard, William S., Joseph L., Nathan C., and one other daughter, whose name we have not now at hand. Most of the above named are now deceased.

Christian Plants, father of Robert .B., our direct sub- ject, was born April 22, 1822, in East Finley Township. He received but a meager education, as his parents need- ed his services on the farm. He remained with them until reaching the age of twenty-three years, at which

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IHISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

time he began to learn the gunsmith's trade, also using some of his time in cropping on his father's farm. Though he never served a regular apprenticeship to any trade he became in time, by study and application and making good use of his opportunities for acquiring practical knowledge, a very creditable gunsmith, watch maker and stone mason. He also followed agriculture to some extent, and later engaged in a general mer- chandise business, which he carried on for some years. lle was a useful and active citizen, highly respected throughout the township, and was a member of the United Brethren Church at Fairmount. llis political prineiples allied him with the Democratic party. lle was married, November 26, 1846, to Rosanna Marshall, who was born July 19, 1824, a daughter of John and Nancy ( MeWherter) Marshall, of East Finley Township. They were the parents of three children, namely Leonard Mar. tin, who died at the age of eight years, and twins, born August 7, 1861, one of whom died unnamed, the other being Robert Blaehly, the direet subjeet of this sketch. Christian Plants, the father, died September 21, 1908.

Robert B. Plants attended school in boyhood until reaching the age of sixteen years, and in his spare time assisted in the work of the farm, thus acquiring a prac- tieal knowledge of agriculture. He has continued to reside on the old homestead, which he inherited on his father's death, and is regarded as one of the up-to-date and prosperous agriculturists of the township. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' National Bank of Claysville, Pa. In politics a Democrat, he has creditably filled several township offices.

Mr. Plants was married in February 24, 1886, to Elizabeth A. Sprowls, a daughter of John and Ilannah (Reed) SprowIs, of which union there have been four children-Annie, who is the wife of Nicholas Montgom- ery, of Washington County. Pa .; James R., who is attend- ing school in Peoria, Ill., learning watch making and re- pairing at the Bradley Horological School; Elvin L., and Gladys E., residing at home.

J. P. RIETHMILLER, who is identified with im- portant interests at Marianna, Pa., is cashier of the Farmers' and Miners' Bank at this place and is also one of the stockholders. He was born in Indiana County, Pa., in April, 1878, and is a son of Frederick and Char- lotte Riethmiller. Mr. Riethmiller is a graduate of the Indiana State Normal, class of 1902, and of Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After finishing his school courses he was bookkeeper a number of years of the Wharton Coke Works, Coral, Indiana County, Pa. Later he was with the receiver of the Farmers' and Drovers' Bank of Waynesburg. Pa. Prior to taking the «ashiership at Marianna he was connected with the Penn- sylvania National Bank of Pittsburg.

Mr. Riethmiller has been connerted with the Farmers' and Miners' Bank since its founding, having been one of its organizers, and is its first cashier. It began busi- ness in June, 1909, and already has won a reputation for sound and conservative methods. In politics, Mr. Riethmiller is a Republican and is a member of the Marianna school board.

Mr. Riethmiller married Miss Lottie Peddicord, a daughter of Milton Peddicord, of Saltsburg, Pa. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he 'is one of the trustees.

DAVID FRENCH MESSNER, general farmer and miner, resides on his excellent farm of fifty-four acres, which is situated in Union Township, Washington Coun- ty, Pa., about two miles east of Finleyville, on the west side of the Elizabethtown Road. Mr. Messner was horn in Westmoreland County, Pa., Angust 25, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Rebecea (Wilson) Messner.

Samuel Messner was born and reared in Maryland. In early manhood he went to Westmoreland County and secured work in the coal mines in that section of Penn- sylvania, and continued a miner until he was fifty years of age and then became a farmer. His death occurred in Union Township, Washington County, Pa., February 7, 1886. He married Rebecca Wilson, who died in March, 1905, aged seventy-nine years. They had a family of seven children: William, who died young; Mary, de- ceased, who was the wife of C. N. Nearman; David French ; Susannah, who is the wife of D. Rnffner; Alice lane, who is the wife of Fred Miller; Samnel; and "'atherine, who is the wife of H. Barton.

David French Messner was small when the family came to Washington County and he attended school in Union Township until he was twelve years old, when he was eon- sidored mature enough to begin to work in the mines, and it is said of him that even then he could do a full man's day's work. For thirty years Mr. Messner con- tinned to work as a miner and still is so engaged during the winter seasons. in November, 1902, with the assist- ance of his sons, who are also reliable, industrious men, he purchased his present farm from the Kerr estate. He has erected all of the substantial buildings now on the place, including a comfortable seven-room dwelling. He devotes his summers to the cultivation of his land and has met with very satisfactory results in his agrienl- tural undertakings.

David F. Messner was married April 19. 1883, to Miss Sarah Jane Vickers, a daughter of George and Julia (Intz) Vickers, and they have had fourteen children born to them, all of whom survive exeept one who died in infancy: William, who married Isabella Welsh and has one son, Robert; George, who married Sadie Me- Chain; and David, Lewis, Charles, Samuel, Joseph, Anne

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

May, Jennie, Sarah, Robert and Ruth, twins, and James Raymond. Mr. Messner and sons are Democrats.

JACOB WOLF PIERSOL, a director of the Bentley- ville National Bank and a prominent farmer and highly respected citizen, residing on a part of a fine farm of eighty acres lying in the borough of Bentleyville, Pa., has been living here since April, 1895. He was born April 21, 1864, on a farm in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of James B. and Mary Diana (Wolf) Piersol.

James B. Piersol, father of Jacob W. Piersol, was en- gaged in farming in Fayette County for many years and owned valuable property there. In 1895, after dis- posing of his coal lands, he came to Bentleyville, Wash- ington County, and resided here until the time of his death, February 20, 1905. He is survived by his widow, who resides at Bentleyville.

Jacob Wolf Piersol was reared on his father's farm in Fayette County and from there he came to Bentley- ville, as did his parents, in 1895. For six years he con- ducted a general store, which he later disposed of and then located on his present property, which is one of the best improved farms in the borough, and on which, in 1907, he erected a fine modern frame house. Mr. Piersol is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church. He is serving on the Bentleyville school board, his associate members being: A. N. Booth, president; J. L. Hager, secretary; and A. J. McCormick and T. G. Frye.

On October 19, 1899, Mr. Piersol married Emma Luce, who was born at Perryopolis, Fayette County, Pa., a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Luce, and of their union have been born four children: Helen Ruth; Ger- trude Adeline; Mary Sevilla; and James Luce.

ISAAC C. PATSCH, a representative citizen of Hous- ton, Pa., where he has been engaged in the blacksmith business for himself since 1880, may be numbered among the early settlers of this borough, as there were only eight houses in the place when he came here with his father in 1872. He was born at Triadelphia, Ohio Coun- ty, W. Va., January 19, 1856, and is a son of William and Annie E. (Clemmens) Patsch.

Many of the old families of Pennsylvania aud West Virginia have interesting records of early times when their hardy ancestors had dangers to face that required brave hearts and indomitable courage. Few fought more valiantly than did Jacob Mliler, Sr. (great-great-grand- father of Isaac C. Patsch) before he became a victim of a band of savage Indians. With John Hupp, a neigh- bor, he was killed on Easter Sunday, 1782. The two men were on their way to visit a friend and were sur- prised just before reaching their destination, by a band of hostile Indians. The lonely path led into a dense forest and with hideous yells the savages captured their

victims and scalped them. This terrifying news was quickly carried to the few scattered farm houses and all who could reach there of the men, women and chil- dren, took refuge in the Miller blockhouse, which had been erected for such an emergency. Those who man- aged to get within the walls were prisoners, the block- house being soon surrounded by a party of seventy hos- tile Indians. Inside were no provisions and but little ammunition. Among those present were the wives of the slain Miller and Hupp and from their trusty rifles, pointed through the port-holes, went shots that laid many a warrior low. So continuous was the firing that the Indians were deceived into thinking that a large number of settlers were in the fort, and it is supposed that that made them withdraw when night came and they went on their devastating way to other settlements. The bodies of their victims were not discovered for some days after- ward, as all were afraid to leave the shelter of the blockhouse, but when parties ventured forth, the sad fate of their former comrades was discovered. Their bodies were found about half a mile distant, on a ridge, in a small path that led into the forest. They were brought to the fort for burial, wrapped together in a sheet and lowered into one grave. Some heavy puncheons served to mark the place of burial. The ground around afterwards became sacred for burial purposes, and in the same grove rest the bodies of Jacob Crow, Jacob Miller, Jr., Ann Hupp and her daughter, Margaret Titus, and others of their friends. This graveyard is situated in a ravine near the waters of Little Buffalo Creek, a few yards from the residence of Clinton Miller, who now owns this land.

William Patsch, father of Isaac C., was born near North Buffalo Church, in Washington County, Pa., later moved to Donegal Township and settled on the farm be- longing to an uncle. While living there he was married. He then moved to Triadelphia, W. Va., where he lived until 1864, when he removed to Claysville, Pa., in which place he conducted a blacksmith shop. In 1872 he opened a shop in the hamlet of Houston and lived there until 1886, when he retired from business and located at Wash- ington. In 1890 he moved from there to Allegheny, and there he died in 1897, at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Annie E. Clemmens, who was born in 1829 and is now in her eighty-first year. Her father was Nicholas Clemmens and he died in Donegal Township, in 1870, when aged eighty-three years.

To William Patsch and wife the following children were born: Alexander M., who is a resident of Lebanon, Pa .; Isaac C., subject of this sketch; William, who died at Houstonville, in 1874; George E., who is a merchant at Houston; Lizzie, who married Albert Boone, and re- sides at Allegheny ; Katie Belle, who died in 1870; Alice, who is a resident of Allegheny; Burney M., who died in

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

boyhood; and Ralph (., who is in business in Allegheny.

Isaae C. Patsch attended school until he was about six- teen years of age, at Triadephla and Claysville, and then entered his father's shop to learn the practical details of a business that he says he is yet, after these many years, continually learning something more abont. Since May 9, 1872, he has worked continuously as a black- smith and is known far and wide as a very expert one. IIe does a large business and has a first class shop, with all moderu appliances in the way of the tools of his trade. He has done well financially, owns a fine home which be built in 1893, together with his shop and some six other valuable properties in the borough.

Mr. Patsch married Miss Jennie Ferris, a daughter of James and Ellen Ferris, of Houston, and they have had the following children: Anna Mazie, who married John Gorman, of Houston; Emma Elsie, who lives at home; William Clark, who works with his father; Albert B., an enterprising young man who is a student in the Wash- ington Business College aud carries on business as a newsboy; and Izora B., James Glenn, Ellen, Iola and Isaac E., all residing at home. Mr. Patseh is a very intelligent man and has his own ideas on publie matters. He has never identified himself with any political party as his preference has always been to vote for the best man irrespective of his party connection.

MRS. ELIZABETH M. DAVIS, widow of the late George Davis, and a member of one of the old and rep- resentative families of South Strabane Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., was born in this township, and is a daughter of James and Mary (White) Martin.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 92

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