Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 94

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 94

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Dr. Cracraft was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Moore, a daughter of the late Daniel Moore, of South Frauklin Township, and they have one daughter, Reine M., whe is an accomplished young lady, a graduate of Washington Seminary. Dr. Cracraft and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is identified prominently with a number of fraternal organizations, belonging to Hopewell Lodge, No. 504, I. O. O. F., of which he is past distriet deputy grand master, and for the last twelve years has been treasurer of the local lodge; to the Knights of Pythias. Clavsville Lodge,

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No. 121, and served five consecutive years as keeper of records and seal. He organized the Tenskwata- wa Tribe of Red Men at Claysville, an order which is iu a thriving condition. He is also a past master of Claysville Lodge, No. 447, F. aud A. M., and a Shriner, having been elevated to the thirty-second degrec iu the fraternity.

Dr. Cracraft has always taken an earnest interest in civie affairs, having served the borough of Claysville four years in the capacity of school director, three years on the town council two of which he was its president, and is just completing a five-year term as secretary of the local board of health, having previously served as a member of that body for two years. He is also local registrar of births aud deaths, having served in that capacity ever since the law went into effect four years ago. Dr. Cracraft also was a member of the board of U. S. pension examining surgeons at Washington, Pa., for several years, and was at different times its president, secretary and treasurer.

He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Clays- ville and while like Dr. MaeClure he "disna tribble the Kirk often," he is always ready to aid any Christian cause or worthy charity.

DAVID W. MYERS, who resides in a pleasant and comfortable home at No. 249 North Wade avenue, Wash- ington, Pa., has been a resident of Washington County all his life and has been identified with its agricultural and public affairs. He was born October 13, 1846, in West Bethlehem Township, this county, and is a son of Stephen and Luciah (Jenkins) Myers.

Stephen Myers was born in West Bethlehem Township in 1805 and died in 1875. His father was John Myers, who came to Pennsylvania from Germany, settling in West Bethlehem Township among the pioneers. Stephen Myers became a man of local prominence, and was sue- cessfully engaged in agriculture for a long period of many years. His wife Luciah was also born in Washing- ton County. They had a family of four children --- Hannah, who is the widow of S. C. Bane, and resides in Washington; Ella, who is the wife of J. A. Moninger, of Amwell Township; Elizabeth, and David W., the direct subject of this sketch.

David W. Myers was reared in West Bethlehem Town- ship and was educated in the common schools and at Washington and Jefferson College. He followed farm- ing and stock raising quite extensively until 1906, when he retired from the farm and has since resided in the borough of Washington. From early manhood Mr. Myers has taken an intelligent interest in politics and has so enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens as to have been frequently elected to public office. Thus he served for twelve years as a director of the poor,

being elected first in 1889 and subsequently in 1892, 1895 and 1898, and was elected in 1905 and served one term of three years as a county commissioner. He has served the township in various offices, such as assistant assessor and school director, having been chosen to the latter office soon after attaining his majority. His pub- lie duties have always been performed with as much care and fidelity as though they concerned only his pri- vate interests, and as a result he has made a compe- tent and useful public official.

Mr. Myers was married November 27, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Roberts, a daughter of J. D. Roberts, one of the old families of West Bethlehem Township, and they had four children, two dying in infancy, a daughter, Leona Irene, died in May, 1902, aged 25 years, one son, Albert E., survives and is engaged in business in Wash- ington, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Second United Presbyterian Church of Washington, and prior to leaving the country were identified with the Pigeon Creek United Presbyterian Church, he having served as a Ruling Elder in that congregation a num- ber of years until his removal to Washington. Having lived close to nature all his life, Mr. Myers now de- votes his time to the cultivation of fruits and flowers, the oversight and adornment of his farm and home grounds and finds leisure for reading aud study.

JOHN R. TAYLOR, who was born on his present farm of ninety-two acres of well developed land, sit- uated in South Strabane Township, one and one-half miles northeast of Washington, Pa., April 28, 1874, is one of the representative farmers and stock raisers of this section and is a member of an old and important family. His parents were Matthew and Jane (Forrest) Taylor.

Matthew Taylor, father of John R., was born in South Strabane Township, Washington County, . March 5, 1817. His grandparents were Henry and Jane (White) Taylor, the former of whom was a native of Wales. They had seven sons and six daughters, the eldest son being the first white male child born west of the Alleghany Moun- taius. Henry Taylor, about 1770, took what was termed a "tomahawk right" to two great tracts of land, one of 1,200 and the other of 1,700 acres, all lying in what is now Sonth Strabane Township. A part of this prop- erty, including the farm owned by John R. Taylor, has ever since been owned in the Taylor family.

Matthew Taylor was reared on the paternal farm and was married May 26, 1864, to Jane Forrest, a daughter of George and Alice (Rhodes) Forrest. George For- rest was born in Edinburg, Scotland, and in boyhood ac- companied his parents to Penrith, County Cumberland, England, and when eighteen years of age went to Lou- don, where he was married. The children of George

DAVID W. MYERS

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Forrest and his wife were: Alice, who married Hugh W. Boyle; Emma, who married JJohn R. Hallam ; George ; Jane, who married Matthew Taylor; and Robert R. and John R. To Matthew Taylor and wife three children were born: George Forrest, Rachel May and John Richard. Matthew Taylor died October 15, 1899, and was buried in the Washington Cemetery. For many years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Republican in politics and frequently was elected to township offices. In every relation of life he measured up a worthy man and his memory is cher- ished by his kindred.

John Richard Taylor attended the Gray schoolhouse near his father's farm before he was old enough to be- come a pupil in the Washington schools. Later he spent three years at Trinity Hall, also attended the State Normal School at California and subsequently Washing- ton and Jefferson College, after which he returned to agricultural pursuits, settling on the home farm. He has, it seems, proved in his own case, the competence of a college bred farmer, as he has produced bigger erops from his land than any of his predecessors. His father put up all the buildings and these Mr. Taylor has kept in complete repair and also given some attention to his six oil and gas wells on the place. In addition to his farm interests, Mr. Taylor is a stockholder in the Union Trust Company of Washington. IIe is also largely con- cerned as a contractor for the building of highways and has completed, to the satisfaction of the taxpayers, three miles of the West Middletown road.

Mr. Taylor was married in June, 1895, to Miss Eliza Jane Med'andless, a daughter of George and Sarah Me- Candless, of New Castle. They have had five children: Helen Goff, Katherine Jane, Sarah MeC'andless, Dorothy Isabel, and Gertrude, who died when aged nine months. The family attend the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington. Mr. Taylor is a Republican in politics and fraternally is identified with the Elks.

WILLIAM FASSBACH, farmer, dairyman and coal dealer, an industrious, enterprising and reliable business man of Union Township, Washington County, Pa., was born in Germany, March 15, 1854, and is a son of Fred and Johanna ( Firestone) Fassbach.

The father of Mr. Fassbach died in Germany, but the mother still lives in the old home. There were six chil- dren in the family; Minnie, who is now deceased, was the wife of Hobart Oleson, also deceased; William; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Herman Myer; John; Fred, who lives in Germany; and Herbert, who resides in the United States.

William Fassbach led a busy boyhood, working as a farmer, as a teamster and as a miner. Ile remained in Germany until after his marriage and the birth of four

of his children, crossing the ocean with his family to America, in 1855, and coming at once to Pennsylvania. For two years he worked in the coal mines in Allegheny County and then came to Washington County and in ISS9 bought ten aeres of his present farm, to which he has kept on adding. He continued to work in mines in different localities and in the course of time operated a pit on his own land and from it supplies the neighboring farmers. In 1908 he embarked in the dairy business, keeps fourteen eows and operates a milk route to Gas- tonville and Finleyville. He still works in the mines in the winter time. He is a practical, clear-headed business man and through his industry and good judgment is able to add to his possessions yearly.

In Germany, on November 22, 1879, Mr. Fassbach was married to Miss Francesca Shercamp. Iler parents were John and Mary ( Iluffman) Shercamp, of Germany. They had five children, Mrs. Fassbach being the second in order of birth and the only one to come to America. She has one sister, Gertrude, who is the wife of Frank Bolder; and three brothers: Herman, John and Henry.

Mr. and Mrs. Fassbach have had the following chil- dren : Fred, who married Elizabeth Stark, and they have one child, Emma; Henry, who died when aged twenty- two years; Frank; John, who died aged one year; Frances, who is the wife of Frank May and has one child, Clara; William, who married Susan Stolze; Mary ; Lawrence and Anna. Mr. Fassbach and family belong to the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

U. G. AMES, general farmer and general blacksmith, residing in Somerset Township, Washington County, Pa., on the old Ferguson property, consisting of two adjoin- ing farms, one of 117 and the other of 120 acres, was born on a farm in West Pike Run Township, near Bealls- ville, November 2, 1868. He is a son of Arthamen and Maria (Griffith) Ames.

Arthanien Ames, the father of Mr. Ames, was also a blacksmith by trade. He was born and reared near Scenery Hill, in Washington County, and was a son of John Ames, a farmer and horse dealer. Arthamen Ames died in West Pike Run Township. He married Maria Griffith, who was born and reared in Washington County and was a daughter of John R. Griffith, a pioneer shoe- maker and shoe merchant. She survived until July 22, 1909.

UT. G. Ames attended the local schools and remained at home until he was nineteen years of age and then went to Evansville, Ind., where he learned the blaek- smith trade, after which he worked as a journeyman in Kentucky for several years and then set up his own shop at Duquesne, Pa. He remained in Allegheny Coun- ty for three years and then came to Bentleyville, Wash- ington County. For two years he worked there at his

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trade before he settled on the present farm, in Decem- ber, 1894. This farm was once the property of the great-grandfather of Mrs. Ames, Robert Ferguson, and the buildings were erected by him in 1802.

Mr. Ames was married to Miss Lizzie Ferguson, a daughter of Adam and Lucinda (De Garmo) Ferguson, the former of whom was born and reared on this farm, as was also his father. Adam Ferguson died here, but his widow survives and lives at Bentleyville. Mr. and Mrs. Ames have four children: Sherman, Charlene, Marsh and Rena. Mr. Ames has a shop on the farm, and in addition to general farming does considerable business as a general blacksmith and repair man. He is not active in politics, but shows that he is a good citizen whenever public matters are under consideration in his township.

ROBERT CAMPBELL McCHAIN, general farmer, stock dealer and dairyman, who owns forty acres of valu- able land, which is situated partly in Allegheny County and partly in Union Township, Washington County, Pa., on the Pittsburg and Brownsville turnpike road, about one and three quarters miles north of Finleyville, is a native of Union Township, and was born on his father's farm, September 18, 1859. His parents were James and Margaret (Kelley) MeChain.

James McChain was born in Ballywater, County Down, Ireland, in 1812, this being a coast town about sixteen miles from Belfast. His father was Hugh McChain, and the latter's business was deep sea fishing. James McChain was for some time a sailor; he also learned the shoemaking trade, later became a limestone dealer and contractor and owned two lime kilns. During his life on the water he served as a pilot for boats on the channel. In 1832 he came to America. Lack of means did not prevent his seeing a large part of the country. He was a good pedestrian and visited Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and from the latter city made his way on foot over the mountains to Pittsburg. On the following Christmas Day he started back to the East and finally reached St. John's, New Brunswick, where he shipped as a sailor before the mast on a vessel bound for his native land, and in the course of some weeks reached Ireland. Shortly afterward he was married to Margaret Kelley, a daughter of Sergeant John Kelley, who was an officer in the Dragoons, at Waterloo, and died two years after that memorable battle.

James McChain and wife remained in Ireland for a number of years after their marriage and the following children were born to them there: Jobn, who died when aged twelve years; Maria; Sarah, Margaret and Eliza- beth, all three deceased; John; and James, who is also deceased. In 1848, when the youngest child was about

eight months old, the family took passage for America on the ship "Standard," and after a voyage of four weeks were safely landed in the United States. Mr. Mc- Chain took his family to Pittsburg, but not in the same way that he had previously made the journey, a part of the distance this time being traversed on the canal. After a short time in Allegheny County, removal was made to Washington County, where Mr. McChain fol- lowed shoemaking in Nottingham Township until 1855, when he moved to Finleyville. About two years later he went to Twelve-Mile House, in Allegheny County, and then bought a tract of eleven acres at the foot of Gin- ger Hill, in Carroll Township, but in 1859 he sold his little farm and moved with his family back to Ireland. He was not content there, however, and in a few months again returned to America and later bought a farm of ninety acres, situated in Union Township, and there the rest of his life was passed in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, and on that farm both be and wife died, his age being seventy-two years and hers eighty-six years. After coming to America, Mr. and Mrs. MeChain had five more children born to them, namely: Hugh, Edward, Will- iam, Rachel and Robert Campbell, of whom Edward and Rachel are now deceased.

Robert C. McChain remained at home until his mar- riage. He attended the district schools and helped his father on the farm. He later acquired interests of his own in land and livestock and has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. After marriage he rented the farm which he now owns, which he purchased in 1894, it being locally known as the old Dr. Estep farm. In 1901 he completed the building of a new residence and has all his surroundings attractive and comfortable. His dairy- ing is managed after modern methods, he selling his milk by wholesale, shipping to Pittsburg and supplying the Monongahela Hospital. Mr. McChain is considered an excellent judge of cattle and stock of all kinds and his judgment is frequently consulted on snch matters by his neighbors.

On September 24, 1885, Mr. MeChain was married to Miss Alice Sarah Finley, daughter of Jobn and Alice (Campbell) Finley, and they have six children : Louis C., Bessie A., Bernice M., Edna G., Eugenia M. and Jessie S. Mr. MeChain and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church at Finleyville. He is a Democrat.

ROBERT J. HENRY, one of South Strabane Town- ship's representative citizens, engaged in farming and sheep raising, owns 209 acres of valuable land, situated five miles east of Washington. He was born in South Strabane Township, August 20, 1856, and is a son of .John and Jane (White) Henry.

Jolin Henry was born in South Strabane Township

WILLIAM H. MARTIN

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and after this marriage, lived on a farm adjoining the one owned by his son, Robert J. He was a farmer and stock raiser. Although not actively interested in public matters, he always cast his vote and gave support to the forces of law and order in his neighborhood. His death ocenrred in 1887, and his burial was in the Washington Cemetery. He married Jane White, a daughter of Eben- ezer White, of Canton Township, and they had four children: Ebenezer, who lives at Monroe, lowa; Robert J .; Joseph N., who is a resident of Washington; and Lewis A., who lives at Asheville, N. C. The mother of the above family died in 1892. Both she and husband at- tended the Pigeon Crock United Presbyterian Church.

Robert J. Henry attended the district schools of South Strabane Township until he was old enough to be useful on the farm, when he became interested in both farming and sheep raising and has continued these industries, keeping as many as 235 head of sheep over the winter. Following his first marriage he resided on a farm near Vanceville and from there moved to his present place, which was formerly owned by an unele, R. D. Henry. No tests for either oil or gas had or have since been made, but a vein of Pittsburg coal had already been sold. This land is fertile and productive and Mr. Henry has all of it .under tillage except twenty aeres which are covered with timber. The buildings now standing were on the farm in fair condition, when Mr. Henry took charge, needing only slight repairs, which he immediately made.

Mr. Henry was married first in January, 1884, to Miss Annie A, White, of Iowa. She died in July, 1886, and her burial was in Washington Cemetery. She was a worthy member of the Pigeon Creek United Presbyterian Church. Two children survive her: Goldie J. and Winni- fred. Mr. Ileury married secondly Miss Jennie Ray, a daughter of John Ray, of Nottingham Township, in September, 1892. They have three children: Robert Howard, who is a student in an academy, at Washing- ton; and Garnet Pearl and Clyde J., who attend the pub- lie school near their home. Mr. and Mrs. Ilenry are members of the Pigeon Creek United Presbyterian Church in which he is an older and for some years has also beeu a trustee. Like his father before him, he votes with the Republican party. He is serving as a school director, but has never accepted any other public office.

J. WILLIS MARTIN, general farmer and interested in oil production, who owns 236 acres of valuable land, situated five miles east of Washington, Pa., was horn on this farm, April 20, 1873, and is a son of William H. and Anna M. (Thome) Martin.

William H. Martin was born in South Strabane Town- ship, Washington County, September 9, 1842, was edu- cated in the local schools and devoted himself mainly

to agricultural pursuits through life, making a specialty of sheep raising. After marriage be settled on the farm which his only son now owns and improved the place with substantial buildings. Ile was a man of high standing in his section and very often was elected to township offices of trust and responsibility. He was one of the directors of the Western Pennsylvania Fair Association and through his interest in agriculture and stock raising, added largely to their importance in his neighborhood. On January 1, 1867, he married Auna M. Thome, a danghter of James Thome, and two chil- dren were born to them: Abbie E., who married Rev. W. A. Jones; and . Willis. William H. Martin died January 19, 1905, and his burial was in the Pigeon ('reek United Presbyterian Cemetery, both he and wife long having been members of that church. His widow survives and lives with her son on the homestead.

J. Willis Martin received his early lessons at the Davis school in South Strabane Township and later en- tered Washington and JJefferson College, where he was graduated in the Class of 1897. He then took up the study of law under Attorney Knox, but his plans for a professional career were given up when the death of his father made it advisable for him to take over the management of the large farm. This property has been in the Martin name since 1811. Mr. Martin has re- paired and remodeled some of the farm buildings and has made improvements where he deemed them necessary, and has a property that is constantly increasing in value. All but 20 acres, yet in timber, is tillable, and there are two oil wells and one gas well on his place. He owns also a second farm, containing ninety-two acres, lying northwest of the homestead. He continues the sheep industry, in which his father was so successful. and keeps a flock of about 300. He is a stockholder in the Washington Trust Company, and is a director in the Farmer's Mutual Telephone Company. On his second farm, it might be noted, he has three wells that have been prodneing for twenty years. In his oil operating he is a member of the firm of Martin & Co.

On September 14, 1905, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Clara Dunn Rankin, a daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth Rankin, and they have had two children: Mary Louise and Anna Elizabeth. The latter was born June 8, 1908, and lived but ten days. Mr. and Mrs. Martin attend the Pigeon Creek United Presbyterian Church, in which, he is an eller. Like his father he is a Republican and is serving as a school director in his distriet.

GEORGE CHARLES SCHADE, purchasing agent of the Fort Pitt Bridge Works at Canonsburg, Pa., was born at Pittsburg, Pa., on February 8, 1858. His parents,

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George and Gertrude Elizabeth Schade, died when he was a mere child. His father, George Schade came to this country with two of his sons from Germay in 1856; having been an active member of the Republican or Progressionist movement which started the insurrection in 1848, he, with Carl Schurz and others, was compelled to leave Germany, settling in Pittsburg, the mother with the three remaining children arriving a year later moving to that part of Pittsburg which was formerly the borough of Lawrenceville in 1862, engaging in the book and sta- tionery business which, after his death, was continued by his sons, whose descendants are still engaged in business in that locality.

George C. Schade was educated in the public schools of Pittsburg, graduating from the academie and com- mercial departments of the Pittsburg high school, after which he entered the employ of the Keystone Bridge Works of that eity and remaining with that eoneern for twenty-two years, starting in the operating department, for a time he was engaged in the drafting department, succeeding to the position of chief elerk when the above company was merged with the Carnegie Steel Company. In his different positions he gained a complete insight into business methods which he has subsequently made use of in his other connections. He left to accept the position of vice-president and general manager of the Braddock Machine & Manufacturing Company, of Brad- doek, Pa. After four years in this connection, he re- signed to take charge of the purchasing department of the Fort Pitt Bridge Works at Canonsburg, Pa. To a large degree Mr. Schade has made his own way in the world and he possesses many of the qualities which dis- tinguish a self-made man-courage, reliability and un- disturbed perseverance.

Mr. Schade has a pleasant family eirele, having mar- ried Miss Catherine Deegan, of Pittsburg. Their five children all survive, namely: Wilbert, who is employed by The Midland Steel Company, of Pittsburg, Pa., as sales engineer, and who married Miss Dakota Knorr, of Pittsburg; Ethel, who resides at home; Ralph C., who is connected with the Fort Pitt Bridge Works at Canons- burg; and Harold and Ruth, both of whom are in school. Mr. Schade is a member of the American Society for Testing Materials and several fraternal organizations. In polities he is independent Republican.

JOHN NELSON EALY, a prosperous stock raiser of East Finley Township, was born in Cross Creek Town- ship, Washington County, April 27, 1841, a son of John and Eleanor (Sprowls) Ealy. His parents were both natives of the same township. His grandfather on the paternal side, John Ealy, was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., where also he married and reared a family of chil-

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 94

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