Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 99

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 99

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Rev. Samnel Taggart, deceased, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, March 26, 1803, and his youth was spent in that country, in Montreal, Canada, and in Pitts- burg. He attended the common schools, and then en- tered Western University of Pennsylvania, He later at- tended the Theological Seminary of Allegheny, from which institution he was graduated in 1834. His first charge was at West Middletown and Vernon, where he preached a period of fifteen years, then went west to Har- mony, Illinois, where he was paster of a charge for cighteen months. At the end of that time he returned to West Middletown, Washington County, Pa., where he was pastor of the church until 1884, at which time he retired from active ministerial duties. He died in West Middle- town, October 21, ISS5. A thorough Christian and of the most active type, he left an imprint on the affairs of that community, which time has not effaced. He was originally a Free Soiler, and became a Republican upon the organization of that party.

Rev. Samuel Taggart was married July 18, 1839, to Margaret McAyeal, a daughter of Robert McAyeal. Her

father was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1784, and when a young man immigrated to Pittsburg, Pa., where he en- gaged in the mercantile business. He married Rebecca Matthews, who was born in Ireland and was six years old when brought by her parents to Wilmington, Del. To them were born the following: Margaret, Sarah, James, Robert, Rebecca (wife of Alexander Mckeever), Nancy, (wite of Rev. Reed), and Mary (wife of Dr. MeComey). Mr. MeAyeal was a Democrat, and later a Republican in politics. He was a member of the Covenanter Church. He passed from this life in 1865, aged eighty-one years. and his widow died May I, 1889, in her ninety-sixth year. Samuel and Margaret Taggart had three children, as follows: Robert, Samuel A. and Mary E., wife of the gentleman whose name heads this sketeh.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark have one daughter, Margaret, who resides with them at their home at No. 48 North avenue, East Washington.

JOHN WILMER GRUBBS, a leading citizen of Can- onsburg, who served as the first burgess of South Canons- burg and for six years was a member of the borough council, has resided in the vicinity of Canonsburg since 1874 and has deeupied his present comfortable home since May 1, 1892. He was born at Allegheny, Pa., March 27, 1847, and is a son of John William and Mar- garet (Leech) Grubbs, and a grandson of Jacob and Nancy ( Weise) Grubbs.

The Grubbs and the Weise families both came to Amer- iva from Holland and the great grandfathers were Revo- lutionary soldiers. Jacob Grubbs, the grandfather, was a soldier in the War of IS12, and after his return he engaged in freighting between Philadelphia and Ken- tueky and to Fort Sandusky. He was accustomed to the roughest kind of employment and lived in a day when the drinking of spirits was very general, but he never touched a drop of liquor in his life. He was a man of great physical strength and lived to be ninety-five years of age, dying iu 1879. Upon his return from the War of 1812 he settled on Squirrel Hill, near Pittsburg and as he passed through what is now Canonsburg, in 1813, while in Allegheny, enroute, he was offered forty aeres of land for a mare he owned. This offer he refused and went on to Butler County for a time but later returned to Allegheny City. There were three sons and one daughter born to Jacob and Nancy Grubbs, namely: .John William; Sarah, who married Reuben Powell, died in Butler County, leaving two sons-John and Reuben Powell: Joseph, who was a farmer and carpenter, died in Butler County and his family resides at Sharpsburg ; and Hiram, who moved to Chicago to make his home with a daughter.

John William Grubbs, father of John Wilmer, was born in Butler County, Pa. He was a silversmith by trade

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and at the time of his death, September 26, 1847, was living in Allegheny City, being at that time only twenty- six years old. He married Margaret Leech, who was born in Fayette County, Pa., and was a daughter of Wil- mer and Mary (Hull) Leech. Great-grandmother Leech came to Philadelphia to live with ber two maiden aunts, who later died there of cholera and she was reared by a family named Wilmer and in that manner the name was introduced into the Grubbs family, although no forefather bore it. After the death of her husband, the widow of John Grubbs worked as a tailoress and thus took care of her infant son. After a widowhood of six years she mar- ried Samuel Lane and four children were born to this union; the one survivor being Samuel Lane, who lives at Murry Hill. Two children died in infancy and one at the age of nineteen years. The mother died Decem- ber 16, 1893.

John Wilmer Grubbs remained with his mother through childhood and early youth and attended school, the old Third Ward, at Allegheny City, under Prof. L. H. Eaton, until he was about fifteen years old, when he entered the Reynolds bit factory and endeavored to learn that busi- ' ness but after trying it for about nine months he gave up and went to work for the Kendalls, German gardeners, earning one dollar a week, with board. His duties some- times included picking berries almost all day and night, when the season was on, and later he sold berries and vegetables. He visited bis home on Saturday nights, this being his only free time. He remained there until he was seventeen years old and when he left he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. H, 193rd Pa. Vol. Inf., for 100 days and was sent to Havre de Grace. He was discharged November 9, 1864, and on February 8, 1865, be re-enlisted in Co. F, 87th Pa. Vol. Inf., to serve one year or during the continuance of the war, but re- ceived his honorable discharge on June 27, 1865, at Phil- adelphia. Almost at the close of his service, Mr. Grubbs was so seriously wounded that he was sent to the Mower General Hospital, Philadelphia, this accident happening on April 2, 1865. A rifle ball entered his left breast, between the sixth and seventh ribs, just escaping the heart, this wound being received while his regiment was charging the city of Petersburg, he at the time trying to aid a comrade. After his injury he was taken to the city hospital at Washington, D. C., and was without food from Saturday until the following Tuesday. He occu- pied bed No. 28, in the Lincoln Hospital and was there visited by the revered and sympathetic President himself, whose tender heart was always tonehed by the sufferings of his soldiers.

Mr. Grubbs returned to Allegheny County as soon as able and later learned the painter's trade at which be

worked for a number of years. Since coming to Canons- burg he has identified himself vitally with the town and his merits as a citizen have been recognized. During his many years of public service he proved himself bonest and efficient. While a Republican in his own political views, during his official life he let no political influence sway him from what he deemed best for the general welfare.

Mr. Grubbs was married November 8, 1868, to Miss Lucinda Smeigh. Her father was Michael Smeigh, and she was born at Pittsburg but was living in Allegheny at the time of her marriage. Her people came to Amer- ica from Baden, Germany. They had the following chil- dren born to them: John Wilmer, Margaret, Lucy E., Albert L., Robert S., Frank L., George S., Samuel L., Harry T., Jessie L., and Walter A., eleven in all. John Wilmer, bearing his father's name, was born March 30, 1873, and resides at Wellsville, Ohio, where he has a fam- ily of his own. He was a member of Co. B, 18th Pa. Vol. Inf., a corporal under Capt. Bigger, in the Spanish- American War. Margaret, the eldest daughter, was born December 27, 1869, and resides at home. Lucy E., the second daughter, was born August 2, 1871, and resides at home. Albert L. Grubbs was born February 17, 1876, and he, like his older brother, was a member of Co. B, 18th Pa. Vol. Inf., and served in the Spanish-American War. He resides at New Brighton, Pa. Robert S. Grubbs was born September 20, 1877, and died of cholera, August 10, 1902, in the Philippine Islands, and is buried at Laoag, Province of Ilocos Norte. He was a volunteer in the 18th Pa. Inf., and served three years in the U. S. Army and at the time of death was sergeant of Co. K, 20th Inf. He was a brave and daring young man. He served as a scout and later was detailed to the commis- sary department but resigned that service. Frank L. Grubbs, was born May 4, 1879, and resides at Canonsburg with wife and two children. George S. Grubbs was born March 21, 1881, and resides with his wife and one daugh- ter, at Portland, Ore. Samuel L. Grubbs was born De- cember 31, 1886, and resides with wife and one child, at Memphis, Tenn. Harry T. Grubbs was born December 31, 1886, and resides at Cleveland, Ohio, with wife and one son. Jessie L. was born January 27, 1890, and Wal- ter A. April 11, 1892, and both reside with their parents.

Mr. Grubbs has been very closely connected with Grand Army matters and is a member and adjutant of Sergeant Thomas Paxton Post, No. 126, of which he was command- er for six years.

JOSEPH REED, one of Cecil Township's best known citizens, living retired on his valuable farm of 206 acres, situated in Washington County, Pa., was born on this

JOSEPIT REED (1)

JOSEPH REED (2)

JOSEPH REED (3)

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

farm April 30, 1843. Ilis parents were Joseph and Martha (Anderson) Reed.

The Reed family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The great-grandfather of the present bearer of the name of Joseph Reed, was David Reed, who was born on the ocean, about 1700, during the voyage of his parents to America. This family located in Lancaster County, Pa., and when David Reed reached manhood he married a daughter of Capt. Caldwell, who commanded a company of soldiers in the Revolutionary War that was known as "the Blue Hen's Chickens," a Delaware contingent. They had children as follows: Molly, Nancy, Jane, Re- becca, Lydia, John and David. Later, accepting an in- vitation from Capt. Croghan to inspect land in Wash- ington County, with a view of settlement, David, the grandfather of our subject, and John Reed visited what is now Mt. Pleasant Township and early in 1777 ac- quired land here. In the fall of the year, David Reed returned to Lancaster County and married Margaret May and in the following spring they came to their wilder- ness home in what was then called the Washington land. On September 20, 1784, they had Gen. Washington as a guest, then truly regarded as an honor, but their pride was considerably lessened when it was subsequently dis- covered that their distinguished visitor not only owned all the Washington land by patent, but insisted on press- ing his claims. Long arguments and some legal pro- cedure followed, all of which may be found detailed in the county annals, the result being that Mr. Reed and other innocent settlers were obliged to give up their homesteads without compensation for improvements. Both John and David Reed purchased land in Cecil Township, the latter acquiring 300 acres, and he moved to this land and lived upon it until he died, September 30, 1824, His widow survived until November 19, 1840. They had five sons and one daughter: Alexander, David, Mary (Murray), John, James and Joseph.

Joseph Reed, son of David and Margaret (May) Reed, was born April 30, 1796, and always lived on his father's homestead in Cecil Township, where he died in 1885, bis long life having been one of usefulness, kindness 'and benevolence. He was married (first) in 1821 to Eliz- abeth Alexander, who died without issue, in 1822. He married (second) Anna McLean and four children were born to that union. His third marriage was to Martha Anderson, who was born October 2, 1816, a daughter of Matthew Anderson, of Chartiers Township. She died October 2, 1882, three years before Mr. Reed's decease. Eight children were born to them: Elizabeth, who is the wife of David White, of Canonsburg; John, who died September 21, 1863, in Indiana; Matthew Anderson Reed, who lives in Allegheny, Pa .: Thomas Alexander, who lives at Pasadena, Cal .; Joseph; George Murray Reed, who is a resident of Newville, Pa., and is a U. P.

minister; Julia A., who is the wife of Alonzo Hemphill, of Houston, Pa .; and Campbell Ledlie, who lives in Houston, Pa. Joseph Reed, Sr., served in township offices and for many years was a justice of the peace. On February 15, 1854, he was ordained au elder in the Chartiers United Presbyterian Church, but later severed his relations with that body in order to unite with the church at Venice, which was much nearer his home.

Joseph Reed received his schooling in Cecil Township and since reaching man's estate has devoted himself closely to agricultural pursuits. For many years he raised a large amount of stock and made a specialty of high grade sheep. Being a representative citizen of his community he has frequently been tendered public office and is serving in his second term as justice of the peace. In politics he has always been identified with the Republican party.

On July 11, 1883, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Ella C. Cubbage, a daughter of John and Mary (Hutchison) Cubbage, and they have three children: Myrtle, Joseph Houston and Ethel E., the latter of whom was educated at Muskingum College, Ohio. Mr. Reed is a director in the Citizens' Trust Company of Canonsburg. With his family he belongs to the United Presbyterian Church at Venice.

FRANK KOCHER, who is assistant manager of the Ellsworth Supply Company, at Cokeburg, Pa., was born at Allentown, Pa., in May, 1884, and his eduaction was obtained in the schools of his native place.

Mr. Kocher entered into business at Allentown and was connected with a hat store there for some time. He went from there to Midway, Washington County, entering the employ of the Federal Supply Company and from there went with the same company to McDonald, where he re- mained for two years. Then he came to Cokeburg and assumed the duties of his present position with the Ells- worth Supply Company. Mr. Kocher is recognized as an able and reliable business man.

On October 15, 1908, Mr. Kocher was married to Miss Effie Koldyke, a daughter of R. T. Koldyke, formerly of Canonsburg. In politics, Mr. Kocher is a Republican and he has served on the borough council and also as school director.

JAMES BUCHANAN MONTGOMERY, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of East Finley Township, and also one of the stockholders and directors in the Farm- ers' National Bank, of Claysville, Pa., was born in this township, July 27, 1856, son of Silas and Margaret (Elli- ott) Montgomery. He is a grandson of Hugh Mont- gomery, who was born in Ireland in 1780, and who, when a young man, emigrated to this country, landing in Philadelphia. From there Hugh came to Washington

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County and in October, 1803, took up 200 acres of land situated about seven miles southeast of the present town of Claysville, on the head waters of Big Wheeling Creek. Here he built a log cabin aud began the work of de- veloping his farm. He married in 1808, Ruth Enlow, of East Finley Township, and their children were, Susanna (Mrs. Thornberry), born February 20, 1810; Anne (Mrs. Sprowls), born November 17, 1811; James, born October 23, 1813 (moved to Ohio) ; John, born November 5, 1815; Jesse, born September 27, 1817; William, born July 23, 1819; Rebecca (Mrs. Post), born May 24, 1821; Phoebe (Mrs. Martin), born November 14, 1823; Alex- ander, born August 6, 1825; Mary (Mrs. Sprowls), born May 13, 1828; and Silas, born June 18, 1830. Of the above mentioned children, James aud Phoebe moved to Ohio, John and Jesse settled in East Finley Township; William resided in Washington Borough for many years, where he kept a store and was justice of the peaee. In addition to the land which Hugh Montgomery took up one coming to Washington County, he afterwards pur- chased over 600 acres more. At his death he bequeathed 150 acres to each of his six sons. In addition to carry- ing on agriculture, he dealt largely in stock. In polities he was a Democrat. He died May 17, 1847, aged 67 years; his wife died July 22, of the same year at the age of sixty-one.

Silas Montgomery, who was the youngest son of his parents, was born in East Finley Township, Washington County. He received a limited schooling and was brought up to farm life and labor on the paternal homestead. He married, September 7, 1855, Margaret, daughter of William Elliott, of Morris Township. Of this union there were two children, James Buchanan and Elliott Wilson, the latter born October 31, 1857, died September 15, 1877. Silas Montgomery died August 27, 1883, after which his widow made her home with her son James B., until her own death, which took place February 17, 1902. She is buried by the side of her husband in East Finley Cemetery. Silas Montgomery at his death owned a con- siderable amount of property. He belonged to the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church and in politics was a Demo- crat. He was one of the founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Fairview.

James Buchanan Montgomery was given a practical common school education and learned farming under his father, which occupation he has since followed suecess- fully. He has continued to reside on the old homestead, the property now consisting of 373 acres, and he devotes his chief attention to stock raising. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now serving his second term of five years as justice of the peace. He is also assessor and has served creditably in other township offices.

He was married August 22, 1878, to Kate, daughter of Samuel Hunt of West Finley Township, and their ehil-

dren have been as follows: Ross, married Pearl Sprowls and resides in the State of Kansas; Silas, now deceased; ida, married Elsworth Farrell, of West Finley and re- sides in Washington; Robert, a student at Chicago Uni- versity, taking a medical course; Janettie, wife of W. E. Howley, resides in South Dakota; Samuel, married Emma Lawrence, of West Finley and resides in Kansas; Lucin- da, a school teacher in Chartiers Township; Rosella, re- sides at home; Catherine, now deceased; Clara B., at home.

Mr. Montgomery belongs to the United Brethren Church, of which he is a trustee. He is a Democrat po- litically. He has a large sawmill on his property which he operates. His stock raising operations are directed chiefly to the raising of Short-horn cattle.

REMEMBRANCE H. RUSH, cashier of the First Na- tional Bank, and treasurer of the borough of Charleroi, Pa., was born October 17, 1869, in Clarksville, Greene County, Pa., and is a son of William and Martha J. (Hughes) Rush.

Jacob Rush, a descendant of John Rush, who was an officer in Cromwell's army, and ancestor of Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, was the great-grandfather of our subject, and was born in 1738 in Fairfax County, Va. In 1792 he moved to Greene County, Pa., where on May 3, 1793, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted him a patent on 163 acres of land in Morgan Township, where his death occurred in 1820, the land being known now as the old Rush homstead. His son Matthias Rush, and grandfather . . of our subject, was born and reared on this farm, and became one of the prominent farmers of the county.

William Rush, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on this farm, October 20, 1825, and died April 21, 1897, in Greene County, Pa. He was 'a farmer and stoek dealer and married Martha Josephine Hughes, a native of Fayette County, Pa., whose father, Remem- brance Hughes, was one of the pioneers iu the gold fields of California, and after whom our subject was named. The latter's mother, who is a resident of Allegheny Coun- ty, Pa., is the mother of eight children, as follows: Matthias A., a resident of Allegheny City, Pa., and a contractor by trade; Belle M., wife of Robert Crawford; Remembrance H., whose name begins this article; Ophelia Franees; Juelda L .; Mary Elizabeth; Benjamin F. (de- ceased), and Cuba. William Rush was a soldier in the Civil War, serving as a member of Co. F, 1st Pa. Vol. Cav. Enlisting August 15, 1861, he was discharged Jan- uary 15, 1863, on account of disability.

Remembrance H. Rush was reared on his father's farm and educated in the local schools. In 1891, when the borough of Charleroi was laid ont, he came to this lo- eality and in partnership with H. H. Penny established

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the first grocery store here. In 1894 he removed to Pitts- burg, where he entered the employ of The HI. J. Heintz Co., with whom he continued until 1896, in which year he became an employe of the Carnegie Steel Company, now the United States Steel Corporation. He continued with them until 1898, when he accepted a position as cashier of the First National Bank of Charleroi.

Mr. Rush is a Republican in politics, and is now serv- ing as treasurer of the borough of Charleroi. He is fra- ternally a Mason, and a member of the Charleroi Blue Lodge, No. 615; the Monongahela Chapter, No. 249; the MeKean Commandery, No. SO; the Imperial Council of Shriners of the Syrian Temple of Pittsburg.

HON. GEORGE H. POWELSON, burgess of Midway, Pa., and one of the borough's substantial and represen- . tative citizens, has been a resident here ever since he left school. lle was born at Cross Creek, Washington County, Pa., May 1, 1864, and is a son of Lewis and Mary Jane ( MeElheney ) Powelson.

The parents of Mr. Powelson are well known and re- spected residents of Cross Creek, where they have lived for many years and where the father still conducts a wagon making shop. Of their children George H. was the eldest, the other being: William M .; Della, who mar- ried David Huber ; Charles E., who is deceased; Laura, who married Thomas Petit; and John M.

George H. Powelson was educated in the village schools and Cross Creek Academy, attending that institution for two terms. He then came to Midway and after teach- ing one term of school, went to work in a wagon and blacksmith shop. Two years later he bought the shop and conducted it himself for fifteen years subsequently. After selling out he worked at carpentering and house painting for three years, and in 1907 he opened his pres- ent carriage repair shop. His many interests make bim one of the busiest men of the borough. He is secretary of the Midway Mutual Building and Loan Association, is also a justice of the peace and in the spring of 1909 was elected burgess of Midway, to serve a term of three years. Mr. Powelson at times has invested in property at Midway and has an attractive home residence and also owns his repair shop building. For thirteen years he served as auditor of Robinson Township.

Mr. Powelson married in 1887, Miss Rebecca N. Weav- er, who died in 1905. She was a daughter of Cornelius and Martha Weaver. Of this marriage five children were born, namely: Willard Brady, Louis Cornelius, George M., Leona Dell Raey, and Rosalie Gertrude. Mr. Powel- son married for his second wife, in 1905, Miss Emma Bish, a daughter of George W. and Catherine Bish, of Midway, and they have two children: Mary Catherine and Ida May. In politics he is a Democrat. He was reared in the United Presbyterian Church, while his

wife was brought up a Baptist. Mr. Powelson also has identified himself with several fraternal organizations, but at present only belongs to one-the Midway Lodge, No. 509, Knights of Pythias.

JOHN SNYDER, one of the leading farmers and dairy- men of Carroll Township, residing on a farmi of eighty- five acres, located about three miles west of Monongahela City on the Washington Pike, was born on the home farm in Fayette County, Pa., December 9, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Barbara (Galley) Snyder.

Henry Snyder, who was born at Fountain Mills, West- moreland County, Pa., was a son of Nicholas and Eve (Hough) Snyder, the father of Nicholas being a Revo- lutionary soldier. Nicholas Snyder, who was one of the early settlers of Westmoreland County, Pa., married Bar- bara Galley, a daughter of Philip and Magdalene (New- comer) Galley, and a grandaughter of Peter Galley, who served in the Revolutionary War, as a private in the Second Continental Liue, under Col. Walter Stewart. Peter Galley, great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany, and was married in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1773, to Sophia Sterne, their union resulting in the birth of two children-Philip, and a daughter, who died in infancy. The son Philip married Magdalene Neweomer, who died August 24, 1851, and they became the parents of twelve children, of whom Barbara, the mother of our subject, was the third youngest. Philip Galley died August 31, 1852.

Barbara Galley was born February 14, 1814, and died April 15, 1891, and was married to Henry Snyder near the old Galley homestead in Fayette County, Pa. Of their marriage were born the following children: David R .; Jesse O., deceased; Catherine, who is the wife of David Junk; John, our subject; Philip G .; Margaret Laura, who married William Devall; Sarah Ann, who died in infancy; Charlotte, deceased; and Diana, who is the wife of Dr. F. R. MeGrew. Henry Snyder died in Feb- ruary, 1893. The Galley family holds an annual reunion, which is an event that is looked forward to with great interest by over 600 descendants of the founder of the family in this country. Mr. Snyder has in his possession a fine photograph taken of the descendants who attended one of the reunions.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 99

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