Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 148

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1540

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 148

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Martin Kammerer was born on the home place, and in early life was married to Catherine Sumney, who was born in 1829. They had three children: Mary (Mrs. David Gault), Flora (wife of Robert MeNary) and Ella (married to William McGregor). Mr. Kammerer was a miller and distiller, and un- til shortly before his death was a partner in busi- ness with his brother Joseph. The latter years of his life were spent on the farm, where he died June 25, 1890, having been preceded by his wife June 4, of the same year.

Three children have brightened the wedded life of David and Mary (Kammerer) Gault, namely: Donald, Charles and Frank. Mr. Gault has filled many local offices in Nottingham township, and is a representative farmer.

OSEPH S. STOCKDALE, employed by the Stockdale and Allen Coal Companies, includ- ing the Acme and Allen mines, has been con - nected with this firm at Stockdale since 1888. The town of Stockdale was begun in 1883, and in 1885 mines were opened on the Stockdale farm.

He is a grandson of Thomas Stockdale, who was born in Montgomery county, Penn., of English Quaker parents, and was there married to a lady who died leaving three sons, William, Thomas and John. In 1781, after the death of the wife and mother, the remainder of the family came to Wash- ington county, Penn. He bought 100 acres of land, to which he afterward added another hundred acres, and was married in this county to his second wife, Amy Allen, who bore him children as follows: Joseph, Robert, Deboralı, Allen and Hannah.

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Both the parents of this family died on the farm in Washington county.

Robert Stockdale, father of subject, was born April 19, 1801, on the home place in Allen town- ship, Washington county, and there received a subscription-school education. On November 6, 1825, he was united in marriage with Deborah Al- len, a native of this county, and daughter of Jo- seph Allen. The young couple settled on the old farm, where the following children were born and reared: William, married to Rebecca Ailes, now living in Oregon; Amy, deceased at the age of six years; Elizabeth, widow of William Sprowls, West Finley township; Allen; Robert M .; Deborah E .; Sarah Mary, and Hannah Amy, wife of I. K. Jack- man, Los Angeles, Cal. The mother of this fam- ily died March 13, 1850, and the father was then married to Dorcas Price, a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., who is yet living on the homestead. They were the parents of three children, namely: Joseph Snyder, Cyrus Field (living in Stockdale), and Martin J. (deceased). The father was a Dein- ocrat in politics, and in religious faith was a mem- ber of the Church of Christ at Fayette City, Penn. He died December 15, 1878.

J AMES B. VAN DYKE. The Van Dyke fam- ily are of Holland origin, their name signify- ing "beyond the dyke." Many years ago three brothers of the family, John, James and William, sailed from Holland to Amer- ica, first locating in New Jersey, where John was married to a native of that State, his brothers hav- ing previously settled in Philadelphia county, Penn. In 1800 John Van Dyke moved with his family to an unimproved farm near Lindley's Mills, Morris township, Washington Co , Penn., remain- ing there but one year. He then returned to New Jersey, where he died, having left his family on the pioneer farm in Pennsylvania. He was twice married, and to the first union were born two chil- dren, John and Hannah. The children of his sec. ond marriage were Wright, Catherine, Nancy and Rena. The father was a Whig in political opinion, in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Wright Van Dyke was born December 15, 1799, on the home farm in New Jersey, and was reared and educated in the subscription schools of Wash- ington county, Penn. In early manhood he mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of James Bane, a native of Amwell township, this county, and she bore him three children, viz. : Sarah, wife of Nathan Veatch; Elizabeth, deceased, and James B. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke passed their wedded life in Amwell township, where he died in 1847, followed by his wife in 1856. They were members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he affiliated with the Whig party.

James B. Van Dyke was born January 20, 1834, on the home place in Amwell township, Wash- ington Co., Penn. On September 18, 1855, he was married to Mary J., daughter of Rev. John Thomas, of Morris township. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fortieth Regi- ment P. V. I., serving until 1864. At the battle of Chancellorsville he was shot under the right arm (the ball lodging back of his left lung, where it still remains), and, being paralyzed, was re- ported dead. He was taken from the field to the general hospital, then sent to Washington, return- ing home as soon as he was able. Before his fur- lough had expired he returned to follow the fort -. unes of his regiment, with which he remained un- til his health failed; in 1863 he was commissioned first lieutenant of his company.

After returning from the war Lieut. Van Dyke followed carpentering and building about three years, then opened a grain and feed store at Wash- ington. He afterward conducted a grocery at Brownsville, Fayette county, and in 1875 came to California, to fill the position of steward of the Southwestern State Normal School. In 1880 he opened a general store, which was supplanted in 1882 by the dry-goods establishment he is now con- ducting. In political opinion Mr. Van Dyke was originally a Know-Nothing, but has been a Repub- lican since the organization of that party. He is president of the California Glass Company, also deals in real estate. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon. They are the parents of four children, viz. : John W., George M., William S., and Mary Catherine (deceased). The three sons are all graduates of the State Normal College. George M. is also a grad- uate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and is now practicing his profession at, West New- ton, Penn .; William S. is cashier of M. M. Dick's bank, West Newton, Penn., burgess of the town, also one of the principal stockholders and treas- urer of the West Newton Wall Paper Company; John W. remains at home with his parents, and as- sists his father in the management of his business; William S. married Miss Carrie Taylor, of West Newton, who has borne him one child, Mildred.

S AMUEL HINDMAN. The ancestors of this well-known gentleman were born in a land of song and story, where wild legends were told the little ones as they sat by the fire- side or wandered amid the romantic scenery of Wales. But sometimes even the legends were for- gotten, and tales of a far-off land, whose wealth and grandeur surpassed their wildest dreams, were told the children. Eagerly the people listened for tidings of those daring men who had crossed the ocean, and proved " truth stranger than fic-

Samuel Hindman

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tion." Many a bold Welshman then sought a home in the New World, and among their number sailed Samuel Hindman with his family. They landed safely in America, and located in the State of Maryland. Mr. Hindman was twice married, and three children were born to him, among whom a son, John, is named.

John Hindman was born in 1769, near Port De- posit, in Maryland. He was there married to Sarah Patten and in 1796 came to Pennsylvania, the journey being made in a six-horse wagon, which carried all their personal possessions. They were accompanied by William Patten and his wife, the former of whom was a brother of Mrs. Hindman. They first made a halt in Findley township, Alle- gheny county, and thence moved to Union town- ship, this county, where Mr. Hindman, in 1798, bought seventy-two acres of one Thomas Cannon, and afterward eighty-four acres of Nathan Dailey, which became the home of his descendants. It was then in an uncultivated state, only twenty acres having been cleared, and many improvements were made by Mr. Hindman. In politics he was actively identified with the Whig party, and in religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Mingo. He died on the farm in 1851, being followed in 1852 by his wife, who had borne lim the following children: Mary (wife of Robert Campbell), William (married to Sarah Campbell, of Union township), Sarah (wife of John Storer, of Allegheny county), Robert (married to Hannah Pollock, also of Allegheny county), Martha (Mrs. William Morrow), John (deceased at the age of seventeen years), Eliza (wife of James Morgan), Jane (Mrs. Joseph S. Gaston) and Samuel.

Samuel Hindman was born August 25, 1812, in Union township, Washington Co., Penn., and re- ceived his education at the subscription school on the Pollock farm. On May 9, 1839, he married Martha J., daughter of Joseph Hull, of Allegheny county, and they resided on the home place in Union township until 1864, when they came to their present home in Gastonville. Politically Mr. Hindman was a Whig and Republican, but is now voting with the Prohibition party, having al- ways supported the temperance cause. In religion he has been an elder of the Mingo Presbyterian Church for thirty years. Mrs. Hindman died in September, 1889, leaving no children; but they had adopted and reared two little ones, one of whom, Virginia B., is married to Harry W. Mil- linger, of Finleyville.

SAAC C. MOUNTS. This highly esteemed and prominent young citizen of Buffalo town- ship, of which he is a native, was born May 31, 1855, a son of William H. and Mary (Malone) Mounts, the latter of whom was a daughter of

David Malone. William H. Mounts was born in Rankintown (now a part of Washington), this county, June 19, 1800, and was brought up to practical farm life from his earliest boyhood. The school he attended during a few winter weeks in each year was held in a deserted log cabin, through which the winter wind gleefully whistled. In Oc- tober, 1828, Mr. Mounts was married to Mary Ma- lone, whose family were also old settlers, and after marriage the young couple made their home in Franklin township until 1852, in which year they removed to Buffalo township, where Mrs. Mounts died September 7, 1882, and Mr. Mounts June 22, 1885. He was emphatically a self-made man, and at the time of his death owned a large farm. Po- litically he was first a Whig, afterward a Repub- lican, and although always taking a deep interest in the affairs of his party, would never accept office. Among the earliest members of East Buf- falo Presbyterian Church, he was also one of its leading and most substantial supporters. The children born to this honored pioneer were: Sarah Jane (deceased), William (in Buffalo township), Adam (in Franklin township), Richard (in Buffalo township), Mary A. (deceased wife of Wishart Houston), Margaret (Mrs. Abraham Huston), Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Kelly), Martha (wife of Samuel Parker, of Washington borough), Thomas J. (in Buffalo township), Theodore (deceased) and Isaac C.

Isaac C. Mounts was reared to farm life at the parental home, and educated at the common schools of the district. He was married Decem- ber 25, 1879, to Laura V., daughter of George Coogle, the result of which union are four chil- dren. The parents are members of the United Presbyterian Church at East Buffalo, and in poli- tics Mr. Mounts is a Republican, though not a strong partisan. He is a progressive farmer, and in connection with general agriculture is actively interested in stock raising,

T HE ARMOR FAMILY. William Armor, the pioneer of the Armor family, was a na- tive of Scotland, where his youth and early manhood were passed. Many years ago he came with his family to America, locating in York county, Penn., where he followed agricult- ural pursuits. In religious faith he was a Pres- byterian.

Thomas Armor, a son of this pioneer, came at an early age to what is now Washington county, Penn., and settled on a 400-acre tract on Rac- coon creek, Hanover township. The patent for this land was applied for September 15, 1784. He also, at the same time, applied for the adjoin- ing tract, of the same amount, in the name of his brother, who died after the confirmation of the

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application. Therefore, Thomas held and occupied both tracts, or 800 acres in all. He was a mem- ber of the Cross-roads Presbyterian Church (now Florence), and assisted in the organization of Hopewell Church, of which he became one of the first three elders. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Jennie Moore, and to them were born four sons and two daughters, who all married and settled on his land, which he divided among them before his death in 1826.

Nancy married Benjamin Bubbitt-to them were born six children. William married Nancy Mc- Clelland-to them were born seven children. John married Matilda Glasgow-to them were born five children. John, with his family, moved to Holmes county, Ohio, about the year 1830. Mary married James Thompson, to whom were born eight chil- dren. They moved to Armstrong county, Penn., about the year 1837. Thomas married Hannah Crooks, and to them were born four children. James, the youngest, was born April 17, 1797. He occupied the homestead, His first wife was Margaret Wilson; to them were born four children. These children were as follows: John, who mar- ried Maria Culley, in March, 1850; Thomas and Wilson, deceased; Margaret Ann, married to James Donaldson, in March, 1852. Some time after the death of his first wife, or in December, 1832, Mr. Armor married Nancy, daughter of Alexander McCandless (who was of Scotch-Irish descent), of Allegheny county, Penn., and to them were born four sons and one daughter. James Armor was an elder in the Hopewell Presbyterian Church for a number of years. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat until his death, February 7, 1871. He was followed to the grave by his widow, December 10, 1880.

A. M. ARMOR was born October 30, 1833; mar- ried Anna M., daughter of John Moreland, of Fayette county, Penn., October 26, 1865, who died March 17, 1880. For his second wife he married Mrs. Rebecca Wilson Mccluskey (who had one daughter), June 15, 1882. In religion be was a Presbyterian, an elder in Hopewell Church, and afterward in the Hebron Church -a branch of the Hopewell Church. Politically he was a Democrat. He moved to Burgettstown, Penn., in November, 1892, where he now resides.

J. RAY ARMOR was born October 8, 1835; married Ella C., daughter of Robert Walker, of Washington county, Penn., April 3, 1878, who died June 12, 1885. He moved to Burgettstown in June, 1886, and engaged in the lumber business with J. P. and W. B. Linn-the firm name being Armor, Linn & Co. He is a Presbyterian in religion, and a Democrat in politics.

W. Sample was born April 24, 1838; married Sarah Moreland in June, 1864. To this union

were born six children. He is a Presbyterian in religion, and a Democrat in politics.

Jane E. was born January 26, 1841; married Samuel Witherspoon, December 9, 1863. To this union were born eight children. She was for- merly a Presbyterian, but now is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

George P., born September 4, 1843, died Au- gust 2, 1872. James Armor's sons were a family of farmers. They still retain a large portion of the original 800 acres. W. Sample occupies the homestead, and likely to be followed by his sons, which will make the fourth generation of the family in occupancy.

HOMAS McGOWAN, superintendent of re- pairs of the Monongahela river slackwater improvement, a position he has held forty- nine years, is a son of John and Margaret (McGill) McGowan, natives of County Down, Ireland.

About the year 1831 they immigrated to Amer- ica, settling on a farm in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., where the father followed milling and general farming. He took an active interest in the workings of the Whig party. They died several years ago, leaving children as follows: Martha, wife of Howard Kerr, of Foxburgh, Penn. ; Thomas, whose name opens this sketch; Sarah Jane, living at Lock No. 4; John, who died at Lock No. 4, some years ago, and Nancy E., widow of Alfred Van Horn, of Lock No. 4.

Thomas McGowan was born in 1826, in County Down, Ireland, coming to America with his par- ents when but a child. He was educated in the district schools of Fallowfield township, and in April, 1844, he began life as a laborer on the Mo- nongahela river, since when he has mastered all the details of navigation. He was superintendent of Lock No. 4 and adjoining places for some time, being rapidly promoted from one position to an- other. For over thirty years he has been superin- tendent of repairs, which business calls him to all points between Pittsburgh and Geneva, Penn. "On November 18, 1852, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of Abram Fry and granddaughter of Samuel Fry. The Fry family are numbered with the earliest and most prominent citizens of Washington county. The first of the name to set- tle in Pennsylvania was one Samuel Fry, who was born in 1749. in Virginia, and was there mar- ried to Christina Speers, also a native of Virginia, born in 1752. They came overland to Washing- ton county, Penn., in a very early day, and July 19, 1792, took a "tomahawk right" for a large tract of land in Fallowfield township. He was a famous hunter, and also worked on his farm,

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remaining in the fort at night for protection from the Indians. He died in 1814, being followed by his wife November 9, 1841.

Abraham Fry, son of Samuel and Christina (Speers) Fry, was born in 1792, on the home farm in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn. He received a subscription-school educa- tion, and in early life was married to Isabella Ringland, a native of Washington county. She bore bim eleven children, namely: Samuel, living in Allen township, Washington county; John, also living in Allen township; Christina (Mrs. Abraham Colvin), of Fallowfield township; Abraham, who entered the U. S. service in Washington county, and is now living near Nashville, Tenn .; Henry, a resident of Sumner county, Tenn., on the Cum- berland river; Noalı, who died in Fallowfield township; Sarah, wife of Thomas McGowan; Jack- son, living in Cowley county, Kans. (he enlisted in the Civil war, was taken prisoner, and was confined in Andersonville prison eleven months); Clarissa, who married Alexander Alman, and died in East Pike Run township; Smith, who owns the Fry homestead, and Isabella, wife of Elgy T. Van- Voorhis, of Kansas City, Mo. After their mar- riage Abraham and Isabella Fry' settled on the upper part of the old homestead in Fallowfield township. He was actively interested in public mat- ters, and first affiliated with the Democratic party, then became a Whig and later a Republican. He died December 11, 1866, followed by his widow April 2, 1881, she having lived to see her youngest daughter the mother of twelve children. Both parents were members of the Disciple Church.

Thomas and Sarah A. McGowan settled on a home in the village of Lock No. 4. He has erect- ed an elegant residence, surrounded by beautiful grounds, and among other improvements a hand- some greenhouse adorns the place. In political opinion he is a member of the Republican party. In religion Mrs. McGowan is a member of the Disciple Church. They are the parents of three children, namely: J. K. M., married, and now has charge of Lock No. 4; Isabelle, wife of T. J. Allen, civil engineer, of Lock No. 4; and Abram F., mar- ried and residing at the same place. Mr. McGowan is one of the oldest navigators in Washington county, and is an expert in his vocation.

HEODORE J. ALLEN is a son of David B. H. Allen, a native of Allen township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., who when a young man was married to Martina Springer, of Fayette county, Penn. They became the parents of twelve children, of whom Theodore J. is the fourth in order of birth. The father followed farming and land surveying all his life, and died in 1882; the mother is yet living on the old place.

Theodore J. Allen was born July 28, 1854, in Westmoreland county, Penn., where his early edu- cation was obtained. He then entered the South- western State Normal School, at California, Penn., and, afterward, Bethany College, in West Virginia, graduating from the civil engineering department in 1875. He has since followed the profession of civil engineer, at the same time being engaged in business with a coal company, as well as in farming.

On March 22, 1877, he married Isabelle, daugh- ter of Maj. Thomas McGowan, a son of John and Margaret (McGill) McGowan, natives of County Down, Ireland, who, about 1831, immigrated to America, settling permanently on a farm in Fal- lowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., where Mr. McGowan followed milling and general farm- ing; he took an active interest in the politics of the Whig party. John and Margaret McGowan died several years ago, leaving children as follows: Martha, wife of Howard Kerr, of Foxburgh, Penn .; Thomas; Sarah Jane, living at Lock No. 4; John, who died at Lock No. 4, some years ago; and Nancy E., living at Lock No. 4, widow of Alfred Vanhorn.

Thomas McGowan was born in 1826, in County Down, Ireland, and, coming to Washington county with his parents when but a child, was educated in the district schools in Fallowfield township. In April, 1844, he began life as a laborer on the Mon- gahela river, and since that time has mastered all the details of navigation. He was superintendent of Lock No. 4 and adjoining places for some time, being rapidly promoted from one position to another. For over thirty years he has been superintendent of repairs, which business calls him to all points between Pittsburgh and Geneva, Penn. On November 18, 1852, Major McGowan was mar- ried to Sarah A., daughter of Abram and Isabella Fry. Mr. and Mrs. McGowan settled on a home in the village of Lock No. 4, where he has erected an elegant residence, surrounded by beautiful grounds, and among other improvements, a hand- some greenhouse adorns the place. In political opinion he is a member of the Republican party, and in religion Mrs. McGowan is a member of the Disciple Church. They are the parents of three children, namely: J. K. M., married, and now in charge of Lock No. 4; Isabelle, wife of T. J. Allen; and Abram F., married and residing at Lock No. 4. Major McGowan is one of the oldest navigators in Washington county,' and is an expert in his vocation.

To the union of Theodore J. and Isabelle (Mc- Gowan) Allen four children have been born, namely: Edwin R., Eva W., Mable N., and Donald M. Mr. Allen has been an extensive traveler, hav- ing visited about twenty of the States in the Union and Mexico, passing one year in Los Angeles, Cal., as an engineer. He has been a resident of Lock

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No. 4, Washington Co., Penn., for twelve years. He has served as justice of the peace, school director and postmaster, at Lock No. 4.

A BRAHAM HAIR. The life of this gentle- man bears testimony, in language not to be misunderstood, to what it is possible for man, with willing heart and hands, to accomplish. Few people, if any, in Washington county, deserve as much credit for advancement in life, commencing with dark days of poverty and adver- sity, and rising solely by their own unaided efforts to prominence and opulence, as does the subject of this memoir.

Abraham Hair was born April 23, 1823, in Buf- falo township, Washington Co., Penn. When but a young boy he was indentured to one William Wilson, to learn the trade of spinning-wheel maker; and with him he remained until sixteen years of age, when he commenced working at various occu- pations, including carpentering, civil engineering, etc., and was for a time interested in the oil busi- ness. On May 19, 1858, he was united in mar- riage with Caroline Forsythe, who was born De- cember 29, 1840, a daughter of Job Forsythe, of Parkersburgh, W. Va., and died April 15, 1860. For his second wife Mr. Hair wedded Margaret Wright, a native of Fayette county, Penn., born March 22, 1838, a daughter of Abraham Wright, of Point Marion, Penn., near the mouth of Cheat river, and to this union the following children were born: Caroline V., now Mrs. Isaac Hodgens, of Buffalo township; Laura L., now Mrs. R. W. Dodd, of Donegal township; Kate, wife of William Burig, of West Finley township; Adocia, living at home, and Maggie, who died in infancy. The mother of this family was called from earth January 27, 1873.

After his first marriage Mr. Hair took up his residence in Taylorstown, Penn., where he was en- gaged in the milling business for some consider- able time, then moved to California, same State, where he worked in a boat yard, after which he was in the oil business on Dunkards creek, Penn., whence he proceeded to Clay township, Mononga- lia Co., W. Va., and there followed farming for some time. In 1872 he purchased the Shepherd L. Guy farm, in Donegal township, situated at the confluence of the Little and Big Buffalo creeks. Here he has since been engaged in general farın- ing, including stock dealing to a considerable ex- tent. He has lately erected an improved roller mill at a great outlay, thereby filling a long-felt want in his neighborhood, and which in itself is a practical illustration of his enterprise and pro- gressiveness, and which is of invaluable service to the farming community; and in addition to all these industries he owns 346 acres of choice farm

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Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 148

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1540

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1540