Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 158

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 158

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Tolbert T. and Ellen Shipley resided on the old farm three years after their marriage, then lived in Carroll county, Ohio, four years, finally returning to the home place, and in 1876 settled in Burgetts- town, where they are yet living. As no children have blessed their union, they took as their own a niece, Martha Pyles, who was married to Capt. J. R. Day. After her marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Shipley took a boy named Pressby, who is now living in Mansfield, Penn. They then took a young girl named Agnes Bell, who remained with them until her marriage to William D. Andrews, and is now living in Dennison, Ohio. Politically, Mr. Shipley was first a Whig and then a Democrat. In religion he is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown.

REER McMANNIS, a representative citizen of Buffalo township, is a son of James, and nephew of John McMannis, whose father, William, was born in the year 1787, in East- ern Pensylvania.

William McMannis passed his youth at home and then came to Washington county, Penn., set- tling in Canton township. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick Burns, a native of Ireland, and the children born to them were as fol- lows: John, William, James, Ann, Elizabeth and

Hannah. Mr. McMannis sold his farm in Canton township, then located on a farm in South Strabane township, and in 1830 came to Buffalo township, settling on a farm in Pleasant valley, where he died in 1849, being followed by his wife in 1873. In politics he was a Whig.

James McMannis was born, in 1825, in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn., and was edu- cated in the district schools. He was married Feb- ruary 23, 1854, to Caroline, daughter of Greer Hair, of Buffalo township, and after marriage he settled near Claysville, this county, where he re- mained eleven years; then purchased a farm of 170 acres, which he continued to improve up to the time of his death. His children were: William, Lizzie, Mary ( Mrs. James W. Hodgens), Greer, Flora, Sylvia ( Mrs. Joseph Lacroix) and Kate. The mother of this family died in September, 1877, the father on November 26, 1891. He owed his suc- cess to a life of industry. In politics he was a Democrat.

Greer McMannis was born March 28, 1861, and passed his youth on the liome place, where he has since resided, receiving a common-school education. On January 15, 1885, he was married to Jennie, daughter of Alexander Buchanan, of Taylorstown, this county, and they have one child-Ella V. Mr. McMannis is an enterprising, progressive citi- zen, and a worthy representative of the name he bears. Politically, he is an ardent member of the Democratic party.

W ILLIAM S. KAMMERER, commission merchant, No. 35 Board of Trade Build- ing, Chicago, Ill., was born on the old homestead farm of his father in Notting- ham township, Washington county, Penn., Febru- ary 23, 1843, a son of John and Elizabeth (Bender) Kammerer. He was educated in the common school of his native township, and immediately after his father's death (then but thirteen years of age) he entered the store at the old homestead as clerk, where he remained until about the age of twenty, when he engaged with J. S. Dilworth & Co., of Pittsburgh, in the wholesale grocery business as clerk. His health, however, apparently giving way, he, at the solicitation of his brother Joseph, opened a general store at Hillsboro, Penn. But finding this a very limited field for success, after about one year he removed to Baltimore, Md., where he engaged in furnishing grain to Govern- ment contractors, which business, though profitable, came toa close with the war, after which he removed to Springfield, Ill., and engaged as clerk in the dry-goods store of Kimber, Ragsdale & Co., where he remained almost four years. Returning to the old homestead in the fall of 1868, he connected himself in business with his brothers, Joseph, and

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Frank G., under the firm name of Kammerer Brothers, remaining in the above firm until the spring of 1873.

On October 31, 1872, Mr. Kammerer was mar- ried to Miss Mattie G. Emery, daughter of Dr. Boyd Emery, of Dunningsville, same county. In the following spring he located in Monongahela City, where he engaged in the dry-goods, notion and millinery business. In 1876 he sold out, and removed to Washington, where he engaged in the same business, remaining there until 1879, when, owing to severe illness, he closed out his business, and again returned to the old homestead. Improv- ing in health, he 'went into his brother's store as clerk, where he remained until the summer of 1881, when he removed to Chicago, and engaged in the grain commisssion business with his brother Frank G., where he still remains. Mr. Kammerer resides at Riverside, a suburb of Chicago. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Boyd L., born December 21, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Kammerer are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustec and treasurer during the past five years in the church at Riverside.

HOMAS SLATER, a well-know farmer of Cecil township, is a son of James Slater, who was born, in 1767, in County Armagh, Ireland, and learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1792 he embarked on an American-bound vessel, landing first in New York City, where he followed his trade, and was married to Martha Thompson. She was a native of Ireland, and a fellow-voyager with Mr. Slater. In 1800 they came to Allegheny county, Penn., soon afterward locating on the farm where he died in 1842, having been preceded by his wife in 1832. They were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in which he was ruling elder for many years. Their children were: Mary, who married Matthew Craw- ford, of Mt. Pleasant township, and died in 1832; Elizabeth, married to William Crawford, and died in 1838; John, who died in infancy; John (who died in March, 1883), married to Margaret George Thompson of Pittsburgh, Penn., and first locating in Allegheny county, afterward moved to Cecil township, this county; James (a shoemaker and farmer, deceased in 1863, married to Margaret Watters, of Allegheny county, Penn., thence moving to Indiana); William (married in 1854 to Margaret McCoy of West Virginia), was pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church at Miller's Run between the years 1843 and 1847, then resigned on account of ill health and died March 24, 1889; Margaret (deceased in March, 1891 at Beaver Falls, Penn.), became the wife of John McAnlis, of Beaver county, Penn .; Jane, widow of John George, of Mt. Pleasant township, now residing at Beaver

Falls, Penn .; Thomas, of whom a sketch follows; and Martha, unmarried, who died in 1839, in Beaver county, Penn.

Thomas Slater was born in 1819, in North Fayette township, Allegheny Co., Penn., and received his early education in the subscription schools of that locality. In 1843 he came to Mt. Pleasant township, this county, locating near Hickory, and was married same year to Christina J., a native of Pittsburgh, and daughter of William and Margaret (George) Thompson. The father was born in Allegheny county, Penn., and the mother was a native of Mt. Pleasant township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Slater resided on a farm near Hickory until September, 1855, when he came to his present farm in Cecil township, this county. It contains 173 acres of good land, upon which he has erected a comfortable house and commodious barn, also made various other improve- ments. The following children have been born to this union: William T., a teacher of Wilkinsburg, Penn .; John R., living in Cecil township; George W., a physician in Baltimore, Md .; Elizabeth G., wife of Sherman G. Sackett, Colorado; Jane Allison, married to F. L. McClelland of Topeka, Kans .; Anna, who died in 1872; Emma and Ella (twins); Margaret wife of Dr. S. A. S. Metheney, and Thomas Melville.

Mr. Slater has much of the force and foresight that characterizes all self-made men, who, from small beginnings, have carved out for themselves a competence or a fortune. Himself a diligent reader, and a consistent friend of higher education, he has spared no pains to give his family advantages in this respect, often at much personal self sacrifice. He is a man of strong character and of well-defined opinions, especially on moral questions; and stands high in the estimation of all who know him, or have dealings with him, for his personal integrity and worth. In his early life he traveled somewhat in the West and South, visiting at one time in South Carolina where friends of his mother lived, near Abbeville; since the Civil war, however, he has heard nothing of them. Cousin "Jimmy Wilson " had a large plantation and many slaves.

RANK G. KAMMERER, commission mer- chant, and prominent and influential as a member of the Board of Trade, Chicago, Ill., is a native of Washington county, Penn., born February 24, 1845, on the old homestead farm of his father in Nottingham township.

John Kammerer, father of the subject of this memoir, was born in 1790, in Germany, where he was educated and became prominent in business circles as a lumber merchant in the city of Frank- fort-on-the-Main. He was twice married in his native land; first in 1820, to Margaret Dunker, by

This

Flater.

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whom he had five children, and she dying in 1830, he married for his second wife Elizabeth Bender. In 1831 he and his family came to America, settling in Washington county, Penn., and embarking in mercantile and other businesses on a tract of land he afterward (in 1839) purchased, in Nottingham town- ship. Here were born to him children as follows: Jonathan, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jacob, William S. and Frank G. Of these Jacob died in 1839, and Jona- than in 1890. Frank G. and William S. are in business in Chicago. The father died July 24, 1856, the mother May 18, 1859.

Frank G. Kammerer was educated in the common schools of his native county, and received a thorough business training at the Iron City Com- mercial College, Pittsburgh. He then engaged in business with his brother in the village of Kam- merer, Washington county, remaining there until 1875, when he traveled for a year, after which he embarked in the insurance business at Washington, Penn., with Major A. G. Happer, under the firm name of Happer and Kammerer. This continued until the latter part of September, 1879, when he retired from the firm and moved to Chicago. In the meantime (in 1877) Mr. Kammerer assumed control, as vice-president and general manager, under Dr. Geo. P. Hayes, of what became the Pittsburgh Southern Railroad (now the B. & O. Short Line), running from Washington to Pitts- burgh, and built the road from Finleyville to Wash- ington. With this road he was connected two years, or until its completion, at which time he retired from the management.

In 1880 Mr. Kammerer became a member of the Board of Trade of Chicago, and established the present flourishing firm of F. G. Kammerer & Co., office No. 35 Board of Trade Building, he being sole member of the firm. From the account of the Chicago Board of Trade given in Andreas' his- tory [" 1885-p. 315"] we quote the following: " Frank G. Kammerer is one of the very few busi- ness men of Chicago, who, in a comparatively short period of time, have been able to firmly establish themselves among the ablest and most untiring competitors of the most enterprising city in the world. Coming here only six years ago from Washington county, Penn., where he passed his earlier years in the successful prosecution of var- ious mercantile and manufacturing enterprises, Mr. Kammerer at once engaged in the grain and pro- vision trade, and by his energy and business fore- sight he has made the house of F. G. Kammerer & Co. a synonym for fair dealing and stability. He has been a prominent member of the Board of Trade since coming to Chicago in 1878, and in January, 1884, was honored by being elected a member of the committee of arbitration." On page 320, same history, we notice that Mr. Kammerer was a member of the committee on arbitration

1884-85-86, with William Gardner, J. C. Merrill, G. W. Phillips and F. G. Logan. In 1886 Mr. Kammerer was elected a director of the Board of Trade, serving the full term, retiring in 1889.

In addition to his Board of Trade business interests Mr. Kammerer has made several success- ful real estate investments, and is the owner of a considerable amount of property. He was one of the leading promotors of the artificial ice industry in Chicago, and was one of the first stockholders of the present company-the Consumers Pure Ice Company-of which he was elected president, and at present is a director and member of the execu- tive committee. This is the largest original enter- prise of the kind in Chicago, and one of the largest in the world. He is also largely interested in the manufacture and introduction of the "Hinson Car Coupler," one of the leading couplers of the Master Car Builders' type which has recently been legalized and endorsed by Congress, and he is president of the company that has control of the patent.

On December 9, 1886, Frank G. Kammerer was united in marriage with Miss Dorrie List Hildreth, daughter of E. A. Hildreth, M. D., and Susan L. McMehen, of Wheeling, W. Va., and two children have come to brighten their home: Eugene, born January 23, 1888, and Frances, born October 21, 1889. Mr. Kammerer owns an elegant residence on Woodlawn avenue, one of the most beautiful and fashionable streets in the " Garden City," South Side.

A ARON BANE, one of the intelligent busi -. ness men of Amwell township, is a grandson of Nathan Bane, who with his father and five brothers came from Virginia to Wash- ington county, Penn., thus becoming iden- tified with its earliest history.

One brother, Joseph, pushed on to the Ohio river and died in Kentucky; the others settled in Washington county. Indians were numerous in those early days, and they had a very disagreeable manner of informing the pale-faced intruder of their presence, and also of their intentions, which were by no means of a friendly nature at that pe- riod. It was soon found necessary to organize a company in order to provide a defense against sudden attacks of the savages, and of this company Nathan Bane was made captain. Here follows a very interesting item of philological information, as given by Mr. Aaron Bane: " While instructing the men of the company, Capt. Bane was accustomed to give the order 'Aim well,' and from this order the township received its present name." Mr. Bane was married to a Miss Nelson, who bore him six children: Abraham, Jake, Hannah, Becky, James and Joseph.

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Joseph Bane was born in 1776, on the middle fork of Ten-Mile creek, and passed his youth at- tending the rate schools and assisting on the farm, until he was twenty-four years of age, when he took the farm now owned and occupied by his son Aaron. Mr. Bane died in 1836, in his sixty-second year, his wife following him to her long home in 1839.

Aaron Bane was born on the old homestead Sep- tember 14, 1824, and has there passed the sixty- eight years of his life. His earlier years were employed in farm work and a few months' attend- ance at the winter schools. In 1860 he was mar- ried to Mary W. Curry, daughter of John and Deborah Curry. They have three children: John C., Albert G. and Edith. Of these, John C. is a rising young lawyer of Washington; Albert G. is now twenty-five years of age, and has charge of his father's farm of 220 fertile acres, which he will eventually own. Mr. Bane has always been a Re- publican, while his two sons vote the Democratic ticket. The family belong to the earliest settlers of the county, and have always been highly es- teemed for their moral and intellectual worth. Mr. Bane is of Quaker descent, and does honor to his ancestors.

D RYDEN VAN KIRK, the oldest living representative of his family, was born in Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., August 27, 1815. He is a grandson of Henry Van Kirk, who was born January 9, 1742, and in early manhood was married to Sarah Van- Kirk, who was born July 22, 1749. She bore him the following children: William, born February 1, 1763; Johnson, born January 11, 1765; Mary, born April 7, 1771; Gideon, born April 19, 1775; Ira, born January 29, 1779; Arthur, born June 6, 1781; Sarah, born July 18, 1784; Henry and John (twins), born May 12, 1788; Ann, born January 16, 1791; Elizabeth, born September 7, 1794, and Jennie, born December 14, 1796. Mr. Van Kirk was one of the pioneers of Washington county, Pent., and settled in Amwell township, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred April 3, 1797. He was a Federalist in politics, and in re- ligion a member of the Baptist Church.

Henry Van Kirk was born in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his early boy- hood in work on the home place; then served an apprenticeship as a mason, which trade he followed several years. He was united in marriage with Ruth Jolly, who was born January 1, 1792, and she bore him the following children: Mary E., born February 7, 1810; Dryden, born August 27, 1815; Jane, born December 12, 1817; Charles, born July 19, 1820; Ruth, born January 15, 1824; Susanna, born August 19, 1826, and Milton, born

May 14, 1829. Mr. Van Kirk first settled in Am- well township, Washington county, but afterward moved to Franklin township, where he remained until his death. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and in political views was a Whig.

Dryden Van Kirk was born on the home farm in Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his youth at home, where he learned of his father the trade of a mason. He followed that business throughout his early life, being for many years employed in different parts of the county, and the testimonials of his skill are yet standing. He is now enjoying the fruits of those early years of toil, and is the owner of one of the best farms in the township. He was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Sowers, a resident of Winchester, Va., and then settled in Franklin township, where he has since resided, and reared the following chil- dren: John O., born September 18, 1833; Henry (deceased), born January 11, 1835; William, born September 24, 1836; Charles, born April 20, 1838; Simeon (deceased), born September 21, 1840; George M. (deceased), born August 12, 1849; Nancy J. (Mrs. John McClelland), born July 28, 1845; Sarah ( Mrs. Henry Lindley ), born Novem- ber 8, 1847; and Hiram, born May 15, 1858. Mr. Van Kirk is an energetic member of the Republi- can party.

John O. Van Kirk was born on the home farm in Franklin township, Washington county, and passed his early life at home. On November 12, 1868, he was united in marriage with Eliza, daughter of William Long, and they have two children: Frank and Howard. Mr. Van Kirk is an active member of the Republican party, and for years has been the assessor of Franklin township, and has also served as constable many times. "The family are members of the Disciple Church at Washington.

E MANUEL W. KELLER. This well-known citizen is a member of one of the oldest fami- lies of Monongahela. His father, George A. Keller, was a native of Bedford county, Penn., and there grew to manhood and was married to Margaret Waltman, daughter of a neighboring farmer. In 1836 George A. Keller and his family came to Monongahela, where the following children grew to maturity: William I., George A., Andrew J., Emanuel W., Samuel P., Leman Mc., A. Jane ( wife of Isaac Yohe) and Margaret ( married to John W. Teiters). The mother was a member of the Lutheran Church, and later of the M. E. Church.

Emanuel W. Keller was born November 14, 1832, in Bedford county, Penn., and received his early education in the schools of Monongahela. He began life for himself at an early age, working for some time as cabin boy and steward on the

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river boats running to New Orleans. In 1852 he opened a grocery store at Monongahela, and con- ducted that business for eleven years; then sold out and worked in a foundry several years, finally purchasing his present dry-goods store in company with his brothers, George A. and Samuel P .; George A. retired from the business several years ago. On June 7, 1855, Emanuel W. Keller was united in marriage with Eunice J., daughter of Noble Woodard, and she bore him one son, W. Clyde E., now deceased. Mr. Keller is a public- spirited citizen, and takes an active interest in the success of the Republican party. He has been for many years a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

J AMES MCCORMICK NEILL, who now occupies the old homestead of the American branch of the family, was the first of the fam- ily born therein, although it has been the property of his ancestors for about a century.

Reynolds Christy Neill was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1774, where the Reynolds and Neill families were as old as the Pillar Towers. He emigrated to America when a young man, and located at Canonsburg, Penn. Soon afterward he married Sarah Bowlen, and engaged in the mar- cantile business, riding to Philadelphia on horse- back to order his goods, after which they were hauled over the mountains to Canonsburg. He was engaged in the mercantile business for many years. Reynolds C. Neill was the father of four children, namely: Samuel, Reynolds Christy, James and Nancy. He purchased a farm in North Stra- bane township in 1810, one mile south of Canons- burg, which still remains in the name. He died April 14, 1842, his wife June 3, 1859, in the eighty- sixth year of her age, and both are interred in Oak Spring cemetery. Samuel received an education at Jefferson College, after which he went West, locating at Shelbyville, Ill. James married and raised a family. He died on his farm in Ohio. Nancy died in the thirty-eighth year of her age.

.Reynolds Christy Neill learned the shoemaker's trade in his boyhood days at Canonsburg. He was married August 7, 1827, to Miss Flora McCormick, who was born in Mifflin county, Penn., removing with her parents to Ohio in early childhood. In 1831 they returned to Washington county, and in 1838 located on the old farm, one mile south of Canonsburg, where they resided the rest of their lives. He died May 21, 1877, being in the eighty- third year of his age. His wife died April 24, 1887, in the ninetieth year of her age, and both are interred in Oak Spring cemetery. Their family consisted of six children, namely: Thomas, Samuel, Sarah Ann, Nancy Jane, James McCormick and Reynolds C.

Thomas Neill was born September 30, 1829, and was married twice, his first wife being Jane Wea- ver, to whom two children were born, namely: Flora Jane and Thomas Reynolds. They reside on part of the old farm. His second wife was Miss Kate Kerr.

Samuel Neill, second son of Reynolds Christy, was born May 4, 1833, and was married to Miss Lizzie Berry, of Dunningsville, Peun., January 20, 1859. He is a farmer and stock-raiser, and during his stay in this county raised fine Merino sheep. On February 22, 1882, he left Washington county and located in Humeston, Wayne county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and now resides. His family consists of five children, namely: Anna M., born May 21, 1861; Flora E., born June 5, 1863; John Christy, born April 29, 1870; Lizzie E., born July 14, 1874, and William M., born February 15, 1877. Anna and Flora are married, and live in Humeston. John attended College, and Lizzie attended the High School at Humeston. Samuel is an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Humeston. James McCormick, born in 1838, is noticed at the close of this sketch. Reynolds C., the youngest son, was born October 15, 1840. He married Miss Mattie Wilson, May 14, 1885, and is the father of two children, Clark and Eva. He now resides on Greenside avenue, Canonsburg. Sarah Ann and Nancy Jane reside on Central avenue, Canonsburg, on the lot where their grandfather used to keep his store, 100 years ago.

James McCormick Neill was born October 15, 1838, he being the first member of his family born on the farm which has been so long in the name. He was married March 5, 1873, to Miss Mary Eliza- beth, daughter of Thos. D. and Eliza Caldwell Weaver. Settled near Clinton, Allegheny county, and then near Candor, Washington county; re- turned to the old homestead in 1890. To them were born six children, namely: James Weaver, Flora Annetta, Mary, Dora Bell, Elizabeth and Edna, all of whom are at home. It has been the custom of the family while living on the homestead to attend the Chartiers Presbyterian Church, the oldest church in the community.

M T. GREER is a member of one of the pio- neer families of Cecil township, and a son of Robert Greer, who was born in 1804, in County Down, Ireland, and in 1820 came with his parents to Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., locating on the Allison farm. He was soon afterward married to Nancy Rice, and in 1828 began wedded life on the old homestead in Cecil township, this county, where five children were born to their union, namely: Adam R., living in Hancock county, Ohio; Mary Isabelle, wife of H. Rial, of Hancock county, Ohio;

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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 158

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