Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 219

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 219

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smuggled him on board a vessel bound for Amer- ica, and he died in this country, when his son James was but a little fellow.

James C. Pollock was educated at the rate schools of Chester county, Penn. After the death of his father, his mother was married to one Fred- erick Aulthouse, of Chester county, Penn., and in later years young James came to Washington county with his mother and stepfather. The journey over the mountains was made in a wagon, which contained the family and household goods. On arriving in Washington county, they crossed the Monongahela river at Brownsville, locating near Monongahela City, where the stepfather re- sided the remainder of his days, devoting his time to rural life.

James C. Pollock began business for himself at an early age, and for some time drove stage on the old National pike from Monongahela City to Robbs- town, Penn., then became a teamster in Monon- gahela City. In 1834 he was married to Eliza Carney, who was born in 1813, a daughter of James Carney, a native of Ireland. To this union one son was born: William F., now a practing physician of Pittsburgh, Penn. The mother died in 1841, and on February 23, 1843, James C. Pol- lock was married to Julia Ann Crouer, who was born June 7, 1817, in Somerset county, Penn., a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Brown) Crouer. The children of James C. and Julia A. (Crouer) Pollock are as follows: Joseph H., living with his father, who has charge of the farm, in connection with his brother; Elizabeth L., de- ceased wife of William A. Jackson; James D., one of two sons in partnership with their father; Margaret, wife of Marshall Wright, of Brooke county, W. Va., and Sarah M., deceased wife of Thomas Peterson. In 1844 the family removed from Monongahela City to Cross Creek township, where they remained a short time, then moved to Burgettstown, where Mr. Pollock was the mana- ger of the "Keystone Hotel." He then went to Florence, and conducted a hotel which was the stopping place for stages on the Pittsburgh & Steubenville pike, remaining there for several years, and finally purchasing a place in Hanover township, since which time he has been farming and stock raising. In 1885 he removed to his present pleasant home situated about a quarter of a mile north of Florence, and his two sons now have charge of the farm. Mr. Pollock has suc- ceeded in gathering a goodly amount of property, although he began life as a poor boy. He gives much attention to the breeding of fine horses, and the presence on his farm of two such well-known specimens of the equine race as "Careless" and " Judge Hoadly " is ample evidence of his judg- ment concerning horses. Two such animals as those above mentioned, descended from the best

sires ever known to the American trotting turf, will surely advance the quality of the horses through the entire neighborhood. In politics Mr. Pollock is a member of the Democratic party, to which he has given a faithful support; he has filled several offices of trust with credit to him- self, among which may be mentioned those of jury commissioner, constable, register and assessor of Hanover township. Since 1890 Mr. Pollock has retired from active work, and is now living in seclusion from business.

R OBERT W. HAGERTY. This gentleman, one of the leading agriculturists of the county, but now retired, having rented his farm in Buffalo township, is a grandson of Joseph Hagerty, who came from Ireland to this country in an early day, and had married, in his native land, Mrs. Hannah Fleming, a widow; they both died in Washington county, Penn., whither they had come in 1812. They had a family of thirteen children, of whom there is record of the following: John, Joseph, Robert, Blair and Will- iam are. all deceased; Joseph and David were twins, of whom Joseph lives in Kansas and David in Washington, Penn .; Nancy is the deceased wife of Joseph Van Kirk; Mary is the deceased wife of Samuel Wilkey; Betsy died unmarried; and one died at the age of three years. The father of this family passed from earth in 1825, at the age of one hundred and ten years; the mother at the home of her son William, in 1850, when aged ninety- three years.

William Hagerty, father of Robert W., was born in 1813, in this county, near Canonsburg, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1838 lie mar- ried Miss Emily, daughter of Robert Wilson, of Franklin township, and they then settled on a farm in Buffalo township. The children born to this union were as follows: John, in Buffalo township; Elizabeth, wife of William Moore, also in Buffalo township; Hannah, wife of William Hepler, in Washington; Robert W., and Martha, married to Richard Mounts, of Buffalo township. In Febru- ary, 1884. the mother was taken away by death, and the father then came into the borough of Washington, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1886 at the age of seventy-three years. Politically he was a Democrat, and held various township offices. He was a thoroughly representative go-ahead American, climbing from the bottom of the ladder of success to the top, rung by rung, entirely by his own individual ef- forts, beginning life a poor boy, and dying the owner of two fine farms in Buffalo township, which are still in the family's possession. He and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church.

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Robert W. Hagerty, the chief subject of these lines, is a native of the county, born in Buffalo township, May 24, 1851. His education was se- cured during the winter months at the common school's of the district, while the remainder of the year was passed in laboring on the home farm, learning the many important and arduous duties incident to agricultural pursuits. In January, 1SS7, Mr. Hagerty married Miss Frances, daughter of Robert and Eliza A. (Lafferty) Hagerty (the latter of whom was a sister of Dr. Lafferty, of Brownsville), of Pittsburgh, and they had one child that died in infancy. In 1889 Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty came to Washington, he having rented his farm, which has fourteen producing oil wells on it, one of them the largest in the township, yielding 115 barrels per hour. This farm is in Buffalo township, some five and a half miles from Wash- ington, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Polit- ically, our subject is a Democrat, and in religion he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Their home in the borougli is situated on a high piece of ground commanding a fine view, on the corner of Main street and Prospect avenue.

F RANK W. JONES, a prosperous young ag- riculturist of Smith township, is a repre- sentative of one of the old pioneer families of Washington county.

Samuel Jones, grandfather of subject, was born in 1794, at Squirrel Hill (now a suburb of Pitts- burgh), Allegheny Co., Penn. His father's family came to Allegheny county from the eastern part of the State, and among other lands then for sale Mr. Jones was offered the tract known as "The Point " (now a portion of Pittsburgh), for the sum of $4.50 per acre; but it was very swampy and al- most covered with willow bushes, so they settled on "Squirrel Hill," where Samuel was born. Samuel Jones worked on his father's farm and at- tended the rate schools during his boyhood. About 1817 he was married to Sarah Deller, who was born about 1800, also a native of "Squirrel Hill," a daughter of Samuel Deller, who came to Allegheny county from near Carlisle, Penn. The children born to this union were: James (a car- penter, of Midway, Penn., where he died at the age .of sixty years), John (a farmer, of Smith township, deceased when forty years of age), Samuel (father of subject), Isaac (a resident of Burgettstown and Midway, Penn., deceased), Julia (wife of Michael Hanley, a farmer of Beaver county, Penn.), Sarah (Mrs. Hunter Pinkerton, of Robinson township, this county) and William (a druggist of Midway, Penn.). After his marriage Samuel Jones moved to Washington county, Penn., locating near Midway, in Robinson township, where he passed the re- mainder of his life in agricultural pursuits, becom-

ing very successful in his chosen vocation. In po- litical opinion he was a lifelong Democrat. He died in 1854, his widow continuing to reside on the home place until her death, which occurred in 1863, when she was buried by the side of her hus- band.

Samuel Jones was born in 1822. in Robinson township, this county, and after receiving a limited education, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed several years. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Nancy, danghter of William and Margaret (Marshall) Aiken, who bore him two chil- dren: Samuel D. (a farmer of Mt. Pleasant town- ship) and Frank W. (subject of sketch). Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Jones first located near Midway, Penn., and in 1868 came to Smith township, this county, purchasing the farm where he afterward re- sided, which was one-quarter of a mile south of Bulger, this county. He was a successful farmer and a good citizen; in politics he voted the Demo- cratic ticket. He died in April, 1880, and since his death Mrs. Jones has resided on the farm, npon which her sons have erected a handsome residence. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Midway, this county.

Frank W. Jones was born September 17, 1868, near Midway, Robinson township, this county, and when a small boy came with his parents to his present farm. Since the death of his father Mr. Jones has had charge of the place, which he has managed with marked success, and is considered one of the leading young business men of the com- munity. Like his father, he is a Democrat in politics, and in religion is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Midway.

OHN FISHER WHITE possesses a reputa- tion for business integrity and sterling worth which many a man, apparently more success- ful, would give much to obtain.

He is a representative of a pioneer family. His grandfather, James White, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and with two brothers crossed the mountains in early life to seek his fortune in the West. He located on, and patented, a large tract of land near Canonsburg, this county, where his life was passed. He possessed a taste for mechan- ical work, and, it is said, was able to make any- thing that could be made out of wood. He learned the wagon-making trade, to which most of his life was devoted He was a consistent, faithful follower of the Master, and an active, liberal member of the United Presbyterian Church. He died at an ad- vanced age, leaving seven children, viz .: James, John, David, Moses, Patterson, Margaret and Elizabeth.

David White was born on his father's farm near Canonsburg, Washington county, where his youth

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was passed. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some years, then moved to Holmes county, Ohio, where he was married to Lucretia, daughter of John Fisher, a prominent farmer of Holmes county, who was killed while rolling logs. Mr. and Mrs. White had six children, viz. : James, John, Alexander, William, David and Thomas. Some time after his marriage the father returned to Pennsylvania, and resided in Pittsburgh, where his wife died in 1846. The family were then scat- tered, and each of the sons, choosing a vocation, began life for themselves.

John Fisher White was born September 21, 1831, in Pittsburgh, Penn., and when fourteen years of age went to live upon a farm, attending school during the winter months. In 1852 he entered the mill- ing business with Capt. Thomas Esby, of Alle- gheny county, Penn., where he remained twenty years. He was united in marriage with Sarah Jane, daughter of Isaac Rankin, of Peterson, Alle- gheny county, Penn. Isaac Rankin is a represent- ative of a prominent Irish family, who were closely identified with the early history of Allegheny county. The following children have been born to the union of John and Sarah Jane (Rankin) White: Elizabeth (Mrs. Stevens), Anna Belle, Clarinda, Emma, Ella Huffman, Thomas Esby, Nora May and Oliver G. Mr. White votes the Republican ticket, and is now serving his third term as school director of Somerset township, having been elected as president of the board. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church.

His noble character is well illustrated in the fol- lowing incident: A rival mill was established near that of Mr. White several years ago, and the pro- prietor was suddenly taken ill. He was a poor man, dependent on his daily earnings for the sup- port of himself and family, but no one in the neigh- borhood understood the business well enough to supply his place even for a short time. He dared not hope to retain his patrons, but what could be done? Sick and helpless he lay, while the busi- ness which had provided the necessaries of life was in immediate danger of being utterly destroyed. But help was near; John White heard of his un- fortunate rival's situation, and, leaving his own mill in the hands of trusted employes, donned his floury hat, and, taking charge of his neighbor's mill, conducted the business until the proprietor had regained his usual health. The reader will easily understand why Mr. White is so popular and respected a citizen.

L EWIS CALVIN McCLEARY, one of the most prosperous young farmers of East Fin- ley township, was born June 6, 1855, in East Finley township, this county. William McCleary, his father, was born of Irish parentage,

a son of Thomas and Mary (Linn) McCleary,. who emigrated from Ireland and made a permanent home in Virginia, where they reared a large family of children, of whom William was born February 18, 1805, and passed his early life in Virginia.

In 1830 he moved to Washington county, Penn., and for eighteen years drove stage on the National pike, afterward served five years as constable of Donegal township. He then served as toll collector near West Alexander, and finally settled on the farm in East Finley township, which is now the property of his heirs. On January 17, 1836, he was united in marriage with Snsan G. Wilkinson, of Fayette county, Penn., daughter of Thomas and Prudence (Lewis) Wilkinson, and she bore him the following children: Thomas J., born February 20, 1837 (married to Martha Russell); James C., born January 3, 1839 (married to Maggie Hair); John E., born June 24, 1841 (married to Cornelia Carter); Mary J., born December 17, 1843 (wife of Robert Bell); Sarah E., born January 16, 1846 (Mrs. Porter McCarrell); William L., born May 23, 1848 (married to Mary E. Brinton); Martha L., born August 16, 1850 (wife of John Donely); Francis M., born July 18, 1853 (married to Adel- phia Mitchell); Lewis Calvin (subject of sketch); Martin L., born August 13, 1857 (married to Laura Stoy); and Caroline A., born December 6, 1860 (residing at home). William McCleary was an earnest member of the Baptist Church. In politics he was active in the Democratic party, and served three years as superintendent of the Cum- berland road. On April 3, 1882, he passed from this life, leaving an honorable and enviable record.

Lewis Calvin McCleary was born on the farm of his father near the headwaters of the Templeton fork of Wheeling creek, and received his education at Pleasant Grove school, in West Finley township. He assisted his father on the farm until 1876, when he began working for Robert Bell, of Frank- lin township, this county, being in his employ for more than two years; then returned home and re- mained there until the death of his father. In May, 1882, he was married to Violet A. Porter, who was born December 10, 1857, a daughter of John Por- ter, of Donegal township, this county, and the following children were born to them: Beatrice Lenora, born April 17, 1883; Annie Myrtle, born November 2, 1884 (deceased May 10, 1886); Nel- lie May, born September 19, 1886; Bessie Eveline, born January 11, 1888; Herbert Raymond, born May 15, 1890.

After the death of his father Mr. McCleary pur- chased a one-third interest in the home farm, and has also an interest in 500 acres of farm land in Marshall county, W. Va. Since purchasing the home farm, Mr. McCleary has resided there, en- gaged in agriculture, and very prominently identi- fied with stock raising. He has introduced some

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of the vory finest broeds of cattle and sheep to be found in the county, and, with n brother, was the first to introduce, from direct importation, Dorset sheep in Enst Finley township. He is also much interested in breeding Holstein cattle, and owns some very fine imported specimens of that stock, and which he breeds for sale. Politically Mr. McCleary is n Democrat, and is always in demand during every political crisis; he has held severnl township offices. In religious faith he and his wife are both members of the Baptist Church at Plensant Grove.

M RS. JANE SAVAGE, one of the highly esteemed ladies of Hanover township, is the widow of William Savage, whose father, Henry Savage, came from Ireland to this country about 1795, and located in Alle- gheny county, Penn., near what is now the village of Noblestown. He was there married to Jane Robinson, who bore him the following children: John (of Ohio), William, Alexander (who lived in California), Henry (of Iowa), Jane (Mrs. Hugh Riddle) and Elizabeth (Mrs. Creighton), all now deceased. The father was a successful farmer of Allegheny county, and he and his wife lived to old age, dying near Noblestown.

William Savage was born about 1800 near No- blestown, Allegheny county, and attended the sub- scription schools of the period. In 1821 he was married to Nancy Riddle, a daughter of Rev. Riddle, pastor of what is now Robinson's Run U. P. Church, and she bore him children as fol- lows: Alexander (who was twice married, and died in Iowa), Margaret Ann (married three times, and died in Allegheny county, Penn.), Jane (Mrs. John Cook, of Washington, Iowa), Henry (a merchant, of Kansas) and Nancy (Mrs. Connor, of Iowa, now deceased). The mother of this family died, and was buried at Robinson's Run church, and for his second wife Mr. Savage married, on January 16, 1851, Mrs. Margaret Ann (Leeper) Wallace, by whom he had three children, viz. : one deceased in infancy; Robert, who enlisted in the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, P. V. I., and was killed at Spottsylvania Courthouse, and Anna Mary (Mrs. Cooper), of Iowa. The mother of these dying, William Savage married, for his third wife, Jane Duncan, who was born June 7, 1816, in Hanover township, this county, a daughter of Robert Dun- can, who came from eastern Pennsylvania to Han- over township in early days. To the union of William Savage and Jane Duncan two children were born, namely: William J., now residing on the home farm, and who is a representative agriculturist of the township, and Jeanette, Mrs. Cyrus Arnold, of Hanover township. During the earlier years of his married life Mr. Savage re-

sided nenr Noblestown, Allegheny Co., Penn., then moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, but not liking the country returned to his native county, and passed the remainder of his days in farming and stock rnising. He was a good citizen and a strong supporter of the Whig party, which was afterward merged into the Republican party. He died April S, 1862, und was buried in the cemetery of Robin- son's Run U. P. church, of which he was a mem- ber. After his death Mrs. Savage remained on the home farm for a short time, then moved to Frankfort, Beaver Co., Penn., where she resided some years, and educated her two children. In 1869 she purchased a home in Hanover township, which is situated three and one-half miles north - east of Florence, Penn., where she is now living, her son William J. having charge of the place. Mrs. Savage is an intelligent lady, and she pos- sesses an excellent memory. She is a member of Frankfort U. P. Church.

W W. VANCE. Of the prominent mer- chants of Burgettstown, Penn., this gen- tleman is among the most prosperous. He was born April 1, 1842, in Cross Creek township, this county. The blood of Scottish patriots flows in his veins, his great- grandfather, Joseph Vance, having been born in the Highlands of Scotland in the eighteenth cent- ury. In early manhood he immigrated to America, and first settled in Winchester, Va., coming in 1774 to Pennsylvania. He located in Cross Creek township, Washington county, while the Indians were still very numerous, and soon achieved a wide spread reputation as an Indian fighter, many of the dusky warriors having fallen by his un- erring rifle. Few, if any, were more prominently identified with the early settlement of the western portion of Washington county, than was Joseph Vance. He married and passed the remainder of of his life in the wilderness where his first log cabin was erected; the uncultivated land has now become a fertile farm. He and his wife were called to their rest at an advanced age, leaving their children to finish the work so nobly begun.

Among these children was a son, William, who was born in 1776, and reared in Washington county, amid the trials and dangers of pioneer life. His education was necessarily limited, as schools were few, and at best afforded but meager opportuni- ties. He was first married to Rachel Patterson, a resident of Cross Creek township, who bore him six children. She died, and a few years after- ward he married, for his second wife, Hannah Patterson, a member of an old family of Cross Creek township. To this union, also, there were born six children. Mr. Vance always lived in Cross Creek township, and was one of the repre-

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sentative men of the day. He died in 1856. He was a Whig in politics, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Thomas P. Vance, son of William and Hannah (Patterson) Vance, was born July 15, 1819. He was reared on the pioneer farm, partaking of the privations of early frontiersmen and receiving his education at the subscription schools. In early manhood Thomas P. Vance was united in marriage with Mary W., daughter of George Newell, of Ohio. Mr. Newell was married to Mary Marquis, and their children were Hugh, Jane, Marquis, Margaret, David, Mary W., Ann and Sarah. Mr. Newell was a Democrat, and in church connection was a member of and elder in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Vance settled on a farm in Cross Creek township, this county, where he passed his life in agricultural pursuits. He paid much attention to stock raising, making a specialty of sheep. He was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the party, became a Republican, and in religion he was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek and Burgetts- town. On May 31, 1891, he was laid to rest in Cross Creek cemetery by the side of his wife, who had preceded him, leaving two children: W. W., and Mary E. (Mrs. W. S. Lee).

W. W. Vance, son of Thomas P. and Mary W. (Newell) Vance, was reared and educated in Cross Creek township, this county, and passed his early life in farming. In September, 1883, he was united in marriage with Ann J. Porter. In 1882 Mr. Vance came to Burgettstown and formed a partnership with S. C. McGregor, in the general merchandise business, and at present has the largest stock of goods in the town, realizing a good profit from the daily sales. In politics he has always been an active Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and one of its most liberal supporters.

OHN SHANTON, an agriculturist of Carroll township, is descended from natives of the "Blue Grass" State. His grandfather, Abram Shanton, was born in Bourbon county, Ky., where his boyhood was passed on the farm. In 1820 he and his family moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he died, leaving several chil- dren.

Raymond Shanton was born and reared in Ken- tucky, and came to Ohio with his father in 1820. He was married to Margaret, daughter of John McClain, a native of Kentucky, and their children were Jane (wife of Lewis Fry), Margaret (married to J. D. Kline, of Ross county, Ohio), Nancy (de- ceased) and John. The father died about sixty years ago.

John Shanton was born July 22, 1830, in Pick-

away county, Ohio, where he attended the log- cabin school, and studied from the text-books of the day, viz .: Webster's Speller and Calculator. In 1848 young Shanton left his native State. and went to Pennsylvania, locating in Fallowfield town- ship, Washington county. In 1849 he was married to Louisa Fry, at which time he had but 5 cents with which to begin housekeeping. She was born in 1820, a member of the prominent Fry family of Washington county. Mr. and Mrs. Shanton moved to Belle Vernon, Fayette Co., Penn., the year after their marriage, and he worked on a sawmill there for several years. In 1855 they went to Ross county, Ohio, where he conducted a hotel four years. They then returned to Washington coun- ty, and locating on a farm, followed stock raising and distilling. He now owns eighty-seven acres of good land, and has accumulated a comfortable property, notwithstanding the fact that he lost about $6,000 by fire in the distillery. Politically he votes with the Republican party.

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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 219

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