Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 23

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 23

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On July 5, 1866, Dr. Sloan was married to Miss Carrie M. Hamilton, who was born near Munn- town, Washington Co., Penn., daughter of Alex- ander and Elizabeth (Bushager) Hamilton, who were members of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek, of which Mr. Hamilton was a ruling elder a number of years. Dr. and Mrs. Sloan have one daughter, Margaret Gordon, wife of Dr. W. W. Medill, a graduate of Washington College, now a practicing physician in Denver, Colo. Dr Sloan is one of the pension surgeons for Washing- ton county.

HE MURDOCH FAMILY trace their line- age to one John Murdoch, a native of Scot- land, who came from Carlisle, Penn., to North Strabane township, Washington county, in 1778. His third son, Alexander Murdoch, was born in 1770, on the home farm near Carlisle, where his earliest boyhood was passed. He accompanied the family to Washing- ton county, and when a young man purchased the Canonsburg mills, together with a large tract of land adjoining them. From these mills he loaded two large flat-boats with flour and saddlery, land- ing them safely in New Orleans; then returned on horseback through the unbroken wilderness. In 1803 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Matthew Henderson, of Char- tiers township. In 1809 he received an appoint- ment, from the governor, as prothonotary of the court of common pleas of Washington county, serving in that office until 1819. Upon acceptance of this position he sold his property in Canons- burg, and, moving to Washington, in 1822 erected a house which is now a part of the " Hotel Main." He resided there until 1828, during which time he was engaged in mercantile enterprises, then pur- chased 400 acres known as the " Morganza tract," located two miles from Canonsburg. In 1828 he and his family moved to this place, and he died in 1836; his widow passed her last days in Canons- burg, where she was laid to rest in March, 1863, at the age of eighty three years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom are named: Mary M., widow of Hon. J. L. Gow, of Washing- ton; Mrs. Sarah B. Musser, of Nelsonville, Ohio;

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Mrs. E. W. Wilson, of Moberly, Mo .; Anna, also living in Moberly, Mo. ; and Alexander, a lawyer of Washington, Penn. The latter practiced law with his brother-in-law, J. L. Gow, and in April, 1861, received the appointment, from President Lincoln, as United States marshal of western Pennsylvania. After serving one term he was again appointed, remaining two years, and, and in March, 1869, was selected, by President Grant, to again fill that position, which he resigned in December, 1872. His son, John H., is a lawyer and a credit to his father.

R EV. JAMES HENRY SNOWDEN, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Washington, was born in Hookstown, Bea- ver Co., Penn., October 18, 1852. He is a son of William and Violetta (Thayer) Snowden, both natives of Hancock county, W. Va., whence they removed to Hookstown, Penn., and from there, in 1865, to Wellsville, Ohio, where they still reside. Mr. Snowden being engaged in the wall paper business.

The subject of this memoir received his primary education in the country school of his native place, and in the Wellsville High School. He early de veloped remarkable mechanical gifts, and while a lad constructed a small working steam engine, which he still keeps with pride. In his youth he worked in his father's cabinet-making shop, and virtually acquired this trade. His deeper inclina- tion, however, led him to seek a higher education. After teaching a year in the Wellsville common school, and preparing himself in Greek, he entered Washington and Jefferson College in the fall of 1872. Here he took high rank as a student, in his senior year won the debate on the annual con- test, and graduated with the first honor of his class in 1875. In the fall of the same year he entered the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, Penn., where he maintained his high scholarship, receiving two prizes of $100 each for superior pro- ficiency in Hebrew, and where he graduated in 1878.

Mr. Snowden was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Steubenville, April 24, 1877. Hav- ing received a call from the church of Huron, Ohio, he was ordained and installed pastor by the Pres- bytery of Huron on May 6, 1879. In this charge he remained four years, when he accepted a call from the Presbyterian Church, of Sharon, Penn. After a successful pastorate of three years in this field, he accepted a call, in 1886, from the Second Presbyterian Church, of Washington, his present charge. His ministry in this important church has been remarkably blessed. During the last four years an average of nearly one hundred accessions a year have been added to its membership, which

has grown during the present pastorate from 375 to 650 members, crowding the auditorium of the new church to its utmost capacity. This is now the largest church of any denomination in Wash- ington county.

On August 1, 1878, Mr. Snowden was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Ross, daughter of William and Abigail Ross, of Wellsville, Ohio. Three children have come to bless their home: Grace, born in Huron, Ohio, May 23, 1879; Roy Ross, born in Sharon, Penn., April 22, 1885; and Harold Winters, born in Washington, Penn., Jan- uary 2, 1889.

Mr. Snowden has a fine library, and has read widely in modern science and English literature. His sermons are clear and logical, popular and practical, containing many short sentences and striking statements of truth, and abounding in il- lustrations drawn from literature and life.

W ILLIAM P. CHERRY, sheriff of Wash- ington county, was born May 8, 1839, in Mount Pleasant township. He is a grand- son of Edward Cherry, who was a native of Scotland, having emigrated to Wash. ington county at an early day.

Aaron Cherry, father of subject, was born on a farm in "Cherry Valley," Washington county, and learned the carpenter' s and cooper's trades. When a young man he was married to Margaret, daughter of John Benward, of Lancaster county. Mr. and Mrs. Cherry began wedded life on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township. After raising a large family, they moved to Urichsville, Ohio, where he followed his trade in connection with farming. making a specialty of violins and other fine musical instru- ments. He was a member of the U. P. Church. and died at Urichsville, in 1875, at the age of six- ty-five years. The old house is yet standing, and the mantels, which are in an excellent state of pres- ervation, are fine specimens of his handiwork. A part of the home is owned by his brother Edward P., who died in December, 1892. Since then that portion has become the property of our subject.

William P. Cherry grew to manhood on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, then learned the wagon and carriage making business at Hickory, Wash- ington county. He first began business at Clokey- ville, Washington county; then worked two years at Noblestown, being afterward in the employ of John Hallam, of Washington, for a time. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth P. V. I., under Col. Caldyer, of Pittsburgh. He took part in the fol- lowing engagements: second battle of Bull Run, Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, his regiment having been badly broken during the last mentioned battle. At the battle

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of Mine Run, December 1, 1863, he was struck in the left breast by a minie-ball, which passed through the lung and lodged in his back, where it has yet remained, and still causes him some trouble. In 1863 he was captured by the enemy, and first taken to Belle Isle, where he was confined three months, then to Andersonville prison, where he re- mained seven months, thence to Savannah, Ga., where he was exchanged and three months later went home on a furlough. Some time after he re- turned to his regiment, and remained until the close of the war. On 'December 25, 1865, he se- lected a life companion in the person of Harriet E., daughter of John and Mary McBane, who came from Scotland to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he died. To the union of William P. and Harriet E. Cherry four children were born, namely: Ade- laide, who died in infancy; Birdie S .; Lillian, and William, a graduate of Washington Business Col- lege, and now assistant deputy for his father. In 1866 Mr. Cherry was foreman of the Penn St. R. R. line, occupying that position for some time. Mr. Cherry left Pittsburgh and moved to West Liberty, Washington Co., Penn., in 1869, where he worked as a journeyman; then opened a general carriage business at Sodom, Allegheny Co., Penn .; thence he moved to Houstonville, Penn., and con- ducted an extensive business for eight years; then moved to East Bethlehem township, and conducted business for seven years. In 1888 he was appointed deputy sheriff under George E. Lockhart, and in 1891 became sheriff of Washing- ton county, which position he is now occupying. Sheriff Cherry has filled township offices, and is a member of William Harton Post. No. 519, G. A. R., at Centreville. He is also a member of the U. V. U., and of the I. O. O. F. In church rela- tions he is identified with the Jefferson Avenue M. E. Church.

D R. BRADLEY MINTON. Among the rep- resentative thorough business men and wide-awake citizens of Claysville, this gentleman stands second to none.

He is a worthy native of the county, having been born in 1843, on a farm in Morris township, where his early life was passed. He received his education at the common schools of the district and at the high schools of the county. In 1862 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Whittle- sey, of Washington, this county, remaining under his able preceptorship several years, and when thoroughly prepared, commenced the practice of his profession in Lawrence county, Penn., where he remained seven years, and then removed to Waynesburgh, Greene Co., same State, and here continued practice until 1876, in which year he purchased a drug store in Claysville, the business

of which has increased from year to year, till to- day it is unsurpassed, in quantity and quality of stock, in the county.

While a resident of Lawrence county, the Doctor was united in marriage with Mattie E. Gere, who died April 25, 1889, leaving no children, and on August 13, 1891, he was again wedded, on this occasion to Mary L., daughter of John R. Ander- son, of Donegal toweship. Since becoming a resi- dent of Claysville, Dr. Minton has been deeply in- terested in the growth and prosperity of the place, and has given material aid to all worthy enterprises. Since its organization, he has been identified with the Monongahela National Bank at Pittsburgh, and has been interested in the well- known drug house of L. H. Harris & Co., of that city. On the establishment of the First National Bank of Claysville, in April, 1890, he was elected president, a position he has filled until the present time with eminent satisfaction to all concerned. The Doctor has been a lifelong Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the party, having creditably served in several offices of honor and trust in the borough of Claysville.

AMES SANSOM ALEXANDER, banker and member of the firm of Alexander & Co., third son of Joseph and Mary (Jones) Alexander, was born in Williamsport (now Monongahela) August 28, 1828. He was partly educated at Blake's and Hazzard's academies, in Williamsport, finishing his education at Washington College. He then entered his father's store as a clerk, eventually becoming a partner, and has since, through a long term of service, been thoroughly identified with the firm of Alexander & Co., in whose fortunes he has been an active and important factor.

On January 16, 1859, Mr. Alexander was mar- ried to Miss Susan Stoddard King, daughter of Samuel and Mary B. (Williams) King, of Dayton, Ohio. The father of Mrs. Alexander wasa man of importance in his community, an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Dayton, and was highly esteemed as a Christian and a gentleman. Part of Dayton is built on the farm he patented: Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Monongahela. They have four children: Mary E., Harriet K., William H. (with Alexander & Co. ) and Frederick K. (teller of the Fort Pitt National Bank, Pittsburgh).

The subject of this sketch has devoted himself mainly to domestic and business affairs. He has traveled considerably, and is a frequent visitor to the Eastern cities, where he has a large circle of acquaintances, but his pleasures lie chiefly in his family circle and in his library. In all matters pertaining to the practical progress of the com-

James el Alexander

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munity he takes an active interest; but valuing the independence of a private citizen, generally de- clines any public office, although he has served as clerk of the councils and as treasurer of the school board; he is now president of the board of deacons and trustees of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Alexander's life has been and is yet devoted to business; with unusual health, industry and ability he has for years given vigorous attention to the affairs of Alexander & Co., and is always to be found at the counter, ever ready and prompt to meet the demands of the times.

ALEXANDER. The first of the Alexander family in Washington county, of whom there is any record, was one Elias Alexander, who was born in 1680, and died in 1780. His son, Isaac, was born December 16, 1715. Isaac had one son, Joseph, born in Maryland July 9, 1765, and died in Ohio July 9, 1847. Joseph married Rose Ann Jones, also a native of Maryland, born October 17, 1765. and died in Ohio in 1850. She was a sister of William Jones, who lived near Ginger Hill, Washington county.

Joseph and Rose Ann (Jones) Alexander had nine children: Elizabeth (Betsy), Sally, Mary (Polly), Hannah, Joseph (of whom special mention will be made hereafter), Elijah, James S., Bela and Rose Ann. Of these Betsy and Polly married two brotliers named Sheplar, uncles of Capt. Joseph Sheplar, of Rostraver township, Westmoreland Co., Penn. The Sheplars moved to northern Ohio on or near the Maumee river, about the year 1845, having previous to that time lived in Holmes county, Ohio. Elijah Alexander died at the age of nine- teen, unmarried. Hannah married Benjamin Thomas, lived in Westmoreland county, and died August 9, 1863. James S. was married twice, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth Bailey (the name of second wife can not be given at present writing). His children by first marriage were: John Bailey, Drummond, Martha, James, Alvira, Julia, and a daughter who died in infancy. Of these children Alvira married James Mills, one of the editors of the Pittsburgh Post. Bela Alexander was born in Belmont county, Ohio, and married a Miss Barnes (both now deceased). Rose Ann Alexander mar- ried John Moseley (both now deceased).

Of this family the direct progenitor of the sub- jects proper of this memoir was Joseph (the fifth child), who was born at Ten-Mile Creek, Washing- ton Co., Penn., April 1, 1795, and died at Monon- gahela June 20, 1871. On March 8, 1819, he was married, by Rev. John White, to Mary Jones (daughter of William Jones, of Washington county. Penn.), who died August 15, 1856. They had eight children: William Jones (of whom mention will be made farther on), Rose Ann (born March 5, 1822, married to Dr. Nelson A. Adams), Eliza (born in Westmoreland county, April 3, 1824, mar-

ried December 28, 1846, to Capt. David B. Herron), Elijah Bascom (born in Westmoreland county, May 6, 1826, died June 29, 1827), James Sansom (mention of whom will be made farther on), Mary Emeline (born in Williamsport, now Monongahela, April 15, 1831, died October 5, 1889), Amanda Malvina (born at Williamsport April 29, 1833, died April 9, 1854), and Hannah Theresa (born at Williamsport December 31, 1835, died March 13, 1843).

The early life of Joseph Alexander was spent on the farm on Ten-Mile creek, later on a farm in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county. Sub- sequently the family moved to Barnesville, Ohio. where he received such education as the time and place afforded, and it is apparent that he profited by these opportunities, and was fairly well edu- cated for his time and circumstances. During his life in Barnesville his father was interested in teaming and transporting supplies for United States troops, then engaged in the war of 1812. Joseph was then employed by his father as a teamster. and among his associates and companions was Tom Corwin, who became famous in after years as a statesman, serving as governor of Ohio, United States senator, etc. Corwin was employed by Joseph's father also as a teamster, the two boys occupying the same room. After marriage he set- tled on a farm in Rostraver township, Westmore- land county, where William, Rose Ann, Eliza and Elijah were born. In 1828 he moved to Williams- port (now Monongahela) and entered into the mer- cantile business, living there until the time of his death in 1871, with the exception of two years be- tween April 1, 1829, to April 1, 1831, during which interval he resided in Cookstown (now Fayette City).

Joseph Alexander was prominently identified with the moral, social and business interests of Monongahela, serving frequently as a member of council, and school board. He was a member and trustee of the M. E. Church; was an original stock- holder, and among the first managers of Williams- port Bridge Company. His long and honorable career as a merchant gave him a wide acquaintance in Washington and adjacent counties, and his frank and manly traits of character, as well as his uprightness and native kindness, won for him the esteem and affection of a large circle of friends. For a long period (since 1850) he was associated in business with his sons, under the firm of Alex- ander & Co., at first in mercantile and subsequently in banking business.

Joseph Alexander was progressive and enter- prising in all his efforts; and in the various positions of honor and trust he occupied was always zealous and faithful. He was a member of the school board at the time of the building of the school- house on Chess street, now occupied as a primary

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school, and was earnest in advocating the impor- tance of the new building which met with consider- able opposition, giving much of his time and per- sonal attention in superintending the erection of the building. He was also a member of the board of trustees of the M. E. Church at the time of the erection of the present edifice (as well as the edi- fice preceding it, whichi was erected in 1833), and although then advanced in years and in feeble health gave liberally and was active and earnest in his efforts in behalf of the movement. He was a man of uncompromising integrity and of strong convictions-fearless and aggressive in the expres- sion of his opinions and unhesitatingly champion- ing any cause which he believed to be right. He was one of the first to avow anti-slavery and aboli- tion sentiments, at a time when such ideas were by no means regarded with favor. During the war of the Rebellion he was fervently loyal to the United States Government, and fiercely intolerant of any other sentiments. He died at the age of seventy-six-after a life of honest purpose and honest industry, his declining years having been spent in comfort and ease amongst his children, six of whom were living, all in the course of honorable and successful careers; his sons follow- ing along the same lines of life that he had trod with ability and success, but with ampler means and more extended interests.

WILLIAM J. ALEXANDER, Monongahela, is the eldest son of Joseph and Mary (Jones) Alexander, and the senior member of the firm of Alexander & Co., bankers, Monongahela.

When the subject of this sketch was eight years old his father removed to Williamsport (now Mo- nongahela), entered into the mercantile business and lived there until his death, with the exception of two years spent in Cookstown (now Fayette City). The education of William J. Alexander was such as was usually obtained at the common subscription schools of that day, and early in life (in 1836) he began his business career in Pitts- burgh, under the employ of Andrew Pierce. How- ever, his term of service in Pittsburgh was of short duration, for his father requiring his assistance in the business in Monongahela, he came home and entered his father's store, where the advantage of his energy and capacity were soon manifest. In the spring of 1843 he became the junior partner of J. Alexander & Son, which copartnership continued until the present firm of Alexander & Co. was or- ganized in 1850, the style remaining unchanged since that date. In the early days of his business career his father, quick to recognize and acknowl- edge the son's practical business ability, and hav- ing firm faith in his sagacity and persevering in- dustry, yielded to him the responsible manage- ment of the business from the time he was admitted into partnership. Since that date to the present

time he has been actively engaged in business, and has been the recognized head of the firm of Alex- ander & Co., which under his lead has achieved its present success and enviable reputation, making fifty years of active business life. On November 14, 1844, William J. Alexander was married to Eliza Morrison, daughter of John and Margaret (Porter) Morrison.

Prior to the year 1864, the firm of Alexander & Co. conducted the dry-goods business in connection with banking. During that year the dry-goods interests were disposed of, and the business has since been exclusively banking. The firm is now (January, 1893) composed of William J. Alexander, James S. Alexander and Joseph Alexander Herron.

While Mr. Alexander has given his earnest and active attention to his varied business interests, he has from his earliest manhood been more or less engaged in the promotion of every practical proj- ect for improving the material, moral and educa- tional welfare of the community in which he has lived. He has been an active participant in the management of municipal and educational matters, and has enjoyed to a rare degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen, as has been testified to, in numerous elections. In 1888, the unusual compliment was paid to him of the nomi- nation as controller by both parties. He is now president of the Monongahela Gas Company; has been identified with the management of the Mo- nongahela cemetery since the inception of the en- terprise twenty six years ago; has been a member and officer in the First Presbyterian Church for nearly fifty years. Throughout the great Rebellion he was prompt and earnest in all his duties as a loyal citizen. He served as captain of Company G, Eighteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia of 1862 (an organization called out by Gov. Curtin to meet an exigency of the war), and served with his regiment on the borders of Pennsylvania and Maryland during the last days of the memorable campaign which closed by the repulse and defeat of the rebel forces under Lee at South Mountain and Antietam. Capt. Alexander's company was recruited in Monongahela, and was composed en- tirely of his neighbors and friends. There were eighty-two officers and men mustered into the United States service in Company G, etc., and of these thirty-three are known to be dead, with date and place of death; twenty-two are now (1893) res- idents of Monongahela; twenty seven reside out- side of Monongahela, most of their residences known. The names of the survivors residing in Monongahela are Alexander, William J .; Boyd, Reese; Blythe, James; Blythe, Jolın; Collins, Thomas; Corrin, Edward: Finley, J. Barclay; Graham, A. V .; Gibson, Henry; Linn, Dr. George A. ; Lawrence, Hon. George V. ; McCurdy, T. Stock- ton; McGrew, James; Patterson, John; Robinson,

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Joseph C .; Smith, A. Mason; Wilson, S. Clark; King, Richard C .; Wilson, William H. ; Kennedy, James; Van Voorhis, Clinton; Long, J. K.

While the subject of this sketch has traveled much, and is familiar with most points of interest in his country, his life and habits have been es- sentially domestic. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have no children, but their family circle was enlarged and enlivened by the presence of the three brothers of Mrs. Alexander-Joseph, Andrew and Dr. M. P. Morrison. While the two former were practic- ing lawyers in Pittsburgh, yet most of their leisure was spent at their Monongahela City home, which being almost contiguous to the Alexander residence, during the life of the Morrison brothers their in- timate relations and almost daily society made a family circle of congenial, cultivated and delight- ful intercourse.

In the pursuit of Mr. Alexander's well-known musical and literary tastes, he has accumulated a valuable library, to which is now added the collec- tions of Joseph, Andrew and M. P. Morrison, all of whom were collectors of books, of cultivated in- telligence and tastes. The collection now contains many rare and valuable old editions, and editions de luxe, besides old manuscripts of interest and value. From this collection it has been the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander to donate to the Car- negie Library of Allegheny the rare and valuable edition of "Audubon's Birds of America." We refer to two of the many notices of this gift. The Pittsburgh Daily Post of September 3, 1891, says: "The arrangements were concluded on yesterday between W. J. Alexander, the well-known banker of Monongahela City, and Librarian Stevenson of the Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, for the donation to the library of the most valuable single work, so far, which it has been the rare good fort- une of the institution to receive. The work is the famous " Audubon's Birds of America." The donors are Mrs. William J. Alexander, of Monon- gahela City, and Miss Sarah H. Patterson, of Allegheny. The work presented is one of great value on account of its excellent preservation, fine condition, great scarcity and a demand that can not be supplied at even great prices. There are about. 500 plates over 3x2 feet, and contain the life-size paintings of the largest birds. There are seven volumes quarto of the text 'as good as new.' Mr. Alexander refused all offers from the Carnegie Free Library, as well as all others, for the pur- chase of the work, preferring to donate it for the use of the public; and the generous gift will doubt- less be appreciated by all." The Boston Tran- script says: "The Carnegie Free Library in Alle- gheny, Penn., has become the fortunate possessor of Audubon's 'Birds of America,' the gift of Mrs. William J. Alexander, of Monongahela City. The work is one of considerable rarity and of great

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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 23

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