Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 232

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 232

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In 1852 Mr. Wiley was married, in Wheeling, W. Va., to Miss Elizabeth Courts, a native of that city, who died in August, 1888, at the age of fifty-two years, leaving three children: James C., now in partnership with his father; Kate, wife of William Van Kirk, of Amwell township, and Anna, living at home. Our subject is a Republican, and has frequently served in the borough council. Socially he is a Freemason, and at one time was a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a typical self-made man, having from very small beginnings, by industry, intelligent effort and ju- dicious economy, made an enviable and well-mer- ited success.

OHN M. MORROW is a native of the county, born March 21, 1850, in the portion of Can- ton township that is now included in West Washington. His paternal great-grandpar- ents, Adam and Elizabeth (Crozier) Morrow, came to this country from Ireland about the year 1804, making their first home in their adopted country in Virginia, where they carried on farm- ing, and thence, in 1820, they moved with their family to Washington county, Penn., where they passed the remainder of their lives, the great- grandfather dying July 24, 1816, and the great- grandmother, February 14, 1846. They had seven children as follows: William (died in Iowa), Adam (killed in Virginia by the limb of a tree falling on him), James (died of small-pox), John (of whom special mention is made further on), Andrew (died in New Orleans), Jane (married a Mr. Carney, and died in Cincinnati leaving a family), and Susan (died when young in Washington, Penn.).

John Morrow, grandfather of subject, was born

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January 2, 1800, in Ireland, and was consequently four years old when brought by his parents to this country. In 1823 he was married to Sophia Hal- lam (a sketch of whose family follows this), and they then settled on land in Washington county, where the aged widow yet lives, her husband hav- ing passed away June 22, 1859. He was a black- smith and wagon maker by trade, and many of the wagons made by him were used in the construc- tion of the National pike, while fifty-six were bought by the Government for use in the Mexican war. He was regarded as a man of much ability, and was not excelled as a mechanic. His old workshop on East Wheeling street, Washington, is now owned by J. D. Jackson. His widow, at this writing, nearly ninety years of age, possesses remarkably good health and memory. She is a member of the M. E. Church at Washington. Seven children were born to this honored couple: Adam Crozier (special mention of whom follows), Thomas Hallam (died in New York), John Andrew (died in Omaha), Robert Latimer (died in Wash- ington, where his widow and one daughter are yet living), Sarah Margaret (died unmarried), Eliza- beth Jane (deceased wife of John McEnas, of Bos- ton, Mass.), and William Henry (now living in Boston, Mass.).

Adam Crozier Morrow (father of John M.), was born August 16, 1825, in Washington county, Penn., at the common schools of which place he received his rudimentary education, after which he attended college four and a half years. but did not graduate. He learned the trade of blacksmith with his father, and followed same until 1850, when he embarked in the dry-goods business, later taking up the grocery trade, which he carried on in Washington some twenty-five or thirty years. During part of this time-from 1868 to 1880-he kept the "Auld House," then known as the "Morrow House," and previously called the "Rairoad House." Having sold out all his busi- ness interests in Washington in 1880, Mr. Mor- row, in 1886, moved to Pittsburgh, where he has since made his home. On June 15, 1848, he mar- ried Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Col. John and Nancy Morgan, of Chartiers township, whose children were: Martha, married to Godfrey Cook, also of Chartiers (both now deceased); Major Jacob Morgan (deceased), whose widow, Alice (Mc- Closkey), now resides on Prospect avenue, Wash- ington borough; Emily, married to William Cun- dall (both deceased); Robert, married to Mary Mackie (both deceased); Nancy, wife of James Harvey, living in Mt. Pleasant township; William; Rebecca, wife of J. R. McCloskey, in Kansas; Hugh, also in Kansas, and Ann E. To the mar- riage of Adam and Ann E. Morrow were born ten children, as follows: John (our subject), Lucins S. (born August 8, 1852, died at the age of abont

four years), Annie S. (born May 16, 1855, married to W. D. Roberts, of Washington), Charles C. (born November 30, 1858, now a resident of Pitts- burgh), Sallie M. (born June 14, 1860, also living in Pittsburgh), Jennie M. (born September 10, 1863), Hugh W. (born November 23, 1867), Mollie and Alice (twins, born in 1870, died in infancy), and Thomas (who died in childhood). The mother died January 13, 1890, in Pittsburgh, at the age of sixty-three years. The father is a stanch Democrat, and has filled various offices of trust, such as member of council for a time; he became a member of the I. O. O. F. at an early age.

John M. Morrow received his education at the common schools of the district, and on completing the usual curriculum entered Duff's Mercantile College at Pittsburgh, from which he graduated in 1871. He then received the appointment of cashier and bookkeeper for Major Morgan, an ex- tensive wool dealer in Washington borough. At the expiry of a year he accepted a similar position with S. Ewart & Co., wholesale grocers, but in 1872 he returned to Washington to assist his father in the grocery business, in which he con- tinued till 1880, when the latter sold out, as already related. Our subject then entered, July 1, same year, the employ of George Davis.

On January 25, 1875, Mr. Morrow was married to Miss Elizabeth W., daughter of M. G. Kuntz, and three children have come to bless their home, viz. : Eliza Ann, born Angust 23, 1877; Sophia Elizabeth, born January 31, 1879; and Wray Grayson, born September 23, 1881. The family reside in the comfortable and handsome residence, No. 87 East Maiden street, built by Mr. Morrow in 1889. They are all members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington. Socially our subject is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Improved Order of Heptasophs, Washington; politically, he is a Democrat.

Mrs. Sophia (Hallam) Morrow was born January 31, 1804, in South Strabane township, Washington Co .. Penn., a daughter of Thomas Hallam, who was a son of John, Sr., and Isabella (Fell) Hallam, who both died in Washington county early in the century, having immigrated in 1763 to this country with five sons, two of whom went to the Far West, Thomas and John coming to Washington, this county, where the latter died of smallpox in 1800. Thomas was twice married, first time to a Miss Beshear, by whom he had eight children, all now deceased. His second wife was Sarah Voorhees, (laughter of Isaiah Voorhecs, who died in Column- bus, Ohio, and whose wife was called from earth in Washington, Penn. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hallam settled on the farm in Franklin township, where John Reddick now lives. For a time they kept a hotel which stood on ground now called " Pancake." Later, having rented their

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farm hero, they moved to Wellsburg, W. Vn .. where Mr. Hallam had bought a ferry, which he ran for about a year. They then returned to Washington county. Mr. Hallam traded the " John G. Clark" farm in Franklin township for 1,500 acres in Ohio, whither he and his wife moved in 1828, and here he died August 1, 1829, at the age of eighty-fonr years. He was very successful in all his under- takings, but died comparatively poor, having lost most of his property by going bail for others. He participated in the Whisky Insurrection. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hallam had eight children, viz .: Thomas (died in Ohio), Absalom (died in Illinois), Sophia (widow of John Morrow), Samuel D. (living in Monmouth, Ill.), David (died in Iowa), Margaret (deceased wife of John Stone, of Illinois), Sarnh (died in Ohio) and Isabella (deceased wife of Thomas Goodman, of Texas).

W H. DAVIS, a member of the prominent lumber and hardware firm of W. H. Davis & Co., Washington, Penn., was born in Allegheny (Allegheny City), Penn., April 25, 1846, and is descended from pioneers of the State.

George Davis, his father, was the son of Joshna, references to whom are made in the history of the Davis family of South Strabane township. George was a farmer in early manhood, but some short time after the venerable Charles Carroll opened the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, that novel industry won his attention, and next he is found in the serv- ice of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company as engineer. For many years he followed en- gineering, and, only toward the latter years of his life, did he resume farming. He was united in marriage with Miss Martha Crawford, who was a resident of Lexington, Ky., and immediately after they located in Allegheny county; subse- quently moved into Allegheny City, and, in their later years, or about 1854, in Peters township, this county, where he died, in his fifty-sixth year, De- cember 14, 1870. His widow died April 8, 1872. aged fifty-four years.

George and Martha Davis were the parents of six children, namely: Mary Jane, wife of Dunning Hart, of Amwell township; Maggie A., wife of John Finley Scott, of Buffalo township; William H., the subject of this sketch; Wilson C., a lum- ber dealer at Saltsburgh, Penn .; Martha W., widow of Alexander Wilson, of Allegheny county, and George B., an architect of Monmonth, Ill. The parents of this family were, at the period of death, members of the Brush Run United Presby- terian Church. The father was a stanch Repub- lican.

William H. Davis accompanied his parents to Washington county in 1854, and grew to manhood

hore. He received a primary education in the schools of Peters township, and completed a com- mercial course in Dutt's Commercial College, Pittsburgh. His marriage with Miss Iney M., daughter of John and Mary P. (Adams) Fife, of Allegheny county, Penn., took place November 10, 1870. The Fifes were represented in Alle- gheny county at a very early date, and in the his tory of that section of the State, published by A. Warner & Co., the unme is repeatedly mentioned, and the biography of the present head of the fam ily given. William H. Davis and wife took up their residence on the home farm in Peters town ship, and remained there until 1881, when they moved to Kansas. After a stay of three years there, they returned to Washington county, Penn., where Mr. Davis opened a lumber yard at. Hills, on the Chartiers road, which he carried on for six years. The storms and floods, in the spring of 1889, resulted in heavy loss to him, as the waters rush- ing through his yards carried away a considerable quantity of lumber and damaged permanent im- provements.

In the fall of 1889 he established his yard at Washington, Pen. Soon after, his cousin, J. K. Davis, became his partner, but he, in the course of a few weeks, sold his interests to W. H. Davis, Jr., another consin, who continned in the firm until March 21, 1893, when he withdrew, and it was reor- ganized under the present title. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Davis are: Mary Etta, wife of W. R. Woods, of Allegheny county, Penn .; George; Martha Crawford; Sarah Viola, and Addie Maria, all residents of Washington. The parents are members of the First Presbyterian Church. Po- litically Mr. Davis is a Republican, but the close personal attention he gives to his extensive bnsi- ness interests does not permit him to take an act- ive part in politics.

W ILLIAM GREGG. Among the early set tlers of Washington county, whose deeds are an undying monument to their mem- ory, were Mr. Gregg's first ancestors in this country, a record of whom is pre- sented on page 1267, this volume.

Henry Gregg, son of Henry and Jane (Dowler) Gregg was born November 22, 1796, on the home place in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn. He attended the schools of the period, then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some years, but finally gave his attention to farming. On February 8, 1821, he married Eleanor Gregg, who was born in 1796, in Washington county, and nine children were born to them, of whom but two are yet living, William and John. The father was an industrious, practical farmer; in politics he affiliated with the Republican party. Mrs. Gregg

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died in 1841, followed by her husband in 1876. Both were members of the M. E. Church.

William Gregg, son of Henry and Eleanor (Gregg) Gregg, was born December 9, 1822, on the home place in West Pike Run township, Wash- ington Co., Penn. His educational opportunities were very limited, the greater part of his youth being passed in agricultural duties; but by energy and perseverance he has overcome these early dis- advantages, and is now a thoroughly cultured gen- tleman. He and his brother John, neither of whom have married, reside on the old homestead, which contains ninety-eight acres of good land. They conduct an extensive business in general farming and stock raising. In politics they are earnest workers in the Republican party, though never accepting official honors. They are univer- sally known as honest, energetic business men, possessing warm sympathies for those who have been unfortunate.

A Y. SWICKARD, a prominent business man, and proprietor of a well-known meat market in Monongahela, was born May 10, 1859, in Nottingham township, Washington Co., Penn., a son of Daniel and Harriet (Leyda) Swickard, a sketch of whom appears at page 735 in this volume.

He received his education at the common schools of Monongahela, and in 188- entered into partner- ship with his father in the shoe business in that town, which continued some four years when it was dissolved by mutual consent, and our subject. then went into the employ of Stewart Hackett & Co., as traveling salesman. With them he remained in that capacity until 1891 when be embarked in his present prosperous business.

On December 9, 1888, Mr. Swickard married May, daughter of Johnston Coulter, and two chil- dren came to bless their union: Helen Irene (de- ceased), and Marie C. Our subject and wife are adherents of the Presbyterian Church; politically he is a Democrat, ever taking an active interest in the affairs of his party. Mr. Swickard is recog nized and respected as a useful, loyal citizen, hav- ing at heart the welfare and prosperity of his city, township and county.

A® NDREW McDONALD, son of John Mc- Donald, was born April 20, 1840. John McDonald was born in 1789, in Virginia, and was a lifelong farmer. In 1803 he moved to Washington county, Penn., and the following year purchased 175 acres of land which is now known as the old homestead. In 1839 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Fish, of this county, who bore him the following children: Andrew, Gabriel, James H., John,

Hiram, Mary (Mrs. Jennings), Nancy J., Editlı G. and Matilda. Mr. McDonald served as snpervisor several years, township clerk for twenty-five years, school director a long time, and in various other township offices. He died in November, 1853. Mrs. McDonald is yet living with her children, and enjoys good health.

Andrew McDonald has had charge of the old place since his fourteenth year, having atthat early age begun the seemingly impossible task of sup- porting and educating the eight younger children, thus early left without a father. Heroically he toiled, and nobly did he succeed in this laudable effort. In September, 1862, he eulisted in the army, as the other children were then old enough to provide their own maintenance. He entered Company E, Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, (the Ringgold Battalion), and fonght under Sheri- dan in all the battles of the Shenandoah Valley until the close of the war, when he returned home. On May 17, 1866, he married Isabella Whitfield, a native of this county. Mr. McDonald has been clerk of Nottingham township for the past twenty- seven years, and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace, having filled that office twelve years. He has held every office in the township with the exception of constable. He is an adberent of Democratic principles, and, in religions faith, a member of the Presbyterian Church.

M RS. REGINA BALDWIN is a danghter of Frederick Schrontz, who was of German birth, and who at an early age immigrated to America, where he married Elizabeth Schudler, a resident of Washington county, Penn. She bore him six children: Catherine, Re-

. gina, George, Jacob, John and Frauk. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religion was a member of the Lutheran Church.

On September 27, 1832, Regina Schrontz be- came the wife of Thomas Baldwin, an energetic young citizen of Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn. His ancestors were natives of the State of New Jersey, the first of whom to settle in Washington county, Penn., was Jonathan Baldwin, the grandfather of Thomas. At that period Wash- ington connty was an nubroken wilderness, but Jonathan Baldwin settled in Morris township, and with the aid of his three sons-William, Francis aud Jonathan-soon established his pioneer home.

After the death of his parents Francis Baldwin was married to Rebecca Hill, a resident of East Finley township, who bore him children as follows: Stephen, Sarah, Thomas, Jobn, Phoebe, Francis, Sealy, James, Amos, Silas and Cephas. Mr. Bald- win was one of the organizers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Van Buren, Washington county, and in political opinion he was a Whig.

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Thomas Baldwin was born Angust 7, 1811, in Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his early life in assisting to improve and clear the farm. Like other pioneer children, his education was necessarily limited to the primary principles of text-book knowledge, but in other matters his training was more thorough than that of the modern scholar. After his marriage to Regina Sehrontz, the young couple settled on a farm in Morris township, Washington county, where they remained until 1860, when they removed to the farm of 200 acres which is the present home of Mrs. Baldwin. The children born to this nion are as follows: Sarah, Elizabeth (Mrs. Stephen Miller), Francis F., Jacob, Miller, John, Silas, Mary (Mrs. Jesso Borth), Calvin and Thomas.

Mr. Baldwin was formerly a Whig and then a Republican, taking an active interest in political matters. For many years he was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Van Buren, being an ardent supporter of that society. [Since the above was put in type, we have been informed of the death of Mrs. Baldwin. - Ed.

RANT MONINGER is one of those well- educated, intelligent and enterprising young citizens of Amwell township, on whom the elder portion of the community begins to depend. As the strength of the seniors in years fails, they naturally look proudly to the sturdy, active young men who are ready to take the bur- den of life on their strong broad shoulders, before the aged and weary toilers have fallen to rest by the way.

John Moninger, who was the pioneer of the family of that name now residing in Amwell town- ship, emigrated from Germany to America in 1801, and settled on a farm in Amwell township, Wash- ington Co., Penn. His occupation was farming and carpentry, in both of which he was very suc- cessful. His children were Henry M., George W., John, Jacob, Mrs. Mary Harshaman, Mrs. Catherine Harshaman, and Mrs. Elizabeth Moore. Mr. Moninger was one of the organizers of the Repub- lican party in Washington county.

George W. Moninger, son of John, was born January 7, 1812, on the old farm near Lone Pine, Amwell township. His father drove stock, and the younger days of George were passed in assist- ing in that work, and in attending the rate schools of the neighborhood of his home. Notwithstand- ing many disadvantages, he afterward became one of the best teachers in the township. To illustrate the adventurous spirit of this youth, an incident of his boyhood days is given: When a lad of twelve years, he and his father went to Baltimore with stock, and "young America," becoming impatient

with the more leisurely movements of his paternal ancestor, started home alone, arriving there two days before the rest of the party. Ou reaching maturity he began teaching school, a profession he followed six or eight years; then commenced stock droving and wool buying, making his headquar- ters in Washington borough, and traveling through Washington and Greene connties, soon winning for himself by his business popularity the appropriate sobriquet of " Drover George Moninger." He con- tinned to prosper in this line until he formed a part nership with Morgan Brothers in the wool business, when he lost his entire property, and at the age of forty-five was obliged to begin the world anew, with no capital save that of the old courageous spirit stronger in him than ever. Within a few years he aeenmmlated another fortune, some $15, 000 or $20. - 000 which onabled him to purchase the Reason Luellen farm. In September, 1865, Mr. Moninger was married to Mrs. Sidney (Horn) Swart, widow of Amos Swart, who was killed at Spottsylvania, and they had two children: Grant, born February 14, 1869, and Franklin, born August 11, 1872. Mr. Moninger was highly esteemed in his commi- nity, and was a representative Republican of his township. In the Disciple Church at Lone Pine he was one of the most zealous workers. On July 25, 1888, he passed peacefully away, after an honored and useful life of seventy six years and six months.

Grant Moninger, son of George and Sidney Moninger, was born on the old home farm near Lone Pine, his rudimentary education being re- ceived at the common schools of the neighborhood, which was supplemented with a five or six years' attendance at Pleasant Valley Academy; he then took a course at the Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Penn., which properly included from eight to twelve months, but which he completed in four months. He was always one of the brightest students in school, and he is gifted with an active mind and superior intelligence. Since his seven- teenth year he has had charge of his father's estate, and is the appointed guardian of his younger brother. The brothers have a farm comprising 350 acres of prime land. When but seventeen years of age, Grant Moninger united with the Disciple Church of Lone Pine, of which he has ever since been an active member.

W K. GALBRAITH, the popular yonng postmaster of Canonsburg, is a grandson of William Galbraith, a native of Scot- land, who married Isabella Welch, who was born and reared in the Emerald Isle. They came to America soon after their marriage, locating on the old farm near Burgetts- town, Smith township, Washington Co,, Penn.,

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where children were born to them as follows: Matthew, James A., Robert (deceased), John (de- ceased), William R., Middleton, Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth (deceased) and Isabelle. The father was a stanch advocate of the principles embodied in the Whig party, and served several years as justice of the peace. He was a member and ruling elder of the U. P. Church at Burgettstown for many years. He died in 1860.

James A Galbraith was born on the old farm in Smith township, this county, and at the age of eighteen years began to teach school, following that profession several years. He then became a clerk at Cross Creek village, this county, continu- ing as such twenty-one years. He finally engaged in the hardware business at Burgettstown, Smith township, and in 1875 was elected county recorder. At the expiration of his term of office he moved to Canonsburg, and has since been profitably em- ployed in handling grain and machinery. He was wedded to Mary A. Bebout, of Cross Creek village, who has borne him seven children, namely: Aaron, married to Dora Chambers, of Canonsburg, Penn .; Belle, deceased wife of Charles Harding, station agent of the Waynesburg & Washington Railroad; W. K., whose sketch follows; Elizabeth, wife of S. A. Crosier, a merchant of Canonsburg; Robert, a druggist of Pittsburgh, Penn., married to Anna Coleman; and Nettie, wife of Joseph Thompson, who is interested in the oil fields of Pennsylvania.

W. K. Galbraith was born December 12, 1858, in Cross Creek village, Penn., and when ten years of age came with his parents to Burgettstown. He entered the high school, and graduated with the class of '78. After leaving school he assisted his father in the duties of the recorder's office, and when the term was ended worked one year for the new recorder. He then conducted a tobacco store in Canonsburg for. eight years; then entered the office of the Central Grain Elevator Company, of Pittsburgh, Penn., remaining in their employ until his appoinment, in 1890, as postmaster of Canons- burg. On November 13, 1884, he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of James Munnell, of Canonsburg. They have three chil- dren: James Lloyd, Katie E. and Robert R.

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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 232

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