Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 24

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 24

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value, copies of the original editional selling at from $2,500 to $4,000. It is not generally known that the great naturalist's daughters live in the old homestead near Audubon Park, overlooking the Hudson. They were once possessed of consider- able wealth, but it was lost through unfortunate in- vestments, and they are now in somewhat strait- ened circumstances. Some of the big handsome plates from which Audubon's monumental work was printed are preserved in the Museum of Natural History in Central Park."

In conclusion. Mr. Alexander is still engaged in business, but has reached that period of life, when he must necessarily give less attention to details. By sound and conservative business methods, he has acquired ample means; and while business still demands some time and attention, the principal portion of his time is now spent at his home and in his library.

HE MORRISON FAMILY. The profes- sional, social and personal history of Mo- nongahela City would be incomplete with- out a sketch of the Morrison Brothers, whose personality has been so long familiar, and still so fresh, in the recollection of most of our citizens; and whose memory is so much revered and cherished by them.

They were the sons of John Morrison, who was born in 1789, near Londonderry, Ireland, whence he emigrated to the United States about 1811, set- tling near the Mingo Creek Presbyterian church. On February 29, 1820, he married Margaret Por- ter, daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Porter, who resided on a farm about two miles from Will- iamsport (now Monongahela), Penn. A short time after their marriage they removed to a farm situ- ated two and one-half miles above Elizabeth, Alle- gheny Co., Penn., on the Monongahela river. On this farm all the children of John and Margaret (Porter) Morrison were born. This farm was sold by Mr. Morrison in the spring of 1837, at which time he removed to Monongahela, Washington county, with his family, purchased real estate and made it their future permanent home. Mr. Mor- rison died October 16, 1837, aged forty-eight years, leaving his widow (Margaret) with a family of six children, all of whom have passed to the other side, with the exception of Eliza, the eldest child, born January 11, 1821, and married to William J. Alex- ander, of Monongahela, November 14, 1844. Mrs. Alexander is the last living representative of her generation of the Morrison family.

Mrs. Margaret (Porter) Morrison (born Novem- ber, 1798), after having lived to educate her fan- ily (excepting James Cust who died in infancy), and see them grow up around her to adult age under her own guidance and example, becoming

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useful and honored citizens, and members of so- ciety; enjoying their love and tenderness through a long and happy life, passed peacefully away, September 18, 1882, aged eighty four years. The children of John and Margaret (Porter) Morrison were as follows: Eliza, born January 11, 1821; Joseph Scott, born July 5, 1824, died April 20, 1886; Mathew Porter, born December 14, 1826, died November 10, 1885; Andrew Porter, born November 2, 1829, died November 5, 1890; Jane, born December 8, 1832, died February 17, 1871; James Cust, born September 15, 1835, died Octo- ber 6, 1837.

JOSEPH SCOTT MORRISON graduated at Washing- ton College, Washington, Penn., in the class of 1844; read law with Hon. T. M. T. McKennau; admitted to the Washington county bar 1847; shortly after became a member of the Allegheny county bar at Pittsburgh, Penn., where he prac- ticed law up to the time of his death, April 20, 1886.

ANDREW PORTER MORRISON graduated at Wash- ington College in the class of 1849; read law with his brother Joseph, and with Judge William Mc- Kennan, from 1852 to 1854. He was associated in the practice of law with his brother, Joseph S., at Pittsburgh, from 1854 to 1861. On May 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Ninth Regiment Penn - sylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps; was made a cor- poral, and was promoted July, 1862, to be ser- geant-major; was desperately wounded at the battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862; was mustered out with his regiment May 12, 1864. He was historian of the Ninth Regiment of Penn- sylvania Reserves. At the dedication of the Gettysburg Monument, his address elicited high encomiums as a carefully prepared and accurate historical paper. After the war, Major Morrison resumed the practice of law, associated (as formerly) with his brother Joseph, until the death of the latter in 1886, afterward conducting the prac- tice alone. Having been warned of the dangers of heart trouble, he gradually gave up his law practice, refusing new business, and rapidly clos- ing up his docket, when suddenly overtaken by death. On September 11, 1866, he was married to Miss Rebecca S. H. Davis, of Allegheny. Resid- ing in Allegheny. he and his wife became members of the North Presbyterian Church, then under the care of Dr. A. A. Hodge. After the death of his wife (born in 1839. died September 5, 1877) he re- turned to the old family homestead in Mononga- hela City, which was his earthly home until his departure for the heavenly, whither he was pre- ceded by his home circle, except his greatly beloved sister Eliza, the wife of William J. Alexander, Esq. Major Morrison changed his membership from Allegheny to the First Presbyterian Church, Monongahela City, September 8, 1878. By the unanimous voice of his church associates he was

elected a ruling elder, which office, after due con- sideration, he accepted, and was ordained March 31, 1889. Andrew P. Morrison was a man of the highest type; the moral atmosphere which sur- rounded him was pure, the example be set was helpful. His instincts were all gentle; his manner urbane; his friendship as trne as gold; his career was that of honorable manhood, respected citizen- ship, unquestioned morality and professional in- tegrity.

DR. MATHEW PORTER MORRISON. As a fitting sketch, we take the liberty to make the following extracts from a paper prepared by Rev. William O. Campbell, D. D., for a memorial volume of Dr. Morrison, late of Monongahela. He received his first academic training at home in the academy conducted by the Rev. E. S. Blake, and T. R. Hazzard, Esq. He was a graduate of Washington College in the class of 1847. Among his class- mates were the Hon. James G. Blaine; John H. Hampton, of Pittsburgh; Alexander Wilson, Esq., of Washington. Penn .; Hon. William H. H. Pusey, of Iowa, and Dr. John H. Storer, of West Vir- ginia. After leaving college he was engaged in teaching school for a short time at home. Having read a course of medicine with Dr. Samuel M. King, he attended a full course of lectures for two years at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and re- ceived his degree of "Doctor of Medicine" in the spring of 1851. He subsequently attended special courses of lectures, and hospital practice, in Phil- adelphia and Boston. In May, 1851, he opened an office for the practice of his profession at the "Old Home" in Monongahela. Not long after- ward he became associated in practice, as a part- ner, with Dr. R. F. Biddle. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, Dr. Morrison joined the Union army in the field, August 6, 1861, as assistant sur- geon of the One Hundred and Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Rowley's "Old Thirteenth." He was promoted to surgeon with the rank of major September 12, 1862, and at the close of the war was mustered out June 28, 1865, being at the time surgeon of the Second Division of the Sixth Corps. His professional life covers a period of nearly thirty-five years of active and arduous practice-all, save the four years in the army, among his friends and neighbors in the vi- cinity of the " Old Home." Col. Hazzard. in The Republican. gave expression to the feelings of many hearts when he penned this tribute to his memory: " Of his worth as a friend; his judgment and sagacity as a physician; his learning as a scholar; his integrity and nobility of character in the walks of civil life; and of his devotion to his country as a soldier; his warm-hearted friendship; his stern adherence to right living and thinking; of the warm place he held in the hearts of the fam- ilies he visited, both as physician and friend-of

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these things, we need not speak-they are the choicest memories of this sad hour in a thousand hearts. Dr. M. P. Morrison brought to his pro- fession a mind thoroughly familiar with the prin- ciples and practice of medicine. He honored the profession in which .he was eminently successful. His death brings a genuine sorrow, brightened only by the words which his lips framed almost with his last breath, 'Not my will, but Thine.'"' Extract from a letter of Hon. J. G. Blaine: "It was a great surprise and personal sorrow to me. Though we have seen each other but twice since our grad- uation (more than thirty-eight years ago), I have a strong impression of his qualities of mind and heart, and a vivid recollection of his person. He was a gentle spirit-kind, considerate and gener- ous-tenderly regarded by his class-mates. I al- ways felt he had chosen wisely in his profession. I can well imagine that his ministrations in the sick-room were a great solace to patients. To lose such a brother must be a lasting grief, and I ten- der you my sincere condolence."

ONES FAMILY. William Jones sailed from the port of Baltimore in 1769 (his son Will- iam being then six years old), and the vessel was never afterward heard from. The son, William Jones, was born May 3, 1763, at Ellicott's Mills, Md., and died March 14, 1863. He was married April 23, 1789, to Elizabeth McClung, who was born November 24, 1769, and died Jan- uary 27, 1829. About 1791 they emigrated from Maryland to Washington county, Penn., near Gin- ger Hill, six miles from Monongahela, where they settled on a farm on which they passed the remain- der of their days, and which farm is still owned by a son, William McKendree Jones. They had twelve children, viz. : (1) John Jones, born in Ma- ryland, May 23, 1790, died July 16, 1875; was twice married, first time to Rachel Frew; second time to Margaret Blaine, who was born October 12, 1805, and died October 29, 1890; by his first mar- riage he had six children: William (married to Miss West), James (married to a Miss Cleaver), Eliza- beth (married to David Ritchie), Joseph (married to a Miss Watkins), David (married to Miss Phil- lips), Samuel V. Cook (deceased, married to Miss Gregg), Polly (married to Manuel Stoody). By his second marriage Mr. Jones had two children- Rachel and Jennie. (2) Elijah Jones, born in Maryland November 20, 1791, died June 15, 1855; was married to Mary Warren, and their children were William (married to a Miss Frye), Eliza Jane (married to John M. Bedall), Margaret (married to John S. Carson), James (married to a Miss Van- Voorhis), Wesley (married in the West), Isaac (married to a Miss McIlvaine), Noah (married to a Miss Frye). (3) Mary Jones, born November 1,

1793, died August 15, 1856; married March 8, 1819, to Joseph Alexander, who was born April 1, 1795. (4) Ruth Jones, born September 4, 1795, died January 22, 1892. (5) Delilah Jones, born February 14, 1797, died July 22, 1882; married to James Mills, who was born in 1801, died May 23, 1878, and their children were William (deceased), Andrew Bascom (died May 14, 1888, married to - Deering), Mary (married to a Mr. Dalby), Rebecca (married to Rev. Dr. Watkins), James (married), Charles S., Wilbur Fisk (married). (6) Jesse Jones, born December 24, 1798, died February 11, 1888; married Eleanor Frew, and their children were Alexander (deceased), Jackson (married to Miss Black), Elizabeth (married to Rev. Mr. Snyder), Charles (married), Carrie B. (married), Nancy (married to a Mr. Rankins, now deceased), Jesse (died June 21, 1888), Ellen (mar- ried to Mr. McDonald, and now deceased); others have been lost sight of in the West. (7) Samuel Jones, born August 25, 1800, accidentally killed June 14, 1867; was twice married, first time to Jane Fell, and for his second wife to Mary Thomas; the children by his first wife were William (mar- ried to a Miss Sheplar), S. Fell (married to a Miss Thomas), Mary (married to a Dr. Watkins, both deceased), and James (married to a Miss Finley). By the second marriage Mr. Jones had children as follows: Elizabeth, Melissa, Retta, Amanda, Homer, Luther, John and Celia. (8) Rebecca Jones, born March 8, 1802, died July 3, 1838; married Andrew Mills, and had one child, James Mills, editor of the Pittsburgh Post, who married Elvira Alexan- der. (9) Rose Ann Jones, born May 4, 1804, died September, 1870; married Francis Hull Williams, and their children were Elizabeth (married to Greer McIlvaine), Elmira, John W., William, David, James and Harvey. (10) Elizabeth Jones, born January 15, 1806; died in September, 1830; mar- ried James McCauley, and their children were Ann Eliza and Mary. (11) Ann Jones, born April 22, 1808, died June 30, 1889; married John Hess, born 1818, died 1883, and their children were John, Elizabeth, Westley, Alcinous, Amanda and Maggie. (12) William McKendree Jones, born October 29, 1809, married Sarah Fulmer, who died in 1886; their children were Leonidas, Mary, Edward, James Mills, Margaret, Kate, Snyder, Albert, Florence and Rose.

The children born to (2) Elijah and Mary (War- ren) Jones were as follows: (1) William, born in Fallowfield township, married Miss Eliza Jane Fry, and afterward moved to Brighton, Washing- ton Co., Iowa, and still resides there; their children are as follows: Samuel W., married to Rachel, daughter of Manuel Stoody, of this county; Mary, married to Mr. William Hide, of Washington county, Iowa; Henry, married to Miss McCain; Irilla Jane, married; Amy, married to Mr. John-

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son; Josephine, married; Della (now deceased), married to Mr. Hedge. (2) Eliza Jane, married to John McCutchen Bedall, as already mentioned. (3) Margaret, married to John S. Carson, both de- ceased (their children were eleven in number, as follows: Isaac, married to Miss Fry; Cornelius, married to Miss Beazell; John C. (now deceased), married to Miss Raymond; Henry, married to Miss Furnier; Robert F., married to Miss Odvert; Mary Elizabeth, deceased; Van Curtis, deceased; Mar- garet M., married to I. N. Carson; Caroline Jane (now deceased), married to J. W. Carson; Noah T., married to Miss Sprowls; and Joseph, married to Miss Greenlee). (4) John Westley, married to Jane Davison, in Logan county, Ohio, and now living near Linneus, Linn Co., Mo. (they have nine chil- dren, viz. : Margaret J., married to George Hide, of Brighton, Iowa; Arabelle, married to a Mr. Wat- terhouse, in Iowa; Ella, married to a Mr. Hossick; James, married and living in Iowa; John C., living near Linneus, Mo. ; Annie Neal, also living near Lin- neus, Mo .; Helen, Hester and Isaac Willfred, unmar- ried and living at home). (5) James Jones (now de- ceased), married to Miss Van Voorhis, and had chil- dren. (6)Noah, married to Mary Fry, and their chil- dren are nine in number, as follows: John T. K., married to Miss Gamble; Florence C., married to Miss Bradley, in Missouri; Annie M., married to Mr. Huffman; Mortimore, married to Miss Huffman (now deceased); Eunice, married to Warren Gib- son; and Frank, Bert, Noalı King, Lilley, all four unmarried. (7) Isaac Warren, married to Mary Agnes McIlvaine; their children are as follows: Dora B., married to William Morrow; William, unmarried; Isaac L., married to Miss Rettig; Mc- Ilvaine, Harry and Mary A., all three unmarried.

F ORREST, ROBERT R .; RICHARD R. and J. R., Washington. These gentlemen are de- scended from stalwart Scotch and English ancestors who came to America at an early date. The great-grandfather. Johnson, was a Doctor of Divinity in the classic city of Edinburgh, Scotland, and some of his books are still in the possession of his great-grandson Robert R. Forrest.

John Forrest, grandfather of the gentlemen whose names open this sketch, was born in Scot- land, and was married in Edinburgh, the capital of that country, to Jean Johnson, who after his death came to America in 1839, and now lies in Allegheny cemetery; her husband died in London, England. The two brothers of this John Forrest emigrated, in the early part of this century, to America, the one coming to Philadelphia, Penn., the other proceeding to a southern port.

George Forrest, father of Robert R., Richard R. and J. R. Forrest, was born November 24, 1803, in Penrith, County of Cumberland, England,

which county, being on the border, was for a long time claimed by Scotland. He was married June 12, 1826, in New Marylebone Church, Parish of Marylebone, London, England, to Alice Rhodes, who was born in the Parish of St. George, Lon- don, England, January 6, 1808, a daughter of Joshua Rhodes, a native of London, where he lived and died. In 1837 George Forrest and his brother Richard set out together with their fam- ilies for America, and were six weeks crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which was reported lost. Landing at New York, and their destination being Richmond, Ind., they traveled by rail, canal and other modes to Allegheny City, where Rich- ard's wife and two children died. The brothers then concluded to here remain. Richard, who was a marble cutter and sculptor, became foreman of the Wallace Marble Works, Pittsburgh, Penn. His last employer in the mother country had been Sir Francis Chantry, the eminent English sculptor, and he was in his employ at the time Allan Cunning- ham, the author and sculptor, was foreman of the establishment, and Forrest's duties consisted in the placing of statuary for Chantry. About the year 1747 George Forrest and his family moved to Canonsburg, Washington county, and two years later came to Washington borough, where he worked at his trade, tailoring, until about the time of his death, which occurred March 28, 1865, when he was aged sixty-three years. He was liberal of his means and charitably disposed; in politics he was a Democrat, in religion a Presbyterian; his widow was summoned from earth January 28, 1885, in her seventy-eighth year; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of eight children-four born in Lon- don, England, and four in Allegheny, Penn. --- Robert R. being the first of the family born this side of the Atlantic. They are as follows: Alice (Mrs. Boyle); Emma (wife of John B. Hallam); George; Jane (widow of Matthew Taylor), in South Strabane township; Robert R., of whom a sketch follows; Mary (wife of John Munce), residing in Washington, Penn .; Richard R. and J. R. (sketches of whom follow). George Forrest bought 300 acres of land, on part of which the city of Kittanning, Penn., now stands, intending to settle there, but the country proved to be so wild he sold it before going to Canonsburg.

ROBERT R. FORREST was born in Allegheny, Alle- gheny Co., Penn., October 12, 1840. He came to Washington, Penn., with his parents, and attended the common schools of the place until he arrived at the age of sixteen years, when he entered Hayes' Carriage Factory as an apprentice, remaining until the breaking out of the Civil war. He then pro- ceeded to Wheeling, W. Va., where he was em- ployed on Government work, chiefly in the con- structing of ambulances, and he ironed the last

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twenty-five of that class of vehicle sent to the seat of war from Wheeling. In 1867 Mr. Forrest en- tered into partnership with James House, in the carriage-making business, in Washington, this county, putting up for the purpose the building now occupied by R. B. McClure & Son on East Wheeling street. The style of the firm was House & Forrest, but about a year after commencing operations, Mr. Forrest sold out his interest to Mr. House and embarked in the brickmaking business in South Strabane township, which he still carries on, it having now been in existence some twenty years. The first brick made on his place were used in the construction of the jail, and it has since supplied the brick for many prominent buildings, such as banks, seminaries, churches and private residences. He was also for a time engaged in contracting and building, in company with his brother, Richard R. In 1889 he commenced the erection of his own commodious house on the corner of Sumner avenue and Pitt street, one of the finest residences in the northern part of the city, and in November, 1890, moved into it.

On April 15, 1869, Mr. Forrest was married in Washington to Miss Sarah M. Hayes, daughter of Charles Hayes, and granddaughter of George Kuntz, both of Washington. Six children were the result of this union, only two of whom survive: Sophia and Alice, both living at home. Mr. For- rest and his family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church; politically he votes the Dem- ocratic ticket, and has frequently been solicited to accept office, but has invariably declined the honor. Well-known and popular in the community, Mr. Forrest stands high in the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens.

RICHARD RHODES FORREST, contractor and builder, also florist and proprietor of greenhouses, in Wash- ington, was born April 14, 1844, in Allegheny, Allegheny Co., Penn. As will be seen, he was but a child when the family came to Washington. Here he received his education, being among the first pu- pils to attend the new Union schools. In 1859 he commenced to learn the trade of carriage body build- ing with S. B. & C. Hayes, serving an apprentice- ship of nearly four years; then worked for John Hallam in building spring wagons. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, and they were encamped at a point near Chambersburg, Penn., at the time the Confederate army learned the name of Antietam. Afterward, August 31, 1864, he enlisted in the army, in the Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Company F, was in at the death of the Confeder- acy, and was mustered out June 30, 1865. He became of age while in the army.

Returning to this county, he immediately re- sumed his trade, his first work being the building of a coach for James House, called the "Queen of

the Road," which was run between Washington (Penn. ) and Pittsburgh. Afterward heremoved to the site where now stands the carriage factory of R. B. McClure & Son. Later he sold out to James House, who became a partner with his brother, Robert R., in the same line of business, and for them he worked a considerable length of time, constructing windmills, some sixty or seventy hav- ing been built. He then engaged with Hayes & Wilson, working on bodies for sewing machines, after which he became a partner for a time with E. J. Dye in contracting and building. He had previously put up many of the brick buildings in the borough, and on West Beau street he erected a house which in itself is a curiosity. He made the molds and the brick himself for this house, each brick having a panel on it. In 1878 he bought the property where he now resides, the grounds covering about twelve acres on the out- skirts of the borough. Some eight years ago he commenced gardening, building greenhouses for the cultivation of both vegetables and flowers, and to-day he owns the largest conservatory in Wash- ington. On March 13, 1873, Mr. Forrest was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Mills, a native of Monongahela City, daughter of Andrew and Alice Mills, who both died in the borough of Washington. She had one sister, who married, and two brothers, Harvey and James, the latter of whom is now editor of the Pittsburgh Post. To Mr. and Mrs. Forrest were born three sons, all of whom died in early childhood. They are both members of the First M. E. Church of Washing- ton, and in politics he is in sentiment a Prohibi- tionist, but votes independently and according to his own judgment.

J. R. FORREST, one of the prominent members of the bar of Washington county, was born in Allegheny, Allegheny Co., Penn., February 21, 1847. He began life a poor boy, having to earn by the sweat of his brow the means to secure even a limited education, at first, in the common schools of his district. Still, applying himself as- siduously to work, he was enabled to take himself to the high school, from which he graduated, and he then attended Washington College three years. Our subject, having now completed his literary studies, commenced reading law in the office of Ruth & Hamilton, Washington, Penn., in which he remained three years, and in 1868 he was admitted to the bar. Mr. Forrest at once commenced the practice of his profession in the borough, and has since continued with eminent success. In Febru- ary, 1865, tired with the spirit of patriotism, he enlisted at New Brighton, Penn., in Company H, Eighty-seventh P. V. I., which regiment was at- tached to the Sixth Army Corps. After partici- pating in the fighting around Richmond and Petersburg, which ended with the capture of Lee,

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he was ordered with the Sixth Corps on a forced march to Danville, N. C., to cut off the retreat of Gen. Joe Johnston, and was present at his capture also. After the war closed Mr. Forrest was mus- tered out of the service in July, 1865. On Feb- ruary 21, 1871, Mr. J. R. Forrest was united in marriage with Miss Belle, daughter of the late Daniel Boyle, in his day a prominent stock dealer in North Strabane township, this county, and to this union have been born two children: Daniel B., now attending the sophomore class at college, and Earle R. Politically Mr. Forrest is a Democrat, and for the past ten years he has served as a justice of the peace. He has a strong penchant for litera- ture, and is a writer in verse of recognized ability and versatility. The majority of his best efforts have not yet been published, but doubtless will some day be given to the world in book form. Two of his poems are here presented:

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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 24

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