Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 38

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 38

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[From the pen of Mary E. Post.

A M. TODD, a prominent attorney at law in Washington, was born September 23, 1842, at Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill., a son of Rev. Andrew Todd, who was a native of Flemingsburg, Ky. The grandfather of our subject, who was also a Kentuckian, married there, and had a numerous family.

Rev. Andrew Todd, father of the subject of these lines, received his primary education at the public schools of his neighborhood, which was sup- plemented with a course of study at Washington

College and at Jefferson College in this county, graduating from the latter in 1817. He then en- tered Princeton Theological Seminary, where he graduated, after which he resided for a time in Flemingsburg, Ky., and finally moved to Jackson- ville, Ill., where he passed the rest of his days, dying at. Monticello, Fla., September 2, 1850. Mr. Todd was married to Catherine, daughter of John and Catherine (Cunningham) Wilson, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Scotland. Mr. Wilson, who was by trade a cabinet maker, came to Washington county at an early day and made a permanent settlement. The children born to Rev. Andrew and Catherine (Wilson) Todd were Ara- bella (Mrs. Rev. Joseph Waugh) and A. M. In politics Mr. Todd was a Whig.

A. M. Todd attended the public schools of his na- tive town, and at the age of fourteen entered Wash- ington College, this county, where he graduated in 1861. On completing bis literary studies he entered the law office of David S. Wilson, in Washington, where he remained until 1868, when he was admitted to the bar of Washington county. Mr. Todd was married in 1874 to Annie, daughter of Joseph Mason, a native of Steubenville, Ohio. To them were born two children, Catharine, who died in in - fancy, and Elizabeth M. In politics Mr. Todd is a Republican, prominent in the party. At the forma- tion of the Bar Association of Washington county in September, 1892, he was unanimously chosen president of that body.

M ICHAEL G. KUNTZ, who, like his brother James W., is one of the oldest and most respected residents of Washington bor- ough, first saw the light of day February 11, 1820, in an old log house which stood on a piece of land that has been in the possession of the family for a great many years.

His grandfather, Michael Kuntz, a laborer by occupation, came, unaccompanied, in 1788, from Lancaster county to Washington county, and bought land' where now stands Brady's jewelry store, in Washington. Here he built a cabin, but on ac- count of the Indians, his family did not come out until May, 1790. Michael Kuntz revisited Lan- caster county, but returned and died here in 1793 (he was a Freemason of high standing). His widow, who afterward married Joseph Price, sur- vived him until about the year 1835, when she was called from earth at the advanced age of nine- ty-three years. She was his second wife, and there is a record of two children by his first mar- riage, John and an older brother, who was a car- penter. To his second union four children were born, of whom we find the names of George H., Jacob, Sophia (Mrs. George Byrker, formerly of Washington) and also another daughter, a Mrs.

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Reddick, all now passed away. They came over the mountains on pack horses, across which were thrown saddle-bags, made of homemade linen, and when the little boys were tired walking they were placed in the pockets of these saddle-bags.

George H. Kuntz, born in Lancaster county, Penn., January 25, 1785, was about six years old when brought to Washington. Here he lived at the same place over fourscore years, dying July 18,1870. He was a hatter by trade, and in 1810 opened a factory at Washington, where hats were made by hand. This business he continued until 1844, when he retired. In 1818 he married Elizabeth, daughter of James Wisbey, of Washington, and seven children were born to them: Michael and James W., both at Washington; one that died in infancy; Brady, a physician, who died at Washing- ton, March 26, 1863; Sophia, who married Charles Hayes, and died at Washington in 1854; Philip, who also died at Washington, December 18, 1873, and Stephen, who died in April, 1891, at the age of fifty six years. The father was called from earth July 18, 1870, at the age of eighty-six years (he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and for a time served as borough treasurer; was a Freemason, having been initiated in 1824); the mother died April 21, 1884, when eighty-four years old.

Michael G. Kuntz received his education at the public schools of his native place, remaining under the paternal roof until he was eighteen years of age, when he proceeded to Wheeling, W. Va., in order to learn the cabinet making trade. On completing his apprenticeship, he returned to Washington, where for a time he worked for Thomas Bryson, and at journey work, until 1844, when he opened a shop in Washington for his own account. This he conducted until April, 1856, when he embarked in the gents' furnishing business, which he has since continued, having been located at his present stand over twenty-eight years. On October 16, 1844, Mr. Kuntz was married to Miss Eliza Jane, daughter of John Ruth, who came to Washington from Maryland at an early day, dying here. This union has been blessed with six chil- dren, viz .: George B., in his father's store; Mary Jane, married to Robert McBrury, and now keeping house for her father; James Jr., in the real-estate business at Washington; Elizabeth, wife of John M. Morrow, of Washington, and John R., a drug- gist of Washington. The mother died April 19, 1886, at the age of sixty-three years. Mr. Kuntz has been a lifelong Democrat, and has not failed to poll his vote for fifty years, his first Presidential vote being cast in the fall of 1844, when he had to walk sixteen miles for that purpose. He joined the I. O. O. F. at Washington, and in February, 1843, became a charter member of Lodge No. 81. His present home is on South Main street, where he has resided for the last sixteen years.

C HARLES B. WOOD, M. D., a prominent phy- sician and surgeon of Monongahela, is a son of Samuel A. Wood, a native of Vir- ginia, whose family were of English birth. Samuel A. Wood was married to Lucy M. Curl, of Virginia, whose mother was a relative of Chief- justice Gibson, of Pennsylvania.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood were: Joshua G., an attorney of Topeka, Kans .; Thomas S., who died in 1892, was principal of one of the Allegheny schools; Louis M., an architect of Denver, Colo .; Charles B., whose name opens this sketch; Mary G., living in Brownsville, Penn., and Lucy, de- ceased. The parents are now living in Browns- ville, Fayette county, retired from active business. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Charles B. Wood was born at Brownsville, Fay- ette county, Penn., where he passed his youth. He attended Oberlin College for four years, then read medicine with Dr. W. S. Duncan, of Browns- ville, and completed his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1876. He practiced at Monongahela for ten years, then attended the Polyclinic of New York, and in 1889 took a course in special studies at the Polyclinic Hospital and Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia. In 1887 he married Carrie, daughter of Hon. George V. Lawrence, of Monongahela. One son, Lawrence, blessed their union. Dr. Wood has given special study to the eye and ear, but is a gen- eral practitioner, and since 1881 has been surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He is what every true physician must be, enthusiastically devoted to his calling. His reputation is not confined to this domain, however, for Dr. Wood is equally a favorite in social and business circles, where his original ideas and store of information are ever fully appreciated. In politics he is a Republican, " born and bred," and has served as a member of the school board of Monongahela. He is a mem- ber of the American Medical Association; Pennsyl- vania State Medical Society; National Association of Railway Surgeons; and Washington County Medical Society.

S QUIRE HENRY B. McLEAN, a well-known, popular and successful citizen of this coun- ty, was born in Fayette county, Penn., May 19, 1822. The McLean family came to Fayette county in an early day, where the grand- parents died many years ago. Alexander, a brother of John McLean, the grandfather, served his county and party as register and recorder for many years. The grandparents had a family of seven children, all of whom are now deceased.

John McLean, father of subject, was born in 1771. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serv- ing as captain of a company from Fayette county.

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He was a surveyor and farmer by profession, and in early life was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John Jackson, of Washington county, Penn. The family finally settled on a farm in Fayette county, where Mr. McLean died in 1831, at the age of sixty years. His widow afterward became the wife of John Gattenby, of Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn. She died in 1872, having borne to her first husband a family of eleven chil- dren: James, Samuel, John, William, Robert, Henry B., Clarissa, Helen, Sarah, Mary Ann and Margaret, of whom John, Mary Ann and Henry B. survive. A few moved West, and they were widely scattered, our subject being the only one who settled in Washington county.

Henry B. McLean attended the log-cabin school of the day, the walls of which were decorated with pegs, whereon were placed whips of all sizes, tend- ing to strike terror into the juvenile heart. Some- times a stick, happening to be more convenient to the hand of the irate pedagogue, was thrown at the head of the offending urchin. He resided on the farm until eighteen years of age, when he began life for himself in Washington county, first learn- ing the carpenter's trade of James Rogers (de- ceased) and a brother-in-law. After serving a three years' apprenticeship, he followed liis trade ten years, beginning work at 4 o'clock in the morn- ing and closing at 8 in the evening, receiving in payment the munificent salary of $1 per day. On May 19, 1847, Mr. McLean married Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel Rogers, who came from Mary- land in 1820, and died on Squire McLean's farm a few years ago, at the age of sixty-eight years, the mother having passed away some years before. In 1852 our subject bought the farm he now owns, upon which an old log house was then standing. By hard work he continued to improve this home until a comfortable income was secured, and in 1867 erected a dwelling-house. While working on this building, he fell from a high scaffolding, striking his head on a stone, and crushing his ribs. He was senseless for over a week, and has never fully recovered from the terrible accident. Squire McLean has attained the prominent position lie now occupies in Washington county by years of untiring industry, and deserves the most sincere and hearty commendation. His marriage has been blessed by one daughter, Sarah Ellen (Mrs. J. Y. Scott, of Washington, Penn.). In politics he was a Democrat until 1856, when he became a Repub- lican. He has served in all the township offices, also filling the position of county commissioner for one term, and has acted as justice of the peace for fifteen years, being especially fitted for the latter office, for he has always been a peacemaker. Mr. and Mrs. McLean are members of the M. E. Church. She has a brother, John A., living in Baltimore, Maryland.

A C. SAMPSON (deceased) was born Feb- ruary 15, 1828, in Allegheny county, Penn., near Mckeesport, a son of Thomas and Anna (Coon) Sampson, the former of whom, a native of Ireland, came to America at an early day. Their children were Mary (Mrs. Oliver Evans), A. C., Harvey, Margaret, William, John and Letitia. Thomas Sampson was a farmer and manufacturer of sickles, and also conducted a flouring mill. He was a zealous member of the Long Run Presbyterian Church.

A. C. Sampson received a liberal education at the public schools in the vicinity of his birthplace, proving an apt and diligent pupil. In his early manhood lie embarked in the insurance business, which he followed with marked success during his lifetime, being general agent for Western Penn- sylvania Co. He was three times married: first to Margaret Williams, then to Fannie Moore, and lastly to Letitia S., daughter of James Manown, of whom special mention will presently be made. The children by the first wife were Nancy, and one that died in infancy; by the second, two that died in infancy; and by the third, five children, viz. : Anna K. (deceased wife of Dr. Boyd, also de- ceased), Sarah M., Letitia S. (who married Edwin Brubaker, and died, leaving one son, Henry S. Brubaker), A. C. and Harriet L. The father of these children died May 10, 1872. After his first marriage, he came, in 1853, to Monongahela City to reside. Mr. Sampson was a progressive citizen, a typical self-made man, thian whom none in the county enjoyed higher respect and esteem. He was the first president of the People's Savings Bank, Monongahela City, and was one of the active, solid business men of the place. Politically he was a working member of the Republican party; socially a F. & A. M., he held a high degree in the fraternity ; in religion he was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.

James Manown, father of Mrs. A. C. Sampson, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1781. His father, Richard Manown, a native of the same county, married a Miss Smith, who bore him chil- dren as follows: James, William, John, Richard and Elizabetlı (Mrs. Robert Bailie). The family came to America in 1798, the voyage occupying fourteen weeks, and from New York, where they landed, they proceeded to western Pennsylvania, making a settlement near Round Hill Church, in Westmoreland county, where they followed farm- ing. They were members of the Episcopal Church. James Manown, was, as will be seen, seventeen years old when he came with his parents to America. He had been well educated in his native land, and on his arrival in the New World he learned the trade of carpenter and builder which he followed for some years. On December 6, 1808, he married Mrs. Cassandra Elliott, a

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daughter of David Devore, and the widow of George Elliott, by whom she had two children: Burnside and Patience ' (Mrs. Benjamin Davis). David Devore (the grandfather of Mrs. Letitia Manown Sampson) came from New Jersey in 1787, with his wife Elizabeth Harvey. He and his brother, Moses Devore, purchased, in 1788, 250 acres of land, lying opposite Monongahela City, which land was then in Westmoreland county, now Forward township, Allegheny county, paying 50 cents per acre with interest from March 1, 1771, agreeably to an act passed by the Assembly in 1784. David Devore was granted license to ferry from his home on this property to the mouth of Pigeon creek, afterward known as Parkison's ferry. He died in 1789, leaving a widow and one child, Cassandra, His widow some years af- terward married Major Scott, and to her was born one son, William. After the death of Mr. Scott his widow made her home with this son at Vin- cennes, Ind., where she died in 1820. Cassandra Devore married George Elliott, who was drowned off the ferry while trying to rescue his son Burn- side. James Manown married Mrs. George El- liott, and resided on the farm near the ferry which James Manown bought from Moses Devore. The ferry belonging to his wife, James Manown after- ward bought at sheriff sale the Parkison inter- est in land and ferry, and carried on the ferry until the Williamsport bridge was built in 1836. On this same farm now live James Manown's old est son, Franklin, with his two sisters, Mrs. Har- riet Moore and Sarah Manown, also James Moore, son of Mrs. H. Moore. James Manown died May 21, 1873, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1860. They were the parents of the fol -. lowing named children: Eliza (Mrs. Asher Van Kirk), Franklin, Nancy (Mrs. John Thickield), Cassandra (Mrs. Alfred Thickield), James (a phy- sician, now of Kingwood, W. Va., married to a Miss Armstrong), Harriet (Mrs. James Moore), Sarah, and Letitia S. (Mrs. A. C. Sampson). Mr. Manown was an influential Democrat and a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He was a remarkably enterprising man, one whose in- fluence for good was felt in the community, and he took a deep interest in educational and relig- ious matters. For several years he served as a justice of the peace.

H ON. JOHN A. MCILVAINE, president judge of the courts of Washington county, composing the Twenty-seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, was born in Som- erset township, said county, April 13, 1843, a son of William and Matilda McIlvaine. His pa- ternal grandfather was Greer McIlvaine, who re- moved to Somerset township from the eastern part of the State in 1788 or 1789.

The early education of the subject of this mem- oir was obtained in the common schools of his township, and September 19, 1860, he entered the junior preparatory department of Jefferson College, at Canonsburg; but, by doing double duty, and being aided by a fine natural ability, he was ad- mitted to the Freshman class of the college at the beginning of the fall term of 1861. Graduating in 1865, he was awarded the second honor of his class (consisting of thirty-six members), and delivered the Latin salutatory on commencement day. The class of 1865 was the last class gradu- ated at Jefferson College before its union with Washington College, forming thereafter Washing- ton and Jefferson College, at Washington, Penn.

Immediately after graduation Mr. McIlvaine en - tered as a law student with Hon. Boyd Crumrine, at Washington, Penn,, and was admitted to the bar at August term, 1867. For two years after his admission he was engaged as a clerk in the office of the county treasurer, and then went to Kansas, locating at Wichita. While at that place he held the office of clerk of the district court for one year. In July, 1872, he was called home by the illness of his father, and, a favorable opportu- nity offering, he soon afterward opened a law office in Washington, Penn. During the years 1872 and 1873 he served as secretary of the Republican County Vigilance Committee. Becom- ing a candidate himself, in 1874 he was elected district attorney for Washington county for the usual term of three years, and at the end of this term was re-elected for a second term. Upon re- tiring from that office, at the end of his six years' continuous service, he received most favorable commendation from the public press for the man- ner in which he had discharged the duties of his office. One of the leading papers of his county, of opposite politics, said of him: "Mr. McIlvaine has been the chosen officer to represent the people in all criminal prosecutions in this county for the past six years, and we but echo the sentiment of all conversant with the facts when we say that he has discharged the trust with great ability and fairness. He is a hard worker, and always had a knowledge of the facts, and was fully prepared to present them in a methodical and convincing way. Although a vigorous prosecutor, he was fair; and no defendant had just cause to complain of any undue advantage having been taken of him."

During his term of office as district attorney, Mr. McIlvaine formed a partnership in professional business with Mr. M. L. A. McCracken, and the legal business of the firm became large and lucra- tive. This partnership continued until 1886, when on November 4, of that year, Mr. McIlvaine was elected president judge of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District, for a term of ten years. On

J. a. M'Sloraine

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account of the development of his native county in the production of oil and natural gas, his term of office as judge, up to the date of this writing, has had a large and varied increase in the amount and character of the legal business to be transacted; but it is the opinion common to all that the Judge has been equal to the demand made upon his ability and strength, and not only has the business been promptly transacted, but transacted in such a way as to be very satisfactory to both lawyers and clients. The cases in which his rulings and decisions have been reversed in the supreme court have been comparatively few in number.

On December 17, 1874, Judge McIlvaine mar- ried Miss Ada C. Shaw, of Philadelphia. He served in the National Guardof Pennsylvania, as adjutant of the Tenth Regiment for two years. He is a ruling elder in the Second Presbyterian Church. He has a beautiful and pleasant home in East Washington, with every comfort and convenience for himself and wife, about him, save one-the presence of children. He is free from all osten- tatious pride, is genial and affable in his manner, and is always ready to bestow a favor, to speak a pleasant word, and to do a kind act.

R ITTENHOUSE CRISS was born Septem- ber 17, 1817. He was a son of Jacob Criss, whose father, John Criss, emigrated from Germany and settled on a tract of land containing 349 acres called " Hermit- age," situated on Harmon's creek, in Washington Co .. Penn., at what is now Hanlin Station, which became his permanent home. He had a family of six sons: William, Jacob, Henry, John, Nicholas, and George, also a daughter Sarah, who became the wife of Samuel Wright. The father of these passed away at an advanced age. He was one of the first pioneers, and a highly respected citizen. He was buried in the Bethel M. E. Churchyard.

Jacob Criss, son of John, was born May 15, 1778, and on November 25, 1799, was married to Hannah Rittenhouse, who was born April 6, 1781. Thirteen children were born. to this union, all of whom (except one) grew to manhood and woman- hood and married. Eight of these children were sons and five daughters. After his marriage Mr. Criss bought and settled on a part of the home farm which his father had owned. This farm is now owned by the heirs of his son, Rittenhouse Criss. He died in 1845 aged about sixty-eight years, and was buried beside his wife in the Bethel grave- yard. Of the thirteen children of Jacob Criss, but one is living at the date of this writing, Febru- ary, 1893, the youngest son, Mr. Jacob Criss, of Colliers, W. Va., aged about seventy-three.

Rittenhouse Criss, seventh son of Jacob and Hannah (Rittenhouse) Criss, was born on the home 12

farm, and passed his youth in agricultural pur- suits. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fink, who became the mother of four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters. In 1853 the mother and three youngest children were strick- en down with typhoid dysentery and died. The eldest and only remaining child grew to woman- hood, and married John D. Robison. She died two years afterward, aged nineteen years. Mr. Criss afterward married Miss Eliza J. Stewart (a cousin of his first wife), by whom he had eight children, namely: Stewart W., Elmore R., both of Colliers, W. Va. ; Charles L , of Pittsburgh, Penn .; Robert W., of Colliers, and Nicholas R., Mary M., Anna R. and Hallie B., who reside with their mother on the bone farm. The father was long a men- ber of the Methodist Protestant Church of Elders- ville. He died suddenly of heart trouble, Decein- ber 4, 1882, in the sixty- fifth year of his age, and was buried in the Eldersville cemetery. Mr. Criss always lived on the farm on which he was born.

Eliza J. Criss, widow of Rittenhouse Criss, was born in Brooke county, W. Va., August 10, 1835. She was a daughter of Robert Stewart, whose father, Samuel Stewart, emigrated from Scotland and located on Robison's run, Washington Co., Penn., and there was united in marriage to Eliza- beth McCarty, a lady of Irish ancestry. Of the children born to them six lived to maturity, namely : Charles, George, John, Robert, Sarah and Mary, all now deceased, leaving numerous descendants scattered through different parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Robert Stewart was born Septem- ber 10, 1810, and received his education in the common schools which he improved by a course of general reading. He was married to Miss Margaret Wilson, a resident of Washington county, born in November, 1812. Of the eight children born to them, seven are living, Mrs. Criss being the eld- est. Robert Stewart died in September, 1876, his wife in 1855.

M RS. AGNES MILLER. Of the eminent families in Washington county the name of Miller has for many years represented a race noted for patriotism, energy and intelligence.

In 1784 or 1785 James Miller emigrated from his home in County Tyrone, Ireland, to Chester county, Penn. A few years later he removed to Washington county, then a wilderness, and took out patents for over one thousand acres of land. embracing that now owned by his descendants --- John, James and Andrew Miller, of Mt. Pleasant and Chartiers townships. In 1811 Thomas Mil- ler followed his brother to this country, bringing with him his family, consisting of his wife, Mar- garet, and their children-two sons, three daugh-

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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 38

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