Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 47

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 47

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EORGE M. WARRICK, senior member of the firm of George M. Warrick & Sons, dealers in general groceries, Washington, is a native of the county, born in Amwell township February 28, 1831. His grand- father moved, in 1795, from New Jersey to Beaver county, Penn., where he died.

Jonathan T. Warrick, father of George M., was ten years old when he first came to Washington county, and seventeen when he finally returned to it, after a residence for a time in Beaver county. In this county he taught school until he was twenty- six years old, when he commenced carpentering and cabinet making, but finally abandoned those trades for farming, first in Amwell township till 1835, afterward in East Finley township, where he died in 1846, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a surveyor in the county. About the year 1820 he was married to Miss Mary Slack, a na- tive of Washington county, whose parents were of English descent, and came here from New Jersey. To Mr. and Mrs. Warrick were born nine children, as follows: Sarah, wife of Jackson Harshman, in South Strabane township; James, married to a Miss Wilson, died in Davenport, Iowa, at the age of sixty-six years; Matilda, an invalid from the age of eighteen years, died in 1890; Mary, de-

ceased wife of George Ely (one of her sons, Dr. Ely, lives in Washington, Penn.); Charlotte, wife of Elijah Coulson, of Buffalo township; William W., married in 1855 to a Miss Wylie, who died in 1891 (he was a contractor for ten years in com- pany with his brother George M., later went into the grocery business with him, but in 1873 he withdrew from the firm; he now resides in Wash- ington); George M. is the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth is the wife of W. K. Long, of Washing- ton, and Hannah C. is living in Washington. The mother of this family passed from earth in 1847, in East Finley township.

George M. Warrick was educated in the schools of his native township, and worked on his father's farm until sixteen years of age, when, his parents being now dead, he came to Washington, and passed one summer on a farm adjoining the town. He then commenced learning the trade of carpen- ter, and two years later began the business for his own account. When about twenty years of age he went to Chicago, then a growing city of 30,000 in- habitants. Returning to Washington, he for some years followed contracting, after which, in 1858, he embarked in mercantile business at his present stand, forming a partnership with his brother William W., the style of the firm being G. M. & W. W. Warrick. About 1866 they bought the Washington flouring mills, in partnership with John M. Wilson, carrying on both it and the grocery business. Some seven years later William W. Warrick retired from both concerns, and our sub- ject and Wilson continued together till 1887, when they sold out the mill to Zelt Bros , Wilson also retiring from the grocery. Mr. Warrick then associated his two sons with him in the grocery business, in which they still continue.

In 1855 Mr. Warrick was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wilson, of Taylorstown, daughter of William Wilson, and five children have been born to them, viz. : Matilda Belle, wife of Rev. McCarroll, a Presbyterian minister at Waynesboro, Penn. ; William J., married to Anna Polen, and then removed to Plattsmouth, Neb., where he car- ried on a drug business seven years, then sold, returned to Washington, and is now with his father in the store; John W., with his father; Rachel and Jennie, both at home with their parents. Mr. Warrick has been a member of the M. E. Church since eighteen years of age. When he united with the First M. E. Church of Washington there were 300 members. Politically he was a Democrat up to the Buchanan election, when he enlisted in the Republican ranks. Our subject is a typical self- made man, having had nothing but his own efforts, industry and enterprise to aid him, and when he went into business he possessed but a few hundred dollars. He never speculated, and never incurred a debt that he could not pay inside of six days.

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D AVID E. BAKER, senior member of the well-known firm of Baker & Worrell, jew- elers, was born in Amwell township, Janu- ary 5, 1849, a son of Nathan and Maria (Horn) Baker. His education was received at the common schools and Lone Pine Academy, the chief part of his time being passed in the customary duties of the farm until he was twenty four years of age.

In 1873 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of George Swart, of Amwell township, and two children were born to them, viz. : Winnie Myrtle and Lida Ray. Lida Ray died November 30, 1889. The mother died in 1883, at the age of thirty-four years, and in 1887 Mr. Baker married Lizzie, daughter of Dr. Elijah Hoffman, formerly of Buffalo township, this county, now of Wisconsin. To this marriage one child was born- Frank N. Mr. Baker opened out a general merchan- dise store at Amity, Amwell township, in 1873, which he carried on until 1880, when he sold out. In 1885 he came to Washington borough, where he formed a partnership with George Brady, in the jewelry business, which continued three years, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Baker took as a partner a Mr. McConaghy, but in April, 1891, the latter retired, and Frank N. Worrell took his place, the style of the firm being now, as already intimated, Baker & Worrell, general jewelers. The firm are popular and enterprising, keeping well abreast of the times in their line. Socially Mr. Baker is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and National Union. In politics lie is a Republican, and in religion a member of the First M. E. Church of Washington. His home is on Prospect avenue, on the edge of South Strabane township.

W ILLIAM P. HASTINGS, proprietor of one of the leading hardware stores in Washington, is of English descent, his paternal grandfather having emigrated from the "Old Country " to America, mak- ing a settlement in Washington, this county, where he followed the trade of saddler, and passed the rest of his life. He had children, of whom John C. is deceased; William (now deceased) lived .near Brownsville, this county; Samuel died in Indiana; Henderson is deceased; Mary is the wife of Hiram Swart, of Amwell township; and Nancy is deceased.

John C. Hastings was born in Washington, this county, in 1818, and received his education at tlie local schools. He commenced life a poor boy, and when but eight years of age began to work in Jonathan Martin's fulling mill, but later was em- ployed on the National pike under this same Martin, who was one of the contractors. He learned the carpenter's trade with Joshua Martin, a

brother of the above-mentioned Martin, and fol- lowed the trade until 1848, when he was appointed clerk in the postoffice under Jonathan Leet. In 1850 he opened on his own account a grocery store, where Brady's jewelry store now stands, and in 1860 formed a partnership with R. F. Strean, in hardware and agricultural implements. He bought Strean's interest in 1869, and in 1871 he removed the hardware business to the store which his son, William P., now keeps. In 1878 he asso- ciated the latter with him, which alliance continued until the father's death April 16, 1888, he being then seventy-seven years old. He was originally a Demo- crat, but in 1856 became a Republican; in religion he was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Hastings was twice married, first to a daughter of James Nichol, of Washington county, whose im- mediate ancestry were agriculturists in the early days of the county. In 1852 Mr. Hastings mar- ried Miss Hannah, daughter of Huston Paul, and two children were born to them: William P. and Anna G., wife of W. S. Harrah, of Allegheny.

William P. Hastings was born at Washington, Penn., March 22, 1853. He received a liberal education at the common schools of the borough, and in 1870 commenced clerking in his father's store; in 1878 he was admitted as a partner, as already related. He was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of A. B. Aslıbrook, of Buffalo township, in 1875, and two bright boys have come to bless their home: Harry, born in 1877, and William, born in 1883. Mr. Hastings is one of the well- known and enterprising young business men of Washington, and represents a family whose pro- gressiveness and integrity have never been ques- tioned.

D AVID McMILLEN CAMPSEY, one of the leading representative and substantial cit- izens of the county, is a native of the same, having been born October 13, 1843, in Donegal township.

His grandfather, James Campsey, a farmer by occupation, was born June 22, 1772, in Mounter- tany, Parish of Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland, and in 1794 emigrated to America in the ship "Liberty." In 1792 he had married Elizabeth Johnson, of the same county, born February 1, 1770, and when he immigrated to the United States he was accompanied by his faithful wife and two children: William, born July 1, 1793, and John, born May 4, 1796. For a few years, or until 1801, they lived east of the mountains, and then proceeded westward to Washington county, Penn., making a settlement about two miles south of Claysville, this section being at that time an unbroken and sparsely settled wilderness. When they arrived, the neighbors formed a "bee," and built them a

James Campsey Sw

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log cabin; the foundation of which was four stumps, one for each corner, but one day being occupied in its erection. Here our little pioneer family made their home, gradually surrounding themselves with the necessaries and comforts of life, and here four more children came to enlarge the domestic circle: Margaret, born February 20, 1798; Joseph, born February 20, 1800; James, born February 20, 1803, and Rebecca, born June 2, 1805. The head of this pioneer family was a vigorous, energetic man, incessantly and assiduously toiling to make a home for his little ones, and to convert the forest wild into a fertile farm. On November 23, 1843, the loving partner of his bosom was called from earth, and Mr. Campsey, having then made an equitable division of his property, which was con- siderable, retired from active labor, and passed the remaining portion of his days on earth with his son James. He died September 1, 1851, full of years and honor, and was laid to rest by the side of his wife in Claysville cemetery. All their chil- dren lived to adult ages, excepting Margaret, who died in her girlhood.

James Campsey, the third son of this pioneer, was born February 20, 1803, in Donegal town- ship, this county, and attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood, the building being made of logs, while the interior was furnished in the most primitive manner, the seats being merely slabs, and the writing desk another slab, supported by pegs driven into the wall. The fire- place, which occupied the greater part of one end of the school-room, was a "yawning chasm," wherein was thrown the wood, which was cut by the scholars. The books used in those early times were the English Reader, the U. S. Spelling Book and the Western Calculator. Mr. Campsey was a natural mechanic, and could turn his hand to almost any kind of work in that line, being very ingenious and skillful. He constructed a distill- ery complete, including all the plant, which he operated for some time, until he became aware of the harm liquor was doing among those who could not discriminate between use and abuse; he then gave up the business, and disposed of the plant. Mr. Campsey was twice married, the first occasion on November 7, 1827, to Isabella Daugh- erty. a native of Washington county, born April 21, 1811, by which union there were five children: Mary Ann, born May 29, 1830; Harriet, born No- vember 18, 1832; Margaret E., born May 19, 1835; James D., born May 24, 1838, and a son. unnamed, born November 2, 1840, dying four days after- ward. The mother of this family departed this life April 29, 1841, and March 10, 1842, Mr. Campsey wedded Mrs. Susanna Ralston (also a native of County Down, Ireland), widow of James Ralston, and daughter of David McMillen, of the same township, and two children (twins) came to

this union: David M. (subject of sketch), and Rebecca, born October 13, 1843, died February 19, 1876. Soon after his first marriage James Camp- sey purchased of Samuel Stokely a valuable farm property, comprising 352 acres of prime land lying one and one-half miles north of Claysville, to which he moved and where he followed farming till December, 1869, when he removed to Clays- ville, and there lived a retired life, having amassed a comfortable sufficiency by hard toil and earnest- ness of purpose. On April 4, 1883, he was called from earth, his wife having preceded him to the long home September 24, 1874. Mr. Campsey was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Clays- ville, Mrs. Campsey being a member of the U. P. Church of South Buffalo. In politics he was originally a Whig, in later years a Republican.

D. M. Campsey received his primary education at the common school of his district, and in 1862 entered Millsborough Normal School, where he re- mained one year; in 1863 he prosecuted his studies in Carversville Institute, and October 19, 1865, commenced a commercial course at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he graduated in February, 1866. After his grad- uation, he entered the employ of Lord & Taylor, of New York, with whom he remained some time. On April 7, 1870, having returned to his native county, our subject opened a dry-goods store in Claysville, which he carried on eleven years, and then in 1878 formed a partnership with R. B. Daugherty, in the same line at West Alexander, at the same time conducting a hardware store in Clays- ville, in company with William Wilson. For many years he has been engaged in the wool and grain trade, buying and selling, and he is now largely interested in the oil business.

On July 31, 1873, Mr. Campsey was married to Addie K., daughter of David Kennedy, and the names of the children born to them are James Arthur (died September 22, 1876, at the age of thirteen months), George A., Susannah J., David M. (born March 26, 1883, died July 29, 1891), and Donald McLain. The family are adherents of the U. P. Church at Claysville, of which Mr. Campsey has been a member of Session since 1885. Polit- ically he is a Republican, and an active worker in the party. Fired by a spirit of patriotism during the Civil war, heenlisted for three months in Com- pany D, Forty-fifth P. V. I., serving the full term of his enlistment.

H UGH ALLISON ROGERS. Hugh Rodgers (for so the name was originally spelled) came, in company with a sister, from his native Ireland to America, and made a set- tlement in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn. He participated in the Revolutionary war. He was twice married, his first wife dying

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soon after marriage; his second wife was Miss Mary Cowden, of Chartiers township, who bore him children as follows: Mary Ann, who died October 11, 1844, aged twenty-one years; John C., who died August 14, 1845; Elizabeth, married to Rev. John Stream, of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Ebenezer Kerr, who died September 8, 1886, and Caroline, matron of the Washington County Home. The father of this family died September 7, 1845.

Ebenezer Kerr Rodgers was born October 17, 1828, in Washington county, Penn., and was reared to farming pursuits, which he followed for some time, but on account of ill health was obliged to abandon and seek some lighter open-air employ- ment. During the remainder of his life he dealt in stock, and for a time was interested in a livery stable, which stood where Bane Bros. now are, in Washington. On March 4, 1850, he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Hugh Allison, of Chartiers township.

John Allison, grandfather of Mrs. Ebenezer K. Rodgers, was a native of Scotland, whence he came with his family to America about the year 1780, and made a settlement in the wild woods of Wash- ington county, Penn., which teemed with ferocious animals and hostile Indians. The settlers at that time never went abroad from their log houses with- out their trusty rifles, not even to church meeting, which was held in an old log edifice that stood near where is now the borough of Canonsburg. Serv. ices were often held in the open air, but, later, another and a better church building was erected at Buffalo. John Allison married Jennette Brown- lee, and by her had children as follows: Gavin, born January 29, 1759; Archibald, born Septem- ber 29, 1760; William (1), born May 23, 1764, died in infancy; William (2), born September 23, 1765; James, born April 8, 1768; Thomas, born June 30, 1770, became one of the first ministers in Washington county; Ebenezer, born June 10, 1771, died in infancy, and Hugh, born December 2, 1773. The parents of this family both departed this life in Chartiers township, the father about the year 1790, and they now rest in the graveyard at Buffalo.

Hugh Allison, son of John, was four times mar- ried; the first time before he was twenty-one years of age, to Miss Irwin, of Buffalo township, who died leaving one child, Jane, born July 12, 1795, who married George Morrison, and lived to the ad- vanced age of eighty-three years. Hugh Allison's second marriage was with a daughter of John Brownlee, and she died leaving two children: Eliza, born August 9, 1800, married to William Scott and died in Ohio, and Annie, born December 3, 1801, deceased when young. Mr. Allison's third marriage was with Miss McBride, of Washington county, and by her he had children as follows: Maria Reed, born February 12, 1805; Rebecca McBride,

born September 2, 1807, married to John Hanna; Hugh, born April 27, 1810, died young; John and Thomas, both deceased. Mr. Allison's fourth wife was Jane Gabby, born December 14, 1771, in Washington county, daughter of James and Jean- ette Gabby. By this marriage eight children were born, of whom the following is a brief record: Jane, born August 11, 1822, is now the widow of Joseph McNary; James, born September 18, 1824, is now in Nebraska; Margaret, born March 6, 1826, married Ebenezer Kerr Rodgers, and died October 9, 1892; Archibald H., born November 24, 1827, is now in Chartiers township; Hugh B., born April 20, 1830, lives in Des Moines, Iowa; a daughter (name not given), died unmarried; Ann Henderson, born June 27, 1833, lives in Chartiers township, and Ebenezer, born August 12, 1835, lives on the old home farm in Chartiers township. The father of these families died September 2, 1853, at the age of eighty years. He was from early manhood an elder in the North Buffalo Seceder Church, was a prominent temperance advocate, and succeeded in having the first temperance society formed in his vicinity. He was one of the first to refuse liquor to farm hands while working in the field. He was a great reader, and had a large library of books. He was a man of strong will, of very pro- nounced opinions, and was an advocate of women's rights. At the time of his death, which occurred suddenly from an attack of colic in 1853, he was the owner of 400 acres of land in Chartiers town- ship. His widow passed from earth December 14, 1870, aged eighty years.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer K. Rodgers remained a year on thefarm, and then re- moved into the borough of Canonsburg, where they resided sixteen years; thence, in 1867, moved into . Washington, where their home has since been. The children born to them are seven in number, viz. : Jane A., at home; Hugh Allison and Eben- ezer Allison, both in Washington; Mary, at home; John C., in McDonald, Washington county; Frank F., in Indianapolis, Ind .; and Harry Hanna, a civil engineer engaged by the Pennsylvania Rail- road. On September 8, 1886, the father of this family departed from earth, having for the last year of his life been confined to the house. He was a good business man, possessed of a very even, quiet disposition, and at all times exercised great patience. In his political preferences he was a Republican, and in religious sentiments a member of the U. P. Church of Washington.

HUGH ALLISON ROGERS was born September 24, 1855, in Canonsburg, Washington Co., Penn., where he received a portion of his education at the public schools. About the year 1867 he came with the rest of his father's family to Washington, and there, at the public schools of the borough, and by a short attendance at Washington College, com-

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pleted his education. He then commenced the study of law in the office of John W. & Alvan Donnan, and on finishing his studies was admitted to the bar of Washington county in 1882, prior to which he had been appointed a notary public. In 1884 he was appointed cashier of the People's Light & Heat Company, which position he is now holding. Politically he is a Republican, a strong worker for his party, but no office-holder. He is a member of the U. P. Church, and librarian in same; was at one time a lientenant in the National Guards of Pennsylvania, serving some eight or nine years. On September 30, 1885, Mr. Rogers married Miss Mary J. Murray, who was born September 23, 1861, a daughter of John Murray, of Washington. One bright little girl has come to brighten their home, named Florence, born July 18, 1889, and one boy, named Hugh Donnan, born January 5, 1893. The family resi- dence is on Jefferson avenue, in Canton township.

M ICHAEL RYAN, proprietor of Washing- ton Carriage Works, was born at Bing- hamton, N. Y., September 16, 1851. His parents, Martin and Mary (Fitzpat- rick) Ryan, natives of County Galway, Ireland, came to America in 1847, and made their first home in New York State, where their three children were born; subsequently the family moved to Ohio, and thence, about the year 1854, to Wash- ington county. The father died in Ohio, and his widow afterward married John Maloney, who was killed on the railroad July 12, 1866. She resided with her son Michael until she died, on January 28, 1892, at the age of seventy-five years. The chil- dren born to her marriage with Martin Ryan are Bridget, wife of Henry Kane, of Donegal town- ship; and Michael and James, both residents of Washington, Penn.

Michael Ryan, of whom this notice is written, obtained his education in the common schools of Washington county, and very early in life, owing to the limited circumstances of his parents, had to earn his own living. In 1868 he entered the car- riage works of S. B. & C. Hayes, where he re- mained until he finished his apprenticeship, and then commenced work with Hayes & Wilson, re- maining in their employ about eleven years. In 1881. in conjunction with his brother, he estab- lished a carriage factory, the style of the firm be- ing Washington Carriage Works, Ryan Bros., proprietors, for the manufacture of light carriages. This partnership continued until January, 1891, when his brother retired. Mr. Michael Ryan has conducted the business alone since that time. In 1889 a commodions brick building was erected on East Beau street, which, in 1891, was remodeled and enlarged, and the industry has grown until it

is now one of the foremost manufacturing estab- lishments of Washington, and in the carriage build- ing line it is in reality the only one devoted exclu- sively to the making of light vehicles in Washing- ton. Mr. Ryan commenced life a poor boy, but by energy, perseverance, and strict attention to business he has deservedly earned an almost phe- nomenal success. He never married. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been a member of Washington borough council.

AMES W. KUNTZ enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest residents of Wash- ington borough. His grandfather, Michael Kuntz, a laborer by occupation, came unac- companied, in 1788, from Lancaster county, Penn., to Washington county, and bought land where now stands Brady's jewelry store, in the borough of Washington.

Here Michael Kuntz built a cabin, but on ac- count of the Indians his family did not come out until May, 1790. He returned to Lancaster county, and there died in 1794; he was a Freemason of high standing. His widow survived him until about the year 1850, when she was called from earth at the advanced age of eighty-five years; she was his second wife, and there is no record of any children by his first marriage. " To his second union five children were born, of whom we find the names of George, Jacob, Sophia (Mrs. George Burker, for- merly of Washington) and Mrs. Reddick (deceased). The family crossed the mountains on pack horses, the packs or saddle-bags being made of homemade linen, and when the little boys were tired walking they were placed in the pockets of these saddle bags.

George Kuntz, born in Lancaster county, Penn., January 25, 1785, was about six years old when brought to Washington, and here he lived at the same place about fourscore years, dying July 18, 1870. He was a hatter, who, in 1810, opened a factory in 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, viz .: Michael and James W., both in Washington; one that died in infancy; Brady, a physician, who died in Wash- ington March 26, 1863; Sophia, who married Charles Hayes, and died in Washington in 1854; Philip, who also died in Washington, 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. He was a Freemason, having been initiated in 1824. The mother died April 21, 1884, aged eighty-four years.

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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 47

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