Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 48

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 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

James W. Kuntz was born February 20, 1821,

282

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

in an old log house which stood on the same piece of land on which he now resides. He received his rudimentary education at the public schools of the borough, and later attended Washington College, at which time he became acquainted with James G. Blaine. He learned the trade of cabinet maker with Thomas Bryson, ultimately buying a half-in- terest in the business, in which he continued several years. In 1849, being seized with the "gold fever," he set out for California, across the plains, the journey occupying six months. His health, beginning to fail in that land of promise, and having a friend whose mind was affected, lie concluded, in 1851, to return to Pennsylvania. While en route the friend became totally demented, jumped overboard and was drowned, and Mr. Kuntz, now alone, continued his homeward trip. He then opened a leather store in Washington, which he carried on successfully for twenty years, when he sold out and moved on his farm in Frank- lin township, but in 1887 returned to Washington, where he now lives comparatively retired. In 1865 Mr. Kuntz married Nancy, a daughter of Samuel Workman, of Washington. No children have been born to them. Politically he is a Demo- crat, and has served as burgess of Washington some six or seven years. Socially he is a Freemason.

C HARLES G. McILVAIN, a young attorney of Monongahela, and a progressive, native- born citizen of the county, is a lineal de- scendant of the time-honored pioneer, Greer McIlvain, who came to this county from the east- ern part of the State prior to 1788, and patented a large tract of land in Somerset township.

Charles G. was born April 6, 1862, in Carroll township, a son of Greer and Elizabeth (Williams) McIlvain, the former of whom was a grandson of the pioneer Greer McIlvain, a sketch of whom and the immediate ancestry of our subject appears else- where. Charles G. received his primary education at the common schools of his district, and at the age of fifteen he entered the Southwestern Normal School at California, Penn., on leaving which he for some time attended Jefferson Academy. He then entered the law school in connection with the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1885, and on his return home was admitted to the bar of Pittsburgh. He has succeeded in build- ing up a large practice and highly respectable cli- entage in that city, and along the Monongahela valley.

On April 9, 1890, Mr. McIlvain was married to Nancy M., daughter of Capt. Peter Donaldson, of Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn., and one child, Ruth, has come to brighten their home. Mr. Mc- Ilvain is a Republican in politics, and resides at Monongahela.

W K. LONG, one of the best-known bus- iness men of Washington and second to none in popularity, in the county, as a dealer in footwear, is a native of Wash- ington, Penn., where he first saw the light November 13, 1835.

His father, William Long, was born in August, 1786, in Manheim township, Lancaster Co., Penn., where he learned the wagon maker's trade. About the year 1800 he came to Washington, where he established himself in the wagon making business, which he carried on up to the time of his death in 1848. By industry he amassed a competence, but lost it all through ill advised liberality and mis- placed confidence in human nature. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. In 1822 he mar- ried Miss Catherine, daughter of John Krider. (This John Krider conducted a farm in Canton township, but removed to Illinois, where he was thrown from a horse, receiving injuries from which he died at Fulton, Ill., at the age of eighty-four years.) To William and Catherine Long were born eight children, as follows: Susan, wife of W. W. Davis, of Guernsey county, Ohio; Nancy, John and Catherine (all three deceased-John at the age of twelve, and Catherine when about eight years old); Mary, wife of Jesse Allen, in Knox county, Ohio; W. K., our subject; Eliza, wife of J. O. Vankirk, in Franklin township; and Ellen, married to J. J. McWilliams, near Edinborough, Erie Co., Penn. The mother of this family died in 1872, at the age of seventy-five years, while staying at the house of her daughter, Mrs. W. W. Davis, then living in Canton township.

W. K. Long received his education at the public schools of the place of his birth, and grew to man- hood on the John Coulson farm. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Fifteenth Cavalry (An- derson), in which he served until June, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He was with the army of the Cumberland, participating in its almost innumerable battles and skirmishes, but came through without a wound, although at the battle of Sandridge, Tenn., he had a horse shot under him. He was sick for several months, in 1863, at Nashville, Tenn. On his discharge he returned to his native county, and remained in Buffalo town- ship until 1866, when he came to Washington and clerked for Warrick Bros., grocers and millers, until 1875, in which year he entered into partner- ship with G. M. Warrick & J. M. Wilson, grocers, and at the end of two years they opened out a shoe store where Mr. Long is now established, the part- nership in both industries continuing until July, 1889, when it was dissolved, our subject carrying on the boot and shoe business alone. In Novem- ber, 1872, Mr. Long married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan T. Warrick (a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere), by which union there are two

283

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

children-Mary L. and William W .- both at home. The family are members of the First M. E. Church of Washington. Politically, Mr. Long is a Repub- lican.

IMOTHY HARE. To beautiful Erin, the land of which Moore has so sweetly sung, and which has given to the world so many of its brilliant statesmen, jurists and soldiers, Washington county is indebted for many of hier substantial, progressive and loyal citizens, among whom may be justly included the gentle- man whose name opens this biographical memoir.

Timothy Hare was born in County Clare, Ire- land, in 1838, a son of Timothy and Catherine (Holloran) Hare. The father died there in 1847. When about sixteen years of age (1854) our subject emigrated to America, coming to Washington county, where he first worked on the farm of Robert M. Patterson, of Cross Creek township, for $8 per month, remaining with him two years. He had been barely that length of time in the land of his adoption when he found himself, by dint of hard labor and careful thrift, enabled, though yet but a mere boy, to send means to his native land to bring to Washington county his widowed mother and one of his sisters. The mother died in Washing- ton in 1887 at an advanced age. She was the mother of nine children, all of whom died in Ire- land, save three: Timothy, Bridget (Mrs. Shaugh- nessy) and Mary (Mrs. Farrell), both residents of Pittsburgh, Penn. In 1853 the second sister emi- grated. After a time Mr. Hare commenced the huckstering business, carrying goods to Pitts- burgh each week; then worked a farm in South Strabane township for one year. In 1874 he em- barked in the present grocery business in Washing- ton, in which he has met with exceptional success.

In 1861 our subject was married to Margaret, daughter of Thomas Breen. To them nine chil- dren were born, namely: John F., in Washington; Thomas, near Pittsburgh; Timothy, a tailor in Cadiz, Ohio; James, in Washington; Mary, Cath- erine J., William and Margaret, all at home with their parents; Charles died some sixteen years ago, at the age of six months. Mrs. Hare is a native of Ireland, and was brought to this country when a small child. In 1880 Mr. Hare built the house in Washington, which is now the family home. In religious faith he is a Catholic, in politics a Demo- crat, but at elections he asserts his' right to exer- cise his own judgment, regardless of party lines.

OHN H. MURRAY. The antecedents of this gentleman came to Washington county at an early day. John Murray, his father, married Margaret Henderson, who resided near Clays- ville, this county, and by her had six children,

viz. : Hannah (deceased, was twice married. Her first husband's name being Murphy, and her second husband's Lavery); Michael, now living in Sedalia, Mo .; Charles, James and Thomas (all three deceased), and John H., the subject of this sketch. The father, who was a teamster by occu- pation, died in August, 1830, when John H. was but six months old, the youngest in a family of six children; the mother afterward moved to Illinois, where she died of cholera in 1852.

John H. Murray was born February 12, 1830, in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., and at the common schools of the neighborhood received his education, which, as he had to apply himself. to work on the farm in early boyhood, was of necessity very limited. In 1849 he went West, and for two years followed agricultural pursuits in Illinois, and worked as a farmer and carpenter part of the time in Pennsylvania and the balance of the time in Illinois. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, 22nd P. V. C., and participated in several engagements. In January following his enlist- ment, he was taken sick, for fifteen months was confined in hospital, and after his discharge as a convalescent he cooked for the officers' mess, one year. At the close of his term of service, June 1, 1865, he was mustered out with his company, and he then returned to Washington county, taking up his temporary residence in Buffalo township. Soon afterward he commenced a butcher business in Claysville, which he carried on one year, and then, in 1871, removed to Washington and opened out a meat market on Wheeling street, which in 1874 he moved to Main street, and in 1886 to his present stand, on North Main street. On February 6, 1855, Mr. Murray was married to Sarah A., daughter of Joseph Magill, a resident of the Clays- ville neighborhood, but in 1857 she was taken from earth, leaving one daughter, then only fourteen months old, now the wife of David Sample, Jr., of Washington.

In the spring of 1861 Mr. Murray married, for his second wife, Elizabeth J., daughter of Joseph Hutchison, now deceased. To this union four children were born, viz .: Mary, wife of Hugh Rodgers, Washington; William H., who is in part- nership with his father; Annie, wife of Thomas Blair, of Wheeling street, Washington; and John E., living with his parents. Mr. Murray is one of the many progressive and prosperous self-made men of Washington, and is esteemed by a host of friends whom he has gathered around him by his thorough business habits and social qualities. In his political preferences he is a straight Democrat, but finds no time for office aspirations. His com- fortable and commodious home is on Highland avenue, one of the most beautiful streets in the borough.

284

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

C HRISTOPHER COLUMBUS COOL. As

the student of human nature looks on the men and women who have risen from the ranks to positions of eminence in the world of literature, politics, science, art or religion, he will fain inquire, "Whence came they ? Amid what scenes did these giant minds unfold ? in what social circles were they first introduced to the world which they have conquered?" From the vast majority comes the ringing answer, " The dear old farm was our childhood home; our early social en- joyments were found on the glittering pond, by the woodland river, in the husking bee and the harvest home. Amid these scenes our minds were nurtured, and 'far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife,' we learned from self-sacrificing, toiling parents the lessons of self-denial and per- severance, with which to conquer first ourselves, and then our foemen." God bless the farm and the farmers of our land. They are the rocks on which our nation rests, and the history of their lives should be treasured by every patriotic citizen of America.

Gilbert Cool was born about the year 1794, east of the Alleghany Mountains, and came to Wash- ington county, when a young man. He decided to learn the blacksmith's trade, and accordingly en- tered a shop of one John McConnell, living near Paris, where he learned his trade. His employer had a fair young sister-in-law, Rebecca Moore, and Rebecca soon became the bride of Gilbert Cool. They located in Frankfort, Beaver Co., Penn., where he followed his trade, and being both ener- getic and industrious, soon acquired a comfortable property. Time passed on, and one by one chil- dren came to bless their union, until the following names were added to their family circle: William (who died at the age of forty years), was a farmer of Allegheny county, Penn. ; John, a farmer living in Allegheny county; Augustine, also residing on a farm in Allegheny county; Christopher Columbus, mentioned below; Thomas, an agriculturist of Allegheny county; Sarah, deceased in youth; Verlinda, deceased wife of William Dawson; and Alice, deceased wife of Philip Strouse, of Beaver county, Penn. Some years after his marriage Mr. Cool purchased and moved upon a farm near Flor- ence, in Hanover township, which he afterward sold at a handsome profit, and then bought 175 acres in Findley township, Allegheny Co., Penn., where his remaining years were passed. He was a hard-working, successful business man, and in politics was an Old-line Whig, afterward uniting with the Republican party. He possessed a robust constitution, and was ill but for a short time be- fore his death, which occurred November 9, 1879, followed by his wife a year later. They are buried side by side in Hopewell cemetery, Allegheny

county. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Christopher Columbus Cool was born April 7, 1839, near Florence, Washington county. He re- ceived his earlier education at the common schools of the neighborhood and then took a short course at Mt. Union College, Stark county, Ohio, fitting himself for school teaching. After leaving col- lege, he, in company with several classmates, made a western tour, visiting the principal cities of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia, many of the present large cities of those States being bnt villages at that time. He taught school in Wayne county, Ill., also in many of the western towns, and having satisfied his curiosity concerning the resources of the western States, returnedto the home farm, teaching school during the winter season. On June 14, 1865, he was united in marriage with Eliza Jane Culbert- son, who was born September 7, 1839, being the youngest of three children born to David and Elizabeth (Whittaker) Culbertson. Her father was a representative farmer of Hanover township, and was for many years an elder in the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church at Florence, this county. Two daughters have been born to the union of Christopher Columbus Cool and Eliza Jane Cool, namely: Allie Etta, and Effie Dora, both of whom are living at liome. Since his marriage Mr. Cool has resided on his father-in-law's farm, one half of which was purchased, successfully devoting his at- tention to agriculture and stock raising. He is a progressive, energetic citizen, thoroughly posted on ge neral topics, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Florence.

- OHN P. WILSON. The family of which this gentleman is a worthy representative are of North of Ireland descent. Robert Wilson, the grandfather of our subject, emigrated to this country, and made a settlement on a farm in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., where he died. He had married a Welsh lady, who bore him seven children: James, William E., Thomas, Isabel (Mrs. Buchanan), Mary, Annie and Jane (Mrs. James Campbell)-all now deceased.

William E. Wilson, father of John P., was in his day a prominent agriculturist of Smith township, this county, where he bought a farm and made a settlement April 10, 1829. He had married, in 1822, Miss Margaret, daughter of John Park, a sketch of whose family follows this. To this union were born eight children, viz .: Sarah Ann; Sam- uel P., in Burgettstown, Penn .; Martha (widow of Alexander Russell), also in Burgettstown; Nancy (deceased); Isabella; John P .; Rebecca, of Bur-

285

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

gettstown, and William L., who lately moved to that town. The parents both passed away on their farm in Smith township, the father in 1871, at the age of nearly fourscore years, and the mother in 1884, at the age of eighty-four years; they were members of the Seceder Church of Burgettstown, he being an elder in same.

John P. Wilson was born December 11, 1837, on the old home farm in Smith township, and lived thereon until he was twenty-nine years of age. On January 10, 1867, he was married to Miss Jane, daughter of John Reed, Esq., a descendant of the Reeds, who came in 1775 from Lancaster county, Penn., to this county. They settled in Mt. Pleas- ant township, on what is now known as the Mc- Bride farm, where they made improvements. This land, they claim, was unjustly taken from them by Gen. Washington. Being thus deprived of their land in Mt. Pleasant township, the family moved to Cecil township, wheretheir descendants are now to be found. David Reed married Margaret May, who bore him eight children, all now deceased, viz .: Alexander, David, Polly (Mrs. George Mur- ray), John (father of Mrs. John P: Wilson), James, Joseph, Jennie, and one that died in infancy. John Reed graduated from college when sixteen years old and on November 24, 1821, settled down to farm life in Mt. Pleasant township, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was mar- ried to Jane May, of Cecil township, and nine chil- dren were born to them: Phoebe (deceased); Margaret, in Washington county; David, in Bur- gettstown; John (deceased); George Murray, living at the old home; Jane, wife of John P. Wilson; Samuel, in McDonald, this county; Mary, at home, and Elizabeth, in Cecil township. The mother of this family died in 1844, aged forty-one years; the father in 1877, at the patriarchal age of ninety- one years. Politically he was first a Whig, after- ward a Republican; for many years he served as a justice of the peace, and for several terms he was in the State Legislature; for twenty-five years or more he was a member of the Seceder Church at Hickory. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wilson remained in Smith township twenty-two years, then for two years resided in Canonsburg, whence in April, 1891, they moved into the borough of Washington, where they have a pleasant home, the residence having been built by their two sons -J. Reed and William Park-who comprise all their family. John P. Wilson has been a lifelong agriculturist, but is now, although still retaining his farm, retired from active work in that line.

THE PARK FAMILY. Tradition says that in 1787 John Park, then twenty eight years of age, was mar- ried in Washington county, by Rev. John McMillan, D. D., to a young daughter of Hon. John McDowell, of Chartiers township. This John Park was born December 18, 1758, a son of Samuel and Mary

Park, who came hither before their marriage, from the North of Ireland, the voyage lasting six months, on the same vessel. Samuel Park was an importer of horses from the mother country, and in pursuit of his business he made three trips to the land of his birth. In this country he settled in Donegal township, Lancaster Co., Penn. In the fall of 1777 he came to Washington county, and for the sum of £450, or about $2,160, pur- chased of Matthew Rodgers some 566 acres of wild land, the bill of sale being dated December 7, 1777. He then returned to Lancaster county, and sent out his sons, John and James, to clear some of this land, which they did, also erecting a log cabin and planting a crop, their sister Isabella ac- companying them, to keep house for them. Sam- uel Park was a hardworking, industrious man, widely known and respected for his strict integ- rity.

James Park, one of his sons, was born in 1760. He was with Col. William Crawford in his expedi- tion against the Indians in northwestern Ohio, in 1782. His wife was Isabella Craighead, and their children were: Samuel; George; James (deceased December 8, 1811); Mary, married in 1782 to Col. John Marshall (They then settled on Cross Creek, this county. Col. Marshall was born in 1746, and when the Revolutionary war broke out he entered the pitriot army as a subaltern; he participated in thirteen battles, and at Trenton was severely wounded, a bullet entering his left side; was then promoted, and after the surrender of Cornwallis was made a brevet-major, Gen. Washington pre- senting him with a sword, which is now in the pos- session of his grandson, C. R. Marshall, of Rich- land county, Ohio. The Colonel lost a brother at the battle of Brandywine. Col. Marshall took part in the Whiskey Rebellion, was one of the "Coun- cil of Safety" held at Mingo Creek July 23, 1794, and at Monongahela City August 14, following, he presented the resolutions which were adopted; he was colonel of a volunteer regiment. In 1802 he was elected to the Ohio State Legislature, and reelected in 1803-04. He died in Ohio September 27, 1821, his wife several years later. They were the parents of ten children); Isabella Park was born in 1764, and was married in 1784, to Robert McGee, by whom she had five children (he died in 1796, his widow passing away in Clark county, Ind.); Hugh Park, born in 1767, died while a young man.

John and Sarah Park for a time lived in two small cabins, a few feet apart, but later removed to the homestead, or "Deer Park," as it was called upon the death of John's father. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the following is a brief sketch: Agnes, born July 31, 1783 (was mar- ried to John White); Jolin, born September 16, 1792 (married in 1820, to Ann Colmery, who died

286

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

January 8, 1823, and he afterward, in 1827, mar- ried Martha Conley); Samuel, born December 25, 1795 (graduated from Jefferson College, afterward taught school, also surveyed; died in 1823, from the effects of a fall from a roof); William, born July 15, 1797 (in 1831 bought 300 acres of land in Peters township; in 1833 he married Jane Law; was a member of the board of trustees of Jefferson College; a director of the Chartiers Valley Railroad; thirty years an elder of Centre Church; died November 6, 1870); Margaret, born March 15, 1800 (married in 1822, to William E. Wil- son); James was born November, 30, 1802; Isa- bel, born May 16, 1805 (married in 1831, to Henry Vance); Sarah, born December 18, 1807 (married John Hickman); McDowell was born March 6, 1810; Rebecca, born November 14, 1814 (married James Rankin, of Washington, Penn., and died April 18, 1875). The father of this family served as a scout in the Revolutionary war.

W C. CRAVIN is a son of Thomas Cravin, who was a native of Mifflin county, Penn., where he was reared and educated. Wlien a young man he went to Guernsey county, Ohio, and was there married to Safah Chalfant, a native of that county, who bore him six children, namely: Mary, wife of John Reed; Edith, married to Robert Jobes; Rachel, deceased; W. C .; Thomas, and Tilson, who died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Cravin was married to Caroline Ingraham. He was a painter by trade, and followed that business throughout active life. He came to Brownsville, Penn., soon after his first marriage, and in 1852 went to California, Penn., where he died in 1886, and was buried in that village. In politics he was formerly an Abolitionist, then united with the Republican party, and in religion was a member of the M. E. Church, which he served as class-leader and steward.

W. C. Cravin was born February 16, 1843, in Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn., and came with his parents to California, Washington Co., Penn., when but nine years of age. He attended the Cal- ifornia Normal School, also Duff's Business Col- lege, at Pittsburgh. On September 21, 1861, he en- listed in Company C, 85th P. V. I., and was first sent to Washington, D. C., thence to the army of the Potomac. He was in the Peninsular campaign, and being sent to North and South Carolina, took part in the battles in the latter State. When Grant took command of the army of the Potomac, W. C. Cravin again entered that division, and partici- pated in Grant's advance on Richmond. After the expiration of the three years for which he had entered the service, he re enlisted, and was appoint- ' ed captain of Company E, 199th Regiment P. V. I.

He served in that rank until mustered out at Rich- mond June 25, 1865, when he returned to Wash- ington county, Penn. On December 4, 1866, he was united in marriage with Nancy, daughter of Samuel Ray. In 1867 Mr. Cravin opened a grocery establishment which he conducted for twelve years, when he sold out and in 1882 entered the employ- ment of the Yohe brothers, with whom he is yet engaged. In political opinion he affiliated with the Republican party until the Prohibition move- ment was organized, with which he is now in hearty sympathy. In religious faith lie is a member of the M. E. Church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 48

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