Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 50

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 50

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To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were born six children, of whom the following is a succinct record: Ed- ward M., pastor of the Tremont M. E. Church at Boston, Mass. (in 1872 he graduated from Wash- ington and Jefferson College, and afterward with first honors at Boston School of Divinity; was on the circuit for a time, prior to locating in Massa- chusetts; married Miss Mary Bradford, a descend- ant of a "May Flower " family); James Franklin, the subject proper of this sketch; Emma, wife of John A. Hall, assistant postmaster at Washington, Penn .; Alice, who died at the age of eleven years; William Nelson, senior member of the firm of Tay- lor & Speer, in the iron commission business at Pittsburgh, and who married a daughter of Ste- phen Crump; Susan Jane, wife of Dr. Maurer, of Washington.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor remained on the farm until 1866, when they moved with their family into Washington, for the purpose of educating their children, where he opened a general fresh and salt meat business, including pork packing and stock buying, and formed a partnership with Robert Charlton, which continued till the latter's death, after which Mr. Taylor carried on the business alone till the time of his decease, February 9, 1884, he being then fifty-four years old. He is buried in Washington cemetery. A stanch Republican and a loyal American, he took a strong interest in all national matters, political or otherwise, but was no office seeker. During the war of the Rebellion he was a fearless, out-spoken Union man. frequent- ly even to the extent of exciting the ire of some less loyal acquaintance. He was a consistent member of the M. E. Church, and one of the lead- ers in the congregation in building the new First M. E. church, at Washington, of which he was a trustee. He was a pronounced advocate of educa- tion, and gave his children every advantage pos- sible in that line, sending his sons to college and his daughters to seminaries, and held the office of school director at different times. He was, physic- ally, a strong, vigorous man, but succumbed to

diabetes, from which he was a sufferer for several years. Honest in his dealings, a despiser of shams of all kinds, and a hater of deceit and mendacity, he made and kept hosts of warm friends, who re- spected and honored him for his many virtues. Since his departure, his widow, still hale and hearty, has continued to reside at the old town house on West Wheeling street.

James Franklin Taylor was about twelve years old when the family moved to Washington, at the public schools of which place he received a liberal English education. He then entered the prepara- tory department of Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, and continued until the end of the junior year, when he ceased study for a year for recuper- ation, intending to return the following year, but changed his mind when his old classmates had graduated and gone forth. Having decided to take up the legal profession, Mr. Taylor, in 1876, commenced the study of law in the office of Boyd Crumrine, and November 10, 1879, was admitted to the bar of the county. He at once opened an office in Washington and commenced practice; but later returned to Mr. Crumrine's office, where he remained until 1883, in which year he was elected district attorney, and after serving three years was re-elected for another term. There was no opposi- tion to his nomination, as he was very popular with the people, having served with full satisfac- tion to his constituents in previous offices. In 1882 he was chairman of the Republican County Committee, prior to which he had served as secre- tary of the same; was also assistant burgess of the borough of Washington for one term. On Janu- ary 1, 1891, our subject entered into the present partnership with Winfield McIlvaine, making a strong team in the general practice of law. Mr. Taylor's success as alawyer has been such that he has been prominently mentioned for the position of judge of the several courts of his native county. the position twice filled by his great-grandfather, the Hon. Henry Taylor.

In September, 1884, Mr. Taylor married Annie Walton, eldest daughter of Rev. Richard L. Mil- ler, D. D., pastor of an M. E. Church in Pitts- burgh, and of this union have been born three children: Alice, Woodward and Virginia, all at the parental home on East Maiden street imme- diately outside the eastern limits of the borough, the house being of brick, comfortable and com- modious.

Mr. Taylor is a director (was one of the first directors) of the Citizens National Bank, of which he was an original stockholder; and was also one of the three serving as a committee on the erection of a building for the same bank. While a student at college he was a prominent member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

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EORGE T. WALKER. As citizens and individuals, the American people have an insatiable thirst for biographical reading. A great man dies, and the people jostle each other in the library, book store and news stand to obtain the record of his life. What is the secret? Can it be only a vulgar curiosity which promptsus to search the lives of our public men or more humble fellow-citizens? While in some cases it must be admitted that this is indeed one element of the cause, it is not the real motive of the mass, or of even a considerable portion of biographical readers. Our leading public men and more successful citizens have each certain characteristics which have contributed largely to their success, and we, their humble neighbors, need the benefit of their example to guide us in the common walks of duty. We also need the record of lives similar to our own, for we are the same that our fathers have been, and by studying their biographies, we can avoid their mistakes and profit by their wisdom.

The original Walker family were natives of Ireland, the first of whom to emigrate being one George Walker. He was a farmer, and coming to America was married, and reared two children --- Nancy, wife of Zaphaniah Mercer, of Chartiers township, this county, and Thomas. The parents diel many years ago. Thomas Walker was born in 1822 at Bower Hill, Allegheny Co., Penn., and in early life came with his parents to Washington, Penn. He learned the carpenter's trade and fol- lowed it for several years in his native city; tlien moved to Pittsburgh, Penn., but soon returned to Washington. In 1866 he and Mr. Fitzwilliams built a planing mill, Mr. Klevis afterward becom- ing a partner. Thomas Walker was married, while in Pittsburgh, to Elizabeth Wilson (daughter of William Wilson), who bore him children as follows: William, Annie (wife of George Caldwell, of Washington), George T., Robert, Kate, Rowena (Mrs. William Brown, of Washington), Maria (living with her brother George T.) and Burns. Of these children, William, Robert, Kate and Burns are deceased. The father was a general contractor and builder, and in politics a Repub- lican, serving as a member of the council several times, also filling minor offices. He was a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and was always willing to aid others. As a contractor, he had the largest trade of the city, and erected many of the most elegant buildings, among which may be mentioned the United Presbyterian Church, the Second Presbyterian Church, Hazlett's Bank, Reed's Block and several others. In personal appearance he was slightly below the medium height, weighing 240 pounds. He died in 1886, in his sixty-fourth year, of heart trouble, having been preceded to the "'long home" by his wife in 1882.

George T. Walker was born November 7, 1855, in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., and at- tended the public schools until 1870, afterward spending two terms at Washington and Jefferson College. He then entered a planing mill and learned the carpenter's trade, when he was given the position of foreman, which he occupied some time. In 1878 he went to Texas, but not liking that part of the country, returned to Washington. In 1885 he formed a partnership under the firm name of Walker & Son, which continued until 1887, when he associated himself with C. M. Slater in the general contracting and lumber business. On December 25, 1883, George T. Walker married Olive B., daughter of Samuel Fulton, a citizen of Washington. In December, 1890, she was called from earth, leaving two children, Margaret and Thomas. Mr. Walker built the Citizens' National Bank, and many private residences in Washington. In 1884 he erected his present elegant home on West Chestnut street, and is at present engaged in the construction of the college gymnasium. He owns many houses and a considerable amount of real estate in and near Washington City, having dealt in the real estate business quite extensively. He is also interested in the oil business, and is a member of the Producers' Association. In politics Mr. Walker is an active Republican, having held various local offices; for five years he was in Com- pany H, Tenth Regiment State Militia, under Col. Hawkins, of Beallsville, Washington county. In brief, George T. Walker is one of the most pros- perous, well-known and popular business men of Washington.

DALLAS JACKSON, a typical self-made man, whose trade banner bears the legend- "The hammer in the hand above all the arts doth stand"-is a native of Washington county, having been born April 13, 1840, in Hanover township. James Jackson, his grand- father, a native of eastern Pennsylvania, came to Hanover township at an early day where he died. By occupation he was a farmer, in religious faith a member of the M. E. Church, and, in politics, a. Whig. His children were Andrew, John, Noble, Perry and James.

John Jackson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Hanover township, this county, October 5, 1808, his education being received at the subscription schools of his district. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed all his life with marked success in his native town- ship. On March 3, 1836, Mr. Jackson was married to Margaret, daughter of James Matthews, of Lan- caster county, Penn., and they then commenced married life on the farm adjoining that on which he was born. Here he remained some years, when

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he sold this property and removed into the village of Florence, in the same township, where he passed the remainder of his life retired from active labor, dying March 11, 1853. He was an Old-line Whig in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church. The names of his children are as follows: Martha J., Andrew M., John Dallas, Horatio C. and Sarah J.

The subject proper of this biographical memoir received a liberal education at the common schools of his native township, and at the age of fourteen came to Washington, where he entered the employ of S. B. & C. Hayes, as an apprentice to the trade of carriage builder. With this firm he remained some sixteen years, in part as apprentice, in part as journeyman, and then moved to Wheeling, W. Va., but after a stay there of fifteen months re- turned to Washington. In 1874 he opened his present widely-known carriage and wagon shop in the borough, where is also carried on a general line of blacksmithing, employment being given to six hands. Here, by'industry, perseverance, thor- ough, honest work, judicious economy and close attention to business, Mr. Jackson has built up one of the most prosperous houses of the kind in the county. On January 8, 1859, he married Mary E., daughter of Jacob Miller, of Washington, Penn., and the children born to this union are James W., Sarah M., Jacob, John, Susan (de- ceased), Ella, Wray (deceased), Emma, Daisy and Joseph. Our subject is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

M RS. ANICA CHAMBERS, a well-known and much-esteemed lady of Washington borough, is the daughter of Thomas Bar- low, whose ancestors were among the first pioneer settlers of America.

Henry Preble (the grandfather of Mrs. Cham- bers) was descended from one of the oldest pioneer families, the first of his ancestry to set foot on American soil being one Abraham Preble. He sailed from England about the year 1636, with the "men of Kent," and first located in Plymouth county, Mass. Soon after his arrival Abraham Preble was married to Juliette, a daughter of Elder Nathaniel Tilden. and the young couple moved to York, province of Maine, where he died March 30, 1663. Frances Anica Preble. daughter of Henry Preble, was born December 25, 1797, and on July 28, 1817, was married to Thomas Barlow, who was born in 1794 in Connecticut. Five children were born to them, namely: Frances Emma, Anica (Mrs. Chambers), Harriet, Francis Joel and Fred- erick Stephen. The father died in 1859, at Wash- ington, Penn.

Anica (Barlow) Chambers, the subject proper of this sketch, was married in the year 1855 to John

D. Chambers, who was born in 1818, in Washing- ton, Penn. At the age of thirteen years he entered Smith's store as clerk, and afterward became a member of the firm of Chambers & Matthews, the business being established in the block now occu- pied by Morgan's dry-goods store. Mr. Matthews died, and Mr. Chambers then closed up the busi- ness, which was very extensive. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John D. Chambers were: Emma (Mrs. J. S. Humbird), Anica Barlow, Mary (Mrs. C. M. Ward), Henry Preble, and Harriet (who died in 1868). Mr. Chambers died in 1886. He was interested in the gas company, being one of the early stockholders, and in politics was a Repub- lican.

C LEMENT M. SLATER, of the firm of Walker & Slater, builders, and proprietors of a planing mill in the borough of Wash- ington, is a native of the county, born August 9, 1848, in West Alexander. His grand- father, James Slater, married Catherine Martin, and three of their children are David (father of Clement M.), Martin (in West Alexander) and Mrs. McKahan (in Washington, Penn.). James Slater, who was a farmer, died in 1859 in West Alexander at the age of seventy-one years.

David Slater was born February 28, 1818, near West Alexander. He was educated at the sub- scription schools of his neighborhood, and fol- lowed farming pursuits in Washington county till the age of twenty-four, when he moved to Ohio county, W. Va., where he now resides on his farm. In 1847 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Dwight Warren, of New Hamphire, by trade a builder of windmills, and who came in 1837 to Washington county, where he died at the age of seventy years; his wife departed this life some five or six years later. Their children were Mrs. McKeag and Henry C., both in Washington; Rose Warren, living in West Alexander, and Elizabeth. To Mr. and Mrs. David Slater nine children were born, as follows: Clement M .; Rosa; Horace M., a carpenter in Oscaloosa, Iowa; William (deceased); Warren, living near West Alexander, this county; Frank, a farmer at Blue Hill, Neb. ; Augusta, mar- ried to James McMurray, a farmer near West Alexander; Wendell P., farming on the homestead, and Vernon, living at home.

Clement M. Slater received a liberal education at the common schools of the place of his birth, working on his father's farm until he attained the age of sixteen years, when he commenced to learn carpentering in West Alexander. This trade he followed there some three years, and April 7, 1874, came to Washington, and for twelve years worked for Walker & Klevis as journeyman. On the death of both members of this firm, our subject and

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George Walker (son of the old partner) bought out the business, and have since carried it on jointly, their general line being sawing and planing, house building, contracting, etc.

On January 5, 1871, Mr. Slater was married at Constitution, Washington Co., Ohio, to Jennie, daughter of Rhoda Mendelhall. This wife died November 6, 1876, leaving one child, George W., who, on May 4, 1890, was run over by a train on the B. & O. R. R., from the effects of which he died after six hours' suffering, at the age of nearly eighteen years. On March 16, 1887, Mr. Slater married Miss Minerva Taylor, of Parkersburg, W. Va., daughter of Alexander and Delilah Taylor, also natives of that State. No children have been born to this union. Mr. Slater is a Republican, and has filled various offices of trust with consider- able ability. He and his wife are members of the First M. E. Church, he for eighteen years, and is steward of same. He has made his own success in life by strict attention to business, economy and thrift. When he had finished his apprenticeship, all he had to start on was the sum of $2.50, and to-day he is enjoying a well-merited comfortable competence.

L ON M. PORTER, one of the leading and most artistic photographers in Washington, of which he is a native, was born June 24, 1858, a son of Hugh and Nancy Porter. Hugh was a carpenter by trade, and was married in 1855, in Washington county, where they were born. In 1863 Mr. Porter enlisted in Company A, Twenty second Pennsylvania Cavalry (Ringgold Battalion). went South with the regiment and died there of fever, at a place known as New Creek. His widow is still living in Washington.

Lon M. Porter when a boy attended the Soldiers Orphan School, Uniontown, Penn., for five years, and then coming to Washington, learned the photographic art in the studio of John H. Rogers, later working for J. W. Rothwell. In 1878 he went to Pittsburgh, where he improved himself yet more in the art, in the far-famed gallery of Dabbs, remaining some time, and then proceeded to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, making an extended trip to the West and South before he returned to Washington. This was in April, 1883. Here for one year and a half he worked for S. G. Rogers, in the same establishment, where he had learned the business; then moved to Canonsburg, bought a gallery and carried on a profitable busi- ness there for six years. In the meantime he bought Mr. Rogers' studio in Washington, and for some months conducted both businesses, but since August, 1891, he has devoted his entire personal attention to his widely patronized, thoroughly equipped gallery at No. 143 South Main street, in Washington.

Mr. Porter is eminently qualified for his busi- ness, having had excellent training and varied ex- perience. His work is of the best quality, and his patrons are among the first families of Washing- ton and vicinity. Politically, he is a Republican, socially, a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter and a member of the Royal Arcanum. For several years he was a member of the National Guards, belonging to the First Regiment of Phila- delphia. His father died June 20, 1865, aged thirty-five, the mother is still living, aged fifty-five, while but one sister, Mrs. Andrew Brady, is living, her residence being at Cornwall, Penn. One brother who died April 4, 1892, lived in Allegheny City.

D R. SIMON SCHNIDER STROUSS. The first recorded history of the Strouss family in the United States was enacted in North- ampton county, Penn. David Strouss and wife came over from Leipsic, Germany, about the year 1750. Of this date we are not quite certain, but there is conclusive evidence that they sailed about the middle of the eighteenth century.

David Strouss was a musician and also some- whit of a fighter. He was chorister in the German Lutheran Church, and took up arms with his adopted fellow-countrymen in the war of the Rev- olution. That he was a soldier worthy of the name, we know from the fact that he was made colonel under Washington. After the war he settled down to quiet farm life in Northampton county. His son, John Strouss, moved to Al- legheny county, Penn., in 1806. He was a mill- wright by trade, but as he grew older, country life and bucolic charms increased in attractiveness to him, and he started West for his fortune. He pitched his family tent on a little creek in Al- leglieny county, about twenty miles northwest of Pittsburgh, now the junction of Allegheny, Beaver and Washington counties. Here he spent the re- mainder of his days. When asked by his children later in life, why he did not settle nearer the con- fluence of the two rivers, he would reply: " I could see no great advantages then. Pittsburgh was only . a few houses near an old fort. One cart load of produce would supply its daily demand, and if we shipped down the river we were obliged to walk back or row up stream, which was slower and harder work than walking." So he concluded to go farther into the country and establish a little kingdom of his own. We can look back and say: " What a mistake he made." But, perhaps, our conclusion would be too hasty. Viewed from a financial point of view, doubtless it was a mistake; but when we consider the fact that the thread of life has been spun to an unusual length to almost all the descendants of this line, we may credit it

Jimmek hors

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to pure air, sanitary living, and muscle-making necessities of this pioneer farmer.

John Strouss married Mary Schnip, September 10, 1795, and there were born to them four sons and five daughters: Lydia, Elizabeth, Jonas, John, David, Mary, Simon S., Hannah and Martha. Mary Strouss died in 1815, and John was married, the second time, to Annie McCoy. There were born to him of this marriage three sons: William, James and Henry. Of these seven sons, Dr. Simon S. Strouss (whose likeness appears with this sketch) was the youngest of the first marriage. From this brief history of ancestry we can form an idea of the limited pleasures, and opportunities for any- thing else than farm work, that fell to him in his youth. The paterfamilias and his wife and twelve children all believed and practiced strict economy, and the daily catechism of hard work, relieved on Sundays by the austere principles and rigorous ob- servance of "Blue-Stocking " Presbyterianism, which creed, slightly modified, has been adhered to by nearly all this large family.

Dr. Strouss was born in Allegheny county, Penn., Wednesday, January 10, 1810. His educational advantages were necessarily quite limited. Even public schools were unthought of in his neighbor- hood, and he was obliged to search a few of not the best books and pamphlets for his little store of general knowledge. Finally, to his great delight, a Latin school was started in Hopewell church, near his father's farm, and he, having expressed a preference for the medical profession. was per- mitted to study this dry language in all its orig- inal dryness, for a few months. Thus equipped, as to his mental outfit, he came to Washington county and read medicine with Dr. Jonathan Leth- erman, who at that time had an office near Canons- burg. On'a faded sheet of old-fashioned letter paper we find the following: "To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that Simon Strouss has attentively and diligently studied the science of medicine, including anatomy, surgery, midwifery, and therapeutics, and I can further state that his moral character is unimpeachable. February 20, 1831. Jonathan Letherman, M. D." This was his diploma, and now he starts out in the world, fully equipped, as Dr. Strouss. He first went to Pittsburgh, and practiced about one year with Dr. Wray, of that city. In 1832 and 1833 le prac- ticed in Beaver county, located in what is now Independence (then Hopewell) township. He left there in the fall of 1833 and established an office in Amity, Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn. It was there that a long and useful life was spent, in service to his fellow-men. He was eminently successful in every sense of the word. Beloved by his clients and respected by all witlı whom he came in contact. Compared with pres- ent customs, his remuneration for service was

small; yet his practice became so extensive that he accumulated a comfortable fortune. With this he was liberal to the end of his days. The unfortu- nate always found a sympathizing helper, and of his church he was a strong moral and financial supporter.

Dr. Strouss first married, August 12, 1836, Jane F. Dodd, who was the eldest in the family of nine children of Rev. Cephas Dodd, viz .: Jane F .; Saralı; Thaddeus, M. D .; Cornelia; Elizabeth; Hannah; James F .; Cephas, M. D. ; and Elias F., M. D. Their father was the son of Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, the founder and first pastor of Upper and Lower Ten-Mile Churches, Washington county ; Rev. Dodd commenced his labor there in 1777. and later in his work was one of the principal actors in the establishing of what is now Washing- ton and Jefferson College. Mrs. Strouss died Thursday, August 13, 1863. There were born of this marriage two sons and five daughters. Dr. Strouss was married, the second time, March 12, 1868, to Mrs. Anne Conger (nee Anne Day). There were no children of this marriage. Of the seven children we record the following: Hanna D., born September 20, 1837, died September 29, 1843; Mary Jane, born March 26, 1839; Cephas D .. born January 1, 1841, died September 26, 1843; Martha Elizabeth, born November 19, 1843; John D., still-born; Sarah Ann, born March 13, 1846; Ruth D., born June 11, 1848, died October 3, 1858. Of these, Mary Jane married William C. Condit, July 8, 1858; Martha Elizabeth mar- ried Demas McCollum, December 4, 1863; Sarah Ann married David B. Baker, March 2, 1865. These three daughters settled on farms given them by their father, and are still living in Washington county. Dr. Strouss died Tuesday, April 24, 1883, and his wife on Wednesday, May 16, 1883. Thus within three weeks this beloved old man and his worthy wife passed away, breaking the Strouss line in this branch of the family as no sons were left to carry the name.

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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 50

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