Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 51

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 51

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The life of Dr. Strouss was one of undeniable consistency, and in his old age there was allotted to him the esteem and regard that true worth justly merits. He was jovial, kind-hearted and earnest. Always willing to sacrifice personal com- fort and consideration for a suffering patient. He early acquired a practice that extended to a radius of twelve or fifteen miles from liis office. There was considerable of a German element in his looality, and they still reverence the memory of Dr. Strouss. His pills and drops were a panacea for all their ailments. Many of them affirm that even his jolly presence was enough to put one be- yond the notice of suffering. Although he never read psychology, yet he understood the influence of mind over matter, and the power of the will. He had the true secret of the practitioner. This

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was best evinced in his treatment of fevers, in which he was eminently successful; often being called as council, especially in such cases to other localities. He was an earnest, active follower of the Master, always at his place with heart and purse in the Presbyterian Church of Lower Ten- Mile. He did his life work well, and has left us a noble example of an upright, useful and honor- able life.

As a rule, Dr. Strouss never speculated or tam- pered with the vagaries of fortune. Once he was tempted by the Western sheep craze, and ventured some capital; but finding himself losing, he with- drew, and devoted himself more exclusively to his chosen profession. He has gone to his reward, and to us, his descendants, there is left a sacred memory and Christian example. May we strive toward true merit as he did, and preserve the mantle he has left to us, with his benediction, un- sullied from dishonor's pollution. For the name and honor is ours to carry before the searching eyes of an exacting world. This feeble tribute we offer as a token of our undying gratitude, love and esteem.

[This sketch is from the pen of S. S. B.

T THE MCCRACKEN FAMILY. The natives of the Highlands of Scotland have, the world over, a reputation second to none for robust- ness, bravery, honesty and loyalty, and the McCrackens in this county, with proper pride, claim descent from such nobility of the his- toric soil of " Caledonia, stern and wild."

Many years ago, during religious persecutions in Scotland, a portion, if not all, of the clan Mc- Cracken left their heather-clad hills for the North of Ireland, where, with many more of their self- exiled countrymen, they built up a new home in which they were free to worship according to their own old Presbyterian customs, without let or hindrance. From this place emigrated to America, in 1793, Andrew McCracken, following in the wake of his brother David who had preceded him to the shores of Columbia by some years. In Ireland Andrew was a flax dresser, but in this country he followed farming. The brother had made a settle- ment in Amwell township, and thither Andrew also made his way, where he passed the remainder of his days, tilling the soil and making a permanent home for his posterity; he died in 1837, at the age of seventy-seven, while on a visit to Athens, Ohio. He had married, in Ireland, Nancy Jamison, who departed to the "other shore" in 1835, when seventy-three years of age. They were the par- ents of six children-two sons and four daughters -who reached maturity, but none of whom are now living. Of these, Archibald was the father of

M. L. A. McCracken, the subject proper of this memoir; John went to Athens, Ohio, thence to Lee county, Iowa, where at the age of eighty-three he died (his sons are living on the Pacific slope).

Archibald McCracken, in 1823, married Lurena, daughter of Luther Axtell, a farmer, who came to Washington county from New Jersey in an early day, in which State he had married a. Miss Dodd, and their four sons and six daughters all grew to maturity, of whom one son is a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Pittsburgh; one daughter, Rachel, is at present living in Wash- ington county, unmarried; another daughter, Nancy, married Silas Clarke, and is now deceased. The parents of these children both died in Wash- ington county, the father about 1870, the mother some time later. The Axtell family are descended from Col. Axtell who commanded a regiment of Cromwell's guards, was present at the trial and execution of Charles I, and was himself beheaded not long afterward, about the time of the Restor- ation. A full account of the trial and execution of Col. Axtell is found in "Cobbett's State Trials."

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Mc- Cracken took up their residence at the old home- stead of his ancestry, in Amwell township, where they passed the remainder of their days. The mother was called from earth in 1858 at the age of fifty-four years, the father died in 1885 aged eighty-seven years. Ten children were born to this honored couple, as follows: Phoebe, wife of Jehu Iams, in West Virginia; Elizabeth, married to William Watson, of Amwell township; Mary, wife of Samuel Smith, of Franklin township; Sarah, wife of Stephen B. Miller, of Amwell town- ship; Chloe, Rachel and Martha Jane, all deceased in young girlhood; Andrew J., a farmer in Rus- sell county, Kans .; Martin Luther 'A., special mention of whom will be presently made; and Jonas C., on the home farm.

MARTIN L. A. MCCRACKEN was born in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., his rudimentary education being received at the subscription schools of the neighborhood, afterward improved by an attendance at the free schools of the county, but he was fourteen years old before he could read. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and then, having nurtured a desire to become a lawyer, he resolved that the ambition of his young life should be fulfilled. Leaving the pater- nal rooftree, he worked about on various farms, teaching school in winters five years, and then attended Pleasant Valley Academy for a time, and Waynesburg College one session. In 1860 he went South, and was a teacher at Mayslick Acad- emy, Ky., when the Civil war broke out-produc- ing an excitement in the State that caused the academy, as well as other institutions of learning,

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to be temporarily closed up. Returning to Wash- ington, Mr. McCracken enlisted for three years in Company K, Eighth Pennsylvania Reserve Regi- ment, or Thirty-seventh Regiment P. V. I., which was attached to the army of the Potomac, and he served fifteen days over the term of his enlistment, during nine of which he saw heavy fighting in the wilderness. He participated in battles including over thirty days' heavy fighting, besides numerous skirmishes and minor engagements, and was four times wounded, though not any time seriously, unless we except the shooting off of the little finger of his right hand. His army record is as follows: Enlisted May 9, 1861; promoted to corporal then to sergeant, and as such was mustered out with company May 24, 1864. After his discharge Mr. McCracken returned to Washington county, read law in the office of the late Jolin L. Gow, Sr., in Washington, Penn., and was admitted to the bar of his native county in 1867, since when he has been engaged with well-merited success in the practice of his chosen profession. He was partner with J. A. McIlvaine from 1874 until the latter's appoint- ment to a judgeship; then was partner with M. H. Stephenson, one year; then practiced alone, until February 1, 1892, since when he and J. Q. Mc- Giffin have been partners under the firm name of McCracken & McGiffin.

In 1862, while absent from his regiment on re- cruiting service several months, Mr. McCracken was married to Martha M., daughter of John Adams, who came from Ireland to Amwell town- ship in 1818, and died in South Strabane township in 1873; two of his sons, William and James, now reside in Washington, where they follow carpen- try. To Mr. and Mrs. McCracken have been born eight children, of whom five are now living, all at home with their parents, viz. : Minnie L., Bertram E., Edna L., William A. and Martha Jane. Mr. McCracken is a typical self-made man, a living example of what patient purpose, indomitable per- severance and hard study can accomplish. During the early years of his manhood, from November 1 to May 1, following year, he was accustomed to rise at 3 o'clock in the morning and study till daylight, which became the nucleus to his education. Po- litically he is a Republican; from 1866 to 1869 he served as recorder, and he has filled various town- ship and borough offices. Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M. The original farm where his grandfather settled, in Amwell and Franklin town- ships, is now owned by him. Mr. McCracken has in his possession an old English musket, bearing the date 1763, which his great-grandfather Axtell carried throughout the Revolutionary war; he was at Valley Forge with Washington, and the musket was one of those used in making a litter on which Gen. Mercer was carried off the field wounded.

A NDREW W. KERR, one of the most suc- cessful and well-to-do agriculturists of Washington county, is of immediate En- glish descent. His father, William A. Kerr, born in 1816, a son of Andrew, was a native of England, as were all his antecedents. When he was yet a child, his parents brought him to this country, making a settlement in Washing- ton county, Penn., where they passed the rest of their days. They were the parents of the follow- ing named children: Margaret, who died at the age of five days; Agnes, deceased wife of William Smiley; Hannah, who died at the age of eleven months; Mary, married to Robert Caldwell, of Hopewell township, both deceased (she died after him in 1877, at the age of sixty-eight years); and William A., father of the subject of these lines. The father of this family died May 28, 1823, at the age of forty-five years; his wife, Margaret, survived him till April 20, 1865, when she, too, de- parted to the " Better Land" at the age of eighty- two years.

William A. Kerr received his education at Frank- fort Academy, Washington county, Penn., and taught school for several years in Hopewell town- ship. On July 4, 1844, he married Miss Margaret Tweed, a native of Washington county, Penn., born June 20, 1815, of a very early family of the county. After marriage they located on a rented farm in Hopewell township until 1854, when they bought a farm in Buffalo township, on which they lived until 1872, in which year they sold it and bought another in the same township, where Will- iam A. Kerr died January 16, 1887, at the age of seventy years, and which farm is at this time in the possession of the subject of this sketch. The widowed mother is now living in Buffalo village. They were the parents of three children, viz .: Elizabeth Caroline, widow of John G. Farrer (she is now assistant matron at the County Home; Mr. Farrer volunteered in Company K, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the summer of 1862, and served until the close of the war); Mary Margaret. married to H. W. Leech, of Buffalo village, and Andrew W. William A. Kerr was a stanch Repub- lican, and held various township offices. During the invasion of Pennsylvania in the Civil war he enlisted for State protection.

Andrew W. Kerr was born August 5, 1849, in Hopewell township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his education at the schools of the neigh- borhood of his new home in Buffalo township, whither the family had moved in 1854. Here he was reared to farm life, and lived over thirty years. On December 16, 1874, Mr. Kerr married Miss Alma V. Giles, whose father (at that time deceased) was of Pittsburgh, Penn., and whose mother has since departed this life. Four children have been

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born to Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, viz. : Annie Margaret, William Albert, Florence Estella and James Wiley. In 1887 the family moved into the borough of Washington, Mr. Kerr having built an elegant and commodious residence on Prospect avenue. At present he is a partner in a flouring-mill in that place. Our subject and wife are members of the U. P. Church at Washington, and in politics he is a Republican.

OSEPH M. DICKSON, who, though yet a young man, has brought himself, by ability and acumen, into the front rank of the legal circle of Washington, was born in Buffalo township October 16, 1856. He is a son of James Dickson, a native of Maryland, who, about the year 1839, came to Washington county, where he soon after married Miss Mary E., daughter of Elisha 'Duvall. Her father was a blacksmith by trade, and worked in his shop near Washington, until his death, at the patriarchal age of ninety- one years. The Duvall family came at an early date to this county from Wellsburg, Va. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dickson removed to the northern part of the county, settling on a farm in Robinson township, where they now reside. To them eight children were born: Eliza, wife of D. C. Reed, in Cross Creek township; William, at New Concord, Ohio; Salem, in Jefferson township; Joseph M., an attorney in Washington; Mary, wife of George Wolf, in Robinson township; Alice and Agnes, both deceased, and I. J., engaged in the hardware business at Washington, Pennsylvania.

Joseph M. Dickson was reared on his father's farm, and received a liberal education at the com- mon schools of the district. Later he attended the Jefferson Academy at Canonsburg and the Normal School at Sewickley, in Allegheny county, after which he engaged in teaching in the common schools of this county. He then entered the Wash- ington and Lee University at Lexington, Va., where he graduated in the classical course in June, 1880, and he at once commenced the study of law at the same university, graduating therefrom with the law class of 1881. Coming to Washington county, he was admitted to the bar in 1883. Mr. Dickson is a stanch Democrat, being one of the active young workers in that party. For four years he served as secretary of the Democratic committee, and in 1884 was nominated for county prothonotary, but, his party being in the minority, he was, not, unexpectedly, defeated. yet he had the satisfaction of polling the largest Democratic vote cast in the county up to that time. It was the year of the Presidential election, when James G. Blaine, a native of the county, was heading the op- position ticket. Mr. Dickson worked with untir- ing zeal, canvassing closely the entire county, and

receiving many compliments from friends for the masterly fight he had made against certain defeat. He takes an absorbing interest in all national and local politics. He is a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and of the school board of Washington borough.

AMES W. McDOWELL is a great- grandson of Thomas McDowell, who, in 1787, came from his native county, Lancaster, Penn., to this county, where he bought a tract of wild land in Mt. Pleasant township, and hewed out a home for himself and family. He died in 1798. He married Janet Clark, and by her had children, of whom James, grandfather of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, came with his father in 1787, and married Mary McKnight, daughter of a pioneer. The children born to them were James, of Mt. Pleasant township; John, of whom mention is made further on; Jane, wife of Alexander Mc- Elroy, of Mt. Pleasant township; Eleanor, mar- ried to John Nesbit, of Chartiers township, and Re- becca, wife of William Smith, of Mt. Pleasant township, all deceased. The parents of this fam- ily both died on the farm in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, the father in 1827 at the age of sixty-seven years, the mother September 9, 1850, when about eighty two years of age. They were members of the Union Church.

John McDowell was born in Mt. Pleasant town- ship. Like his forefathers, he was a practical agriculturist. In May, 1839, he was married to Margaret, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Chartiers township, and the following eight children were born to them: Mary Jane, who died young; James W., our subject; Jacob F., on the home farm; Margaret, wife of J. M. K. Donaldson, of Mt. Pleasant township; Rebecca, wife of James Agnew, of same township; John, in business at Canons- burg; Sarah and Elizabeth, both living on the home farm. The mother died February 20, 1866. aged fifty-six years, the father August 18, 1886, at the age of seventy five. He had lived all his life on the old farm. Politically he was a straight Democrat, and for some time served as school director; in religion he was a consistent member of Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church.

James W. McDowell was born on the family homestead in Mt. Pleasant township, January 29, 1842, received a liberal primary education, and at- tended Jefferson College at Canonsburg, from which he graduated in 1866. He then commenced the study of law at Washington under Hon. Will- iam Montgomery. In August, 1869, he was ad- mitted to the bar, and for two years thereafter he wrote in a law office at Pittsburgh, Penn., whence he returned to Washington, where he has since been successfully engaged in general practice. On

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September 23, 1869, Mr. McDowell was married to Miss Nancy J., daughter of Joseph V. Rea, of Mt. Pleasant township. Three children have been born to them: Rea is a graduate of Duff's Busi- ness College of Pittsburgh, and John is attending college. Their first born, a daughter, died at the age of thirteen. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is a deacon and trustee. Politically a lifelong Democrat, he has served his borough and county in several offices of trust, and is at present member of the city council; socially he is a Knight Templar, and D. D G. M. of the F. & A. M.

G® EORGE W. HAYS, member of the well- known firm of George W. Hays & Co., dealers in hardware, etc., Washington, was born in Butler county, Penn., in 1855. After securing a fair education at the schools of his native place, he commenced, when nineteen years of age, to learn the tinning trade in Pittsburgh, and for some time after the expira- tion of his apprenticeship he carried on a general tinning business in Armstrong, Penn. Thence he moved to Freeport.

Here he followed the same line of business until 1882, when he moved to Millerstown, same State, and there, for eight years, sold general hardware, oil-well supplies, agricultural implements, etc. In 1890 he came to Washington and purchased the store owned by T. A. Burkellow, where he now carries on the leading business in general hard- ware, house-furnishing goods, etc. Mr. Hays married Miss Anna M., daughter of D. S. McCol- lough, of Butler county, Penn., March 2, 1880. Six children have been born to them, namely: David Charles, Russell Valentine, Mabel Lucretia, Laura Amanda, Mary Aileen and Anna Margaret. Mr. Hays may justly be classified among the self- made men of the day, as his success in life is en- tirely due to his own unaided exertions, and he ranks high among the prosperous and respected business men of Washington borough. Politically, he is a Republican; socially, a member of the E. A. U., and, like Mrs. Hays, is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Washington. Mr. Hay's father, John Valentine Hays, came, with his parents, from Germany, when nine years of age. In 1843 the youth had grown to manhood and married Margaret Upperman, who was born at Pittsburgh. To this marriage six sons and one daughter were born, of whom G. W. Hays is the fifth in order of birth.

E P. SWART, one of the leading photogra- phers and thoroughly enterprising citizens of the borough of Washington, was born in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., July 31, 1861. His father, Amos Swart,

also a native of Amwell township, and by occupa- tion a farmer, married in 1849 Miss Sidney Horn, a daughter of John Horn, of Amwell township. Mr. and Mrs. Swart resided in that township until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and For- tieth P. V. I., serving from 1861 until May, 1864, when he was shot dead in the battle of the Wilder- ness, the bullet passing through his brain. Shortly before this event, and while Mr. Swart was visit- ing his home, on furlough, his house was burned, a melancholy verification of the adage that "troubles seldom come singly." The family then moved to Washington, and some time later Mrs. Swart was married to G. W. Moninger, of Amwell township, where she now resides, again a widow. By her first marriage she had five children, viz. : John H. (deceased), Josephine (wife of William I. Lindley, of Morris township), Mina (Mrs. A. S. Burns, residing in Washington), Warren (in Iowa) and E. P. Swart. By her second marriage she became the mother of two children: Grant and Frank I. Moninger, both residents of Amwell township.

E. P. Swart, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native township, and in 1881 he went to Iowa, where he learned the pho- tographic art, which line of business he has since followed with eminent success. In 1889 he re- turned to Washington, and about a year later es- tablished himself in his present businesss, which enjoys a large and increasing patronage. In 1883 Mr. Swart was married to Miss Belle A. Beebe, a member of one of the prominent families of Mich- igan. In February, 1889, she died, leaving three children: Mamie, Edgar A. and Ruth, the latter of whom died at the age of ten months. Politic- ally Mr. Swart is a Republican, and while a resi- dent of Iowa he held various township offices. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Jr. O. U. A. M., and the I. O. H. and National Union.

JJ SHAN MARGERUM, the well-known and popular dealer in boots and shoes in Wash- ington, was born June 22, 1838, at Washing- ton, Penn., a son of John and Eliza J. (Smith) Margerum, both natives of Lancas- ter county, Penn., the former born about the year 1809.

John Margerum, the grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and was a butcher by trade; he died in eastern Pennsylvania in 1825. His wife lived to a very advanced age, and died at the home of her son John, in Washington. They had nine children, of whom but one, Robert, is liv- ing, and he resides in Washington county, now far advanced in years.

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John Margerum, the father of J. Shan, worked at the shoemaker's trade, in Washington, for fifty- seven years. He was blessed with an exceedingly robust constitution, and was never sick a single day in his life. He was called from earth in July, 1891, at the age of eighty-three years, strong both physically and mentally to the end, and at the time of his death was the oldest resident shoemaker in Washington. His wife had preceded him to the grave in 1889, at the age of seventy-five years. He was married in 1833 to Eliza J. Smith, daugh- ter of John and Honor Smith, and to them four- teen children were born, of whom six are now liv- ing, viz .: J. Shan, Julia Ann (wife of Charles Wendle), John L., Eliza J., now of Wheeling, W. Va. (wife of Julius Clark), William and Marietta (now Mrs. Zelt) all residents of Washington, this county, except Mrs. Wendle, whose home is at Pittsburgh, Penn., and Mrs. Julius Clark.

J. Shan Margerum received his education at the schools of his native town, and learned the trade of shoemaker with his father, for whom he worked. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the IndependentPat- ton Cavalry, of the Ringgold Battalion, which after- ward became Company F, of the 22d Cavalry, and was appointed brevet lieutenant, which position he held until the rank was abolished. He served as company artificer, and participated in most of the forty six battles and minor engagements of his regiment, was twice wounded, though not seriously, and twice fell into the hands of the enemy, but suc- ceeded in effecting his escape to the Union lines, each time; on the first occasion he was captured near Martinsburg, Md., by Maj. Gilmore's cavalry, but made his escape to a garden, and hid in a ditch two days before he dared to venture out. In 1891 he revisited the scene of his adventure, and although the town had grown considerably, he found the ditch and a stone fence about just as he saw them thirty years ago. After serving to the close of the struggle, the war-worn soldier returned home to the pursuits of peace, and resumed the business he had commenced in 1861, and which he has since continued in. About fifteen years ago he opened a retail business on North Main street, where he now lives. In February, 1870, he mar- ried Miss Lou A., daughter of Matthew and Ann Griffin, of Washington, Penn., both of whom were early settlers of Washington, but are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Margerum have no children. He is a Democrat in politics, as have been all the family on both sides of the house, and is a member of the G. A. R. He is a sportsman in the literal sense of the word, and owns a kennel of some of the best-bred dogs in the State. Just after the war Mr. Margerum commenced collecting curiosi- ties, and has now one of the most valuable collec- tions in the county. Among the articles of vertu is the first "greenback" issued by the Govern-

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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 51

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