Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 6

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 6

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His children were as follows: Andrew, the eldest, for many years was a prominent journalist. He was an ardent Democrat, a very brilliant, trench- ant and forcible writer, in a keen sarcastic style that was very striking. As a writer he was easy and graceful, his articles being an ever-flowing stream of the brightest humor. He graduated at Washington College. studied law and was admitted to the bar. His tastes however led him into the field of journalism. in which he became widely known. He was always kind and considerate in the expression of opinion, but ever a bold and fear- less defender of the faith that was in him. His convictions were deep and his friendships warm and lasting. A friend to those in need, their fre- quent counselor and free-handed contributor. Socially he was remarkably genial, charming all with whom he came in contact. and his death, March 5. 1880, on the seventh anniversary of his father's death, created a void which can not be filled. Andrew was married to Hannah M. List. of Wheeling. W. Va. Their children are: Kate M. (Mrs. Humphrey D. Tate. Bedford, Pa .. who is private secretary to Governor Pattison) and Virginia List. of Wheeling, W. Va. The only daughter, Kate M., lives in the old home, Wash- ington, Pa. She was the comfort and solace of her mother during her life, which closed October 16, 1886.

James Herron Hopkins, second son of Col. William Hopkins, was educated at Washington College-taking the first honor of his class. He studied law with Hon. Wilson McCandless, of Pittsburgh. and while yet in his minority was ad- mitted to the bar of Allegheny county. In less than a year he found himself in possession of a fine practice, which grew so rapidly as time ad- vanced, that at the expiration of the first decade

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of his professional career, no lawyer at the Pitts- burgh bar had more cases in court, or was busier at office work. A friend gives the information that "about this time the Prothonotary of Alle- gheny county remarked, that Mr. Hopkins had more cases on the appearance docket than any other member of the bar." The enormous labor, as well as burdensome responsibility, was of course rewarded with a handsome income, but, unfort- unately. this was followed by serious impairment of health, as the penalty of over-work, and he was obliged to retire from practice for a time. A change of climate was advised, and accordingly in 1870 he made a tour of Europe, not, however, in idle wanderings, thinking only of self and sel- fish gratification, after the example of most tour- ists, for he spent much of his time in writing up his observations and experiences in the different countries he visited, for the Pittsburgh Post. These letters were so popular that afterward, in compliance with the request of the editor, he consented to their publication in book form. After his return, he was made president of a rail- road company, president of a bank of discount. president of a savings bank, and president of a fire insurance company. He was also vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce. He has always been an earnest Democrat, and has taken an active part in politics ever since he attained his majority. The Democratic party of Allegheny county has long been in a hopeless minority. Notwithstanding this circumstance, his party has often (against his will) placed him at the front as the most popular standard-bearer. He was twice elected to Congress by a majority of 2.314 votes. An opposition paper said of Mr. Hopkins: " He is a gentleman of re- finement and polished address. An earnest, grace- ful and eloquent speaker. Spotless in private life, his personal character has ever and still stands so high that no one has ever assailed it." As a member of Congress he rendered valuable services. He was the author of the first bill in- troduced to regulate inter-state commerce and un- just discrimination by common carriers. He orig- inated and secured the passage of the bill to create a bureau of labor statistics, which has since proved a very useful department. He introduced the first bill to prohibit aliens from acquiring large areas of the national domain. He was chair- man of the committee on Centennial Celebration, and carried through Congress the act which made it a success. His best speeches in Congress were those on the Centennial Exposition, the regulation of inter-state commerce, the tariff. the creation of the labor bureau, the ownership of lands by aliens and the Electoral Commission. In 1882 he was a candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, and he came within four votes of receiving the nomina- tion. He is one of the most prominent Masons in

America, and has filled its highest offices. In the order of Knights Templar he has taken special in- terest. and for three years was its chief officer, the Grand Master of the United States. For many years he has been chairman of its committee of jurisprudence. He also delivered a series of lect- ures in aid of the Masonic Home for the Aged and Infirm. These gratuitous labors of kindness and charity were appreciated by the members of his fraternity, for at the last conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States he was pre- sented with a magnificent silver vase "in recogni- tion." as the donors stated, "of distinguished serv- ices."

He married Anna Margaret Schissler, of Fred- erick, Md. Three children have blessed this union, viz .: Katharine Virginia, William and James Herron. His residence at present is in Washing- ton, D. C. A few years ago his first love-the love of the law-returned to him once more, and now if you will pass along F street in the Na- tional Capital, you will notice on the outside of one of the law offices on that street a sign bearing the old familar name, "James H. Hopkins, attor- ney at law" -nothing more; and yet others have added a title to that name, which really forms a part of it-Honorable James H. Hopkins.

The high appreciation of Col. Hopkins, by the community in which he lived so long, was strik- ingly marked at his funeral. The sorrow of the community was demonstrated by the closing of the public schools, and in many instances by all cessation from business. Everywhere there were evidences of grief, and the earnest sympathy felt for the bereaved friends of the deceased. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. A. Holmes, D. D., of Allegheny City, of the Method- ist Episcopal Church; Rev. Dr. Brownson, of the First Presbyterian Church; Prof. Frazier, of the Second Presbyterian Church ; Rev. George P. Hays, president of Washington and Jefferson College, all of whom had been warm personal friends of the deceased. An affecting feature of the display was the attendance of all the school children with their teachers. Col. Hopkins was buried in the Washington Cemetery, in the county which had always been his home, which had always honored him, and to which he was so strongly attached.

HOMAS MARTINDELL. Among the wealthy, enterprising and generally re- spected citizens of East Bethlehem township, none are more favorably known than this prominent agriculturist. He is a native of the county. born October 28, 1824, in West Pike Run township, where he was reared on his father's farm, and educated at the subscription schools of the vicinity, and a select school in Centreville, taught by John Reid.

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Thomas Martindell, his grandfather, was of English descent, and one of the early settlers of Bucks county, Penn., where he passed almost his entire life, dying at the advanced age of ninety- five years. His wife was Mary Booth, who was descended from an old and well-known family of Bucks county. Thomas and Mary Martindell were the parents of the following children, all now deceased: Sarah (who married John Van Horn), Rebecca, Mary and William.

William Martindell was born September 6, 1793, in Bucks county, Penn., where he was reared to farming pursuits. When a young man he removed to and settled in West Pike Run town- ship, this county, where he learned shoemaking, although he never worked much at the trade, his time and attention being too much taken up on the farm. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Fleming, in his lifetime a prominent farmer of Washington county, and the young couple then took up their home on a farm in West Pike Run township, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their children were Mary Ann (Mrs. McMillan), Catherine (Mrs. Baker) and Thomas. The mother of this family was called from earth April 7, 1833, the father April 6, 1852; he. was a Quaker in religious faith, in politics a member of the Whig party.

Thomas Martindell left the old paternal home in 1860 to battle with the world on his own merits. He first located in Washington borough, and just previous thereto had been elected to the office of county treasurer by the Republican party. He served one term with complete satisfaction to his constituents, but declined renomination. He was married November 28, 1855, by Rev. George Hudson, to Eliza, daughter of John Thompson, of East Bethlehem township, and four children were born to them, of whom the following is a brief record: John William was educated at Washington and Jefferson College and at Iron City Business College, Pittsburgh; he studied law, was admitted to the bar in Washington county, and is now a rising attorney in Eureka, Kans. ; he married Nellie Lev- ering, and they have one son, Donald. Lawrence V. was also educated at Washington and Jefferson College, and also at Duff's Commercial College, Pittsburgh, and is now a progressive young farmer in East Bethlehem township; he married Annie Crawford, and they have one daughter, Fay Louise. . Ruth Annetta and Mary P. were gradu- ated in 1883; Ruth Annetta was married Decem- ber 28, 1892, to John B. Evans; she is a lady of culture, educated at the Washington Female Seminary. Mary P., also a graduate of the Wash- ington Female Seminary, married William Bar- nard, and they have one son, Loyal M. The family are all members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Martindell's farm consists of nearly 800 acres

of the finest arable land in Washington county, all in the very best state of cultivation, where in addition to general farming he is considerably in- terested in the live-stock business. Thereon stand many commodious and handsome buildings, in- cluding an elegant residence erected in 1862, sur- rounded with carefully kept grounds, all combined bearing evidence of refinement and prosperity.

OHN LOUDON GOW. James Gow, the father of John Loudon Gow, was born in Ayr- shire, Scotland. In 1772, in company with a sister, he came to America, landing in Bos-

ton, where he remained until 1793. The same year he married a lady of Puritan birth, Miss Lucy Gilman, of Gilmanton, N. H. They then left Boston, and removed to Hallowell, Me., where they passed the rest of their days. ,They were parents of six children, John Loudon, the subject of this sketch, being the eldest.

JOHN L. Gow was born at Hallowell, September 23, 1797. He received his education at the Acad- emy of that town. When quite young he left Maine to avoid the rigors of the severe climate, seeking a home farther south. He taught school and studied law in Fredericksburg, Va., where he was admitted to the bar. He then removed to Washington, D. C., and became assistant editor of the National Journal, a Whig paper owned by Peter Force. He was connected with this paper for several years. In 1824 he became a resident of Washington, Penn., where he began the practice of law. Soon after he held a professorship in Washington College, lecturing on International Law. He held this position for five years. He became interested in the common-school system, and was desirous of introducing New England ideas. As a professor in the college and as coun- ty superintendent, he earned a high place in the affectionate remembrance of the friends of clas- sical and popular education. For many years he was a trustee of Washington College and the Fe- male Seminary. In 1854 he was chosen the first county superintendent of schools, and served for two terms. In this work of education he was ma- terially assisted by his son Alexander M., who was the principal of the Washington schools. At a meeting of educators held in Washington, Septem- ber 23. 1850, A. M. Gow offered a resolution to establish an institute by which the teachers might be brought together for their improvement, and at a meeting of the association in 1855 he recommended establishing a normal school of four weeks' con- tinuance; but it was not until three years later that this well-timed suggestion was acted upon. In 1831 Mr. Gow was appointed visitor and examiner to West Point by President Jackson, and again in 1849 by President Taylor. Mr. Gow's first part-,

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nership was with Mr. King who came with him from Washington, D. C. His next associate was Thomas McGiffin, and his third and last was with Alexander Murdoch, his brother-in-law. In all he enjoyed for forty years an extensive and lucrative practice, in the management of which he displayed great ability, rare zeal and fidelity in the interest of his client, and incorruptible integrity. As a writer he had few superiors. He delivered many public addresses outside of his professional work, both political and literary, was a forcible speaker, argumentative and logical in his reasoning, and chiaste in his style. He had many law students in his office. One of his students said of him after his death: "I spent two years in his office; he was to me a guide, philosopher and friend. During that time I learned to love him as a man, and ad- mire him as a scholar, as a lawyer and as what we love to call an old-school Christian gentleman." Quoting from the resolutions of the bar, one of his friends said of him : " All lawyers do notfeel the same interest in their younger brethren that Mr. Gow did; for myself, I can say that I never went to him for advice or assistance that he did not give it, not grudgingly nor patronizingly, but as freely and cheerfully as if I had been his own son." Another brother lawyer said: " When Mr. Gow came to town he was twenty-seven years of age and I was a boy of sixteen, but it was one of the good traits of our deceased friend's character that he loved the society of boys, and possessed the faculty of endearing himself to them. Thus it was amidst those hours of friendship and professional inter- course I acquired my knowledge of our deceased brother." He was a courteous gentleman, and a true friend. He was an honorable opponent, and a skilful advocate. But it was in the sacredness of the home where he was best known and most loved, that his character shone forth in its most delightful traits.

On June 12, 1827, Mr. Gow married Mary M., daughter of Alexander Murdoch. To them were born twelve children: Alexander M. (deceased) was a banker in Fontanelle, Iowa; Lucy Abigail married James B. Charlton, of Canonsburg; Eliza- beth died in infancy; Ellen Murdoch married Rev. George B. Gow, of Glens Falls, N. Y .; James M. is an editor in Greenfield. Iowa; Mary M. resides in Washington, Penn .; Eliza died in childhood; John L. is an attorney in the State of Washington; Pamelia married M. C. Acheson, Esq., of Wash- ington; George Loudon (deceased) was an attorney at law in Greenfield, Iowa; Annie M. married Rev. A. M. Darley, and resides in Pueblo, Colo .; Vir- ginia M. is a resident of Glens Falls. Mr. Gow was an invalid for some years before his death, which occurred August 17, 1866, when he was aged sixty-nine, and at his death appropriate resolutions were passed by the members of the

bar. His remains repose in the Washington cemetery. He was a stanch Republican in his later days, and in all his life an uncompromising anti-slavery champion, never ceasing to fearlessly express his views on the subject. He was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, in which faith the entire family were brought up. To add to the comforts and happiness of his home he was a gen- uine lover of music, and played the violin and sang well, in which his family sympathized and took part.

After his death the widowed mother, with her daughter, Mary, remained at the old homestead until 1881. Since then they have made their home with M. C. Acheson, a son-in-law of Mrs. Gow. The Gow homestead was built by Alexander Mur- doch, Mrs. Gow's father, on the east corner of Pine alley and Main street. It remained in the family for seventy-one years, when it was torn down to give place to a business house. Mrs. Gow still survives at the advanced age of eighty-five. Her mental vigor remains unimpaired, a comfort to her chil- dren and friends.

S MITH. The first of the family of that name, of which this sketch treats, of whom there is any record, was one Samuel Smith, of German parentage, who was born in Lan- caster county, Penn., where he grew to manhood and married. He and his wife came in 1780 to Washington county, settling in East Pike Run township, where they purchased land, but had previously made a stay in Fayette county, and as pioneers there took up a large tract of land. They had born to them children, as follows: Mary, married to John Thompson, of Washington county ; Nancy, married to Avery Leonard, of Ohio; Cath- erine, who died, single, in Washington county ; Elizabeth, married to Moses Pester, of Washington county; John, deceased in Ohio; Rezin, who died in Illinois; Samuel, deceased in Indiana, and Hiram, who died in Washington county. The mother of this family died in 1832, and the father in 1843 or 1844 at the age of eighty years; he was a farmer and miller, and conducted flour, saw and oil mills. For many years he served as a justice of the peace.

Hiram Smith was born August 8, 1789, in Washington county, and during his boyhood learned the trade of millwright, in which he ultimately evinced great skill, becoming one of the finest mechanics in the western part of the State. He made millwrighting his life work, and extended his business into surrounding counties and States. On September 24, 1815, in Washington county. Mr. Smith married Miss Hulda Rush, daughter of John Rush (born November 15, 1794, of Scotch parentage), of Fayette county, where he followed

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

agricultural pursuits among the mountains. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Smith settled in East Bethlehem township, where he died in 1860, at the age of seventy-one years. In his political preferences he was a Democrat, and in religious faith he was a member of the M. E. Church. His widow survived him three years, dying at the age of sixty-nine in same township. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Margaret Jane, who died when a child; Samuel H., a resi- dent of Brownsville, this county (he was a justice of the peace, and now (1893) is burgess of the borough. He also represented the District in the Legislature. His life for the most part was passed in mercantile business in Philadelphia); Albert, who died in Illinois in 1889, leaving two children; Sarah Ann, who died single at the age of twenty years; Edmund R., of whom a sketch follows; Clarkson, who died in Monongahela, Penn .; Alex- ander V., of whom a sketch follows; Mary Eliza- beth, deceased in infancy; and Frank B., who died leaving a widow. He went out in the war of the Rebellion in the first cavalry company from Washington county, known as the "Old Ringgold Cavalry," and was wounded at Charlestown, W. Va .; at that time he was first lieutenant of the " Independent La Fayette Cavalry Company," and had been sent with twenty-seven men as a guard; but they were surrounded by the enemy. He was in the act of shooting, when a bullet struck him on the left side, passing entirely through his body. He was brought home, and never fully recovered. Afterward he served in the Pension Office at Pitts- burgh some years, and also clerked in the court- house for a time, finally dying in Pittsburgh, Penn., from the effect of his wound.

EDMUND R. SMITH was born January 19, 1827, in East Bethlehem township, this county. By trade he became a painter, at which he worked in his early manhood. In 1852 he married Miss Susan H. Zediker, who was born October 15, 1833, a daughter of Lewis Zediker, of South Strabane township. Lewis Zediker was the eldest son of John Zediker, who was a blacksmith by trade, and came while a young man during the Revolutionary war to this country from Switzerland, settling in South Strabane township, this county. He fol- lowed blacksmithing for some time, but soon en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. About 1790 he married Margaret, daughter of Ludwick Smith, who was an extensive land owner of the same township, and who came originally from Germany. Lewis Zediker was born in South Strabane town- ship, in 1793. He followed farming and stock raising. He married Isabel, daughter of Robert Henry, of the same township, who was of Scoteli- Irish descent. To them were born eleven children. Lewis Zediker died in 1868, aged seventy-five years; Isabel, his wife, died in 1873, being about the same

age. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Edmund R. Smith lived in the township just mentioned until 1859, when they moved into the borough of Wash- ington, he having been appointed deputy sheriff under Col. Norton McGiffin, for a term of three years, which was succeeded by another term under James M. Byers. In 1864 he was elected sheriff, and served until 1867-completing a total of nine years' public service. Some time afterward he moved to Zollarsville, in the same county, where for three years he kept store, and then, in 1870, returned to Washington, since which time he has been engaged in the lightning-rod business. Mr. and Mrs. Edmund R. Smith are the parents of eleven children, as follows: George, married to Clara B. Pettit; Flora B., deceased; Mary Malissa, deceased; Hiram L., deceased; John H., married to Susan Wylie; Norton McGiffin; Edmund R., Jr. (of whom a sketch follows), married to Ida Farns- worth; David Wilson, married to Gertrude Haw- kins; William McKennan; Susan Addell, and Howard R. Mr. Smith is a member in good stand- ing of the F. & A. M. ; politically he is a Repub- licau. He has been a cripple all his life.

Alexander V. Smith was born July 7, 1832, and received a liberal education at the common schools of the place of his nativity. At the age of fifteen years he left home for Brownsville, Penn., where for nineteen years he filled the position of clerk in stores. In that town he resided twenty-three years, or until 1870, when he proceeded to Port Perry, Allegheny county, for the purpose of set- tling up a set of books for Miller, Nichol & Co., shipbuilders, shippers, etc., on the Monongahela river. In November, 1872, he removed to Florida, and there carried on a fruit-growing industry till 1884, on July 27 of which year he once more arrived in Washington county, and settling in the city of Washington has here since conducted a grocery business. In January, 1856, Alexander V. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Amanda, daughter of William and Catherine Hart, of Washington county. Mr. Hart was from eastern Pennsylvania, and married Miss Catherine Stealey, a native of Virginia, who is now (1893) eighty-four years of age, living in Morgantown, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of four children: Harry (who died at the age of five years), Wilfred, Grace and Eva. In 1862 Mr. Smith raised a cavalry company for service, known as the " Inde- pendent La Fayette Cavalry Company," which was mustered in at Washington, Penn., about June, and he was appointed captain of same. They proceeded to Wheeling for equipment, and then served in West Virginia some twenty-seven months, chiefly on " scouting" duty, but participated in the first battle of Winchester. At the expiration of their term of service they returned home, and Capt. Smith again took up his residence in Browns-

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ville, where he embarked in mercantile business for his own account. Politically he is a Democrat. While in Florida he was a member of the Board of Public Instruction, and in 1878 he was appoint- ed lieutenant-colonel of the Florida State troops, serving until his removal northward. He and his wife and daughters are members of the Presby- terian Church of Washington.

Edmund R. Smith, Jr., was born in Washington, Penn., November 11, 1864. From 1870 to 1882 he attended the public school of that place, gradi- ating in June, 1882. After graduation he clerked in the postoffice for five years until January, 1887 (excepting one year-1883-when he attended Washington and Jefferson College), at which time he resigned to accept a position as bookkeeper with the firm of Hughes & Wright, insurance and real estate agents of the same city. He was a member of Company H, N. G. of Pennsylvania, for five years-from 1884 to 1889-and was borough secretary for the year 1892. He is at present bookkeeper for Hughes Bros., successors to Hughes & Wright; is city passenger agent of the Pitts- burgh & Lake Erie Railway Co .; secretary of the City Board of Health; secretary of the Washington County Board of Fire Underwriters, and is engage.l in the fire insurance business. On April 24, 1890, he married Ida M. Farnsworth, of Warren county, Penn., and they have one child, Donald R. Mr. Smith is a Republican, and a member of the local Jr. O. U. A. M. He and his wife are members of the Second Presbyterian Church.

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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 6

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