Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 61

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 61

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Thomas McCarrell, grandfather of Mrs. Henry C. Cooper, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1745, and when seventeen years of age came to America, and to Pennsylvania, making his first settlement near Philadelphia. Afterward he moved to York county, same State, and while there par- ticipated in the war of the Revolution, and mar- ried Eleanor Rusk, a native of that county .. In 1793 they came to Washington county, making their final home near Eldersville. Their children were: Mary (wife of Robert Cresswell, a soldier of the Mexican war), Jane (Mrs. James Moore, of Musk- ingum, Ohio), Samuel (married to Elizabeth Mc- Connell, of Hanover township), Margaret (unmar- ried) and Thomas Rusk. The father of this family died on the home farm in this county in 1835, the mother in 1845, both aged ninety years, and both are buried in "The Tent" cemetery. Mr. Mc- Carrell was a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith a member of and for many years an elder in the Seceder Church of Brooke county, W. Va., known as "The Tent." Thomas Rusk McCarrell was born August 3, 1795, in Jefferson township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his primary education in the subscription schools of the vicinity, later attending an educational establishment in Ohio. While in that State he taught school about ten years. Returning to Pennsylvania, he married Ruhamah Kincaid, of Brooke county, W. Va., and one child, Ruhamah J., was born to them. This wife dying, Mr. McCarrell, eleven years later, married Elizabeth McComb, of Brooke county, W. Va., a daughter of Capt. John McComb, a native of County Down, Ireland, who came to this country when a young man. He became a noted Indian fighter, and was a Revolutionary soldier. In 1840, at the age of about eighty-seven years, he passed from earth, a lifelong Democrat, and a ruling elder in " The Tent " Seceder Church of Brooke county. The children born to Thomas and Elizabeth (McComb) McCarrell were Rachel E., Thomas A. and John A. (all three deceased), Elizabeth M., John T. H. (deceased) and Caroline V. (Mrs. Henry C. Cooper). The parents both

died at the home place at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. McCarrell was a stanch Democrat, and a member of "The Tent" Church. in which he was a ruling elder for about fifty-five years.

Henry Clay Cooper is one of the best known business men in the western part of the county. His store in Eldersville is well filled with the vari- ous articles needed in a farming community, and his patrons are scattered throughout the county, many of his customers also residing in West Virginia.

AMES NEEL (deceased). This gentleman was one of the best-known citizens and pros- perous lumbermen of what is now the city of Monongahela. He was a son of Archibald Neel, a very prominent man, a large landowner, who developed coal mines on his land. He re- sided opposite Mckeesport, where his property ex- tended quite a distance, from directly opposite McKeesport down to Lock No. 2, on the river. He had a family of six children, of whom two are yet living: Mrs. Oliver and Jordan Neel.

James Neel was born September 25, 1817, in Mifflin township, Allegheny Co., Penn., opposite the town of Mckeesport. He attended school during the winter time in an old log building lo- cated about four miles from the river, and worked on the farm during the summer, having, to quote his own words, "Little of school and lots of plow." At the age of sixteen years he began to learn the carpenter's trade with one William Whigam, and then followed that business for some time in Pitts- burgh, Penn. In 1840, in company with his brother John, he embarked in the coal business on the opposite side of the river below Mckeesport. He afterward purchased a sawmill at that town, on the present site of Wood's rolling mill, remaining there fifteen years, and afterward, moving to Jeffer- son county, continued in the same line of business, and also bought thousands of acres of timber lands. He there erected and operated several saw- mills, etc., and carefully investing his limited cap- ital, soon amassed a fortune as a lumberman. He then went to the Clarion, and was in partnership with the extensive lumber firm of Blake, Neel & Rodgers, also erecting the planing mill in Mc- Keesport. Prior to 1857 he formed a partnership with John Wampler at Mckeesport, but some years later Mr. Wampler withdrew, and in 1870 a part- nership was formed by Mr. Neel with William Wampler (a half-brother of his previous partner), which copartnership continued to the end of Mr. Neel's life. In 1870 he also entered into business enterprises at Monongahela City with Maj. Perry A. Foster, and fortune continued to smile on his efforts. After coming to Washington county, how- ever, Mr. Neel lost much money in his investments,

Dames Aul

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through his inability, owing to advanced age, to attend personally to his business affairs. His en- tire estate is now estimated at about $500,000, accumulated by his untiring energy. For some time he had been afflicted with a cancer in the stomach, and finally submitted to an operation at the St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh, which re- sulted in his death. He passed away July 24, 1892, at the age of seventy-six years, leaving a widow and two children, and was buried in the Mckeesport cemetery.

Mr. Neel was thrice married: first to Susan Samp- son, of Mckeesport, a sister of Kuhn Sampson, who was a resident of Monongahela, and three children were born to them, as follows: Thomas, of Brookville, Jefferson Co., Penn .; Anna, widow of Ross Clark, who was a resident of Coal Centre; and William, deceased, whose widow is now in Brookville, Penn. For his second wife Mr. Neel married Margaret Cochran, of Mckeesport, daugh- ter of William Cochran; they had no children. Mr. Neel's third marriage was on January 29, 1857, with Nancy Cochran, who was born December 18, 1833, a daughter of Samuel Cochran, a resident of Indiana county, Penn .. the wedding ceremony taking place at Iowa Mills, Penn., Rev. C. L. Cummins offi- ciating. To this union four children were born, as follows: Arabella, who died October 7, 1874, at the age of sixteen years; James H., now a resident of California; Charles C., living in Monongahela, and Nellie, deceased April 26, 1877, at the age of four years.

Of Mr. Neel it may truthfully be said that he was thoroughly self-made, and many a day would he be found, in all weathers, working side by side with his men. Frequently, in order to save his lumber and other property from flood or other danger, he would labor as long as eighteen to twenty hours a day; and on one occasion he re- mained for hours with his clothing wet and frozen nearly solid. He was at all times an example to his employes of industry and perseverance. He would frequently, with his own hands, raft his logs down the river, riding them over the rapids, an enterprise often accompanied with considerable danger. In those days there was no railroad from Kittanning to Pittsburgh, and many a time Mr. Neel would travel between those places on the old- fashioned stage coach, over roads so rough that the travelers would frequently have to alight, and on foot help to hold the old stage coach from tipping over the bluffs. Often, after paying his fare, would Mr. Neel walk, in order to allow some less robust fellow traveler to ride in the vehicle. A man of large and generous heart, he was ever anxious to accommodate others in such and other ways; and not a few now successful business men, who for- merly had dealings with him, owe their success largely to the generosity and substantial assistance

of Mr. Neel. In the conducting of his affairs he would frequently have to rise at three or four o'clock in the morning and set off down the river in a small skiff, rowing all the way to Pittsburgh; while sometimes he would take passage on one of the larger boats at Red Bank, a place lying be- tween his home and the city. Mr. Neel was of a hearty, jovial disposition, fond of company, but quiet in his enjoyments, at all times speaking in low tones, and he surrounded himself with a mul - titude of friends. While not a member of any church, he was possessed withal of sterling Christian qualities, believing in deeds rather than in professions. During the later years of his life he was afflicted with partial deafness, which caused him to seek comparative retirement from society. He was of medium height, solidly built, and possessed of great physical strength, his weight while in health being in the neighborhood of 170 pounds. In his political preferences he was a member of the Republican party.

LARK CROW was born August 6, 1825, on the farm where he is now living, in Allen township, Washington Co., Penn., a son of Lawrence Crow, and a grandson of Law- rence and Margaret Crow. The last men- tioned ancestors were natives of Maryland, and in 1784 settled in Allen township, this county. Lawrence, the grandfather, applied for a patent August 31, 1784, and on December 16, same year, surveyed the tract called "Crow's Egg," which contained 295 acres, and became the permanent home of the Crow family, who lived there in block- houses for many years.

Lawrence Crow, father of Clark Crow, was born in 1795, on the home place in Allen township, Washington county, receiving his early education in the country schools. On November 9, 1812, he was married to Mary Riggs, a native of that town- ship, and daughter of William and Mary Riggs, the former of whom was a Methodist minister; both her parents were born in Maryland, and in 1773 came to Washington county, Penn., locating on the Monongahela river, where they died many years ago. To the union of Lawrence and Mary (Riggs) Crow there were children as follows: Elizabeth, born November 16, 1813, was married to James Doneldson, and died October 9, 1847. in Greenfield, Penn. ; William J., born July 29, 1815, married Nancy Jackman, and died in Illinois in 1876; Mary Ann, born May 5, 1817, died June 21, 1856, in Pennsylvania; Margaret L., born April 11, 1820, was married to James D. Latta, and died in Washington county, Penn., January 20, 1853; Saralı, born May 10, 1822, was married to William Dunlavey, and died February 11, 1850; Clark, the subject of this sketch; and James, born September

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10, 1828, married Sarah Ward, and died October 3, 1857, Clark being now the only survivor of the family. The father died in 1835, followed in 1865 by his widow. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members of the First M. E. Church built in Allen township, this county, and known as the "Howe M. E. Church;" it was originally erected in 1820, taken down in 1872, and rebuilt in 1892.

Clark Crow, whose name opens this memoir, received a subscription school education, and as- sisted his father in clearing up the home farm. On April 30, 1851, he was united in marriage with Rachel, daughter of William and Rachel (Stewart) Latta, and a native of Allen township, this county. To this union were born three children: . Ann Salene, Charles C. (deceased September 8, 1866), and James B. (deceased September 18, 1856). The mother of these children died December 18, 1859, and May 25, 1862, Mr. Crow took for his second wife Isabel Wilkin, a native of Coal Centre, this county, a daughter of Reuben Wilkin, who was born February 9, 1799, near Lost River, Hardy Co., W. Va., a son of George and Mary Wilkin, of West Virginia, who moved to Greenfield (now Coal Centre), Penn., in an early day.

Coming to Greenfield (now Coal Centre), East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., Reuben Wilkin was married April 2, 1826, to Bethsheba Dowler, a native of that township, born in 1808, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Dowler, and to this union were born children as follows: George W., born January 28, 1826, married September 13, 1849, to Margaret Ann Addis; Elizabeth, born June 19, 1828, died June 19, 1829; Emily, born May 29, 1830, died Decem- ber 20, 1887; Henry D., born May 8, 1832, mar- ried October 18, 1860, to Anna Piper; Mary Jane, born June 14, 1834, married to Peter Corwin, November 23, 1837; Thomas, born April 7, 1836, married January 1, 1861, to Mary McMillan; Rebecca, born August 26, 1838, died September 30, 1838; Isabel, born October 3, 1839, wife of Clark Crow; Lucinda, born July 2, 1844, mar- ried October 28, 1878, to William S. Wighams; and Harriet. born February 25, 1847, married De- cember 8, 1878, to Robert Moore. The father of this family died in 1882, having been preceded to the grave by his wife in 1869; she was a member of the First M. E. Church in Greenfield, built in 1838. Thomas and Elizabeth Dowler were mem- bers of the First M. E. Church in Allen township, which went by the name of the "Howe Church," of which mention has already been made in this sketch.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark Crow have always resided on the home place. which is one of the oldest farms in Washington county, and contains 190 acres of good land. In politics he is a Democrat,

and has served faithfully as road supervisor, judge of elections and member of the school board. In religion he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church at Mount Tabor. Their children are Olive E. (Mrs. Samuel Winnett, living on the home farm) and Loretta (Mrs. W. A. Strowd, of East Pike Run township) (twins), Eldora (wife of J. M. McCracken, of Greene county, Penn.). William (married to Olive Crawford, and living in Allen township), Fred G., Lawrence C. and Edgar J., all three of whom are living with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Crow are the grandparents of six children living, and one deceased.

A A. MEALY, an old and well-known resident of Claysville, is a native of Washington county, Penn .. born in Donegal township March 15, 1815. His early life was passed with his grandfather, George Mealy. who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and was reared to manhood on the home farm. George Mealy was united in marriage with Mary Horn, a resident of the same county, and their children were as follows: John, Samuel, David, Margaret, Sarah. Maria. Elizabeth, George and William. In

1812 Mr. Mealy and his family started for Wash- ington county. Penn., and after a long and tedious journey by emigrant wagons they arrived in Done- gal township. and settled on the farm of 100 acres, which Mr. Mealy had previously purchased. It was partially cleared, and had some buildings on it. He was an energetic and progressive. man, taking an active part in public enterprises. Politically he was a stanch Democrat. and a most ardent worker in his party. In religion he was a member and hearty supporter of the Presbyterian Church.

A. A. Mealv (grandson of the above pioneer) passed his early youth in attending to the farm duties on his grandfather's place, and during the winter season went to the neighboring schools. The school-house was like others of that day, a rude affair, but within those humble little cabins many of our most intelligent citizens received their first instruction in literature. When fifteen years of age Mr. Mealy was apprenticed to James Shan- non, a shoemaker, and has since been engaged in that vocation. always recognized as one of the best workmen of Claysville. When twenty-two years of age he began business for himself, and opened a shop. On July 2. 1835, he was married to Jane, daughter of Hugh McCaskey, a native of Ireland, who in youth came with two brothers to America. Mr. McCaskev settled in Lancaster county, Penn., remaining there several years. and was married to Julia Haggerty. who bore him the following chil- dren: Mary (Mrs. Charles Knight). Sarah (Mrs. William Moore). Jane (wife of A. A. Mealy) and Margaret. When a young man Mr. McCaskey

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learned the tanner's trade, which he followed sev- eral years. He then conducted a general store at Pittsburgh for some time, but finally moved to Canonsburg, Washington county, and resumed his trade. In politics he was a Whig, and in re- ligion a member of the Presbyterian Church. After his marriage, Mr. Mealy settled on his pres- ent home in Claysville, this county, and reared the following children: Margaret, wife of William Warrill; Julia A., wife of John Short; John, George and Anthony A. The mother of these passed away December 5, 1891, after a happy married life of fifty-four years' duration. Mr. and Mrs. Mealy celebrated their golden wedding July 2, 1885, when they had all their children present with them to participate in a most delightful family reunion. Mr. Mealy was appointed postmaster of Claysville in 1845, by the administration of James K. Polk, which position he occupied sixteen years. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the community, and in politics is an active mem- ber of the Democratic party. From early youth he has been a zealous member of the Presbyterian Church. The following is a record of his sons:

John Mealy was born in Claysville, this county, and received his elementary education in the town schools, which schools he afterward taught for several terms with great acceptance to the people. He graduated at Washington and Jefferson Col- lege. and then entered the Western Theological Seminary. After his graduation he was called to the Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Penn., of which he is now the pastor. "The church of Neshanock," New Wilmington, has been Mr. Mealy's only charge, covering a pastorate of twenty-five years. He has had in the meantime calls from a number of churches in the largest cities of the Union, but pastor and people being bound together by so many endearing ties, to- gether with the accomplishment of a great and good work, have thus far made a separation impos- sible. He is an earnest preacher, and has ever been a power in Sabbath-school work. His pleas. ant and kindly disposition and cordiality of man- ner have always made him a favorite with old and young. Mr. Mealy was united in marriage with Ida Willmouth, and they had three children: Flor- ence, Lavina and George. Mrs. Mealy died February 8, 1874, and for his second wife Mr. Mealy was married to Augusta Pomery, who has borne him one daughter, Jane.

George Mealy obtained his early education by self-study, and at the schools of Claysville, which he afterward taught. He then attended medical lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, and Western Reserve, at Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated. He is now practicing his profession in New Wilmington, Penn. His wife was formerly

Mary McEnall, and they have three children: Harry, John and Mary.

Anthony A. Mealy was also born in Claysville, and was educated at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Penn. He then entered the Western Theological Seminary, and graduated in 1877. He is now pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church at Pittsburgh, Penn. He was married June 22, 1882, to Bird Dalzell, and they have two daughters: Ellen and Lydia.

EORGE YOUNG HOLMES. George Young Holmes, Sr., the oldest living representative of the family, was born at Saltcoats, Scot- land, May 13, 1820. His grandfather, Will- iam Holmes, in his youth became a sailor, and so faithful was he in the discharge of his du- ties on shipboard, that he was rapidly promoted, rising from apprentice to the position of captain on a large vessel plying between Norway and Scotland. While superintending the lading of his vessel in a Norway port, he was accidentally killed, and his body was buried in that country about 1781 or 1782. His clothing and other effects were sent home to his grief-stricken family, in an old sea-chest which half a century later was brought to America, and is still (1893) in exist -. ence. Some years prior to his death, Capt. Holmes married Elizabeth Brown, and resided at Saltcoats, a seaport then of considerable importance, pro- ducing large quantities of salt. Ship-building was also in a very flourishing condition then and for many years afterward. The family consisted of four children: Robert, William, Martha and Eliz- abeth. Mrs. Holmes, a woman of rare ability, possessing to a remarkable degree the energy characteristics of the Scotch people, began immedi- ately the training and education of her little fam- ily, and she lived to see all of them respected mem- bers of society, reflecting honor upon her loving care.

The maternal grandfather, William Brown, then a master weaver, took Robert and William as ap- prentices at hand-loom weaving, a trade of great importance prior to the invention of the power- loom. They continued at this trade for some time, but Robert's taste inclined toward the study of medicine. With William's assistance, he was graduated from the University of Glasgow, attend- ed the medical lectures at Dublin, and began the practice of medicine at Saltcoats, but within a year he died of typhus fever contracted from one of his patients. For some years William continued at his trade, and in his spare moments, by diligently applying himself to study, he became an excellent English scholar and a fine penman. For some time he held the position of clerk in the Irwin

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Bank, and after his marriage engaged in the gro- cery business. He was then appointed postmaster and agent for the sale of Government stamped paper, which positions he retained until he emi. grated to America Although holding office under the Crown for many years with loyalty above re- proach, he was an ardent Republican, and believed firmly in government by the people. In 1803 he married Elizabeth, fourth daughter of John Mc- Nilledge, of Glasgow. They had ten children, three of whom died in infancy. Margaret, the eld- est, married and remained in Scotland, dying in 1836. The other children, namely: Robert, Eliz- abeth, Mary, Martha, George Young and Agnes Jane, with their parents, emigrated to America in 1830.

The deplorable condition of trade which had ex- isted in Great Britain from the fall of Napoleon in 1815, until this time, induced him to sever the ties which bound him to his native land and seek a home and a grave in the Western World. On April 22, 1830, he, with his family, set sail on the "Rodger Stewart," an American-built vessel which had been captured by the British in the war of 1812. During the long voyage of six weeks and four days, he kept a journal accurately recording the incidents of each day, the condition of the weather, etc., and from this journal, still in exist- ence, we take the following:

"Friday, May 7, 1830 .- It blew hard all last night and the ship rolled very much. George Young (George Y. Holmes, Sr.) was sent for a little water. Standing beside Robert, the ship gave a heavy roll. He ran to the lee side and struck violently against the bulwarks, then fell and gave a cry. Robert ran to his assistance and found that his thigh bone, right leg, was fract- ured. After a good deal of trouble and delay, we got it set and him put to bed in a small berth in the poop of the ship. He was rather uneasy, rest- less and pained, but behaved very well. "

Early in the morning of May 13, the passen- gers were aroused from their sleep by the cry of "Fire!" Mr. Holmes, in his journal, says: "When the word was given 'The ship is on fire,' one gen- eral cry of agony and despair arose from the women and children such as I never heard before and I hope shall never hear again." The fire had its origin in the cabin, and had gained consider- able headway before being discovered, but by the combined efforts of crew and passengers the flames were finally extinguished. The journal continues: "And now that the danger is over, ought we not to praise God for His goodness and His works of wonder." The remainder of the voy- age was uneventful, and at length the "Rodger Stewart" entered the harbor of New York. On the day he landed Mr. Holmes wrote: "God's mercies are indeed new unto us every morning, and

great reason have we to bless His name who has so far guided us in our way."

After securing comfortable rooms for his family in New York he presented letters of introduction to Mr. Buchanan, British consul. This gentle- man received him cordially, and gave him a letter to the governor of Upper Canada. Accomn- panied by his son Robert, he set out on his mem- orable prospecting tour from New York to Albany, thence to Buffalo, thence to Toronto. Here he met the Governor and also a large land-holder, a Scotchman, named Stevens, who made him a teil- der of 200 acres of unbroken timber land, but not being entirely satisfied with Canada, they retraced their steps, re-entering the United States at Niag- ara Falls. Thence they journeyed southward un- til they reached Claysville, Washington Co., Penn., and being well pleased with this section they de- cided to locate upon the farm now owned by Mr. D. M. Campsey, one mile northwest of Claysville. Mr. Holmes then returned to New York and brought his family by water to Baltimore, Md., thence by road-wagon to the home which he had provided for them, and where he expected to spend the remaining years of his life. Two years later he purchased for $1,000 the farm of 120 acres, now owned by George Y. Holmes, Sr. Here he resided until his death in 1847. In his younger days he united with the Baptist Church in his native land, and for more than twenty years was pastor of the church in Saltcoats. After coming to America he continued to preach to his friends and neigh- bors who would gather in the farm house on Sab- bath days. He had been well acquainted with Sir Walter Scott, and through the reading of his works and his conversation with the novelist him- self, he became imbued with the spirit of the anti- quarian; he gained possession of many rare coins, of an old family Bible published in 1576, and of a clock which is still keeping good time at the age of one hundred and fifty years. His wife died in 1869 at the advanced age of ninety-one years.

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Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 61

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