USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
HARPER, Edwin F. G.,
Lawyer.
There are few names better known in Butler county than that of Harper, nor one more worthily borne. Transplanted in 1891 to New Castle, Lawrence coun- ty, by a scion of the Butler county stock, it has there become well known and re- spected in the person of Edwin F. G. Harper, a practicing lawyer of the Law- rence county bar. He is a son of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Dalzell) Harper, the lat- ter deceased since March 9, 1879.
Cyrus Harper has been for many years prominently identified with the agricul- tural interests of Butler county as a practical farmer; with the political ac- tivity of the county, serving from 1896
190
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
to 1899 as county treasurer and in many New Castle Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- county and township offices of lesser im- portance, always a Republican, active, loyal and steadfast; with the religious life of his community in both the Meth- odist Episcopal and United Presby- terian churches, all his adult life, now an elder of the latter church, and with every good cause in his neighborhood. He also has a record of service in the Civil War as an enlisted soldier, fighting with the Army of the Potomac in many of the historic battles of the war between the States. He is now living a retired life at Zelienople, Butler county, rounding out a long career of usefulness.
Edwin F. G. Harper was born in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1869. He grew to youthful manhood on the home farm, his father's assistant, and attending the public schools. After he had finished the courses there possible, he entered the high school at New Cas- tle, Pennsylvania, whence he was grad- uated, class of 1891. He decided upon the profession of law, and began study under the preceptorship of Oscar L. Jackson, a leading lawyer of New Castle. He continued his study with Mr. Jackson until 1897, when he was admitted to the Lawrence county bar. He at once be- gan practice in New Castle, which has been practically his home since 1890. He has been admitted to practice in all State and Federal courts of the district, and has a well established important legal practice in all. His practice is general in character, and is with the best class of clients. He is learned in the law, and his years of practice have given him valuable experience in legal procedure. He is a member of the Lawrence Coun- ty Bar Association and is highly re- garded by his professional brethren.
He is a prominent member of various fraternal orders of New Castle; is past master of Mahoning Lodge No. 423, Free and Accepted Masons, member of
sons; eminent commander of Command- ery No. 62, Knights Templar ; member of the Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite; past chancellor and command- er of New Castle Lodge No. 404, Knights of Pythias; member of Shenango Lodge No. 180, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and of the Sons of Veterans. He has always been an active Republican, taking deep interest in pub- lic affairs, local, State and national. He has served for several years on the Board of Education, and for two years was secretary of the board. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, Mr. Harper being a mem- ber of the official board, and both prom- inent in church and Sunday school work and in the social life of their community. Like his honored father Mr. Harper measures the full standard of intelligent citizenship, and is highly regarded for his well formed character and well bal- anced mental attainment.
He married, July 6, 1904, Margaret M., daughter of Rev. James E. and Eleanor J. (White) Roberts, of New Castle ; her father is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Child : Eleanor
Blanche.
CRAIG, Rev. William R.,
Clergyman.
One who adopts the holy calling of a Christian minister finds that the path of duty calls often far from settled associa- tions and makes life a succession of changes of residence. It was one of these changes that in 1910 brought Rev. Craig to the pastorate of the First Presby- terian Church of Butler, one of the oldest, largest and strongest congregations of that faith in Western Pennsylvania.
William R. Craig was born at Clays- ville, Washington county, Pennsylvania,
191
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
February 4, 1879, son of Thomas B. and Rachel (Noble) Craig; the former died in May, 1911; the latter is still surviving. Thomas B. Craig was for forty-five years a merchant of Claysville, a man of prom- inence and active in public affairs, serv- ing on the town council and the school board. For many years he was a trustee of the Presbyterian church, and, every- where known, was highly esteemed.
parishioners. He is an Independent in politics with Prohibition proclivities, and a believer in the doctrine of legal pro- hibition of the liquor traffic. He is thoroughly alive to his responsibility as a citizen, and is well informed on all public questions. He belongs to lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias.
William R. Craig was educated in the He married, June 18, 1908, Helen Hanna Weir, daughter of Adam and Ella (Hanna) Weir, her father a promi- nent stock dealer and farmer of south- ern Washington county, Pennsylvania. Children of Rev. William R. and Helen Craig: William W., Thomas Alexander, and Adam Weir. public school, spent his early life in Claysville, and during the sessions of the Fifty-third Congress was a page in the House of Representatives. Returning to Washington county, he entered the pre- paratory department of Washington and Jefferson College, and in 1898 matricu- lated at the same college. He pursued a full classical course of four years and was SCOTT, Robert P., graduated A. B. in 1902; later Washing- ton and Jefferson College conferred upon Lawyer. him the degree of A. M. After leav- Scott is an honored name in all Eng- lish speaking countries, and was brought to Butler county at an early day. Rob- ert P. Scott was born in Fairview, But- ler county, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1842, son of John and Matilda (Kelly) Scott, the former also a native of Butler coun- ty, the latter of Fayette county, Penn- sylvania. John Scott was a successful merchant, an oil operator, and served a term as sheriff of Butler county, elected on the Republican ticket. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church until his death in 1885. His widow yet survives, aged ninety-two years, a wonder of vigor and mental preservation. ing college he spent one year in busi- ness with his father at Claysville, but he had no liking for business life. In the fall of 1903 he entered the Western The- ological Seminary, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated in 1906. He was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian church, and at once en- tered upon ministerial work as pastor of the Hookstown and Mill Creek Presby- terian congregations in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He remained in charge of these churches until 1910, when he ac- cepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Butler, and was installed pas- tor July 1, 1910. This is the oldest church in Butler, and one of the oldest Robert P. Scott grew to youthful man- hood in Butler county, moving to the borough of Butler at the age of sixteen years, during his father's term as sheriff of the county. He was educated in the county and borough, and later studied under private instruction until entering Witherspoon Institute, in Butler. When in Western Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1813, and is a large and in- fluential church. Under the care of Rev. Craig the church is continuing its ma- terial and spiritual prosperity. He is a pleasing orator, and devoted to his holy calling. He is broad-minded, and exerts a wholesome influence outside his own war between the States could no longer
192
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
be avoided, he enlisted, in September, 1861, in Company H, 78th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving with the Army of the Cumberland in many of its severest battles. He was honorably discharged and mustered out August 27, 1865. After the war he again attended Witherspoon Institute, finishing the course interrupted by his military service. For a time he followed railroad and steamboat employment, later taking up the study of law. He passed the re- quired examinations, and in 1870 was ad- mitted to the Butler county bar. He be- gan practice in Butler at once, and so continues most successfully. He has been admited to all State and Federal courts of the district, and has business with them all. In 1870, early in his pro- fessional career, he became attorney for the Pennsylvania railroad at Butler, continuing until 1881, when he became attorney for the Baltimore & Ohio allied interests, which he still continues to safeguard. He fills many appointments as special counsel, but beyond these his practice is general in character. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State and Butler County Bar Associations, and is held in highest regard as a learned lawyer and skilful practitioner.
He has many outside interests, being connected with various commercial and banking institutions as a stockholder. He entertains the liveliest interest in his old comrades in arms ; is past commander of A G. Reed Post No. 105, and past commander of the Department of Penn- sylvania, Grand Army of the Republic; also a member of the Union Veteran Legion, and of the Masonic order. He is a Republican in politics, and thorough- ly informed on all public questions, but beyond serving on the county committee and sitting as a delegate in county, State and National conventions of his party, has accepted no public position. He and his family are members of the First
Presbyterian Church of Butler, active in church and Sunday school work.
Mr. Scott married, September 25, 1877, Georgia, daughter of George H. and Lois A. Hoskins of New York State. Their two sons are: George H., a grad- uate of the University of Pennsylvania, now captain in the Medical Corps, United States Army; and Robert P., living at home.
WALLACE, Robert A.,
Physician and Surgeon.
One must go far into the past to reach a period when the name Wallace was not engraved high upon the roll of fame. Warriors of great renown, scientists of world-wide reputation, professional and business men of the highest standing have borne the name in every age and generation.
Dr. Robert A. Wallace, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, descends from the Scotch family, later seated in Ireland, from whence, prior to the Revolution, came James, John, Robert and Samuel Wall- ace, sons of Robert and Mary (Knox) Wallace, of county Antrim. Robert Knox and father died in county Antrim, but his widow came to America with her four sons. The sons, with ready sym- pathy for the cause of liberty, took sides with the colonies, and rendered efficient service in the Revolutionary army.
Dr. Wallace, subject of this record, descends through Robert (2) Wallace, who settled in Western Pennsylvania. The family were hardy pioneers, of great activity and worth, standing even in that early day as they have always stood, for those principles of morality and justice tending to the community good. Dr. James J. Wallace, father of Dr. Robert A. Wallace, was a leading physician of New Castle for over forty years, his brother, Dr. John W. Wallace, being a contemporary for a great many of these
193
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF. BIOGRAPHY
years, and was congressman from the among his brethren, having been chosen New Castle district. Another brother, by them as president of the latter society. He is a member of the staff of Shenango Hospital, having served in that capacity since the organization of the hospital in 1893. Dr. Richard Wallace, practiced there un- til his death. Dr. James Wallace, son of Dr. James J. Wallace, also practiced there until his death. These, with Dr. Robert A. Wallace, make five of the Wallace name who were practicing med- icine in New Castle at the same time and for several years, until death removed them one by one, Dr. Robert A. Wall- ace being the last survivor. They were all eminent physicians, and practiced in the greatest harmony.
Dr. Robert A. Wallace, son of Dr. James J. and Agnes (Davis) Wallace, was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1855. He received a good classical education in the schools of New Castle, and when the choice of a profession be- came necessary, he was naturally at- tracted to medicine, in which profession his father and uncles were then promi- nent. He studied with his father, and then entered Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he was grad- uated M. D., class of 1877, and began to practice in New Castle in association with his father. Later he took post- graduate courses in New York and Phil- adelphia. The partnership with the father continued until the death of the latter when the full burden fell upon the young physician. He has continued alone since that time, and in the city of his birth, and has earned an enviable reputation as an honorable, skilful phy- sician and surgeon.
His life has been a useful one, and now, in the full zenith of success, he is the same studions investigating searcher after fresh medical or surgical discovery as when a tyro in the healing art. He is a member of the American Medical, the Pennsylvania State Medical and the Lawrence County Medical Societies, holding high professional standing
When the United States Board of Pension Examiners was first appointed, after the Civil War, Dr. Richard Wallace was appointed examiner at New Castle, serving until his death in 1905, when his nephew, Dr. Robert A. Wallace, was ap- pointed to succeed him, making now a half century of Wallace service on the United States Board of Pension Ex- aminers.
Dr. Wallace has large real estate in- terests in New Castle, and is a director of the National Bank of New Castle and of the New Castle Portland Cement Company. He has been an active mem- ber of the Masonic order for many years, receiving high honors from his Masonic brethren in recognition of his service. He is past master of his lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; past high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter and past emi- nent commander of the Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Episcopal church of New Castle, and in political faith a lifelong Republican, never, however, having accepted public office, although deeply interested and fully alive to his duty as a good citizen.
He married, November 25, 1889, Caro- line Cunningham, daughter of R. W. and Caroline (Woodward) Cunningham, of New Castle, he of Irish birth and an- cestry, she in New England tracing de- scent to "Mayflower" forebears. Chil- dren of Dr. Robert A. Wallace: Robert C., now a senior at Princeton Univers- ity ; Lillian, a senior at the Emma Will- ard school, Troy, New York; Marion, a student at the same institution; Rich- ard H.
194
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
MCILVAINE, John Addison,
Lawyer, Jurist.
The Hon. John Addison Mellvaine, President Judge of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, was born in Somerset township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1843. His parents, William and Matilda (Mc- Ilvaine) McIlvaine, were of Scotch descent, both born in Washington coun- ty; they were second cousins. His grandfather, Greer McIlvaine, came from the Cumberland Valley into Washington county in 1785, and settled in Somerset township. Both his grandfather and his father were excellent citizens, farmers and Presbyterians. William McIlvaine died in March, 1889, his widow in Feb- ruary, 1898.
Judge McIlvaine was brought up on a farm, and attended the country district school. In September, 1860, he entered the junior preparatory department of Jefferson College, and by natural ability and hard study he was able to enter the freshman class in the fall of the next year, having done two years' work in one. Thus he graduated in 1865, in the last class prior to the union of the col- lege with Washington College; Jefferson College was at Canonsburg, but Wash- ington and Jefferson College is now at Washington. In a class of thirty-six members he took second honors, and therefore delivered the Latin salutatory on graduation day.
Immediately after graduation he en- tered on the study of law, as a student in the office of Boyd Crumrine, at Wash- ington and was admitted to the bar in Angust, 1867. For two years he was clerk in the office of the county treasurer, and then went to Kansas and settled at Wichita. For one year during his resi- dence in Kansas he was clerk of the dis- trict court, but called back to Pennsyl- vania by the illness of his father, in July,
1872, he soon opened a law office at Washington. In 1874 he was elected dis- trict attorney of Washington county ; and at the expiration of his three years' term, was re-elected. Mr. McIlvaine was already prominent in politics, and the following testimony from a paper of the opposing party, at the time of his re- tirement from office, may be quoted as expressing the sentiment of the press and as showing in what manner he was judged to have performed the duties of his office.
"Mr. MeIlvaine has been the chosen officer to represent the people in all criminal prose- cutions in this county for the past six years, and we but echo the sentiment of all conver- sant with the facts when we say that he has discharged the trust with great ability and fairness. He is a hard worker, and always had a knowledge of the facts, and was fully prepared to present them in a methodical and convincing way. Although a vigorous prose- cutor, he was fair; and no defendant had just cause to complain of any undue advantage having been taken of him."
While he was district attorney he formed a partnership with M. L. A. Mc- Cracken; the legal business of the firm became large and profitable, and the part- nership was continued until 1886.
On November 4, 1886, Mr. McIlvaine was elected President Judge of the Twenty-Seventh Judicial District, for a term of ten years, and has been twice re- elected to this office, so that he has now served continuously for a quarter of a century, and his present term will not expire until 1917. The development of the production of oil and gas in Wash- ington county has caused a large increase in both amount and variety of work to be transacted in this office, but the busi- ness has been promptly transacted, and in such a manner as to be satisfactory to lawyers and clients alike. Few of Judge McIlvaine's rulings have been reversed on appeal.
He has always been a Republican, and
195
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
in 1872 and 1873 was secretary of the Re- family doctor, and particularly is this publican County Vigilance Committee. true in rural communities. For two years he was adjutant of the Tenth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, and he is also a master Mason.
As may be judged from the responsi- ble positions in which he has been trusted by his fellow citizens and their evident approval of his official course, he is a man of high standing; and this is true not only in his immediate commun- ity, but throughout the State. He is a man of high and religious character, and all movements which he deems suited to promote the best interests of the people have his approval and interest. Greatly interested in educational matters, he is president of the board of trustees of Washington and Jefferson College, a member of the board of Washington Seminary, and also of the Pennsylvania Training School at Morganza. In the Presbyterian church he has been an elder in the Second Church, and has been a delegate to the Presbyterian General Assembly, from the Washington Presby- tery. He is a man free from ostentation, genial and kind, always ready to help by word or act.
Judge McIlvaine married, December 17, 1874, Ada C., daughter of James G. and Margaret (Gaston) Shaw, of Phila- delphia.
McDONOUGH, Dr. Oscar Tracy, Physician, Surgeou.
Probably no name in Washington county is better known than that of Mc- Donough. For many years Dr. James McClelland McDonough was a leading physician of the county, and, when he laid down the burden, his mantle in later years fell upon his son, Dr. Oscar Tracy McDonough. No man gets so near the hearts of his people as the old school
Dr. James McClelland McDonough was born in Washington county, and served as a surgeon in the Civil War, entering the army fresh from Jefferson College, Philadelphia, his alma mater. After the war he settled on the old farm in Washington county, where through summer's heat and winter's cold he prac- ticed his healing art, answering every call made upon him, day or night, until his death in June, 1874. He was a faith- ful, skilful doctor, a good citizen, an earnest Christian, and greatly beloved. His wife, Elizabeth Denman, survives him. Both were active Baptists; the doctor was a Republican, and very ac- tive in public affairs.
Dr. Oscar Tracy McDonough, son of Dr. James McClelland and Elizabeth (Denman) McDonough, was born in Hillsborough (now Scenery Hill), Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1870. He attended the public schools, finishing his preparatory educa- tion at the State Normal School at Cali- fornia, his parents having moved there when he was two years of age. He then entered the University of Pitts- burgh, department of pharmacy, whence he was graduated, class of 1892. He en- gaged in the drug business in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, for nine years, when he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1904. He be- gan the practice of his profession at Broad Ford, Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania, remaining there three years. He then practiced for two years at Clay- ville, Washington county, and in 1908 located in Washington, Pennsylvania, where he is now well established in gen- McDonough. No man get so near the member of the medical staff of the Wash- ington County Hospital and of Washing- ton City Hospital, where his peculiar
196
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
fitness for the profession has been fully demonstrated. He belongs to the Amer- ican Medical, Pennsylvania Medical and Washington County medical societies, keeping in close touch with modern med- ical and surgical discovery. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Ben- evolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, giv- ing only to those orders such time and attention as can be spared from his pro- fessional and other engagements. He is a Republican in politics, interested and well informed, but never seeking public office. Ile is a member of the First Christian Church, his wife also being a member.
He married, May 2, 1908, Stella, daughter of J. D. and Margaret (Lind- ley) McDonough. Child: Oscar Tracy.
HOLLAR, William H.,
Prominent Business Man.
The history of the development of bank vault construction in this country forms a very interesting chapter in the marvellous progress that has been made along various lines where inventive genius has largely entered in. When we consider that less than a century ago the type of safe that was used by many of our banking institutions was only a me- tallic chest or "strong box," secured by means of an ordinary lock, it is almost bewildering, to one not familiar with these things, to visit the modern safe deposit vault and note the intricacy of the mechanism and the completeness of detail that obtain in present day meth- ods for the safeguarding of the public's money.
William H. Hollar, president of The Hollar Company. For years this firm has led in this line of work. They are "Engineers, Designers and Superintend- ents of bank vault construction, inspec- tors and guarantors, under annual con- tract, of time and combination locks and all other vault and safe deposit mechan- ism," and since they were established, over a quarter of a century ago, have installed work in many of the oldest and most important financial institutions in the United States.
Aside from being its president, Mr. Hollar has been the master mind of this organization from the beginning, and the Company has also had the advantage of the use of his numerous patents, which embrace most of the valuable features essential in vault protection These in- clude the patents on the round door vault of Harveyized nickel steel armor plate, this being the first commercial use of this plate other than that for battleship pur- poses; also the patents on the electric winding timelock, this lock ranking so high that it is in a class by itself.
Mr. Hollar is a native of Ohio, born in Glasgow, Columbiana county, June I, 1851, son of William J. Hollar, of Hol- land parentage, and Louise Caroline Ma- lone, who came from the sturdy stock of the Scotch-Irish. He came honestly by his inventive turn of mind, for his father was a millwright and at the early age of eight years the boy was found tinkering around his father's shop and there dis- played a hidden genius which in the man was destined to make him the leader in his chosen field of activity. His oppor- tunities for schooling were limited and even these were cut short by the un- timely death of his father, and the boy found himself at the age of thirteen and one-half years the main support of his mother, two brothers and a sister. This is what Mr. Hollar called his "good for-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.