USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Genealogical and personal history of Fayette county, Pennsylvania > Part 36
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(III) James Walter, third child and sec- ond son of Richard D. Haines, the emigrant, was born in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, August 26, 1836. He grew to manhood on the paternal plantation, and after finishing his school years learned his father's trade, millwright. He became an expert workman and in 1855 spent two years in Texas erect- ing mills and milling machinery. In 1857 he joined a party going from Texas to the Pino Alto range of mountains in Arizona in search of gold. That country then was in an exceedingly wild and unsettled condi- tion, the Indians often hostile and the dan- ger great. Notwithstanding all this he re- mained in that country several years with some success, returning to Texas at the outbreak of the civil war. He reached Houston, Texas, where he found the entire city given over to a celebration of the great victory won by the Confederates at Bull Run. He at once enlisted in Company A, Fifth Regiment Texas Infantry, then being recruited in Houston and composed of the best class of young men in the city. He followed the fortunes of the Confederacy through four years of hard service, served under General Robert E. Lee in his invasion of Pennsylvania in Longstreet's division and under the gallant Pickett was one of that doomed but immortal division that as a last resort, on the third day of battle, was sent on that wonderful charge against the Union centre strongly intrenched and sup- ported by batteries. Of Mr. Haines' regi-
ment only one-third came back after a dis- play of courage that still electrifies the world. He came through the war without serious injury, and after Appomattox re- turned to his Virginia home; but the devas- tation of war had not spared that section and later he located in Cumberland, Mary- land, where he worked at his trade and in the mills, sawing lumber for use in build- ing construction. In 1871 he moved to New Haven, then a separate borough, now a part of the city of Connellsville, where he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company as shop machinist, remaining sixteen years. He then went with the Calhoun Planing Mill Company as machinery man, continuing with them thir- teen years. In 1904 he retired and now is making his home with his son, James L. Haines, in Connellsville. His life has been full of adventures and changes, but now at seventy-five years of age he is well pre- served and vigorous.
He married, after the war, Annie Laura McCarty, born in New Winchester, Vir- ginia, June 5, 1838, died in Connellsville, August 9, 1892, daughter of Timothy and Ann (White) McCarty, born in Bantry, county Cork, Ireland, where they married. They came to the United States about 1830, Timothy, aged twenty-one years, his wife, a little younger. They were on the ocean two hundred and forty days, experiencing frightful storms, one of eight days' dura- tion that swept them far off their course. They finally landed and the young couple, after a stay in Newfoundland, Canada, made their way to Virginia where Timothy Mc- Carty engaged in farming and working at his trade of stone mason. During the civil war their farm, lying in the midst of the war zone, was often the scene of actual warfare and on one occasion their barn was used as a field hospital. Timothy McCarty died August 21, 1883, in his seventy-fourth year; Ann, his wife, July 18, 1887, in her seventy-seventh year. Three of four sons served in the Confederate army. Children of Mr. and Mrs. McCarty : I. Cornelius H., born in Newfoundland, Canada, December 21, 1832, died in Orlando, Florida, Decem- ber 3, 1910. 2. Joanna, born August 18, 1834, at Boston, Massachusetts, died at Ste-
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phens City, November 15, 1895. 3. William, born October 26, 1835, died in Pennsylva- nia. 4. Annie Laura, of previous mention. 5. Timothy, born January 20, 1840, died in Mexico, Missouri, August 2, 1881 ; he was a soldier of the Confederate army, fought under General Stonewall Jackson, was wounded seven times during the war and finally lost an arm at Gettysburg, which ended his military career. 6. Joseph, born January 12, 1842, died January 16, 1842. 7. Joseph, born February 1, 1843, died in Mex- ico, Missouri, June, 1893; was a soldier of the Confederacy, serving under General Stonewall Jackson. 8. John, born April 14, 1845. 9. James, November 5, 1847. 10. El- len, September 7, 1849, died near Mononga- hela City, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1874. II. Thomas, born September 12, 1851, died near Mexico, Missouri, September 6, 1885. 12. Mary Catherine (Craig) born at Bartonville, Springdale, Frederick county, Virginia, May 25, 1854; died in June, 1912. Children of James Walter and Annie Laura (McCarty) Haines: I. James L., of whom further. 2. Albert M., of whom further. 3. Walter W., of whom further. 4. Margaret, married Richard Cunningham, a locomotive engineer of Connellsville. 5. Charlotte Ger- trude, married Charles N. Vance, a loco- motive enginer of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(IV) James L., eldest son of James Wal- ter and Annie Laura (McCarty) Haines, was born in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, October 23, 1866. The family made several moves and when he was five years of age they settled in Connellsville, West Side (then New Haven). He attended the pub- lic schools until reaching the age of six- teen years, then began working in Squire & Nables brickyard during the summer sea- son. Later he entered the Baltimore & Ohio machine shops, where he served a four years' apprenticeship at the machinist's trade, and spent the next thirteen years in the company's brass foundry until it was removed from Connellsville to a more fa- vorable location. He then spent eighteen months in Pittsburgh, in the foundry of Tutman & Hogg, following this with fifteen months with the Baltimore & Ohio as fire- man. The ensuing three years he was mould- er for the Connellsville Machine & Car Com-
pany. In 1898 he entered the employ of Boyts Porter & Company, at the Yough Pump Works, and is still with them as moulder at their foundry. He is an expert at his business, and has few superiors. He is a Republican in politics and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Modern Wood- men of America, and the Heptasophs.
He married, December 4, 1890, Minnie Hay, born in Donegal township, Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Harmon and Missouri Wringler Hay (see Hay). Children: I. Helen May, born March 13, 1892. 2. Sadie Frances, in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1894. 3. Mary Bell, October 28, 1898. 4. Harmon Franklin, August 9, 1899. 5.
Charles Edward, December 31, 1901. 6. Ralph William, twin of Charles Edward. 7. Emma Lou, born April 29, 1904. 8. Clif- ford, March 31, 1906. The family are mem- bers of Trinity Lutheran Church.
(IV) Albert M., second son of James Walter and Annie (McCarty) Haines was born at Summit Point, Vir- ginia, February 18, 1872. He was but a babe in arms when his parents came to Con- nellsville, settling on the West Side, then New Haven. He attended the public schools, and when yet a boy began to learn carpentering. When thirteen years of age he began working in the planing mill of Calhoun & Company, remaining in their employ thirteen years, becoming a skilled mechanic in all forms of mill and construc- tive carpentry. He also during this period completed a special course with the Scran- ton School of Correspondence which fitted him for a higher position. In 1903 he was one of the organizers of the Connellsville Construction Company, of which he is treasurer and general manager. This has been a wonderfully successful company, their offices on the fourth floor of the First National Bank Building being always the scene of great activity. They keep from fifty to seventy mechanics constantly em- ployed, the number sometimes running to two hundred and fifty. Started at a period of unusual building activity in Connells- ville they secured an immediate foothold and have constantly advanced until it is the leading construction company in the city.
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The officers are: President, F. F. Evans ; vice-president, C. N. Hyatt; secretary, D. E. Treher ; treasurer and general manager, Albert M. Haines. To the success of this company the mechanical and executive ability of the general manager has materi- ally contributed. He is a member of the Presbyterian church; the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, the Heptasophis, and a Republican in politics.
He married, October 30, 1895, Etta Jean Hawkins, born August 1, 1871, at Mill Run, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Rowan) Hawkins. Thomas Hawkins was born in Ireland and is now engaged as a mine broker. Rebecca (Rowan) Hawkins was born in Springfield township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Etta Jean Haines is a member of the Presbyterian church. They have no chil- dren.
(IV) Walter Wheeler, third son of James Walter and Annie Laura (McCarty) Haines, was born in Connellsville, West Side (New Haven), June 8, 1876, in a little log house just across from the Baltimore & Ohio -shops. He attended the public schools until he was thirteen years of age, then be- came messenger boy at the general offices of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. Later he worked in the repair shops, then returned to his position as messenger boy. During this period he had acquired a knowledge of telegraphy, and in 1894 was appointed operator for the Baltimore & Ohio at Layton, Pennsylvania. In 1895 he returned to Connellsville where he remained as operator until 1902. In that year he was wire chief of the Baltimore & Ohio, in 1904 appointed despatcher at Connellsville, and in I911 sub chief despatcher at Connells- ville, and in 1912 chief despatcher. He is clear-headed and efficient, handling the bus- iness of his division with skill and prompt- ness. He is prominent in the Masonic Or- der, belonging to King Solomon's Lodge, No. 346, Free and Accepted Masons ; Uniontown Lodge of Perfection ; Pittsburgh Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is a Republican.
He married, April 25, 1908, Estelle La- verne Barnette, born in Connellsville,
daughter of William and Elizabeth D. (Van Swearingen) Barnette, both born in North Union township, Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania. William Barnette was engaged in the grocery business in Connellsville for twenty years, partner of J. D. Frisbee, then was in the grocery business alone, and in 1908 established a bakery at Uniontown. He died December 28, 1911. His wife, Elizabeth D., survives him. She is a daugh- ter of William S. and Dorcas (Bryson) Van Swearingen, of an early county family, de- scending from Garret Van Swearingen, said to have been a younger son of a noble family of Holland; was well educated and came to America, settling in New York. Of his descendants Captain Van Swearin- gen was the first to settle in Western Penn- sylvania, a noted revolutionary officer and captain in the equally celebrated Eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Line and particu- larly distinguished himself under the com- mand of General Gates at the battle of Saratoga. A latter day descendant and brother of Mrs. Elizabeth D. Barnette is John Quincy Van Swearingen, the ablest lawyer of Uniontown and an honored and respected member of the Pennsylvania bar.
SOISSON This family, so prominent in the business history of Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, springs from an ancient French family of Alsace, although their ancestral province has reverted to its original owners after a long period under the French flag. Part of the indemnity exacted by Germany from France after their conquest of that county in 1870-1871 was the cession of Alsace-Lor- raine, ancient German possessions.
The earliest record we have is of Joseph Soisson, a well-to-do merchant of Alsace. On his mother's side he was a relative of the great Philadelphia banker, capitalist and philanthropist, Stephen Girard, his mother bearing that name previous to her marriage. The Girard family of Bordeaux, France, were wealthy, and when the hot-headed Stephen, at the age of fourteen years, de- manded a portion, his father purchased three thousand dollars' worth of goods and sent him away with them on a ship bound for one of the French colonies in the West
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Indies. A daughter of the same family was the mother of Joseph Soisson. He married Margaret Kinstof Christophe, born in the same province. They lived to a good old age, rearing a family of six children: I. John, born in Alsace, France, where he grew to manhood and received his educa- tion. He emigrated to the United States in 1847, settling in Cambria county, Penn- sylvania, near Nicktown, where he engaged in farming. He married in his native land, Magdalena Lambour, who accompanied him to the United States. Children : i. Nicholas Louis, born November 19, 1852; now resides at St. Louis, Missouri ; married and has nine children ; ii. John E., born March 3, 1855, married and has four children; iii. Anthony, porn August 12, 1856, a farmer, married and has twelve children; iv. M. J., born February 1, 1858, now engaged in the ex- press and storage business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; v. Mary Magdalene, born February 27, 1859, married, October 24, 1876, M. J. Kersch, and has fourteen chil- dren. 2. Joseph, of whom further. 3. Pe- ter, whose sketch follows. 4. Lizzie, born in Alsace, France, April 18, 1833; married, in Germany, February 17, 1858, Joseph Schlos- ser. She came to the United States later in life with her two younger children and now resides with her brother, Joseph, in Connellsville. Children: Laura, Margaret, Joseph, Leo and Katherine. 5. Leon Jo- seph, born at Wahlscheid, Germany, April 22, 1838. He grew to manhood in his na- tive land and came to the United States, settling in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, with his brother Joseph, in whose employ he continued until his death, November 21, IQII. He married, in 1868, Barbara Sny- der, of Nicktown, Cambria county, Pennsyl- vania. Children: i. Louisa, born May 13, 1869, married Thomas Collins-seven chil- dren; ii. George Peter, born July 4, 1870, married Clara May Carven, six children ; iii. Franklin F., born January 25, 1872, mar- ried Gertrude Rhodes, no children; iv. Wil- liam J., born November 22, 1873, married, in 1898, Myrtle Younkin, seven children; v. Sylvester, born August, 1875, married Nel- lie Denver, no children; vi. Edward, died 1882; vii. Emma, died 1882; viii. Elizabeth, born December 27, 1878, married Victor
Sims, no children; ix. Bertha, born March 15, 1882, married Charles McCarthy, two children ; x. Louis, born July 17, 1884, mar- ried Kate Collins; xi. Agnes, born August 31, 1886, married Lorance Coyles, two chil- dren; xii. Ambrose, born August 3, 1886, married Pearl Weis; xiii. Andrew, born June II, 1891 ; xiv. Ella, born May 31, 1895. 6. Margaret, born in Alsace, married Charles Walter and yet resides in their native prov- ince in the village of Wahlscheid; one child.
(II) Joseph (2), second son of Joseph (I) and Margaret K. (Christophe) Soisson, was born in Wahlscheid, Alsace, France, January 9, 1829. He was educated in his native province and learned both the Ger- man and French languages. At the age of twenty he came to the United States, land- ing at New York City, after a voyage of forty-two days made in a sailing vessel. He could speak no English, but soon ac- quired a sufficient vocabulary for his needs. He soon left New York, where he worked at tinning, going to New Jersey, where for eighteen months he was engaged in the manufacture of building brick. He had now learned the language and determined to still further prospect for a favorable loca- tion, for he had determined to become a manufacturer. He came as far west as Hol- lidaysburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, finding employment at brickmaking with Charles Hughes. Here he became thorough master of all details of the business. He then went south looking for a location, but after going as far as New Orleans and not finding a suitable opening, he returned to Mr. Hughes, who had formed a partnership with Dr. Roderick and was extending his business in all directions. Mr. Soisson be- came an agent for the firm, selling brick and taking contracts. After two years as agent he purchased Dr. Roderick's interest, the firm becoming Hughes & Soisson. They operated the plant at Plane No. 8 near Hol- lidaysburg, Pennsylvania, until 1860, then established another plant at Miltenberg. Hughes & Soisson conducted a very suc- cessful business until 1869, when they dis- solved by mutual consent. For six years, until 1875, Mr. Soisson continued the busi- ness alone. He then formed a partnership with Messrs. Spiggs and Wilhelm, and
Joseple Poisson
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erected a large plant at White Rock near Connellsville. This continued until 1879, when Mr. Soisson and his son, John F., absorbed the entire business and launched the firm of Soisson & Son. In 1872 a part- nership had been formed with John Kilpat- rick and John Wilhelm, trading as Soisson, Kilpatrick & Wilhelm. This firm had erect- ed an extensive plant at Moyer, Fayette county. This plant, after a successful ca- reer, was merged with Soisson & Son and the entire business incorporated under the title of The Joseph Soisson Fire Brick Com- pany, with Joseph Soisson, president. This is the largest brick manufacturing company in the county and conducts an enormous business. They manufacture at their dif- ferent plants all kinds of bricks and for all purposes, building brick, fire brick, coke oven brick, pavement brick and tile, all of a quality that has built up their market and holds it. Their six plants have a combined daily capacity of one hundred thousand brick.
In 1873, Mr. Soisson first made Connells- ville his home, and has continuously re- sided there until the present date (1912). He and his seven sons, all capable active men of affairs, have been potent factors in the development of Connellsville. The father, as years accumulated, withdrew from the more active field, leaving to the sons the burden of the business. He took a great in- terest in borough affairs, contributing lib- erally of time and money to those enter- prises that promised a benefit to his city. When the Humbert Tin Plate Company was organized and when the Slaymaker-Barry Lock Company came to Connellsville, seek- ing a location and local aid, he was the first of the moneyed men of the city to extend a helping hand. His contribution to the fund to purchase a site was a large one, and the influence of his name still more helpful, and these industries were able to establish large, well equipped plants, employing a large force of men. He was a director and stock- holder of the Humbert Tin Plate Company until its absorption in 1899 by the tin trust, The American Tin Plate Company. He was a director and first vice-president of the Slaymaker-Barry Company for many years. These are only solitary instances and could
be further multiplied; any enterprise that appealed to his business judgment has had his support. He went outside his realm of business and became one of the founders of the Yough National Bank of Connellsville. He was a director when it was the State Bank, and since becoming a National Bank
its honored president. This bank stands among the leading financial institutions, which proves his breadth of mind and the versatility of his genius. He is a most gen- erous giver to charity and is liberal in all things. His career is an inspiration and a great object lesson to the ambitious. In- dustry and clean living are the lessons his life teaches to the young man who would emulate him. When such a goal can be won by a young man, a stranger in a strange land, without even a knowledge of the lan- guage of those around him, exceptional mer- it in that particular young man must be the explanation of his success, not luck or for- tuitous circumstances. He won success, de- serves it and all wish him many years more to enjoy it. In 1907 he gave downtown Connellsville a modern place of amusement by building the Soisson Theatre. He is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for James A. Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. He is a member, with his entire family, of the Church of the Immaculate Conception (Roman Catholic).
He married, March 21, 1853, at Hollidays- burg, Pennsylvania, Caroline Filcer, born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Filcer. Children : I. Elizabeth, born 1854; married Hugh King, a blacksmith of Connellsville.
2. John F., born at Plane No. 8 on the old Portage Road near Hollidaysburg in 1856, died in Connellsville in November, 1899. He was identified with the brick manufacturing business with his father, and for thirty years was a leading citizen and prominent busi- ness man of Fayette county. He was treas- urer and general manager of the Joseph Soisson Fire Brick Company, president of the South Connellsville Lumber Company, president of the South Connellsville Build- ing and Loan Association, director of the Second National Bank, director of the Youghioheny Light, Heat and Power Com- pany, director of the South Connellsville
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Suburban Street Railway Company, director of the Connellsville News Publishing Com- pany, of which he was a founder. He joined with his father and brothers in the devel- opment of South Connellsville and aided in the planting of the industries there. He was a member of the Church of the Immac- ulate Conception, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Associa- tion. He married Emma C. Whitney ; chil- dren: John Whitney, Hilda A., Emma, Irene and Adrian.
3. Anna M., married John F. Gilligan, a foundry and machine shop proprietor of Latrobe, Pennsylvania; eight children.
4. Margaret M., married Joseph Madigan, superintendent in the Pittsburgh Brewing Company at Connellsville.
5. William Filcer, born at Incline No. 8, Blair county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1862; now residing at No. 122 Peach street, Con- nellsville. He was educated in the public school and for two years attended St. Vin- cent's College near Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He worked for the Soisson Fire Brick Com- pany in 1881, then became bookkeeper for the firm of John D. Frisbee in Connellsville, continuing until August 31, 1885. He then formed a partnership with J. C. Lytle and as Lytle & Soisson conducted a retail boot and shoe store in Connellsville, continuing until 1890, when he withdrew and became book- keeper for Joseph Soisson & Sons, with a one-third interest in the firm; upon the incorporation of the Joseph Soisson Fire Brick Company, he was elected secretary, continuing until 1899, when he was elected general manager and treasurer. He was in- terested in the development of Connellsville and South Connellsville, and with his fa- ther and brothers secured the industries of that borough. He is a director and vice- president of the Yough National Bank, di- rector and president of the Inter-Railway Coal Company, director of the Connellsville Suburban Electric Railway, the Sunshine Coal & Coke Company, the O'Brien Coal Company, The Yough Heat, Light and Power Company, the Connellsville Mer- chandise and Supply Company, The Con- nellsville Building and Loan Company, president of the Soisson Summer Home Company, sole owner of the Lang Coal and
Sand Company, and is a stockholder in the Midland Coal & Coke Company, the Stewart Creek Coal Company, the Connellsville, Machinery & Car Company, the Citizens National Bank, the Connellsville White Sand Company, director of the Yough Plumbing Company, president of the Rocks Coal Company. He is a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, a Knight of Columbus, a Catholic Mutual Benefit Association and a Democrat in pol- itics.
He married (first) in 1887, Jennie, daughter of Robert Lang. Children: Cy- rilla Margaret, born November 27, 1888; Robert Regis, July 22, 1890; Basil Joseph, April 25, 1892; Ignatius Lang, August 9, 1894; Marie Genevieve, April 9, 1896; Anena Caroline, August 5, 1898; Anna Marian, September 27, 1901; Elnor Regina, Feb- ruary 27, 1904; William Edison, February 21, 1906; Fred Filcer, December 29, 1907. Jennie, his wife, died January 26, 1908. He married (second) Jennie M. Wyeth, a wid- ow, daughter of James and Adelia Madden, of Harvard, Illinois, June 6, 1910, by Rev. Father Cusack.
6. Joseph N., born at Oakdale, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1864. He was educated in the public school of White Rock, later attended public school of Con- nellsville and the parochial schools. In 1881- 82 he was a student at St. Vincent's College near Latrobe. After leaving college he was taken into the brick manufacturing business with his father and elder brothers. He was stationed at the fire brick manufacturing plant at Volcano, Fayette county, where after five months' experience, at age of nineteen years, he was placed in charge of the plant. He was next put in full charge of the new plant being erected at Davidson's Station, north of Connellsville. After the comple- tion of that plant, one of the six operated by the Joseph Soisson Fire Brick Company, he went west spending three years at Kan- sas City, Missouri, engaged in contracting brick construction, stores, blocks and dwell- ings. He then returned home and was made superintendent of another Soisson plant, the Fire Brick Works at Rankin, Fayette coun- ty. He remained in charge of that plant until its destruction by fire. These works
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