USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Genealogical and personal history of Fayette county, Pennsylvania > Part 51
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ginia. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and always a strong and ac- tive Republican. He served two terms in the lower house of the West Virginia legislature and two terms in the state senate. As long as he remained in West Virginia he was ac- tive and influential in state politics. In re- ligious faithi he was a member of the Disciples of Christ, better known as the Christian church.
He married, in 1844, Margaretta Miller, born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, died July 7, 1878, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Gans) Miller. Jacob Miller was of German parentage but born in Greene county, where he grew to manhood; later he moved to Mon- ongalia county, West Virginia, where he owned and conducted a farm near Morgan- town. Mary Gans was born in Fayette coun- ty, Pennsylvania, one of a large family who are of further mention in this work. Children of Jacob Miller: 1. Dr. Benjamin F., a phys- ician of Cincinnati, Ohio. 2. Dr. Jonathan (deccased), was a physician of Fort Scott, Kansas. 3. Esther (deceased), married Nich- olas Vandervoort, a farmer near Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. Rev. Oliver WV. (de- ceased), a minister of the Christian church, and in early life a professor of learning. 5. Susannah (deceased), married Berry Baker, a lawyer of Kingwood, West Virginia. 6. Laura, resides in Morgantown, West Vir- ginia. Children of Colonel Joseph Snider: I. Ollie, died aged six years. 2. Edith M., died at age of twenty-two years. 3. Elisha M., a prominent citizen of Point Marion, Fay- ette county. Pennsylvania; president of the Bank of Point Marion, and manager of the Jeannette Glass Company; married Bessie Franks. 4. Frank, of whom further.
(V) Frank, youngest child of Colonel Jo- seph and Margaretta (Miller) Snider was born February 26, 1863, at Rosedale, just a few SNIDER yards across the line in West Virginia, but hear the town limits of Rosedale, Pennsyl- vania. His early education was attained in the public schools near Easton, West Vir- ginia, and later entered the University of West Virginia, whence he was graduated A. B. in class of 1888. During his university term he taught two years in the public schools of Monongalia county, West Virginia, then returning and finishing his course. After graduation he was principal of the high But when war was declared a second time
schools of Parkersburg and Morgantown, West Virginia, and for four years principal of Blackburn College for girls at Senatobia, Mississippi. In 1895 he came to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and while waiting for favor- able opportunity to engage in business, taught in the public schools for one year. In 1897 he became associated with W. F. Frederick as bookkeeper in his piano establishment. When the W. F. Frederick Piano Company was incorporated in 1907, he was elected treasurer, an office he yet holds. This is a prosperous company, maintaining stores for ilie sale of musical instruments in Washing- ton. D. C .: Altoona, Pittsburgh, Mckeesport and Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Cumberland, Maryland: Canton and Cleveland, Ohio. The iam office is at Uniontown, where the rec- ords, involving an annual busines of one and a half millions of dollars, are all kept. Mr. Snider is also a director in the Davis, Burk- ham and Tyler Company of Wheeling, West Virginia, also a piano company. He is a Republican in politics, and an active member of the Central Christian church. He is in- terested in work among the young, and has been for sixteen years superintendent of the Sunday school of the Central Christian church.
He married. September 3, 1890, Hannah Matilda (Happie) Lyons, born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, near Morris Cross Roads, daughter of Thomas W. and Mary Parshall Lyons. Children : I. Joseplı L., born August 25, 1894, now a student at Am- herst College, Amherst Massachusetts. 2. Mary L., born December 20, 1895. 3. Mar- guerite L., born December 20, 1895. 4. Thomas W. L., born June 13, 1897, died July 24, 1898. 5. Frank L. (2), born August 30, 1898.
The various Snyder, Snider and Sneider families of the United States spring from the German family of "Schneider" (the word meaning in German "tailor"). The ancestor of this branch was born near Berlin, Prussia, and in 1770 came to America, settling in York coun- ty, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the revolu- tionary army, serving under General Washing- ton from Long Island to Yorktown. He sur- vived all the danger and hardships of that war, then retired to the peaceful life of his trade.
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against Great Britain in 1812, he enlisted and served during that war. He was a wagon maker, and carried on that business in York county until after 1814, then moved to Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, where he died leaving issue. The supposition is strong that liis name was Andrew.
(II) Andrew (2), son of Andrew (1) Snider, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 6. 1792, died in Maryland, July 5, 1865. He grew to manhood in Washington county, Maryland, and become a wealthy land owner and planter, but did not own slaves, cultivat- ing nis farms with free, paid labor. He mar- ried Rachel McCoy, born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1797, daughter of An- drew McCoy, who came to Washington coun- ty from his native land, Ireland. He mar- ried Mary Mountz, born in Scotland. Chil- dren of Andrew Snider: Jacob, James, John, Henry and several sisters.
(III) John, son of Andrew (2) and Rachel (McCoy) Snider, was born in Washington county, Maryland, January 14, 1819, died De- cember 30, 1889. He grew to manhood on the home farm and became a teamster on the old National Road, owning two freighting lines running between Cumberland. Maryland, and Wheeling, West irginia. He drove a six- horse team on the road for twenty years, and became a rich man. He is described as "a clear headed, intelligent, sober, discreet and observing man, whose statements could be relied on as accurate." In 1852. when the railroad sounded the death knell of the "Old Pike" he retired to Hopwood. Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and thereafter was engaged in railroad construction, iron manufacturing and farming. He built during 1872-1873 a sec- tion of the Pennsylvania railroad between Greensburg and Connellsville, Pennsylvania, and in 1874 to 1876 the section between Con- nellsville and Uniontown. He had previously in 1871 built a line from Uniontown to Fair- chance. In 1878 he built the "June Bug' branch line in Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, for tlie H. C. Frick Coke Company. In 1864 he bought a farm in South Union township, on which he moved in 1867, con- tinuing his residence there until his death. He also engaged in coal mining, opening the Snider coal bank in 1867, which for many years was the source of Uniontown's local coal supply. His farm of two hundred and
forty acres was well located and yielded abundantly. As an iron manufacturer he operated the Redstone Iron Furnace until 1866. He was a good business man and suc- cessful in all his undertakings. He was a Democrat, very public spirited, never sought office, but took an active interest in public affairs. He married Margaret Pence, born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, died June, 1895, eldest child of William and Mary (Shirer) Pence. Her father, William Pence, born in Eastern Pennsylvania, located in Somerset county, later at Cook's Mills, now Tippecanoe, in Fayette county, where he died in 1858, but most of his life was spent as a farmer in Somerset county, of which county his wife Mary was a native. Children of John Snider: I. Andrew, died in infancy. 2. Mary, unmarried, now living in Uniontown. 3. Henry, died in infancy. 4. William, died February 16, 1889; was engaged for many years with his father in railroad construction; married Olive Morris. 5. Elizabeth, married L. F. Patterson, and resides in Uniontown. 6. Jolın (2), now living on the old Snider farm in South Union township; married Belle Sam- ple. 7. Josephine, married Thomas Rock- well, now a farmer of Nebraska. 8. Lydia, married John N. Dixon, a farmer of South Union township. 9. Edward, of whom fur- ther.
(IV) Edward, fifth son and youngest child of John and Margaret Pence, was born at Hopwood, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1865. He grew to manhood on the farm in South Union township, his parents locating thereon in 1867. He attended the Poplar Lane public school, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty-two years oi age. He thien was appointed manager of the company store at Oliphant. Pennsyl- vania, remaining four years. After his fa- ther's death in 1899 he leased the Snider coal bank of the other heirs, continuing its opera- tion for several years. When his lease ex- pired he associated with two others and bought a coal and coke plant at Beechwood, Monongalia county, West Virginia. He was in charge of this plant 1898-1901, then it was soldi to the Fairmount Coal Company. From 1901 to 1905, Mr. Snider was manager of the company store of Hustead & Seamans,at Dun- bar, Pennsylvania. In the latter year he pur- chased the brick manufacturing plant of Leo-
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nard & Colley, on Coal Lick Run, near Union- town. He is also interested in coal lands, and has lumber manufacturing interests in Georges township, Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania. He is an active Democrat, but never an aspirant for public office. His residence is a cream brick structure erected in 1907 and Iyo8 at the corner of Nassau and Stockton streets, one of the fine residence sections of Uniontown.
He married, March 31, 1885, Josephine Hustead, born in Georges township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Captain J. M. Hustead (see Hustead). Children: I. Paul Hustead; graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, class of 1910, now taking a post-graduate course in forestry at Colorado College of Forestry. Colorado Springs, Colo- radio. 2. Julia, graduate of Washington Sem- inary, class of 1909. Washington, Pennsyl- vania, and attended the State Normal College, Indiana, Pennsylvania. 3. Edwina.
DAWSON The Dawsons came to Fay- ette county from Maryland in 1768 and have ever been prominent in the civil and professional life of the county. Their first settlement was in North Union township-that and Uniontown being the principal family seats.
(I) John Dawson came to the American colonies prior to the revolution, sailing from Whitehaven, England. He settled in Prince George now Montgomery county, Maryland, where he died. He married Rebecca Doyne, also born in England, daughter of John Doyne. They had isstte including a son George.
(II) George, son of John and Rebecca (Doyne) Dawson, was the founder of the fam- ily in Fayette county. He was a farmer of Montgomery county, Maryland, and in 1768 settled at Bethelboro, Fayette county, Penn- sylvania. He died prior to 1785, as on De- cember 27 of that year a tract of three hun- dred and twelve acres was surveyed to Elea- nor, widow of George Dawson, under author- ity of a certificate from a surveyor in Virginia, dated March 18, 1785. His wife was Eleanor Lowe, whom he married in Maryland. They left issue including a son Nicholas.
(III) Nicholas, son of George and Eleanor (Lowe) Dawson, was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, April 3, 1745, died in Han-
cock county, Virginia, May 31, 1789. He was with Washington in the Indian warfare of 1764 and served under him in the revolu- tion. He was with Colonel Crawford on his last expedition and narrowly escaped capture. In 1783 he removed to the "Pan Handle" of Virginia, now West Virginia, where he died May 31, 1789. He married Violette Littleton, born January 30, 1759, near Bull Run, Vir- ginia, of historic fame. She died in Spring- field, Ohio, September 19, 1842, aged eighty- three years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dawson were members of the Church of England (Episcopal). Children: 1. Eleanor, married William Moore, Harrison county, Kentucky. 2. George, married Sarah Kennedy, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of Hon. John Littleton Dawson, a distinguished member of the Fayette county bar, who served four terms in congress and is known as the father of the "Homestead Act." 3. Nancy, married Micajah Phillips. 4. John, of whom further.
(IV) Judge John (2) Dawson, son of Nich- olas and Violette (Littleton) Dawson, was born near Georgetown, Hancock county, Vir- ginia, July 13, 1788, died in Uniontown, Penn- sylvania, January 16, 1875, aged eighty-six years. He was reared in Harrison county. Kentucky, obtained a good English educa- tion in private schools, and when twenty years of age moved to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he studied law in the offices of Gen- eral Thomas Meason and Judge John Ken- nedy. He was admitted to the Fayette coun- ty bar, August 17, 1813, and successfully practiced for more than thirty years in Fay- ette county. In 1851 he was appointed asso- ciate judge of Fayette county by Governor William F. Johnston, and served in that ca- pacity until the office was made elective by the new state constitution. He retired from the bench to his farm which he superintended until about 1865, after which he made his hoine with children in Uniontown. For sev- eral years prior to his death his sight failed, leaving him at times in total blindness. He was a Whig and Republican in politics. The tribute paid to his memory bv his brethren of the Fayette bar recites: "No tribute to his memory can speak too warmly of the manner in which he discharged the duties of every relation in life." He was a man of sterling character and held in highest esteem. He
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was an Episcopalian, his wife a Presbyterian. sylvania, November 1, 1856, daughter of
He married, in 1820, Ann Gregg, born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1799, died there May 6, 1859, only child of Ellis Baily, who for forty years was a merchant of Uniontown until his death, November 10, 1853. His wife, Ruth (Gregg) Baily, was of the Loudoun county, Virginia, family of Greggs. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Dawson: I. Ellis Baily, of whom further. 2. Mary Ann, died in early life. 3. Eliza, died young. 4. Ellen Moore, married A. Ruby. 5. Emily Violette. married Dr. W. H. Sturgeon. 6. George Lit- tleton, died in infancy. 7. Maria, married Henry Baldwin. 8. Henry Clay, married Mary A. McCloskey. 9. Ruth Elizabeth, married A. K. Johnson, now living at Hills- boro, Ohio. 10. Louisa Cass, married John M. Berry: now living at Lexington, Ken- thickv. II. An infant, died unnanied. 12. John Nicholas, of whom further. 13. Rich- ard Williams, died February 1, 1865.
(V) Ellis Baily, eldest son of Judge John (2) and Ann Gregg (Baily) Dawson, was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1820; died October 30, 1900. He received his early education at Madison College, Uniontown, and was graduated from Washington College in the class of 1839. After his graduation he began to read law with his father and was ad- mitted to the Fayette county bar June 6, 1843, and to the supreme court of Pennsylvania in 1846. He was largely interested in private business affairs, the multiplicity of which com- pelled him to abandon his legal career after a few years of active and successful practice. He held but one political office, that of "commis- sioner of the draft." to which he was ap- pointed by Governor Curtin in 1862. This trust he fulfilled with strict impartiality and in a short time Fayette county's twenty-five hundred men were at the disposal of the na- tional government. He was always known as a public spirited man, ready and anxious to advance the best interests of Uniontown. He served for several years on the town council of Uniontown and was one of the first stock- holders and for twenty years a director of the National Bank of Fayette county. He was a Republican in politics and an attendant of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, his wife be- ing a member.
He married, May 24, 1888, Elizabeth Jane MeGregor, born in Allegheny county, Penn-
Matthew G. McGregor, born in Allegheny county, died in 1885, aged about fifty years. He was a resident of the vicinity of Pitts- burgh for many years, then moved to Fayette county where he resided several years and there died. He married Margaret Wallace, also born in Allegheny county. Their chil- dren were: 1. Robert Wallace, died in 1900, aged fifty-two years, married (first) Mary V. Richmond: married (second) Barbara E. Slack. 2. James, killed in a Colorado Gold Mine, in 1882. 3. Matthew Walker, died young. 4. Joseph Greer, married Sarah Welch and lives at Cool Spring, North Union township. Fayette county, where he is en- gaged in farming. 5. Elizabeth Jane, of previous mention, married Ellis Baily Daw- son, and survives him a resident of Union- town. 6. Mary Ann, married (first) Jacob Beeson, (second) William Davis, also de- ceased. 7. William Craig, married Mollie Jacobs, both decessed.
The only child of Ellis Baily and Elizabeth Jane (McGregor) Dawson, John Baily Daw- son, born July 23, 1889, is now a student in a New York City business college.
(V) John Nicholas, son of Judge John (2) Dawson, was born in Uniontown, Penn- sylvania, December 6, 1839. He was edu- cated at Madison College, Uniontown, and Washington College, now Washington and Jefferson, Washington, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated in 1861. He chose farming as his occupation and owned a farm at Oak Hill. which he cultivated until 1870, when he came to Uniontown and leased the plant of the Union Woollen Mill. Shortly afterward he purchased the mill and successfully oper- ated it until May 8, 1879, when it was entirely destroyed by fire. He did not rebuild but at once established a general store in Union- town, which he continued until 1888, when he was elected justice of the peace and gradually retired from other business. He has held the office of justice continuously by successive re- elections for twenty years. He is a member of the Episcopal church, which he has served as senior ivarden for many years. In politics he is a Republican.
He married, September 9. 1863, Lucy Strother, born at Morgantown, Virginia, Jan- uary II. 1844, daughter of Colonel James and Delia Elizabetli (Ray) Evans, of Morgan-
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town, West Virginia, the former born there, was a farmer, died there November 23, 1888, aged seventy-eight years. Mrs. Evans was also a native of Morgantown, died September 19, 1898. Children of John N. and Lucy S. (Evans) Dawson. I. James Evans, born Sep- tember 18, 1864; graduate of the University of West Virginia, class of 1889; studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1892, and is now man- ager of the Trotter Water Company and of the Oliver Coke & Furnace Company; he married Eleanor, daughter of F. C. Van Dusen; child: Lucy Evans, born April 26, I9II. 2. Richard W. (see below). 3. Anne Baily, of Uniontown, single. 4. John Little- ton, employed by Oliver Coke & Furnace Com- pany, single. 5. Harvie Ray, daughter, single. 6. George Ray, died in infancy.
(VI) Richard William, son of John Nicholas Dawson, was born in Union township, Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1866. When four years of age his parents moved to Uniontown, where his early education was obtained in the public school. He then en- tered the University of West Virginia, at Morgantown, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1886. He then took a law course in the same university and was graduated B. L. in 1887. On September 10, 1888, he was ad- mitted to the Fayette county bar, and at once began the practice of law in Uniontown, where he continues well established and successful. He has important business interests outside of his profession and is a director of the Cit- izens' Title & Trust Company. He is a mem- ber of the bar association of the county, and possesses the confidence of his clients as well the respect of his professional brethren. He is a Democrat in politics, has been an active party man, but never held any public office. He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs from the standpoint of the citizen, not as the partisan. His influence is solely for the public good, and all that is best in our public life. He is a member of the Protestant Epis- copal church of Uniontown, his family being communicants of the same faith.
He married, October 2, 1890, Nettie Win- field, daughter of Adam L. Nye, of Morgan- town, West Virginia. Children: I. George Littleton, born January 12, 1892; educated in the Uniontown public schools, Washington and Jefferson Academy at Washington, Penn- sylvania; passed his freshman year at Wash-
ington and Jefferson College; entered Am- herst College as a sophomore, and was grad- uated B. A. in class of 1912. He is now a law student under the preceptorship of his father. 2. Mary Wallace, born January 5, 1896: now a student in Bradford Academy, Bradford, Massachusetts (1912). The family home is on Ben Lomond street, Uniontown.
DAWSON (V) William H. Dawson, son of John Dawson, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools and grew to manhood on the farm. He choose agriculture for his business, and followed it all his life. He was a member of the Baptist church, his wite also being a communicant. He was a Republican in politics, and filled ncarly ali township offices. He married Cerice Nixon. Children: I. Emma V., married Homer S. Lewis, of German township. 2. William Newton, residing in Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. Louisa, married Mack In- gram, of Newton, Kansas. 4. Taylor N., of whom further. 5. Laura, married Seawright Brown, of Uniontown. 6. Erwin M., mar- ried, and resides in Uniontown. 7. Ella, mar- ried Kenly E. Porter, of Uniontown. 8. Rus- sell E., unmarried. 9. Robert W., married; resides in Los Angeles, California.
(VI) Taylor Nixon, fourth child and second son of William H. Dawson, was born in Georges township, Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania, July 10, 1865. He was educated in the public schools of his district, finishing his studies at Uniontown high school. He grew to early manhood on the home farm, and began business life as a commercial traveler. After leaving the road he began dealing in coal lands, a business he still continues. He is a capable, energetic man of business and a successful operator He is a Republican in politics, but never has sought or held office, excepting as member of his ward election board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, his wife also being a mem- ber. He is active in church and Sunday school work, in which he is interested and useful. He married (first) Emma P., daugh- ter of Ernest E. and Anna E. Wengle. Chil- dren: Pauline, Elizabeth, Ruth. He married (second) December 2. 1904, Mary Edith, daughter of Thomas M. and Margaret M. (Cooper) Gregg.
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DAWSON Harrison Dawson, father of John W. Dawson, was born in Georges township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer there, but now resides in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Richey, also born in Fayette county, died April 25, 1912, aged sev- enty-one years. Children: 1, John William, of whom further. 2. Sarah Margaret, married Clark Lancaster, of Beallsville, Pennsylvania. 3. James, of Charleroi, Pennsylvania. 4. Alice C., married George B. Nelan, of Charleroi, Pennsylvania. 5. Lutellus. 6. George W.
(II) John William, eldest son of Harrison and Elizabeth (Richey) Dawson, was born January 4, 1867, in Georges township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in the same house in which his father was born. He grew up on the home farm, attended the public school of his district, continuing his study at Madison Academy, Uniontown, and at Smithfield Academy. He taught in the public schools of Fayette county for nine years, until 1895, then entered the law department of the University of West Virginia at Morgantown, whence he was graduated, receiving the degree of B. A., class of 1896. He located in Marion, Indiana, where he engaged in practice with Judge Jo- seph L. Custer, a lawyer of that city, formerly a resident of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. After two years in Marion he came to Union- town, where in 1900 he was admitted to the Fayette county bar. He has since been ad- mitted to practice in all courts of this state and is well established in his profession. He is also interested in the development of coal lands in Fayette county and western Penn- sylvania, and director of the Title & Trust Company of Uniontown. He is a Repub- lican in politics, but extremely independent in political action. He is public-spirited and interested in all that concerns the public good. He is an elder and trustee of the Third Pres- byterian Church of Uniontown, and superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He is a mem- ber of the Fayette County Sunday School As- sociation and deeply interested in its work, which has for its object the moral and spiritual advancement of the young.
dren: Edgar William, born July 25, 1905; Ruth E., December 27, 1907; Paul M., June 23, 1909. The family residence is at No. 204 West Main street, Uniontown, a purely resi- dential section of the city.
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