USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Bridgeport > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > West Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 18
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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
July 12, 1859, he married Miss Esther Wilson, of Washington County, who died May 30, 1864, leaving three children- their names are, Robert W., George D., and Thomas H. February 25, 1872, he married for his third wife Miss Elizabeth Crawford, of Fayette County. She died June 20, 1877. In 1882 Mr. Thompson married his fourth wife, Miss Bridget Dawson.
For many years Mr. Thompson served as director of the First, afterwards the Second National Bank of Brownsville and also as a director and vice presi- dent of the National Deposit Bank of Bridgeport. He also owned stock in the Citizens Bank of Washington, Pa., and was a stockholder in the Natural Gas Co. He and his nephews also had a bank in Eureka, Kansas. In addition to this he owned seventeen farms aggregating 3,000 acres of good farming land. Seven of these farms are in Washington County, five in Fayette, two in Iowa and three in Kansas and are all underlaid with coal.
He was identified with the Second M. E. church, Bridgeport, in which he was an earnest and zealous worker until his death.
In the spring of 1898 he was struck by a train from which he never fully recovered, and from the injuries he died December 7, 1899.
Mr. Thompson was a man who never put off for tomorrow what he could do today. He was philanthropic, careful of his promise and his word was as good as his bond.
J. NELSON SNOWDON was born in Brownsville October 15, 1827; he at- tended the common schools of the borough. He is a son of Captain John and Mary (Smith) Snowdon.
In 1845 he accepted a position as clerk in the forwarding and grocery house of George Cass, which position he held but a short time. He became second clerk on one of the river packets in 1846 and remained on the river
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J. Nelson Snowdon
until 1854, during which time he had command of and owned several boats that were running on the Ohio River.
In 1854 he went into partnership with his father and brother Samuel in the foundry and machine shops and the boat-buikling business, the name of the firm being J. Snowdon & Sons. In 1860 Samuel withdrew, and the name of the firm was then changed to J. Snowdon & Son.
This firm built two gunboats for the Government during the war (the Umpqua and Manayunk), at a contract price of over one million dollars. The latter named boat was so great a favorite in the Navy that when the gunboats were sokl off, at the close of the war, she was retained in the service and her name changed to Ajax.
The firm of John Snowdon & Son also had a large foundry, machine shop and boat yard at Pittsburgh, and employed as many as two thousand men in this shop and the one at Brownsville. The greater part of the material for the two gunboats was turned out at Pittsburgh.
In 1856 they turned out twenty-six complete steamboat engines. During the same year they took contracts to build and complete, in all its parts, an entire steamboat in sixty days, and finished and delivered it in forty-five days-fifteen days sooner than the contract time.
In February, 1878, Mr. Snowdon was appointed postmaster at Browns- ville by President Hayes, and reappointed in 1882 by President Arthur.
Mr. Snowdon was elected school director at the time that the erection of a public school building was in question, against a strong opposition, as in favor of the building, and was made chairman of the board and held that position for eight years.
In January, 1853, he married Miss Eliza J. McSherry, daughter of James McSherry, who was a tailor of Brownsville. To this union were born three children, Charles L., J. Howard, and Mary, now the wife of Walter Bare, of Lancaster, Pa.
T. S. WRIGHT, a native of England, came to America and to Brownsville in 1848. He learned Marble cutting under his brother Moses, by whom he was received as a partner in 1868. The firm did an excellent business and in 1875 Moses Wright retired. After that T. S. Wright conducted the busi- ness alone until his death. In 1880 he put in steam power which enabled him to manufacture granite equal to any city works, and superior to most of them. This improvement alone cost $2,000. Mr. Wright erected many of the finest monuments and memorials in Fayette, Washington, Greene, West- moreland and Allegheny counties. Among them might be mentioned the soldiers' monument at Uniontown which is made of Massillon sandstone and which is admired by everyone who sees it.
His workingmen, of whom he employed thirteen, were all skilled and artistic, and worked almost exclusively from original designs by Harry S. Wright. son of the proprietor. His works occupied two lots and buildings at the corner formed by the junction of Front with Market Streets in Brownsville, and there was not a busier place, or one better worth visiting in town. Mr.
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Captain Adamn Jacobs - Jesse H. Bulger
Wright was a live citizen, always improving, always alert to everything that was for the benefit of the town, and was social, affable and intelligent.
Since the death of T. S. Wright, his sons have conducted the business under the firm name of T. S. Wright's Sons and have added all the latest improved equipments for doing work economically, speedily and yet reach the highest degree of perfection. It is but justice to the deserving to say that they maintain the reputation their venerable father established. Their works and warerooms are now located on Water Street in Bridgeport.
CAPTAIN ADAM JACOBS was for many years one of the most prominent and active men in this section of the country and was identified with many of the most prominent and extensive enterprises. He was born in Brownsville, January 7, 1817 and attended the pay schools of that day till he was about 16 years of age when he was apprenticed to G. W. Bowman to learn copper- smithing. He remained with Mr. Bowman for about four years when he went into the business for himself. He did not continue at coppersmithing long, however, for in several years we find him steamboating on the western rivers at which he continued till 1847. While during this time he was en- gaged to some extent in boat building, from 1847 on he pushed it vigorously at times having as many as eight boats under contract at once. He built about 130 steamboats before he finally retired from the business. Among his other enterprises he also conducted several mercantile establishments very successfully.
On the 22d of February, 1838, Mr. Jacobs married Miss Ann Snowdon, daughter of John and Mary Smith Snowdon. They had ten children eight of whom lived to maturity and some of whom are still honored members of this community.
From 1872 to his death, December 18, 1883, Mr. Jacobs divided his time between his home in Brownsville and his country seat at " East Riverside," on the Monongahela River in Luzerne Township, Fayette County, Pennsyl- vania. preferring the latter place in the summer.
JESSE H. BULGER was born near Fredericktown, Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1819 and received his education in the common schools of that county. Mr. Bulger was a molder by trade and at one time was a member of the firm of J. Herbertson & Sons. It was at this time that he made the iron railings on the Dunlap's Creek iron bridge. He was also engaged in the grocery business until the time of his death, July 9, 1901.
While Mr. Bulger was not a politician he was frequently chosen to fill municipal offices, serving as a member of the board of education of Bridge- port and also as treasurer of the borough for a number of years.
November 6, 1846, Mr. Bulger married Miss Mary Scott. There werc born to this marriage seven children as follows: H. Ward, now deceased; Miles G., cashier of the Second National Bank of Brownsville; Wm. H. and Rinard R., both of the firm of Bulger Bros., merchant tailors; Thomas W., who carries on the merchant tailoring business in Uniontown; Howard H., druggist; Jessie, now the wife of James M. West, of Pittsburg.
233
Roland Clay Rogers
ROLAND CLAY ROGERS, retired merchant, who resides in the old Rogers homestead on Bank Street, Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, where he was born June 23, 1844, is one of the men to honor whom is a pleasure. Modest and unassuming, with philanthropy backed by a generosity of which few people know, in many instances not even the recipients of his generosity, he goes his way, doing good whenever and wherever opportunity affords, invariably following the scriptural injunction "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth. " His beneficiaries are many and in fact there are few if any publie enterprises to which he has not and does not continue to contribute.
Mr. Rogers is a son of Joseph Talbot and Priscilla (Mercer) Rogers, who were among the oldest and most prominent families of the Three Towns, their ancestors having settled near here early in the nineteenth century. In fact it is to his father Joseph T. Rogers more than to any other man that the First National Bank (now the Second National Bank) owes its existence as well as its prosperity. Roland C Rogers was educated in the Bridgeport public schools and at Schwickley academy, and early in life embarked in the mercantile business. This he followed in Philadelphia from 1864 to 1884 with gratifying success, when he wisely decided to retire from business and return to his native town and spend the rest of his days enjoying the fruits of his labor and quietly furthering the interests of the municipahty in which he makes his home.
Mr. Rogers like many worthy men, is rather reticent about himself and avoids publicity as much as possible, preferring to do quietly and without ostentation what his judgment dictates and his hands find to do. To a casual observer, he is a courteous, affable gentleman, but to those who by constant association with him have learned to really know him, his depth of character and breadth of generosity, have endeared him beyond that degree ordinarily called friendship.
While Mr. Rogers has never aspired to political preferment, he has been called upon to fill many positions of honor and trust and has always made a record that is a credit to him and his friends. For three years he was a men- ber of the Bridgeport council and during most of that time served as its president. He was also chairman of the light committee during his term as councilman and one of his firmest characteristics, that of self-sacrifice for the public good, was strongly brought out at that time. The borough was then lighted by manufactured gas and the question of changing to electric lights was up to the committee. Mr. Rogers was a large stockholder in the gas company, and notwithstanding the fact that it was directly against his own financial interests, as chairman of the light committee, believing it for the best interest of the public, he recommended the adoption of the electric light and it was accordingly done. And, it is scarcely digressing to say that if the Congress of the United States was made up of such men, the people would get their dues and the lobbyist would be out of a job. He has served as a director of the Second National Bank of Brownsville, the Bridge company, the Electric Light company, the Bridgeport Cemetery company, only taking stock in the later company when it was assured him that it would not be conducted for the benefit or profit of the stockholders. He is now and has
234
Solomon Gillespie Krepps
for the past thirty years, been a member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and was for many years Vice President of the Second National Bank of Brownsville. Mr. Rogers is also a member of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and with his usual characteristic of practicing what he preaches, he has of his own accord. planted 170 trees in the Bridgeport ceme- tery. He is a great admirer of art and is a life member of the Fairmont Park Art Association of Philadelphia. While not a member, he has always been affiliated with the Presbyterian church, and with the apostle of old believes, and demonstrates his belief, that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
SOLOMON GILLESPIE KREPPS, the present efficient postmaster of Bridgeport (Cadwallader Postoffice), is the son of Samuel J. and Elizabeth (Brooke) Krepps, daughter of Clement and Ann (Dillon) Brooke of Baltimore, Maryland. He is of Welsh and German descent. His great-grandfather, Christian Krepps, was born in Germany in 1701 and came to New Jersey about 1760 and subse- quently, about 1775, came to Western Pennsylvania and bought a tract of land in what is now Washington County, from the Indians, beginning at what is now West Brownsville and extending toward Malden. When the Indians, incited by the French, became so hostile in Western Pennsylvania, Mr. Krepps with many other settlers of this section, left his land and went back cast, settling for the time at Philadelphia. He served during the Revo- lutionary War as did also two of his sons.
In 1782 he returned to the "Knob" farm and commenced the cultivation of his land but he only enjoyed this home a short time, for in 1784 he died from the effects of a gunshot wound he received at the battle of Brandywine.
John Krepps, then a young man of twenty years, took charge of the estate and lived on the old home farm. The adjoining farm east, was owned by Neal Gellespie who had bought it from Indian Peter as recorded elsewhere in this volume, and on this farm lived the lovely Mary Gillespie, to whose charms John Krepps fell a willing victim. They spent the remainder of their days on their farm living at the foot of Krepps' Knob. The following chil- dren were born to this union: Christian, Solomon Gillespie, Samuel Jackson. Eleanor and John.
Samuel J. Kropps, the father of the subject of this sketch, married Miss Elizabeth Brooke as above stated, and they settled down in the valley. For a time Mr. Krepps operated a sawmill which was run by water power, the water being taken from a dam then across the Monongahela river. In 1832 he built a house in what is now known as "The Neck," in Brownsville, for a residence and storerooms, and which is now the popular Monongahela house. Here they lived for many years and here their children were born. There were born to them here, John Brooke, Mary Ellen, Anna Eliza, Clement Dillon, Charles Wycliff, Samuel W., Solomon Gillespie, and Christian C. Kropps. In 1847 Samuel J. Krepps returned to the Indian Hill farm where he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their days. The children attended the district schools and later took collegiate courses, Solomon G.
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William C. Steele
Krepps, the subject of this sketch, selecting as his alma mater the famous old Jefferson college, then at Canonsburg, Pa., but now the Washington and Jefferson college, at Washington, Pa.
In the spring of 1861, Solomon G. Krepps responded to the call of his country for volunteers to preserve the Union and enlisted with the first company that left here for the front, and which by the way was the first in the United States to respond to Lincoln's first call. In July of the same year he was mustered into the service at Merridan Hill, D. C. January 6, 1862, he was made second lieutenant of Company D, Pennsylvania Infantry Corps. February 19, 1862, he was appointed by Abraham Lincoln to the rank of second lieutenant in the Fourth Infantry, United States Regulars.
At the close of the war, Mr. Kropps returned home and in 1869 he married Miss Margaret Moffitt, daughter of James and Katharine (West) Moffitt of Bridgeport, Pa., and they took up their home in the house on Water street. Bridgeport, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, that had been built for his uncle, Solomon G. Krepps, in 1813, where they still reside. To this happy union there have been born two children, Katharine, now Mrs. James Colvin Higin- botham, and Solomon Gillespie Krepps, Jr.
Mr. Solomon G. Krepps, Sr., was burgess of Bridgeport in 1878, a member of the board of education in 1885 and was appointed postmaster of Cad- wallader post office, Bridgeport, January 17, 1899, which office he still holds ably assisted by his most estimable wife
WILLIAM C. STEELE, the present efficient postmaster of Brownsville, and a son of Samuel and Elizabeth A. (Conwell) Steele, was born in Brownsville, Pa., May 23, 1857, and has resided here continuously since then. He received his education in the Brownsville schools and in the Southwestern Normal. In 1878 he became a partner of his father in the tannery business. the firm name being Samuel Steele & Son. In 1888, Mr. Steele closed up the tannery business and entered into the mercantile business, dealing in boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc. Eleven years later or in 1899, he sold out his business to take the position of postmaster of Brownsville to which position he had been appointed by President Mckinley. He assumed the duties of the office February 15, 1899 and has continued as postmaster ever since to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the office.
December 14, 1881, William C. Steele and Miss Alice, daughter of Capt. E. D. Abrams, of Brownsville, were married. The result of this happy union, was four children, namely Bessie (deceased), Helen J., William Conwell, Jr. (deceased), and Lawrence.
Politically Mr. Steele is a Republican and has always stood high in his party and as a member of the community. He served for twelve years in the borough council, and for six years as a member of the board of educa- tion, during all of which time he was secretary of that body. He is a vestry- man in Christ Episcopal church and a popular and progressive citizen.
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John B. Moffitt - Squire Rob't Mckinley
JOHN B. MOFFITT, the present efficient postmaster of West Brownsville, is a native of that borough and received his education in the common schools. He is a son of James and Eliza J. (Bennett) Moffitt and followed blacksmith- ing from 1861 to 1897 when he was appointed postmaster and has served con- tinuously since then.
ROBERT MCKINLEY, the subject of this sketch, is the oldest citizen of West Brownsville, and one of the oldest of the Three Towns. He was born in what is now a suburb of Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland, April 4, 1820, and is a son of James and Nancy (McCaslin) MeKinley. Robert Kinley's father was a subcontractor under his brother, Henry Mckinley, in building some of the eastern sections of the National Pike, and it was probably this that led Robert's parents at an early day to come west and settle near Beallsville, Washington County. After remaining there some time, Robert Mckinley came to Brownsville and learned the cooper trade under Edward Stone.
Some years later, but while still a young man, he went back to his native State and entered into partnership with his brother Henry, who was a printer. They bought the Cumberland Alleganian, a newspaper published at Cumber- land. This they successfully published till the death of his brother, which occurred about three years after the partnership was formed. On the death of his brother Mr. Mckinley sold out the newspaper and, settling up his business, returned to Washington County, Pennsylvania. In the mean time, however, he had met and surrendered his heart and hand to Miss Zillah Clark, a most charming and estimable young lady of Cumberland, and the daughter of George and Nancy (Price) Clark. They were married December 11, 1845.
It was shortly after their marriage that they came to West Brownsville, where Mr. McKinley embarked in the grocery business, his store being lo- cated on the corner where the P. V. & C. depot and offices are now located. During the more than half century that he has lived in West Brownsville he has been engaged in various lines of business, always meeting with grati- fying success. He served as Justice of the Peace for about thirty-five con- secutive years and has filled every municipal office in the gift of the people with entire satisfaction to his constitutents and honor to himself, only retiring from the office of Justice of the Peace about five years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. McKinley, who are now quietly enjoying the fruits of a long life of industry and frugality, in their handsome home in West Brownsville on the banks of the Monongahela River, are the happy parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living, and all of whom have long since grown to man- hood and womanhood. The living are, William Henry, George Clark, Annie, Addison Kirk, Mary E. (now the wife of Gordon Jones of Cincinnati), Sarah E., and Margaret (now the wife of James F. Blair, of Pittsburgh).
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William Graham
Mr. Mckinley is a lifelong Democrat, having cast his first vote for James K. Polk and voted for every Democratic Presidential candidate since then. He has always taken a deep and active interest in all matters pertaining to the good of the community in which he lived, and has the satisfaction to spend his declining years in the midst of those who have known him all their lives and learned to respeet him for his many sterling qualities. He has been a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church.
WILLIAM GRAHAM, the oldest and one of the most respected citizens of Brownsville, and in fact the oldest man in this section of the country, was born in Brownsville, September 19, 1812, and received his education in the primitive schools of that day. He is a ship carpenter by trade and followed that business most of his life, though in his early days he worked for a time at shoemaking.
His first wife was Elizabeth Burd and to this union there were born five children, Susan, Isabel (now dead), John, Sarah, and Robert now in the drug business in the "Neck. "
Mr. Graham's second wife was Lydia Vorhees and to this second union there were born two children, William and James.
Mr. Graham has lived in and near Brownsville all his life and has seen this country change from what was virtually a wilderness to one of the richest and most prosperous in the Union. When the National Pike was built he worked on it as a water boy and often relates with much satisfaction the fact that as the government had established the wages at 873c and did not stipu- late whether this was to be paid to men or boys, he got the same wages as the men, which at that time was considered a princely sum.
Though over ninety-two years old, he is still spry and his memory and sight is still good, and it is a rare treat to sit and hear him tell of the incidents that transpired over three-quarters of a century ago.
JAMES MONROE MITCHELL, now the oldest man in Bridgeport, was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, November 22, 1816, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Ashton) Mitchell. When he was quite young, he came with his parents to Brownsville where, and in Bridgeport, he has since resided with the exceptions of about twelve years during which time he lived in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Mitchell attended the public schools of Brownsville and Bridgeport and after quitting school, took up shoemaking which he followed all his life. During the time he was in Perryopolis, or to be exact, December 28, 1836, he married Miss Charlotte Page who was a faithful and loving
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Stephen I. Gadd
wife till her death which occurred March 1. 1891, when she was 85 years and one month old.
Mr. Mitchell now lives with his son Joseph on Bridgeport Hill, and is re- markably spry for a man of his years.
STEPHEN 1. GADD, a highly respected citizen of Brownsville Township, and a blackswith by trade, was born in German Township, Fayette County. Pa., March 7, 1824 and is a son of Elijah and Mary (Haney) Gadd. His father was also a blacksmith by trade and a native of Redstone Township, Fayette County, Pa. His mother, Mary Haney, a daughter of Samuel Haney, was born in German Township, Fayette County, Pa., as was also Samuel Haney, who died there.
Stephen I. Gadd, was educated in the schools of German township, and learned his trade with his father. He has been twice married. Elizabeth Blasinger, his first wife, was a daughter of William Blasinger, born near New Salem, Menallen township, and was married July 17, 1866; Mary A. Moss, his second wife, was the widow of Cunningham Moss, of Luzerne Township, to whom he was married the fourth of June, 1868. He is the father of nine children, of whom six are living: Sarah, the wife of Wellington Reynolds; Mary, the wife of James Ball, Jr., of Luzerene Township; Curtis, born in Menallen Township, April 1, 1851 ; Jennie was born July 14, 1855; Stephen, Jr., born May 4, 1869, in Luzerne Township, and Frank born in the same town- ship, July 31, 1873.
Stephen Gadd is a member, and is now treasurer, of Lodge No. 613, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a strong Democrat and an efficient worker in his party.
ADAM JACOBS was born in Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1840, and is a son of Adam and Ann (Snowdon) Jacobs. He re- ceived his education in the Brownsville schools, in Merrittstown academy and in Kenyon College at Gambria, Ohio.
For ten years Captain Jacobs was engaged in the mercantile business with his father in Brownsville. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, he enlisted in the 8th Pennsylvania Reserves, Company B, and served to the close of the war. He then returned home and commenced steamboating at which business he continued till 1901, running on the Monongahela, Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
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