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 27
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 27
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 27
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
314
J. W. Harrison --- Byron J. Moffitt
November 26. 1873, Mr. Eckles married Louisa J. McCrory, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth McCrory. To this union there have been born six children, two of whom are dead. The living are George, Fanny, Lizzic and Samuel.
J. WILL HARRISON of West Brownsville, is a son of William Henry and Rebecca Jane (Holbert) Harrison, and was born in Bridgeport, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, September 8. 1852 and educated in the Bridgeport public schools.
From 1876 to 1893 he followed boat building and from 1893 to 1904 he has been engaged in carpentering for the Aubrey Lumber Co. He served as school director of West Brownsville from 1892 to 1898 and is assessor-elect of West Brownsville at the present time.
April 26, 1876, at the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Bridgeport, Pa., Mr. Harrison was married to Miss Esther Pringle, daughter of John S. and Sarah (Snider) Pringle of West Brownsville. To this union there have been born six children, Nellie P., George S., John W., Fannie V. H .. Rebecca E., and Sarah E.
BYRON L. MOFFITT was born in West Brownsville, Washington County, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1857 and received his education in the public schools of that borough. Ile is a son of Eri and Annie (Mc Kinley) Moffitt.
Mr. Moffitt has worked as machine man in the Aubrey Lumber Company's mills and for their predecessors for the last twenty-five years. Mr. Moffitt has served as a member of the borough council of West Brownsville for five years and is at present president of that body.
On the 18th day of March, 1884, he married Miss Ella McMillen, daughter of Alex. and Lizzie (Harvey) McMillen, and to them have been born five children, Walter A., Effie, Bertha, Louie and Alden.
JOHN CLARENCE KAUFMAN Was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1877 but came to West Brownsville in his childhood days and received his education in the public schools of that place. He is a railroader and has for four years been engincer on the P. V. & C. Railroad. Mr. Kaufman is a Republican and is at present auditor of the borough of West Brownsville.
At Youngstown, Ohio, in 1901, Mr. Kaufman married Miss Lunda Provins, daughter of and Tobitha (McCann) Provins and to this union there has been born one child, Charles Beauford Kaufman.
DAVID JEFFERSON PROVINCE is the son of John Alexander and Uphamy (Thompson) Province, and was born in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. June 17, 1856, and received his education in the common schools of that township.
Mr. Province has been engaged principally in the hotel business, having run the Monongahela House for some time about 1889, and is now proprietor
315
Edw. R. Baird - J. D. S. Pringle
of the Hotel Aubrey in West Brownsville. He is a Republican but has not sought office, though he has frequently been called upon to fill municipal positions In 1891 he was elected a councilman in Brownsville, and on going to West Brownsville to take charge of the Aubrey, was taken up by his freinds regardless of party, and in 1896 elected councilman in West Brownsville. He was again elected last spring.
June 9, 1878, Mr. Province married Miss Margaret Katherine Sisley. daughter of J. H. and Martha (Bower) Sisley of Brownsville. To them have been born seven children, Nellie, now Mrs. E. R. Axton; Bessie E., now Mrs C. W. Theakston; F. C .. J. A., Wanda .. D. J., Jr., and G. W.
EDWARD R. BAIRD was born in Morgantown, Monongalia County. West Virginia, January 6, 1853, and received his education in the public schools of Morgantown He is a son of David A. and Elizabeth (Rigeway) Baird, both of Morgantown, West Va.
Mr. Baird now resides in West Brownsville and has followed railroading since 1881. He is a Republican, and while he has never aspired to public office, was elected and is now serving as a member of the board of education of West Brownsville, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
December 3, 1874. he married Miss Jennie Mitchell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Mitchell of Fairchance, Fayette County, Pa. To them have been born seven children six of whom are still living. They are as follows: Anna, now the wife of Harry Burd, of Brownsville; Harry, Grace E., Edith K., Bertha V. and Rav, all of the latter still being at home.
GEORGE W BROCK was born in West Brownsville February 20, 1860, and was educated in the schools of that borough. He has always affiliated with the Repubilcan party and is now serving as constable for West Brownsville.
JOHN D. S. PRINGLE, the son of John S. and Sarah Ellen (Snyder ) Pringle, was born in West Brownsville, Washington County, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1847, and received his education in the schools of West Brownsville and in the Iron City College, Pittsburg. Pa.
Mr Pringle has spent most of his time in the famous Pringle boat yards of West Brownsville, first wroking for his father, later as partner with his father, and still later as a partner of Andrew Axton. He is a practical ship carpenter and helped to make many of the first boats that plied on the Monongahela and Ohio rivers. (See history of boat building in the Three Towns elsewhere in this volume.)
Mr. Pringle is a lifelong Republican and has served three terms as burgess of West Brownsville, as councilman and as school director and is now, and has been for a number of years, serving as justice of the peace.
November 25, 1868, he married Cornelia Deems, daughter of Mary Deems, at Centreville, Washington County, Pennsylvania. To this union there
11
316
James M. Fulton - Harry K. Chamberlain
were born seven children: Leah C., May 24, 1871; Arthur Deems, May 24, 1873; Sarah V., June 7, 1876; James G. B., July 8, 1882; John L., July 22, 1884; William Elmer and Mary Elnor-twins-May 14, 1892.
JAMES M. FULTON was born in Davis County, Iowa. May 2, 1861, and is a son of Jonathan and Hannah (Smith) Fulton. His parents moving east when he was small, he attended the common schools of California, Pa., and also the California Normal the first year it was held. In 1879 he moved with his parents to west Brownsville, where he has since resided. His principal occupation has been coal mining.
September 9, 1885, he was appointed postmaster at West Brownsville and served for four years. He has also served the borough as school director: councilman, assessor, tax collector and burgess. He is now serving as tax collector.
March 23, 1873, he married Miss Alice Jackson, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Feasby) Jackson, at Uniontown, Rev. W. W. Hickman, officiating. They have had six children, John Henry, Etta May. Bertha, Charles. Carrie, and James Henry, deceased.
HARRY KIRK CHAMBERLAIN is a son of Elgy and Katharine (MeCrory) Chamberlain and was born near Bentleysville, Washington County, Penn- sylvania, July 11, 1877, but his parents moving to Bridgeport when he was small; he received his education in the Bridgeport schools.
He followed various occupations, but since July 4, 1897, he has been en- gaged in the ice, cold storage and produce business. Mr. Chamberlain is a Democrat and is now serving his second term as councilinan of West Browns- ville and was president of that body last year.
November 17, 1900, Mr. Chamberlain was married to Miss Lillian French, daughter of Daniel and Louise (McGill) French of Allegheny City, Pennsyl- vania. They have two children, Della and Marguerite.
WILLIAM H. SNIDER, SR., was born in West Brownsville, Washington County, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1858, and received his education in the common schools of that borough. He is a son of Christ S. and Mary E. (Johnston) Snider. Has been a calker and ship carpenter since 1879 and spent most of his time in the boat vards of West Brownsville. He has served two years as member of the borough council of West Brownsville.
July 31, 1889, he married Miss Belle E. French, daughter of Daniel and Louise (McGill) French, of Washington, Pa. They have three children, Louis F .. Wm. H., and Warren C. Snider.
WILBUR DWYER was born August 31, 1872, in West Brownsville, Fayette County. Pennsylvania, and received his education in the common schools of
317
John Dougherty
that place. He is a son of T. V. and Matilda (Brock) Dwyer. He has spent most his time in buying cattle and in running a meat market.
Dr: Dwyer is a Republican and while he has always taken an interest in polities has never asked any official position of his party. Notwithstanding this, he has been called upon to fill several municipal positions and is now serving as borough councilman.
Mr. Dwyer married Miss Carrie Moffitt at Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1899. She is a daughter of Mrs. Ella (Snowdon) Moffitt. They have three children, Helen V., Howard S. and Ralph Dwyer.
JOHN DOUGHERTY was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, June 11, 1863, and received his education in the public schools of that town. He is a son of Patrick and Katherine (McGuire) Dougherty.
While in West Virginia Mr. Dougherty worked in the coal mines but in 1888 he moved to West Brownsville and commenced railroading. This he followed for ten years, the last seven as freight conductor on the P. V. & C. between Uniontown and Pittsburg. In 1898 he opened a grocery store in West Brownsville which he is still conducting with gratifying success.
Mr. Dougherty was first elected a member of the borough council in 1896 for three years and again in 1899 for three years. Last spring he was elected for two years and was appointed chairman of the street committee. He is a Democrat and stands high in his party.
He married Miss Haddie L. Herrington, daughter of George and Corine (Williams) Herrington of Pittsburg, September 16. 1890.
Mr. Dougherty is a man of push and energy as well as of good business judgment, as is attested by the fact that when he struck West Brownsville he had the munificent sum of $3.00 in his pocket, while now he has at least two thousand dollars to every dollar he had about sixteen years ago.
Financial Institutions of the Three Towns
THE NATIONAL DEPOSIT BANK.
The National Deposit Bank was first organized in 1872 as the Brownsville Deposit and Discount Bank, with the following officers: William Cotton, President: Samuel Thompson, Vice President; O. K. Taylor, Cashier. The first Board of Directors were, William Cotton, Samuel Thompson, O. K. Taylor, William Worrell, Samuel VanHook, Joseph Farquhar, Joseph B. Wells, Joseph S. Elliott and William H. Miller.
In 18SO the institution was reorganized under the title of the National De- posit Bank, with the following officers: William Cotton, President; Samuel Thompson, Vice President: O. K. Taylor, Cashier. Directors: William Cotton, Samuel Thompson, O. K. Taylor, Joseph S. Elliott, Paul Hough, William H. Miller and Joseph Farquhar.
In 1872, they commenced business on Bank Street, Bridgeport, adjoining the site of the present elegant home of the bank, which was rebuilt in 1900 and fitted up in the most convenient manner and furnished with all the modern equipments of a first-class banking house in the larger cities, including an impregnable vault on the inside of which double security is afforded valuables by strong boxes and safes of the most modern design and where there are also numerous safe deposit boxes, the same as you will find in metropolitan banks.
While the policy of the National Depost Bank is liberal, its interests are guarded by experienced financiers, chief among them being O. K. Taylor, for a long time cashier and now vice president, and his son, Samuel E. Taylor, the present cashier, father and son having held this important position to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders continuously since the bank com- menced business, a little over thirty-two years ago. That the policy of the bank has not only been safe, but exceedingly progressive, is shown by the fact that while it has only been in business a little over thirty-two years, in the Roll of Honor of national banks in the United States, it today stands first in the town, second in the county, seventh in the state of and thirteenth in the United States. The significance of this rating or standing will be more fully comprehended after reading the following explanation :
The "Roll of Honor" of the National Banks of the United States is a table prepared by "The New York Financier" from the statements made by the Comptroller of the Currency, the date chosen being September, the state- ments made then being published in a large volume by the Government. To secure a place on the Roll of Ilonor, a bank must show surplus and undivided profits equal to or in excess of its capital stock-that is, assuming the capital
319
The National Deposit Bank
to be one hundred per cent., the profits and surplus must exceed that per- centage. In other words, a Roll of Honor bank has on hand, in the form of surplus and profits, an amount larger than its capital. A bank's numerical order on the Roll, is based on the percentage of surplus and profits to capital.
According to the last annual report of the Comptroller of the Currency, there were 4,601 banks in operation, under National Charters. Of these, only 592 are entitled to positions on the Roll, and to find the National Deposit Bank occupying the thirteenth place in this Roll after a career of only thirty- two years, is a record of which the officials of the bank and the people of the Three Towns may well feel proud.
The present officials of the bank are, Joseph S. Elliott, President; O. K. Taylor, Vice President ; Samuel E. Taylor, Cashier; James R. Taylor, Assist- ant Cashier. The directors are, Joseph S. Elliott, O. K. Taylor, T. II. Thomp- son, E. S. Hackney, Robert W. Thompson, George M. Rathmell, Jackson L. Thompson.
As further evidence of the flattering results of the management of the affairs of the National Deposit Bank, we publish the following which is the report of the bank at the close of business September 6, 1904:
RESOURCES.
Loans and Discounts
$935,251.02
Overdrafts
3,411.23
U. S. Bonds to Secure Circulation 50,000.00
Real Estate, Furniture, etc.
35,000.00
Other Real Estate ..
2,198.42
Cash and Exchange
189,487.01
Redemption Fund with U. S. Treasurer.
2,500.00
Total
$1,217,847.68
LIABILITIES.
Capital Stock.
$ 50,000.00
Surplus Fund ..
250,000.00
Undivided Profits
31,031.29
National Bank Notes Outstanding.
50,000.00
Dividends Unpaid 2,000.00
Deposits
834,816.39
Total $1,217,847.68
PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL DEPOSIT BANK.
JOSEPH S. ELLIOTT is the son of James Elliott, whose father, William, came into Fayette County from Westmoreland County at an carly day, and had what is now called "the Old Elliott homestead," in Jefferson Township,
-
National Deposit Bank, Bridgeport
Monongahela National Bank, Brownsville
Second National Bank, Brownsville
32
President of National Deposit Bank
Joseph S. Elliott
patented. His wife was Ruth Crawford. They had eleven children. James was the fifth child and only son who grew to manhood, and was born in Jefferson Township, April 25, 1785, and was a farmer. June 3, 1813, he married Mary Cunningham, of Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County. They had ten children, William, James C., Edward J., Robert, Mary A., Joseph S., Alexander, Sarah R., and Martha, all of whom grew to maturity.
Joseph S. Elliott, was born in the old Elliott homestead, Jefferson Township. Fayette Co., Pa., April 18, 1827. His business education gathered from ob- servation and contact with business men, is excellent. He was married Oct. 7, 1852, to Nancy J. Forsythe. They have six children-William F., married to Laura A. Wells; Violette H., married to Joseph A. Cook; Oliphant P., married to Dora Graser; Ida J., married to W. H. Gracser; Eva M., now dead, and Gracie F., married to Wm. Woods, Republican nominee for the Legislature in this county.
Mr. Elliott spent his early life upon his father's farm. In 1850 he began work for himself upon the farm where he now resides, and has ever since
322
The Monongaliela National Bank
been engaged in farming and stock dealing. He is a shrewd, energetic, successful business man, one of the real business men of the county. Hc makes money and enjoys it, and has one of the most comfortable homes in the county. He has no church record, but is a liberal supporter of all causes which he deeins worthy. His business status among those who know him is as good as need be. He has held the usual township offices intrusted to business men in a business township, and is at present presi- dent of the National Deposit Bank of Brownsville. His possessions are chiefly stocks and lands. He owns a thousand acres of as good land as there is in Western Pennsylvania. He has made his own fortune, with the assistance of a most excellent wife, who died in 1903. Mrs. Elliott was a lady of rare general intelligence, and had a wider knowledge of the require- ments of business life than have most ladies, and had always eagerly united with her husband in his various enterprises, while at the same time paying special attention to domestic affairs.
A lesson for the young men of Fayette County may be gleaned from Mr. Elliott's career in the fact that he began with but little means, and contrary to Horace Greeley's well-known advice to young men, refused to " go West," he holding that a dollar earned here in a settled country is worth two wrought out in the far West. So he settled down in Jefferson Township, and went into debt in the purchase, against the judgment of his neighbors one and all, of the "Tark farm," feeling that if he could not make a great sum of money on it he could at least so manage as to make of it a good practical savings bank, which would on sale render up whatever deposits he might make in it; and by ex- treme industry, by tact in management, and by possessing himself of and applying the best arts of agriculture, under a system of mixed farming, in- cluding the raising of sheep for their fleeces, etc., demonstrate that Fayette County is as good a land as any in the West, or anywhere else, to be at home in and grow up to fortune.
THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL BANK.
The Monongahela National Bank had its inception May 12, 1812, when 156 business and professional men and farmers of Brownsville and adjacent territory, met and signed articles of agreement, binding themselves to "raise a fund to assist the farmer, manufacturer, trader, mechanic and exporter in the purchase of such articles as they raise, manufacture, deal in and ex- port, and to associate and form themselves into a company to be called the Monongahela Bank of Brownsville."
Under this agreement the business of the bank was carried on until Sep- tember 14, 1814, when a charter was obtained from the state. The first election under the charter was held October 6th of the same year, and later. all the business of the old association was transferred to the chartered in- stitution, which retained and did business under the old name.
Jacob Bowman was the first president and William Troth the first cashier. The bank began business under the new charter, December, 1814, in a build-
323
Presidents and Cashiers
ing on Front Street, which it occupied for nearly sixty years, removing to a more commodious banking house in 1873.
PRESIDENTS.
Jacob Bowman served as president of the bank until 1843, when he re- signed on account of advanced age, and was succeeded by his son, James L. Bowman, who held the position until his death, in 1857. Goodloe H. Bow- man served from '57 to '74, and was succeeded by George E. Hogg, who served until 1888, when Gibson Binns was elected and filled the position until 1893, when the present incumbent, C. L. Snowdon, was elected.
CASHIERS.
William Troth, the first cashier, died in 1816, and was succeeded by John T. McKenna, who served until his death, in 1830, when Goodloe H. Bowman was elected and served until 1842, when he resigned. His successor was David S. Knox, father of our present United States Senator Knox. In 1872 Mr. Knox died, and was succeeded by William Parkhill, who filled the position until 1880, when William Ledwith was elected and served until 1888. W. A. Edmiston was elected July, 1888, and still retains the position.
BECOMES A NATIONAL BANK.
In January, 1864, the institution was reorganized under the requirements of the National Banking Law, as the Monongahela National Bank, with an authorized capital of $500.000.00 and a paid-up capital of $100,000.00.
WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH IT.
Many illustrious names have been connected with the bank as officers, directors, shareholders, and depositors. The Blaines, Bowmans, Hoggs, Conwells, Abrams, Breadings, Ewings, Millers, Browns, Brashcars, McKen- nas, Baileys, Binns, Crafts, Crawfords, Clarks, Dawsons, Gallaghers, Snow- dons, Goes, Hawkins, Higinbothams, Hancocks, Krepps. Knoxs, Jacobs, Johnstons, Lilleys, Marchands, Phillips, Rogers, Stewarts, Sowers, Shumans, Stephens, Sweitzers, Thorntons, Taylors, Wests and Woodwards, have more than a local reputation as merchants, financiers, lawyers, doctors, educators, politicians and statesmen, and all have taken a pride in, and given their best efforts to make the Monongahela Bank the strong financial institution that it is today.
NEW HOME.
The gradual shifting of the commercial interests of Brownsville to the Neck, made it necessary for the bank to change its location, and in order to accommodate its patrons the present handsome home was erected right in the business center.
324
Second National Bank
A MAGNIFICIENT RECORD.
The Monongahela National Bank is justly proud of its record. Financial storms have swept the country time and again during the ninety years of its existence, but while other institutions went down in the gales, the old Mo- nongahela stood firm as a rock. The bank, since it was chartered in 1814, until the present time, has always redeemed its notes in gold.
The bank began the payment of dividends in May, 1813, and they have been paid continuously, without a single break. The bank has paid $1,049,- 000,00 in dividends during its existence, and in addition, has accumulated a surplus fund nearly equal to its capital stock.
The present officers are, C. L. Snowden, President: H. W. Robinson, Vice President; W. A. Edmiston, Cashier; T. A. Waggoner, Teller; the directors are C. L. Snowden, H. W. Robinson, Dr. H. J. English, William Cock, Harvey J. Steele, Eli Bar, W. A. Edmiston, L. C. Waggoner, M. A. Cox.
SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF BROWNSVILLE.
The Second National Bank was first organized as the First National Bank, on the 19th day of August, 1863, for 19 years. The law under which the bank was organized was approved February 25, 1863. Banks chartered under its provision were to run 20 years. But it was ruled by the Treasury Department that the 20 years were to run from the day the Act became a law, hence some of the banks first organized were chartered for 19 years, and among these were the First National Bank of Brownsville. Afterwards the Department reversed its ruling and banks thereafter were chartered for the full 20 years. The charter therefore of the First National Bank would have expired by limitation on the 19th day of August, 1882. The bank, however, went into voluntary liquidation on the second day of May, 1882. Though the bank was organized in August, as above stated, it did not begin to do any business until in November, 1863, on the 24th day. The reason for the bank going into voluntary liquidation was to save the expense of appointing a receiver to wind up its affairs. This step was taken at the suggestion of the Comptroller of Currency. By this plan the entire expense of winding up its affairs was only $250, while if a receiver had been appointed it would no doubt have cost the stockholders several thousand dollars. From this it will appear that the policy adopted was a wise one. There was another reason, however, for this step, which may as well be stated here. No law at this time was passed by which banks could extend their charter. The session of Congress was far advanced and it was the opinion of those who were in position to know best that no law would be passed during the re- mainder of the session. The Comptroller of the Currency declared that such was his opinion, and the one generally accepted in the Treasury Depart- ment. These were the reasons that led the Directors to put the bank in process of liquidation. The bank did business for about 18 years and six
325
Italian Bank
months, during which time it made and declared to the stockholders : 7 semi- annual dividends, fourteen of which were 6 per cent., fifteen 5 per cent., live 4 per cent. and three 3 per cent. The 3 per cent. dividends were made during the time occupied in building the Banking House. The average rate per cent. paid to the stockholders during its entire existence was ten and one- twelfth per cent. It never passed a dividend peried without making a divi- dend. And in addition thereto a large surplus fund was laid by. The nominal surplus fund accumulated was $48,000, but from losses it was ro- duced to $42,500. This large sum was laid by out of its earnings after paying expenses, the dividends made and the losses paid, on a capital stock of $75,000, with only $50,000 for the first two years of its existence. The lesses were not light, being #44,547.26. Its expense account for the entire period of its existence for taxes, salaries, and incidental expenses was $75,601.62. When it closed up, it paid back to cach stockholder $156.61 for each $100 of stock owned.
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.