USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 62
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H. C. LUCAS, druggist, was born at Hopewell, Greene County, Penn., August 23, 1859, and is a son of Samuel and Maria (Nicely) Lucas. His parents were born in Pennsylvania-the former in Washington County, and the latter in Greene. They were of Scotch-Irish origin. His father was a merchant and carried on business in this county for several years. IIe conducted a general mercantile business in Waynesburg, died at Kenton, Ohio in 1863. Of his family of six children, Harry C., is the fifth. But three of the children are now living. Mr. Lucas, the subject of this sketch, spent most of his early life with his grandparents in Ross County, Ohio, on the farm where he attended the district schools. He was afterwards a student in Waynesburg College for three years. In 1876 he went into a store to learn his present business, and was a faithful student. In 1882 he accepted a position as prescription clerk in a large drug store at Pittsburg, Penn., and remained there for two years, closely confining himself to his work. He returned to Waynesburg in 1884 and opened a drug store on Main street. As a business man Mr. Lucas is spoken of, by those who know him best, as a high-minded, honorable gentleman. He is a Republican, and an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
A. B. MILLER, D. D., LL. D., now president of Waynesburg College, was born near Brownsville, Fayette County, Penn., October 16, 1829. His parents, Moses and Mary (Knight) Miller, were re- spectively of German and English descent. The subject of this sketch was the fourth of ten children, eight of whom grew up, seven being still alive and in active life. His school opportunities in boy-
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hood were very meagre, because of a dissension which closed the district school for several years, during which his youth was spent on a farm where his parents resided until his father's death in 1859. In 1847 he entered Greene Academy, at Carmichaels, Penn., spending there three summers, and teaching in the winters, his first effort be- ing near Greenfield, Washington County, Penn., which proved so successful as to place at his option four terms in the school of his home district. A few months before twenty-one he was licensed to preach by Union Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, his first field being Masontown, Penn., where, within a few months he secured the erection of a house of worship, his first preaching be- ing in a school-house. In the autumn of 1851, by earnest entreaty, he gained the consent of his presbytery for his return to school, and entered Waynesburg College at the very opening of the institution in the first building. At his graduation in 1853 he was elected Professor of Mathematics in his Alma Mater, and in 1858 was ad- vanced to the position of President, which he has occupied continu- ously. It is perhaps within the bounds of truth and justice to say that, all things considered, the success of Waynesburg College has been so remarkable as to present few parallels. It has now property and endowment fund valued at considerably over $100,000, all ac- quired little by little through persistent effort covering many years. The new college edifice is capacious, substantial, and a marvel of architectural beauty, of which the St. Louis Obsercer perhaps justly says, in referring to Dr. Miller's recent call to a University in Illi- nois, that " all who are acquainted with the facts will agree that this building would not have been there but for the untiring labors of Dr. Miller." The alumni of the college now number hundreds, many of them being men and women of distinction in their spheres of useful work. In connection with his college work Dr. Miller preached regularly to the Waynesburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church for ten years, and for several years owned and published the Cumberland Presbyterian while preaching twice of Sundays and teaching daily six hours in the college, and supplementing all this, while largely managing the financial affairs of the college, with an immense amount of lecturing for teachers' institutes, on temperance, etc., and with all this maintaining such health as to be spoken of as " the man who is never sick." In 1855 he married Margaret K. Bell, then principal of the female department of Waynesburg Col- lege, a position she held until her death, in April, 1874, her labors being so efficient, and her life so noble, as to leave among the people who knew her an admiration that is little short of worship. From this marriage came eight children, of whom seven still survive, the death of one resulting from an accident in infancy. The oldest is the well known Mrs. Lide Simpson, wife of Dr. Theodore P. Simp-
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son, of Beaver Falls, Penn. The second daughter, Lucy, is the wife of Prof. W. M. Beach, late president of Odessa College, Missouri, now a student in Jefferson Medical College. The oldest son, Lieut. Albert B. Miller, is pursuing medical studies, and will enter Jeffer- son College in the autumn; and the younger children, Miss Haddie, Miss Jessie, Howard B. and Alfred Tennyson are at home with their father, the home management being now in the hands of Mrs. Jennie (Wilson) Miller, wife of Albert B. If success and perseverance are evidence of ability, it cannot be doubted that Dr. Miller is a man of marked endowment in all his lines of effort, to which he adds that of almost boundless capacity to work, which someone has declared to be itself genius. While he has certainly not earned the reputation of having enriched himself, his long continued and arduous labors have enriched many with high qualifications for success and useful ness, and will leave the people of Waynesburg and Greene County the legacy of Waynesburg College.
ISAAC MITCHELL, retired farmer and resident of Waynesburg, was born in Washington Township, Greene County, Penn., Septem- ber 9, 1816. His parents were Shadrick and Margaret (Rinehart) Mitchell. The former was a native of Maryland and the latter of Greene County, Penn. They were of English and German ancestry. Mr. Shadrick Mitehell was a farmer and stone-mason, and in early life followed his trade. He purchased land in what is now Wash- ington Township in 1799, and settled and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1863. He was then ninety-seven years old. The farm he purchased is still in the possession of the family. He was the father of five daughters and five sons, of whom Mr. Isaac Mitchell is the youngest. He was reared in Washington Township, on the farm that has been in possession of the family for eighty-nine years. He made farming his business and has been very successful, owning at present 300 acres of fine land besides other property. IIe moved to Waynesburg in 1877, since which time he has been living a retired life. Mr. Mitchell's political views are Democratic, and he served two terms as overseer of the poor of Greene County. Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage October 4, 1838, with Elizabeth Barnes, whose parents were Jacob and Phæbe (Crayne) Barnes. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the parents of six children-Margaret P., Mary E., Lucy, Thomas, George and Ross. Mrs. Mitchell is a con- sistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
T. P. MOFFETT, merchant tailor, Waynesburg, Penn., was born at Carmichaels, Penn., December 8, 1854. He is a son of Richard and Rebecca (Jackson) Moffett, who were of Scotch and English ex- traction. His mother was a native of this county. His father, a native of Maryland, was a merchant tailor, and for many years car- ried on a successful business at Carmichaels. His family consisted
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of four children -- all boys -- of whom the subject of this sketch is the second. He was reared in Carmichaels and educated in Greene Academy. He very naturally learned to be a tailor with his father, serving a regular apprenticeship. He afterwards learned entting with the well known J. B. West, of New York City. Mr. Moffett engaged in business in West Elizabeth for a period of three years. In 1877 he commenced business in Waynesburg, where he does first- class work, keeps good materials and always guarantees satisfaction to his many customers. Mr. Moffett was united in marriage in 1877 with Emma R., daughter of Abner W. Beddell. Mrs. Moffett is a native of Allegheny County, Penn., and a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church at Waynesburg. They have two children -Edwin Richard and Fannie Blanche. Mr. Moffett is a Republi- ean, and a member of the Knights of Honor.
JOHN A. MOORE, liveryman, of the firm of Moore & Hill, was born in Whiteley Township, this county, June 9, 1848, and is a son of Thomas and Rachel (Maple) Moore. His mother was born in Maryland and was of English extraction. Ilis father, who was a farmer all his life, was of Irish lineage, and a native of Greene County. His family consisted of ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Moore attended the district schools of Whiteley Township, and worked on a farm until he became of age, then taught school. Ile then began elerking in a general store, and remained there three years. Mr. Moore subsequently engaged in selling bug- gies and continued that business for a period of eight years. In 1885, in company with F. M. Patterson, he engaged in his present business in Waynesburg, where they keep a first-class livery stable and have a fair share of the patronage. Mr. Patterson, in 1888, sold his interest to Mr. S. M. Hill. Mr. Moore was united in marriage, Octo- ber 6, 1872, with Miss Eliza M., daughter of Eaton Rose, and they have one child-Golda Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM II. MORRIS, farmer and stoek-dealer, Waynesburg, Penn., was born in this county April 23, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Jewel) Morris. His father is an active, energetic busi- mess man and prominent farmer of Greene County, and has sne- ceeded in accumulating a fair share of this world's goods. Ilis family consists of nine children, of whom William II. is next to the oldest. He was reared on the farm with his parents, and after re- ceiving a limited education in the district schools started out in life as a huckster. He subsequently started a general store at Holbrook, Penn., where he continued in business until 1878, then bought his present farm where he resides in Franklin Township. In 1873 Mr. Morris married Miss Sallie, daughter of Benjamin Huffinan, and
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they have seven children, viz: Milton, Emanuel, Jacob, Anna, Frank, Guy and Nannie. Mr. Morris is a Republican. His wife is a devoted member of the Baptist Church.
HON. ROBERT A. McCONNELL, attorney at law, Waynes- burg, Greene County, Penn., was born October 29, 1826, at New London, ten miles south of Lynchburg, Virginia. He is the son of James and Elizabeth (Enckey) McConnell, who were natives of Franklin County, Penn., and of Scotch-Irish lineage. The subject of our sketch came from the pure Celtic stock, his great-grand- father, Robert McConnell, being a native of County Antrim, Ire- land, and born in 1695. His ancestors went from Scotland to the Green Isle in the Sixteenth century. Robert McConnell and wife emigrated to the American colonies, settling in Franklin County, Penn., where he died in 1770. The members of the family have oc- cupied many exalted positions and offices of trust. They have par- tieipated in all the wars of America. James McConnell, grandfather of Robert A., served as a captain through the Revolutionary war. After the close of the war he returned to Franklin County, where he served as justice of the peace and as county commissioner for several years. From 1804 to 1806 he was a member of the State Legislature of Pennsylvania. Robert A. McConnell's father, James McConnell, was born in Franklin County, Penn., October 9, 1784, being the fourth son in a family of twelve children. In 1808 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Luckey, who was born near Winchester, Virginia, April 5, 1785. Their children numbered eleven, of whom IIon. Robert McConnell is the tenth. The family have usually been Presbyterians. James McConnell graduated at Jeffer- son College, in 1805, and was admitted to the bar in 1810. On ac- count of failing health he had to abandon his profession and subsequently engaged in teaching. Having come to Greene County in 1828 and resided on a farm in Morris Township, where Robert A., the subject of our sketch was reared. He attended the common schools and in 1845 entered the West Alexander Academy. He subsequently attended Washington College where he graduated in 1851. He then began the study of law at Waynesburg, in the office of IIon. C. A. Black and John Phelan. IIe was admitted to the practice in 1854 and was elected district attorney in 1858, serving six years. In 1870 he was elected to the State Legislature, where he introduced a number of important bills and was a strong advocate of local option. In 1872, when the members of the Legislature made the Speaker a present of $500 worth of silverware, Mr. McConnell was selected to make the presentation speech. On January 5, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Sallie E. Arrison, of Waynes- burg, Penn. Mr. McConnell is a Democrat, and an elder and useful member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the board
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of trustees of Waynesburg College. Since the death of his brother, Joseph L. McConnell, he has been employed in settling up the estate.
JOSEPH L. McCONNELL (deceased), surveyor and civil en- gineer, who was born in Virginia, August 25, 1814, was a son of Jamas and Elizabeth (Luckey) McConnell, being the fourth in their family of eleven children. Ilis early childhood was spent in Vir- ginia, but at the age of fourteen years he came with his parents to Greene County, Penn. IIe received a good English education and devoted much of his time to the study of surveying. Ile first began surveying in 1836 and followed that as a business for many years. Ile also made a map of the county which is very correct. Mr. Mc- Connell was a very clever and genial man and had a large acquaint- ance throughout the county. Ile was married, May 11, 1859, to Miss Anna Luckey, and died January 31. 1875. Ile was a Dem- ocrat and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church.
SAMUEL J. McNAY .- Among the prominent and wealthy farmers of Greene County we mention the name of Samuel J. Mc- Nay. Mr. MeNay was born December 11, 1821, on the farm in Franklin Township where he now resides. His parents, James and Anna (Dickenson) McNay, were natives of Pennsylvania and were among the pioneers of the State. Mr. McNay is the second of a family of eleven children-eight sons and three daughters. He was reared on the farm and attended the common schools. Early in life he chose farming as his business, in which he has met with marked success and is the owner of 1,329 acres of land. For a number of years he has operated a saw-mill, and has done most of his own work. In 1845 Mr. McNay married Miss Priscilla Motlord and they were the parents of six children, only two of whom are living -- Melissa, wife of John Baldwin, and Lucy, wife of George Knox. Mrs. McNay died in 1875, a faithful, loving wife and devoted mother. Mr. Mc- Nay was again united in marriage, in 1882. with Miss Mary J., daughter of Jesse Adams, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. They are the parents of two children-Lnella G. and Jessie. Mr. and Mrs. McNay are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he has been elder for many years. Ile is a Den- ocrat, and has served as school director in his township.
JESSE B. ORNDOFF, farmer and stock-grower, Waynesburg, Penn., was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1857, and is a son of Jesse and Susan (Wear) Orndoff. Ilis father was also a native of this county, and his mother was born in Virginia. Ilis father is a prominent farmer of Center Township, where Jesse was reared and received his early education. Mr. Orndoff is one of the most industrious farmers of Franklin Township, where he owns a well improved farm. Ile was united in marriage, in 1886, with
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Miss Mary L., daughter of Thomas and Susannah (Loar) Hughes. Mrs. Orndoff is of Dutch and Irish ancestry. They have one child. Mr. Orndoff is a Democrat, and one of the representative young men of the county.
NATHANIEL PARSHALL deceased, was born in Fayette County, Penn., February 12, 1824, and died in 1881. He was a son of James and Hannah (Coldren) Parshall. Ilis father was a farmer by occupation, and reared a family of eleven children. Nathaniel was the second and was reared in Fayette County, where he attended the district schools. When twenty years of age (1844), he came to Greene County and worked at the cooper's trade, in connection with farming, for a time, but subsequently worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1858 Mr. Parshall married Miss Priscilla Delaney, and they were the parents of five children -- three boys and two girls- Charles T., Hannah, wife of Elmer Keenan; Sarah, wife of Joseph Mason; Alpheus and Isaac S. Mr. and Mrs. Parshall were members of the Baptist Church, in which he served as deacon for thirty years. He was a highly respected citizen and his death was mourned by all who knew him.
W. W. PATTERSON, register and recorder of Greene County, Penn., was born in Whiteley Township, this county, September 17, 1855. Ile is a son of James and Susan (Groves) Patterson, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. His ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of Whiteley Township, and were usually farmers. Mr. Pat- terson was reared on the farm, attending the common schools in the county, and also Waynesburg College. For a few years he devoted himself to teaching, having taught seven terms in this county. Ile has held his present position in the county for seven years. He is a Democrat, and has served on the school board of Waynesburg. In 1885 Mr. Patterson married Miss Edith N. Meek, a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Patterson's father served one term as county treasurer, and is a prominent farmer of Jackson Township.
REV. ALBERT E. PATTERSON, of the firm of Rinehart & Patterson, owners of the Keystone Marble Works at Waynesburg, Penn., was born in Center Township, Greene County, Penn., March 14, 1860. He is a son of James and Mary J. (Parshall) Patterson, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch and French origin. Ilis father, who was a farmer all his life, was twice married. His first wife's maiden name was Julia Ann Quick. Of his six children, four are children of the first wife and two of the second. Rev. Al- bert E. is the youngest. Ile was reared on the farm and received his education at Monongahela College, with a view of entering the ministry. Ile received a license in 1884, and was for some time a supply for the Bates Fork Baptist Church. In 1886 Rev. Patter- son was married, near Uniontown, West Virginia, to Miss Elvira
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Glover. Mr. Patterson expects to devote his life to the ministry, but will for a time engage in his present business, in which he is very successful.
HON. ALEXANDER PATTON, deceased, was born in Wash- ington County, Penn., in 1819, and was the son of Joseph Patton, a native of Ireland. His education was limited, but by energy and pluck he was enabled to begin the study of medicine at Cannons- burg, where he finally completed his studies. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Waynesburg, remaining there only a few years. He then removed to Clarksville, Penn., where his genial and gentlemanly demeanor and professional skill soon won for him an extensive practice. IIe remained in Clarksville until 1865, when he moved to Auburn, near Jefferson, where he died in 1884. He was a successful physician, and had many friends in Greene County. For many years he was an acknowledged leader in the Democratic party in Greene County, and in 1863 and 1864 he was elected to represent the county in the assembly. In 1882 he was elected State Senator. He was an active politician, and able to carry almost every vote in his township. He was married in Greene County in 1845 to Miss Ann, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Carter) Burson. Mrs. Patton's parents were of Scotch-Irish descent and natives of Bucks County, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Patton's family consisted of nine children. Two of their sons are now residents of Waynes- burg; one, Joseph, is an attorney and counselor at law; and the other, A. B., is a physician and surgeon. Hon. Mr. Patton was one of Greene County's most highly esteemed citizens.
JOSEPH PATTON, attorney and counselor at law, was born in Clarksville, Penn., August 4, 1855. He is a son of llon. Alexander and Ann (Burson) Patton. His mother was a native of this coun- ty, and his father was born in Washington, Penn. Mr. Patton, the sixth in a family of nine children, was reared on a farm in Jeffer- son Township and attended the Monongahela College. He studied law at Waynesburg, where he was admitted to the bar in April, 1880. IIe has met with more than average success in the practice of law. Ile was married in January, 1884, to Miss Ellen, daughter of W. T. Webb, justice of the peace at Waynesburg. Mr. Patton's father was born in Waynesburg February 21, 1840, and is the son of W. T. E. Webb, Esq., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Patton have one child- William A. Mr. Patton is a Democrat in politics.
WILLIAM THOMPSON HAYS PAULEY, editor and proprie- tor of the Waynesburg Messenger, was born in Youngstown, Ohio, February 6, 1820, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Hays) Pauley, who were of Irish and English descent. His father, who was a farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, as was his mother also. Mr. Pauley is the second in a family of three sons. He lived in Youngstown,
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Ohio, until he was twelve years old. Ilis father died in 1830, and two years later he came to Waynesburg and learned the printer's trade. IIe has been in the newspaper business ever since he was thirteen years of age, except while at school, and the greater part of that time he spent in the Waynesburg Messenger office, where he learned his trade. He went to Oxford, Ohio, to school in 1838, and remained four years. In 1842 he was employed by Major Hays to publish the Waynesburg Messenger until 1844, when he purchased the paper, which had been established in 1813, by Dr. Duston. Mr. Pauley is a Democrat, and his paper has been the supporter of all regularly nominated Democratic candidates in the county, state and nation. In 1847 he was elected county treasurer and served one term. He was married in 1845 to Miss Mary Jennings, who died September 2, 1887. Their children are-Sarah E., wife of Isaac Bell; James J., of the Messenger; Benjamin J., a farmer; John F., a printer, and Thomas C. (deceased). Mr. Pauley is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Sir Knight Templar. He has been con- nected with the Messenger in some capacity, with the exception of the four years spent in Oxford, ever since the 14th day of May, 1833.
ZADOCK WALKER PHELAN, manufacturer, foundryman and machinist, is a member of the firm of Bower & Phelan, Waynes- burg, Penn., where he was born June 21, 1838. He is a son of John and Jane (Walker) Phelan. Ilis mother was born in Fayette County, Penn. His father, a native of Greene County, was an attorney by profession, practiced in Waynesburg for many years and represented his county in the State Legislature. His family consists of five sons and one danghter. Z. W., the third in the family, was reared in Waynesburg and educated in the college. He learned the cabinet- maker's trade and carried on the furniture business in Waynesburg; then went to Kansas and shared the struggles of that young State, and in 1884 he began his present business. Mr. Phelan's wife was Miss Harriet, daughter of J. Wesley Chambers of Washington County, Penn. They have three children -- Anna W., John Charles and Zadock Walker. Mr. and Mrs. Phelan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held many important positions. He is a strong advocate of the temperance cause and votes the Prohibition ticket. Ile was the first county chairman of the party, and a candidate on the first ticket issued by the party.
R. II. PHELAN, attorney and counsellor at law, was born at Waynesburg, February 21, 1836, and is a son of Hon. John and Jane (Walker) Phelan. ITis mother was a native of Maryland, and was of English and Irish descent. His father, who was an attorney, was born in this county, of which he was prothonotary for about twelve years. He was elected a member of the State Legislature in 1867, and served two terms. He died August 31, 1874. R. II. 37
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Phelan is the second in a family of six children. He was reared in Waynesburg and attended the common school and college. He went to the territory of Kansas in 1854 and remained until 1861, when he returned to Waynesburg and subsequently studied law in the office of his father and Hon. C. A. Black. He was admitted to the bar in 1867, and has been in active practice ever since. Mr: Phelan is a Democrat. Ile has been a member of the town council, and is a trustree of the Presbyterian Church. His grandfather, Richard II. Phelan, was born in Ireland, and case to Greene County, Penn., at an early date. He served on the first grand jury in 1796. R. H. Phelan is president of Green Mount Cemetery Company, treasurer of the Waynesburg Park Company, and a director in the Farmers' and Drovers' National Bank of Waynesburg.
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