History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 124

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 124

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David McKennan, a son of Capt. William McKen- nan, was also educated at Washington College, after which he learned the trade of tanner, and resided at Brownsville, where he died comparatively young. James W. McKennan, the youngest son of Capt. Wil- term of the court he succeeded Walter Forward as | liam, graduated at Washington College, and became adjunct professor of languages; studied theology under the Rev. John Anderson, D.D., and entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. He was pastor of Lower Buffalo Church from 1829 to 1834, and later pastor of a church in Indianapolis. His health failed and he retired from duties, and removed to Wheeling (where his daughter resided), and died in that city in 1861. Ann E. McKennan, the only daughter of Capt. William McKennan, became the (a native of this county ), a prominent lawyer of Baton Rouge. She died young, leaving one son, Philip Hickey Morgan, who is the present minister of the United States to Mexico.

deputy attorney-general for the county, and acted until March, 1817, when William Baird commenced to act. His rise at the bar was rapid, and he was soon employed in all important cases, maintaining a front rank in the profession while he lived. In 1831 he was elected a member of Congress of the United States, and continued four terms at a sacrifice of per- sonal interest, and declined a renomination. Upon the death of Joseph Lawrence, in 1842, he yielded to the urgent solicitations of the people and the demands | wife of the Hon. Thomas Gibbs Morgan, of Louisiana, of his party, and served during the remainder of the term. As " chairman of the committee of the whole," for the space of two months, in the first session of that year, he rendered efficient aid to the paramount indus- trial interests of the country, and increased a reputa- Obadiah Jennings was a native of New Jersey, and son of the Rev. Jacob Jennings. He was born Dec. 13, 1778, and came to Dunlap's Creek, Fayette County, with his father, who became pastor of the Presby- terian Church at that place. He was educated at Canonsburg Academy ; studied law with John Simon- son, of Washington, and was admitted to the bar of Washington County in 1801. He opened an office in Steubenville, and in 1811 came to Washington and built a small one-story brick office on Maiden Street, below John Baird's. His residence was in the meadow at the south end of First Street. After a practice of a few years he studied for the ministry, and was licensed to preach in 1816. He became pastor of the First Pres- byterian Church of Steubenville, where he remained till 1823. On the 8th of October in that year he re- ceived a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Washington to become their pastor, which he accepted. He was installed the 23d of the same month, and re- mainęd pastor till 1828. During his residence here as pastor he resided where the public school building now stands, and later where J. W. Donnan now re- sides. He also taught a young ladies' school in 1824-25. Upon his retirement from this church he accepted a call from a Presbyterian Church in Nash- ville, Tenn., where he lived till his death, in 1832. tion already national. He was chosen a Presidential elector in 1840, and was president of the Pennsylva- nia Electoral College of 1848. His influence with the incoming administration was potent, and the more appreciated because unselfish and disinterested in its exertion. Common consent assigned him a place in the cabinet of 1849; and when in the following year President Fillmore called him to the Secretaryship of the Interior, all parties hailed the appointment as one eminently merited. A reluctant acceptance of the office was granted, only to be recalled after a few days' experience. Wearied by the ungenial details of official business, and disgusted with the importunities of the place-hunters attracted by his patronage, he resigned his position near the Executive and returned to his cherished home and the friends whom he loved. Soon afterwards he received and accepted the presi- dency of the Hempfield Railroad Company, and while engaged in the administration of its affairs died at Reading, Pa., on the 9th of July, 1852. Mr. Mc- Kennan's connection with Washington College was longer and more intimate than that of any other in- dividual. Entering the academy at a very early age, and matriculating as a member of the first Freshman class, he passed through the entire curriculum of studies with credit to himself and to his instructors. Robert Hazlett, a native of Ireland, was educated at Edinburgh University, and soon after married and settled there for a time. Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war he emigrated with his family to this country and settled near Chambersburg, leaving one son at home with his grandparents. At this place the most of his children were born. About Such was his rank as a scholar that, in February, 1813, he was appointed tutor of ancient languages, and acted in that capacity for eighteen months. In April, 1818, he was chosen a member of the corpora- tion, where he continued throughout his subsequent life-for thirty-four years-the able counselor and

487

WASHINGTON BOROUGH.

1795 he emigrated to Washington, Pa., and pur- chased of the Hoges, lot No. 92 on Main Street, where he erected a dwelling. He opened a store first near Hugh Wilson's, on Main Street near Maiden, and late in 1797 moved to where William Arbuckle lived. Still later he moved the store into the house where he lived. He continued in business till his death in 1818 or 1819. Robert Hazlett left six children, all of whom went West except Samuel. Mary became the wife of a Mr. Cummins, and mother of. Drs. R. H. and James Cummins, now of Wheeling. The rest settled in Zanesville, Ohio. Samuel, the youngest son of Robert Hazlett, was born in Washington in 1798, and after his father's death continued the business with his mother for a short time, and purchased the rights of the heirs. He then continued as a merchant until the establish- ment of the bank on the 1st of April, 1837. From that time he continued in the banking business till his death in November, 1863. Samuel Hazlett and Mrs. Dr. Wray Grayson, of Washington, are chil- dren of Samuel Hazlett. One son lives in Pittsburgh and one in Wheeling.

Hugh Wylie came to this town before 1796, and on the 26th of July in that year he purchased of John and William Hoge lot 283 on Maiden Street, where J. Shan Margerum's store now is. In 1803 he was appointed postmaster, and his office was located in his house. He was a merchant also, and kept the post-office till his death in 1828. His son David acted as deputy postmaster. After his father's death he retired to his father's farm in Chartiers township, and lived there till his death. His sons now own the farm. Hugh Wylie was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Washington. As postmaster he was fre- quently asked for letters by people from out of town who were at church Sundays. As a matter of ac- commodation this request was granted, until the hour of the service became a regular hour of distribution on Sundays. Attention was drawn to this after a time, and it was thought to be not right. The mat- ter was brought before the church and decided ad- versely to the action of Mr. Wylie, and upon his per- sisting he was expelled. It was carried to the General Assembly that met at Pittsburgh in 1810, and the decision was affirmed. In 1812 a petition of cit- izens of Washington was presented to the General Assembly asking them to reopen the case and recon- sider their action. The petition was not granted.

Robert Hamilton was a blacksmith and wool-carder. He was mentioned as a blacksmith in the assessment roll of 1799. In the year 1810 he owned three lots, " on which are a Smith Shop, Dwelling House, Ma- chine House, and an unfinished brick house," at the lower end of Maiden Street. He carried on the bus- iness of wool-carding till 1815, when he retired from personal attention of the business, but still retained an interest. He advertised May 20, 1816, that " he will run four wool-carding machines and one picker

at Thomas H. Baird, Esqr.'s steam-mill opposite his old stand." In 1815 he opened a store in the brick house where he lived, and kept it till his death in 1823, and his widow continued the business many years later. He married the daughter of - Mitchell, of Washington. Mrs. Charles Sisson, a daughter of Robert Hamilton, lives in the brick residence where she was born in 1811. The old frame dwelling and other buildings are still standing below the brick house, and are now used as dwellings.

Patrick Bryson emigrated from County Down, Ire- land, and in 1796 settled at Washington, on Catfish Run. He bought a lot of Hugh Workman, and erected a horse-mill on the lot now owned by the Vankirks. It did the grinding for many miles around, but little was done with it after 1822, when it was sold to Thomas Jones, who erected it on Chest- nut Street. Bryson lived at this place during his lifetime, and died in 1860, aged ninety-five years. His wife died at the same time at eighty-four years of age, and they were buried the same day. William Bryson, of Washington, is a son of Patrick Bryson.

James Shannon, Joseph and Thomas Reynolds came from Baltimore to Washington in 1803 with their families. They were all shoemakers. Shannon opened a shop where Vowell's drug-store now is and kept a shop there many years, and the Reynolds' worked for him. In 1812 he moved his shop to where Thomas Mckean's tobacco-store now is. He was prominent in connection with the Methodist Church, and active in all its work. He left four sons and three daughters. Robert settled in Cincinnati; Wil- liam, James, and Frank remained in Washington, and still reside there. Mrs. Eliza Harter, Mrs. Dr. J. S. Reed, of Pittsburgh, and Mrs. Henrietta Beck, of New Orleans, are daughters of James Shannon.

Alexander Murdoch was the youngest son of John Murdoch, who settled in what is now North Strabane township in 1778. He was born near Carlisle, Pa., in 1770. When quite a young man, he purchased the Canonsburg mills, with a large tract of land ex- tending from the present site of the mills up Char- tiers Creek and embracing the land now occupied by the Hodgen's tannery. From these mills, at an early period, he loaded two large flatboats with flour and saddlery, and landed them safely at New Orleans. He returned from this trip on horseback through an almost unbroken wilderness. In 1803 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Matthew Henderson, of Chartiers township. In 1809 he was appointed by the Governor prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, and held the office until 1819. Upon his acceptance of this office he sold the Canonsburg property and removed to Washington. Soon after, he built the brick house on the corner of Main Street and Pine Alley, now owned and occu- pied by his eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary M. Gow.' Subsequently he purchased the lot on the corner of Main and Beau Streets, and built thereon what is

488

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

now a part of the " Fulton House." He moved to this building in 1822, and resided there until the spring of 1828, and was engaged during this period in the mercantile business. Having in the mean time purchased a part of the tract of land of over four hundred acres, known as " Morganza," two miles below Canonsburg, on Chartiers Creek, he, with his family, took possession of the same in 1828, and re- mained there until his death, which occurred in 1836. His widow survived him twenty-seven years, and died in Canonsburg, March, 1863, aged eighty-three years.

The surviving children are Mrs. Mary M. Gow, of Washington ; Mrs. Sarah B. Muller, of Nelsonville, Ohio; Mrs. E. M. Wilson and Anne, of Moberly, Mo .; and Alexander Murdoch, of Washington.

Esther, the daughter and youngest child of John Murdoch, Sr., was married in 1803 to Hugh Hagarty, a merchant, who subsequently came to Washington, and opened a store in the building now occupied by Mrs. Gow. Mr. Hagarty left Washington and lo- cated in Florence, Ala., where he soon after died.

Mr. and Mrs. Hagarty had two children, John and Samuel. John owned and commanded a number of steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and had many warm friends in Washington, with whom he frequently visited. He died a few years since, in Cincinnati. Samuel died many years ago, in the State of Indiana. Mrs. Hagarty died soon after the birth of her second child.

John Grayson, who was for more than half a cen- tury a citizen of Washington, and for over forty years editor and publisher of the Washington Examiner, was a son of Robert Grayson who, with his sons Wil- liam and John, aged respectively two years, and nine months, sailed from Ireland in the brig "William," arriving at New Castle, Del., in June, 1784. The fol- lowing sketch of John Grayson is from his diary :

" My father proceeded to Mifflin, where he made his lodgement for a short time, until after the death of my mother, then with brother William and myself re- moved to Carlisle. My inclination turned upon the printing business at quite an early age, as much per- haps as from anything else, and perhaps more from observing with very great interest and attention some printing-type among the sweepings of a printing- office. I went home resolving in my mind to learn the printing business and no other. Accordingly, at a suitable age, my father placed me with George Kline, of Carlisle, to learn the 'art, trade, and occu- pation of a printer,' himself providing clothing, etc. Although discouragements met me and induced re- linquishing my intention; having determined upon the matter, I resolved to go through ; and can say with all seriousness in my own heart, my duties were per- formed faithfully and honorably. In the winter of 1805 went to Philadelphia, obtaining a situation in the book printing-office of William Duane, editor of The Aurora, whose office was in Franklin Court.

Continued to reside in Philadelphia until the sum- mer of 1806, when, the yellow fever making its appear- ance there, went to Trenton, N. J. Worked with James Oram, book-printer; during the summer. Re- turned to Philadelphia; and between that city, New York, and the city of Baltimore, spent the remaining days of my journey man-printer life.

"June 18, 1812 .- The same day war declared by Con- gress (about noon the Declaration was received by ex- press from Washington) against Great Britain. Being in the city of Baltimore, gave myself mind, heart, and body to be a soldier while the war lasted. The city was in extreme frenzied excitement; business almost sus- pended ; the population in masses in the streets, and agitated as if a hostile army had invaded their homes. About simultaneously with the declaration of war, Con- gress had promptly passed a bill providing for accept- ing the services of fifty thousand volunteers, signed by President Madison. Under this act many young men volunteered, and we signed our names at a rendezvous immediately opened at a tavern in Pratt Street, east of the basin. Opposite, across the street, was a large building used for a riding-school. Before many days plenty of volunteers signed for filling the company, and many were excluded. We drilled daily in the above building, and became pretty fair soldiers at least in evolutions of the drill. . . .

"Went through several promotions and served until close of the war, thus completing three years on the Niagara and Northern frontier,-one as a volunteer in the Baltimore volunteers, and two in the regular army; obtained a furlough for three months from this date, Nov. 7, 1814; return to duty ; no opera- tions of this division of the army of any importance from date until the news of peace having been con- cluded at Ghent was received. Now that war has happily terminated, my anxieties are for private life and active business. A military one-in peace- affording very little pleasure to me. In the arrang- ing of the peace establishment am retained and as- signed to the corps of artillery in my present position as second lieutenant from the date of my commission as such in the infantry (2d June, 1814). Report to Adjt .- Gen. Parker at Washington City, who solicits me to remain in the service, offering some induce- ments to do so; that I should be stationed at Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, or any other post I should choose. Gen. Parker was particularly kind, but I had joined the army because there seemed to be a necessity,-my country engaged in war with a foreign nation. Now that an honorable peace was. obtained, and our just claims granted, I felt as standing in the way of some worthy young man who wished to make arms his profession. I therefore preferred returning to private life and the printing business. Forthwith resigned my commission Sept. 7, 1815, Thus com- pleting three years in the service on the Niagara and Northern frontier, one as a volunteer in the Balti- more volunteers, and two in the regular army.

489

WASHINGTON BOROUGH.

"Return to the city of Baltimore; enter into the book and job printing as partner with James Ken- nedy; married to Martha, daughter of John and Mary Wray, by Rev. James Inglis, D.D., May 9th, 1816." From Baltimore he removed to Philadel- phia, and thence to Washington, Pa.

The causes that brought him to this town are re- lated in the history of the Examiner and his connec- tion with that paper. During his long residence in Washington he filled important offices of honor and trust, having been elected to the offices of register in 1830; protonotary, in 1839; associate judge, in 1843. Served as trustee of Washington Female Seminary from its organization till his death, and pension agent from 1853 to 1861. He died on the 11th of March, 1871, in his eighty-eighth year. Of his children, Thomas W. resides in Meadville, Pa., John in Pitts- burgh, and Dr. Wray Grayson and Miss Martha Gray- son are residents of Washington.

James McDermott, who came to this place at an early day and became identified as a printer with the Reporter, and has also served the town many years as postmaster, is now eighty-seven years of age and still a resident of the town. He was born about one and a half miles from Gettysburg, April 24, 1795, and resided at home till he was about fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to Robert Harper, then editing the Adams Sentinel at Gettysburg. In 1814 he was drafted into the United States army and placed under command of Capt. John McMillan. On the 1st of November the company marched to Erie, Pa. Later he was a participant in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, and other battles and skirmishes in Canada. After his return home he visited Gettysburg, Washington, D. C., and Martins- burg, Va., and worked a short time in each place. In the latter part of 1817 or the first part of 1818 he came to Washington, Pa., and entered the office of John Grayson on the Examiner, where he remained six or seven months. In the latter part of 1818 he entered the office of the Reporter, and remained with that paper through all its various changes for thirty-two years up to 1850. In March of that year he was ap- pointed postmaster and served four years, and as dep- uty during the term of David Acheson, his successor. Upon the election of Mr. Lincoln as President in 1860 he was again appointed and served four years, after which he served in an official capacity for a short time in Harrisburg.

Col. James Ruple was born in Morris County, N. J., Feb. 18, 1788. His father was of German parentage, born in Philadelphia about the year 1740, and re- moved to New Jersey prior to the Revolution. In 1794 he removed to Washington County, and located about two miles north of Prosperity, near the line of Morris and Finley townships. He died the following year. Col. James Ruple spent his early life upon the farm, but before he reached his majority came to the town of Washington, and learned the carpenter and

joiner trade with Samuel Hughes. Shortly after the declaration of war, in June, 1812, he volunteered his services, and was chosen first lieutenant of Capt. Sample's company, and upon the formation of the regiment was made adjutant. The regiment was or- dered to Black Rock; he remained in the service until the troops were discharged. In 1814, when Wash- ington City was threatened, he again quit his busi- ness, uniformed his apprentices, and started with the company for the seat of war. They were, however, ordered to return before they reached the State line. Shortly after that time a volunteer regiment was formed, and he was chosen colonel. In 1817 he was elected coroner, and served three years. In 1828 he was appointed clerk of the courts of the county by Governor Shultz, and in 1830 was reappointed by Governor Wolf, and served six years. In January, 1839, he was again appointed to the same office by Governor Porter, and in October of the same year was elected, under the amended Constitution, for three years. His death occurred on Jan. 8, 1855.

Parker Campbell was admitted in 1794 to practice at the bar of Washington County. He resided where C. M. Reed now lives. He erected the building on the northeast corner of Main and Beau Streets, where he had his office.

Joseph Pentecost, son of Dorsey Pentecost, was ad- mitted to the bar in September, 1782. He married a daughter of Thomas Scott, and lived in Washington and Canonsburg. He came into possession of the Pentecost lands in North Strabane township, and built the large house now owned by John Gamble. His residence in Washington was on Beau Street, west of the public ground. James Ashbrook, brother- in-law of Joseph Pentecost, and son-in-law of Dorsey Pentecost, was also an attorney, admitted to the bar in 1798. The three last mentioned were prominent at- torneys in Washington, and are more fully noticed in the history of the bar of the county.

Early Business Interests .- The earliest reliable information of manufactures carried on in the town of Washington is contained in "The American Mu- seum or Universal Magazine" of March, 1792, in which the towns of Washington, Pittsburgh, Bedford, and Huntington are compared, as follows :

"The towns of Washington, Pittsburgh, Bedford, and Huntington, in Pennsylvania (the nearest of which is 150 miles from a seaport), exhibit the strong- est proofs that manufactures are the best support of the interior landed interests, and are necessary at once to the accommodation and prosperity of the cul- tivators of the middle and western country. The fol- lowing table contains an account of the population of these villages, which is not exaggerated." Only Washington and Pittsburgh are here given, viz. :

Washington. Pittsburgh.

Clock and watch makers

Silversmiths

Coopers .

Skin dressers and breeches makers.

Tanners and curriers.

490

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Washington. Pittsburgh.

Tailors.

Cabinet-makers

Blacksmiths

Shoesmiths

Hatters.

Dyers

Weavers,

Reed makers.

Saddler makers

Saddle-tree makers.

Spinning-wheel makers.

Nailers ...

Maltsters and brewers.

Potters

Tinners.

Stocking weavers

Gun-miths

Rope-makers.

Total manufacturers.

3:>

Total number of families.

130

The number of merchants is not given, and it is a matter of conjecture as to who they were. On the 17th of August, 1795, three years later, a newspaper called The Western Telegraphe and Washington Adver- tiser was established by Colerick, Hunter & Beau- mont, and from its columns are obtained many of the earlier notices of business establishments. The first which appeared was that of Hugh Wilson, dated Aug. 13, 1795, in which he says he "has a large and general assortment of Dry-Goods." On the 3d of Oc- tober "The Master Saddlers of Washington County are requested to meet at the house of John Fisher, in Washington, on business of importance." Samuel Clarke, on the 27th of the same month, advertised " a neat and general assortment of Dry-Goods." On the 7th of December, the same year, James Neilson ad- vertised that "he is going over the mountains for a new assortment of Goods against Christmas." In the same month Matthew Ritchie & Co. offered a "General assortment of Goods." Dr. A. Baird had just opened a drug-store "in the House lately occu- pied as a tavern by William Meetkirke." John Reed " continues the Brewery business at his Brewery near Washington," and Gabriel Blakeney, "having quit business," advertised for settlement. Jedediah Post advertised as a watchmaker in the town of Wash- ington, and James Buchanan, on the 20th of Decem- ber, informed the public that "he has commenced the Blue-Dyeing Business at Mrs. Wilson's, opposite the Court-House," where Smith's store now stands. In February, 1796, Dr. Absalom Baird advertised a large assortment of cloths of all kinds, and that he had " left his Medical Books with William Meetkirke, Esqr., for collection of accounts." Alexander Reed & Co., on the 8th of March, 1796, advertised as fol- lows: "Have just received a quantity of Port, Sherry, Lisbon, and Teneriffe Wines of the best quality, which they will sell on Moderate Terms; also some good Jamaica Spirits." April 18th, William Erskine ad- vertised spinning-wheels, and that he had moved into Belle Street, next door to Mr. Moore, tailor. David Acheson, on the 29th of April, announced that he had on hand an "assortment of Dry-Goods, Hardware, Queensware, &c."

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 124

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216