History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 154

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 154

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).

1839 .- William McClelland, James McCullough, James Orr, Dell Weaver, Hugh Riddle.

1840 .- John Burgess, John Briceland, Dell Weaver, Joseph Thompson, Samuel Smith.

1841 .- John Chambers, Dell Weaver, Samuel Smith, William McClelland, George A. Kirk.

1842 .- John Briceland, John Dickson, Dr. D. S. Stephenson, Hugh Rid- dle, John Paxton.

1843 .- John Briceland, John Dickson, John Paxton, William McClel- land, Ilugh Riddle.

1844 .- Samuel Stewart, Michael Wolf, John H. Buchanan, William S. Callahan.

1845-46 .- W. B. Urie, John H. Buchanan, John E. Black, Alexander Hanna, John McCahan.

1847 .- George A. Kirk, John V. Herriot, N. S. Potts, Adam Harbison, James McClelland.

1848 .- John E. Bell, John Ramsey, John Murphy, Joseph L. McClelland, John E. Black.

1849 .- John E. Bell, John E. Black, John Ramsey, Joseph Huston, Jack- son McClelland.

1850 .- John E. Black, George Land, John Ramsey, Samuel Smith, T. J. Munay.

1851 .- Jackson McClelland, George Land, Samuel Stewart, Craig Ritchie, Reed B. Miller.

1852 .- Jackson McClelland, Joseph Thompson, Benjamin South, John Chambers, Addison Winters.

1853 .- Joseph Thompson, Sr., James Thompson, John E. Bell, John Chambers, Dell Weaver.

1854 .- J. G. McIlvaine, J. M. McWilliams, George Land, Thomas Wat- son, G. A. Kirk.

1855 .- William Potts, George Land, Andrew Hart, Jackson McClelland, A. G. McPherson.

1856 .- William Hornish, E. K. Hodgins, James McEwen, Jackson Mc- Clelland, Craig Ritchie.

1857 .- John Weaver, James Berry, Joseph Thompson, R. B. Miller, Jack- son McClelland.

1858 .- Joseph Thompson, Dell Weaver, Reed Miller, Henry McPeck, John Brown.

1859 .- John Paxton, John E. Black, James E. Berry, James McEwen, Samuel Smith.

1860 .- James McEwen, John Paxton, James Berry, Samuel Smith, John E. Black.

1801 .- J. McEwen, John E. Black, James Berry, Samuel Smith, John Paxton.

1862 .- John E. Black, James Berry, John Brown, William Marshall, Dell Weaver.

1863 .- James Berry, William Marshall, John E. Black, Dell Weaver. 1864 .- Samuel Chamberlin, A. G. McPherson, James G. Dickson, John Brown, John E. Black.

1865 .- Andrew McPherson, John E. Black, Samuel Smith, Joseph Thompson, James Berry.

1866 .- James G. Dickson, John E. Black, A. G. McPherson, Joseph Thompson, William Marshall.

1867 .- Benjamin South, William Campbell, William Marshall, James G Dickson, A. G. McPherson.

1868 .- Joseph Thompson, J. G. Dickson, Edward Dickerson, Joseph Rob- erts, John Moore.

1869 .- B. South, R. B. Miller, James J. Lockhart, Levi Gamble, John Мооге.

1870 (October) .- Charles W. McDaniel, James Crawford, James Berry, Samuel Smith, William Campbell,

1872 .- James Berry, William Campbell, Benjamin South, Samuel Smith, Matthew Cannon, Joseph Thompson.

1873 .- James Berry, F. J. L. Enlow, Matthew Cannon, G. W. Dehaven, William Campbell, Mark D. McIlvaine.

1874 .- S. Chamberlin, B. Sonth, W. R. Connell, Matthew Cannon, James Berry, J. G. Dickson.

| 1856. Samuel Smith.

1857. John Chambers, John E. Black.

1858. Joseph Hunter, John E. Black.

1826-27. Craig Ritchie.

1860-61. Henry Annisansel.

611

CANONSBURG BOROUGH.

1875 .- John Roberts, Samuel Chamberlin, Dr. J. G. Dixon, Benjamin South, George Perrit.

1876 .- Dr. J. G. Dickson, George Perrit, John Roberts, John Brown, Samuel Chamberlin, Josephs Thompson.

1877 .- Adam Harbison, James Adams, John Brown, John Roberts, T. M. Potts, Jobn Chambers.

1878 .- John Fife, M. D. McIlvaine, Charles Shecurt, James Adams, T. M. Potts.

1879 .- Thomas Jackson, T. M. Potte, Joseph Thompson, W. Brown, William Caldwell, William II. Paxton, Daniel Day, John Chambers, Robert Govern, Samuel B. McPeak.

1880 .- Thomas Jackson, W. H. Paxton, Samuel Smith, Robert Govern, William Caldwell, T. M. Potts, William Campbell, William Donald- son, Mark D. McIlvaine.

1881 .- S. B. McPeak, Joseph Thompson, Daniel Miller, G. L. Scott. 1882 .- C. M. Greer, T. M. Potta, S. B. McPeak, W. H. S. Ritchie, John B. May.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

James McClelland, April 14, 1840. James McCullough, April 14, 1840. Hugh Riddle, April 15, 1845. James McClelland, April 15, 1845. Joseph Brown, April 9, 1850. James McClelland, April 9, 1850 ; April 10, 1855.

Joseph Brown, April 10, 1855. William Hornich, April 24, 1857. Henry McAfee, April 10, 1860. William Ilornish, April 21, 1862.

John Moore, June 3, 1865. R. B. Miller, April 17, 1866. John Moore, April 13, 1870. Reed B. Miller, April 1, 1871. James McCullough, April 12, 1872; Jan. 26, 1874.

Adam Harbison, May 24, 1874. Fulton Philips, March 16, 1876. Jas. Mccullough, March 14, 1877. James Espy, March 27, 1879.

Market-House,-It is evident that before the first meeting of the Town Council, May 6, 1802, a market- house had already been erected, as at that meeting Andrew Munroe was appointed clerk of the market- house, and to have entire charge of it. It stood on the Main Street below the college grounds. Ordi- nances regulating the sales at the market-house were passed March 19, 1804. It was ordered by the Coun- cil June 4, 1808, that the stalls in the market-house be rented for one dollar and fifty cents per annum. No further reference is found in the records concern- ing the market-house till Aug. 25, 1820, when it was moved by the Council " that the old market-house be taken down, and that a site be fixed upon for building a new one; and the supervisor give notice to the citi- zens to meet at the market-house on Saturday, the 26th inst., to have their voice as respects the contemplated one." This movement was held in abeyance until May 16, 1821, when the question of building was voted down. The old market-house remained some years later, and was taken down and not replaced.

Fire-Engine and Company .- About the year 1839 the Town Council purchased the " Hibernia," a hand fire-engine that had been in use in the city of New York, and did duty at the great fire there in 1835. In February of the next year a volunteer fire com- pany was organized, and it was resolved by the Coun- cil " that the balance of the citizens be classed in three classes, whose duty it shall be to meet once a month to supply the engine with water; each person to furnish a bucket." Each person refusing to attend was subject to a fine of twenty-five cents. The Coun- cil also ordered two ladders and two fire-hooks pur- chased for the use of the department. The company existed for a few years, and was discontinued for lack of attendance, and the engine was finally sold for

thirty-five dollars. It was found impracticable to haul the engine up the steep hills of the town in case of fire; the fire department became a thing of the past, and no movement has ever been made in that direction since.

Early Taverns .- On the 15th of March, 1787, An- drew Monroe purchased lot No. 9 in the town plat. He was licensed to keep a tavern at the October term of court in that year, and at once opened a house of entertainment on the lot now owned by Mrs. John E. Black, on the southwest corner of College and Main Streets. This tavern was kept by him till 1801, when Jennet Munroe was licensed and kept it till 1805. They lived here, however, many years later.

William Dehaven was licensed in December, 1790, and Abraham Dehaven in 1791. He was one of the original purchasers of lots of John Canon, and owned lot No. 6, on the opposite side of the street from Mun- roe. He advertised in 1795 that he "makes copper stills and boilers, and wants a partner in the black- smith business." In June, 1793, Francis Irwin was licensed and kept tavern till 1801.

In January, 1794, Henry Westbay was licensed to keep a tavern, and opened a house on Main Street above Ritchie's Block, where James Adams now lives. This was a prominent tavern during the Whiskey In- surrection, known as the "Black Horse Tavern." This tavern was kept by him till 1814, when he re- moved to Washington with his daughter, Mrs. George Kuntz. His son James kept the tavern for several years thereafter. In the rear of the house was a large latticed arbor covered with vines and shaded by a large apple-tree. This was a favorite resort for con- vivialists.

In the same year, 1794, David Lock and Mary Hill were licensed to keep tavern. Nothing is known of them. In 1806 George Sellers was licensed, John Patterson in 1809, John Lowrey in 1810, and in that year also Joshua Emory opened a tavern on Main Street, opposite the college, where William Campbell now owns. In 1825 he moved down to the corner of Main and Pike Streets, where he continued till 1840, when he emigrated to the West. This was for many years the principal hotel of the town, and where the stage-coaches stopped and delivered and received the mails.

In 1819 William Finley was a tavern-keeper. His tavern was on the corner of Main and Pike, where he kept about ten years, and where he died. Thomas Ramsey about the same time had a tavern at the place now occupied by Hagan's grocery and Campbell's hardware-store.

Hector McFadden was licensed in November, 1822, and opened tavern on the corner of Main and Green Streets, where he continued till about 1835. The property belongs to Mrs. Herriot, and is occupied by Mrs. Ferguson.

The only hotel at present in Canonsburg is the Sherman House, kept by George Kirk.

612

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Bridges .- A petition was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions of Washington County at the March term in 1822 for a bridge over Chartiers Creek at Canonsburg. It was referred to the grand jury, who authorized the commissioners of the county to appro- priate $400 of Bank of Washington paper towards the erection of a bridge. The court allowed the ap- propriation, and viewers were appointed, who reported favorably at the June term of that year. A contract was made with George Morgan, who immediately be- gan the structure, and at the November term the same year called for viewers, who were appointed, examined the work, and reported that it was "built in a better manner than the contract called for, and that he ought to be paid forty dollars more than the con- tract." . The bridge was accepted and the recommen- dation of the viewers was approved by the court Jan. 27,1823.

On the 27th of January, 1824, a petition for a bridge over Chartiers Creek below Canonsburg was presented to the court. Viewers were appointed, who reported the next day that the expenses would be too great for the township to bear, which report was ap- proved by the grand jury. This action was not ac- ceptable to the people, and the matter was again urged, and the bridge was built and accepted in January, 1825.

Post-Offices and Postmasters .- From a list of let- ters printed in the Herald of Liberty, a paper published at Washington in 1797, it is ascertained that a post- office was in existence in Canonsburg at that time. The name of the postmaster was not given. The first of whom any knowledge is obtained was William Clark, who held the position in 1801. His successors are here given in the order of their appointment : Henry Westbay, July 1, 1809; John Roberts, Octo- ber, 1811 ; Andrew Monroe, before 1816; Mrs. An- drew Monroe, John Dickinson, D. R. Stevenson, James McCullough, Benjamin South, George A. Kirk, Mrs. E. M. McGinnis, Mrs. Jane Martin (who still holds the position).

The post-office was authorized to issue and receive money orders in October, 1868. The first order was received October 17th of that year.

Newspapers of Canonsburg .- The first newspaper in Canonsburg was called the Luminary, and was pub- lished by William Appleton and William H. Cornwall in 1834. In the issue of the Examiner, of Washington, of July 27, 1833, William Appleton gives notice that he proposes to commence the publication of a paper at Canonsburg, to be called the Luminary, which is to be printed semi-monthly. Mr. Appleton seems to have associated with him William H. Cornwall (at one time recorder of deeds of Washington County), and to have published the paper as a weekly. The publication was probably commenced on the 1st of January, 1834, as No. 14 bears date of April 4th in that year. The paper was a five-column folio, nine- teen by twenty-seven inches in size. At that time

the office of the Luminary was "at No. 3, Walker's Row, Front Street." . This was the west room on the first floor of the house on Pike Street now (1882) oc- cupied by John Fife, and owned by Mrs. Huldah Greer. The pressman was a young man named James Scroggs. John McGill delivered the papers to the subscribers in the neighborhood. The venture did not prove successful. At the end of six months the publisher was overtaken by financial disaster, and the office was sold out by the sheriff. The writ was issued July 3, 1834, and returned on the 28th of the same month.

About the year 1852, William J. Hamill, a student of Jefferson College, from Baltimore, commenced the publication of a newspaper called the Student's Enterprise. It was printed in a building on the north side of Pitt Street. On account of Mr. Hamill getting into trouble with the college faculty he left school, and the paper ceased to exist after having been published less than a year. Copies of this paper are exceedingly rare, if indeed there are any in existence.

In May, 1870, Th. Maxwell Potts and Aaron Miller, under the firm-name of T. M. Potts & Co., opened a job-printing office in the second story of the building on Pike Street, belonging to the estate of John E. Black, now occupied by A. M. Forsyth, merchant tailor, and A. L. Runion, druggist. On the 23d of August, 1872, they issued the first number of The Canonsburg Herald, a six-column folio, twenty by twenty-six inches. The venture was well received by the people, and a liberal patronage at once ac- corded. It was commenced and continued purely as a local family paper, and has taken no part in party politics.

On March 6, 1874, it was enlarged to a seven- column folio, twenty-four by thirty-six inches, and at the first of January, 1879, it was again enlarged. Its form was then changed to a quarto, with five columns to the page, in size twenty-six by forty inches. With the beginning of 1879 was commenced the publication of an original story entitled " A Fair Sample; a Romance of Old Jefferson," by Rev. William Weir. It was a story of Jefferson College in her palmiest days, and attracted considerable notice. It was copyrighted, and occupied a year and a half in its publication. Edward W. Monck was employed upon the paper as associate editor from September, 1875, until March, 1877. At the first of April, Aaron Miller withdrew from the firm, and retired to a farm in Chester County. Since then the paper has continued under the management of T. M. Potts, as editor and publisher, assisted by his son, R. Claude Potts. In the spring of 1877 the office was removed to the second story of the block on Pike Street owned by Craig Ritchie, where it still re- mains.

On the 7th of August, 1875, Fulton Phillips com- menced the publication of a paper, which he at first called Notes by F. P. It was a three-column folio,

613

CANONSBURG BOROUGH.

eleven by sixteen inches in size, and published at twenty-five cents a year. It was first printed in a building belonging to Benjamin South, and just north of his residence on Main Street, in the north part of the town, but after a few weeks the publication office was removed to the southeast corner of Main and Pike Street. Afterwards the office was for some time in what is known as the old Dr. Weaver property, on Pike Street, from whence it was removed to W. H. S. Ritchie's block, and in the spring of 1881 to the second story of the Canonsburg Bank building on Pike Street. Within one year the name of the paper was changed to Rural Notes, the size increased to a four-column folio, and the subscription price raised to fifty cents a year. The size of the paper has not been fixed. Since 1878 it has generally appeared as a five-column folio, though occasionally its size has been increased to a six-column folio.

Physicians of Canonsburg .- The name of Dr. Hugh Thompson is found upon the plat of Canons- burg when first laid out in 1787. He was an early settler on Chartiers Creek, in Peters township, near Thompsonville, and from him that village derived its name. He was a practitioner over a large extent of country. It is not probable that he ever resided in Canonsburg, as his life was mostly passed on his farm. He had a son Robert, who studied with him and suc- ceeded him in practice. He was more familiarly known as Dr. Bob, and was famous for his horseman- ship. He was for a long time one of the prominent physicians in this region of country. In the latter part of his life he removed to Allegheny County, where he died.

Dr. Thomas B. Craighead, a son of Col. George Craighead, was born east of the mountains, where he became a physician. . He came to this section of country with his father, and settled in 1794 in Can- onsburg, where he commenced practice. He mar- ried Rachel, daughter of Judge James Allison. After some years his health failed him, he retired from ac- tive practice, removed to a farm in Chartiers on a part of the Allison tract, and lived there till his death in January, 1827. His eldest daughter, Polly, who was born in Canonsburg in 1795, married David Watson, and settled in Cecil township, where Dr. McCloy formerly lived; later they removed to Dr. Thomas Craighead's. Mrs. John Chambers, of Canonsburg, is a daughter ; Nancy, also one of the daughters, mar- ried William Wilson, of Allegheny County, Upper St. Clair township.

Dr. Samuel Murdoch, a son of John Murdoch, of Chartiers township, studied medicine and commenced practice in Canonsburg about 1800. He remained here in active practice till 1834, when he moved to the borough of Washington. A sketch of him will be found among the physicians of that borough.

Dr. James Cochran was a resident of the town a few years in the early part of the century. He was a member of the Council and treasurer in 1807.

In the year 1802 the name of Dr. J. W. Hilliard appears. His death occurred the next year.

Dr. John Warren was a prominent and skillful physician, who commenced practice in the borough of Canonsburg about 1807, and continued till 1830. He lived on the north side of Pitts Street, where Samuel McMillan now lives. He was a member of the Council in 1813.

" Dr. M. S. Pettit (late of the U. S. Army)" offered his professional services to the people of Canonsburg, December, 1816.

Dr. George McCook, a son of George McCook, of Canonsburg, was born June 15, 1795. He graduated at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, in 1811, at the early age of sixteen years. For two years he was a tutor of ancient languages in the University of Richmond, Va. He returned to Canonsburg, and studied medi- cine with Dr. Warren. In 1816 he was married to Margaret Latimer, of Washington, Pa., and com- menced practice in Canonsburg, and later went to New Lisbon, Ohio. In 1844 he was elected to the professorship of obstetrics in the Lake Shore Medical College of Willoughby, and retained that position for three years. He declined a position as professor at Cincinnati, and accepted a professorship at Washing- ton University, of Baltimore, Md. In 1847 he was transferred to the chair of surgery, where he remained for two years, and then removed to New Lisbon, Ohio. He went to Pittsburgh in 1849, where he became a successful physician, and had an extensive practice. He was appointed one of a board to examine those applying for appointments as surgeons in the volun- teer service in 1853, and in 1865 he was pension examining surgeon. He died at New Lisbon, Ohio, June 23, 1873, at the age of seventy-eight years.

Dr. McFarland was a son of John McFarland, an old resident of Canonsburg. He studied medicine about 1813, and commenced practice here. Later he moved to Bentleysville, and died there in 1820.

Dr. Jonathan Leatherman came to Canonsburg about 1815. He married a daughter of Craig Ritchie, Sr., and lived for a time where Paxton Brothers now live. Many years later he moved three miles west of town, on the Washington turnpike, where John Mon- inger now lives, and where he died. He was burgess of Canonsburg in 1820-21.

Dr. George Herriot also married a daughter of Craig Ritchie, Sr., and settled in Canonsburg, and died there about 1830.

Dr. David S. Stephenson came here and opened an office about 1825. He was a skillful physician, and active in town affairs, being elected a member of the Council in 1828-31. After a residence of about ten years he died.

Dr. John Vowell, of Pigeon Creek, was a well-read physician, who came to this town about 1835, and remained some years, then moved to Washington, Pa., where he opened a drug-store, which is still owned by his descendants.

614

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Dr. John Vance Herriott came here in 1837. He became a pupil of Dr. J. Leatherman. Later he went to Philadelphia, where he remained several years. He is now in Valparaiso, Ind.

Dr. McFadden, a native of the town, and son of Hector McFadden, studied medicine and practiced here from 1830 to 1850. He lived in the brick house erected by his father.

Dr. Murray, a son of James Murray, who owned a portion of the Morganza tract, was a pupil of Dr. J. V. Herriot, and practiced in the town from 1842 till his death. He resided in the house now owned by Mrs. Maginnis.

Dr. Nourse came to this town in 1832 from Wash- ington, D. C., and remained a few years, after which he went into the regular army as a physician. The Rev. Joseph Nourse, librarian of the Naval Observ- atory, was his brother.

Dr. John Weaver was a son of John Weaver, of Chartiers township. He studied medicine with Dr. J. V. Herriot, and afterwards graduated at Jefferson Medical College. He practiced here from 1842 to 1858.

Dr. John Weaver, a nephew of the Dr. John Weaver mentioned above, and son of Thomas Wea- ver, of Cecil township, was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College. He practiced in town from 1864 to 1872.

Dr. James G. Dixon, a graduate of Jefferson Col- lege, also of Jefferson Medical College, practiced for a time at Mount Jackson, Lawrence Co., Pa. In 1853 he moved to Canonsburg, where he is still in active practice.

Dr. Robert Thompson, although not a native of the town, came here when about seventeen years old with his father, Robert Thompson, where he re- mained till he went into active practice. He read medicine with Dr. George McCook, then of New Lisbon, Ohio. After he finished his studies he com- menced practice in Washington, Ohio. In 1832 he was elected to the Senate of Ohio from Guernsey County, and in the following year removed to Colum- bus, Ohio, where he remained till the close of his life. He was a physician of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum of the State for eighteen years, and trustee of the same. He was one of the foremost in organ- izing a State Medical Convention prior to the or- ganization of the State Medical Society, and became president of both. He was a member of the Ameri- can Medical Association, and lastly one of the most able and eminent physicians in the State. He died at Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 18, 1865, in the sixty-eighth year of his age.

Dr. George H. Cook was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College. He commenced practice in Indian- apolis, and about 1854 came to Canonsburg. He continued practicing until 1864, then practiced a year or two in Pittsburgh, and removed to McDonald, in this county.

Dr. William G. Barnett graduated at Jefferson Col- lege in 1837, and studied medicine with Dr. Thomas M. Taylor, of near Lexington, Ky. He commenced practice near Connellsville, Fayette Co., and con- tinued there ten years, and in 1856 removed to Venice, Washington Co., where he remained nine years, In 1864 he removed to Canonsburg, where he has since resided. He served in the State Legislature in 1876.

Dr. J. W. Alexander, a pupil of Dr. J. Leather - man, commenced practice in Hillsborough about 1840, where he remained for twenty years. At the. breaking out of the Rebellion he entered the army as surgeon of the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Infan- try. In 1865 he came to Canonsburg, where he still resides. For several years he was physician to the State Reform School.

Dr. Hugh Hanna, a pupil of Dr. John Weaver, Jr., and a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, commenced practice here about 1870. Afterwards he sold out to Dr. John Donaldson, and now lives on a farm in Chartiers township.

Dr. John Donaldson, son of Dr. David Donaldson, of Bridgeville, came to Canonsburg after graduating at Cleveland Medical College. For a time he prac- ticed in Pittsburgh. He came here in 1878 and bought out the business of Dr. Hanna.

Dr. W. Bane, a native of the county, came here about 1878. He also was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, and a pupil of Dr. Kelly, of Wash- ington.

Dr. Z. B. Stewart came from Marysville, Washing- ton Co., to educate his children. He opened a drug- store about 1856, and died about 1863.

Dr. William Kirk, a native of Canonsburg, studied with Dr. John Herriott. He completed his studies there with Dr. W. G. Barnett. He was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College ; commenced practice here. He removed from Canonsburg, and is now at Fox Chase, near Philadelphia.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 154

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