History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 103

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century > Part 103

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On November 13, 1884, Mr. Galbraith was married to Miss Mary E. Munnell, a daughter of James Munnell, and they became the parents of the following children: James Lloyd, Katherine H., William K., Jr., Bella, Frank S. and A. Sheldon. Mr. Galbraith was succeeded as post- master by his oldest son, James Lloyd, who was born September 21, 1885, and was appointed postmaster Octo- ber 29, 1906. The late W. K. Galbraith was a member and liberal supporter of the United Presbyterian Church, to which his family also belong. He was a Republican. The family home is at No. 115 East College street, Canonsburg.

DAVID W. RASEL, president of the Farmers' Na- tional Bank of Claysville, Pa., and for many years a representative business man in Washington County, was born in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pa., December 23, 1859, and is a son of Frederick Rasel, who was an early setler in West Bethlehem Township and spent the remainder of his life there.

David W. Rasel is in large measure, a self-made man. He enjoyed many educational advantages, but he pro- vided the larger number of these for himself. He start- ed to teach school when only sixteen years of age, leav- ing the home farm about that time, and he attended the Pleasant Valley schools, the State Normal School at California, Pa., and Thiel College, in Mercer County, succeeding in graduating from the latter institution in 1882. Thus prepared he devoted himself to educational work for twenty terms of schools and during this period was principal of the West Alexander High School for four years. In 1898 he entered into the mercantile busi- ness at West Alexander and later was bookkeeper for the South Pittsburg Iron Works at Claysville, since known as the Pennsylvania Bridge Company. In 1905 he embarked in a general hardware business at Claysville and in the same year became president of the Farmers' National Bank at this place, of which he was one of the organizers and has continued one of the directors. He is an able and astute business man and although his

interests are numerous, he holds them well in hand and enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence of his fellow citizens. He is active in the Democratic party and has served in local offices and for one year was president of the borough school board.

Mr. Rasel was united in marriage with Miss Jennie G. Hayburn, of Claysville, and they have one son, David M. Mr. Rasel is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Claysville and one of its elders. Mr. Rasel's promo- tion in life makes an interesting story because it tells how certainly industry, perseverance, courage and integ- rity are rewarded.

LESLIE G. MARPLE, a successful young business man of Canonsburg, who is a member of the well known grocery firm of Marple & Hamilton, was born in Wheel- ing, W. Va., August 10, 1884, and is a son of Benjamin and Hannah Jane (Van Eman) Marple, natives of West Virginia and for the past fourteen years residents of Canonsburg, Pa. Benjamin Marple, who has now reached his seventy-sixth year, has devoted his life to gardening. His wife is now fifty-five years old, and they have been the parents of ten children, namely: Monroe A., su- perintendent of the Ohio County Home, who married Nannie Garvin; Ella, deceased, who was the wife of Homer Little; George, who died young; John W., en- gaged. in the mercantile business in Canonsburg, who married Mary E. Moore; Alvin, deceased; Melvin- R., connected with the Philadelphia Gas Company, who mar- ried Margaret McCloy; Mary, who is the wife of Mr. Holmes, of Fairmont, W. Va .; James, deceased; Leslie G .; and Russell, who is a draughtsman for the Fort Pitt Bridge Works.

Leslie G. Marple received his education in the public schools of South Canonsburg, after leaving which he spent nine years in the employ of the Canonsburg Pot- tery, in the meantime learning the trade of pressman. On March 15, 1909, he succeeded his brother, John W. Marple, in the grocery firm, which since that time has been known under the style of Marple & Hamilton. This place of business is situated at the corner of College and Jefferson streets, and has a large patronage among the residents of the community. Both of the young partners are progressive and enterprising, and endeavor to give to their customers the full worth of their money, and as this manner of doing business is appreciated, the firm has prospered accordingly.

On August 17, 1905, Mr. Marple was united in mar- riage with Ida F. McCartney, daughter of Enoch and Mary McCartney, of Canonsburg, and one daughter, Florence E., has been born to the union. Mr. and Mrs. Marple are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg. He is a Republican.

JOHN H. MURDOCH

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

JAMES P. BRADEN, attorney at law, with office at No. 108 South Main street, Washington, Pa., is a repre- sentative of one of the old families of Western Penn- sylvania, one which has had many distinguished mem- bers. He was born at Washington, October 8, 1871, and is a son of John D. and Anna C (Ruple) Braden.

James P. Braden was educated in the Washington schools and Washington and Jefferson College and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1895 and was admitted to the bar December 31, 1900, having com- pleted his law course after he returned from serving as a soldier in the Spanish-American War. For that serv- ice he enlisted in the Tenth Pa. Volunteer Infantry, as a private and was advanced to be sergeant of his company. After he was honorably discharged at San Francisco, August 22, 1899, he immediately returned to Washington. He has built up a very satisfactory practice and is num- bered with the ablest of the younger members of the Washington bar.

Mr. Braden was married to Mrs. Anna L. Schaulis, and they have one little daughter, Rebecca. Their beautiful home is located at No. 218 West Wheeling street, Wash- ington.

JOHN H. MURDOCH, president of the Union Trust Company of Washington, Pa., and a prominent lawyer at the Washington County bar, has been an important factor in the business activities of this borough. He is a member of one of the oldest families of the county.

John Murdoch, his earliest ancestor in this country, was born in Scotland, but just prior to the Revolutionary War was recorded as a resident of Carlisle, Pa. In 1778 he moved to North Strabane Township, Washing- ton County, and from that time the name of Murdoch has been honorably connected with Washington County history.

Alexander Murdoch, third son of John, was born at Carlisle, Pa., in 1770, and was 8 years of age when brought by his parents to Washington County. In early manhood he purchased the Canonsburg mills, to- gether with a large tract of adjoining land. He pos- sessed the commercial instinct and even at that early day carried on business enterprises successfully that older men had not yet thought of. He conducted both a mill and saddlery and loaded flat boats which he floated down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, where he found a market and then he returned on horseback, traversing hundreds of miles of wilder- ness. In 1809 he was appointed prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, and then it was that he took up his residence in the borough of Washington, in 1822 erecting a house which in later Mr. Murdoch was married January 8, 1874, to Martie Boyle, of Allegheny City, Pa., and their family con- years became a part of the Hotel Main. He served as prothonotary until 1819, after which he engaged in mer- . sists of four children, viz .: Edgar B., May H. (married

cantile pursuits until 1828, when, with his family, he moved to what was known as the Morganza Tract-400 acres of land situated two miles from Canonsburg- which he bought in that year. There he spent the re- mainder of his days, dying in 1837. His widow sur- vived him until 1863, dying at Canonsburg. In 1803 Alexander Murdoch married Elizabeth Henderson, a daughter of Rev. Matthew Henderson, of Chartiers Township, and to them were born eleven children, of whom the following grew to maturity: Mary M., widow of Hon. J. L. Gow; John R., Mrs. Sarah B. Musser, Mrs. E. W. Wilson, Esther Ann, Alexander, Jr., and James.

Alexander Murdoch, the second, the father of John H. Murdoch, was a successful lawyer at Washington, and for some years was in partnership with his brother- in-law, Hon. J. L. Gow. In April, 1861, he was ap- pointed United States marshal for Western Pennsyl- vania, by President Lincoln, and was subsequently re- appointed and served two years. In March, 1869, Presi- dent Grant appointed him to the same office, one which he filled with entire efficiency until he resigned it in December, 1872. He was a man of brilliant talent and was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens. He died April 14, 1903, in the 89th year of his age.

John H. Murdoch has been a resident of Washington all his life up to the present time. He is the third child of Alexander and Eliza Huey Murdoch. He was grad- uated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1869 and was admitted to the bar in 1874. Under the firm style of John H. Murdoch & Son, Mr. Murdoch is asso- ciated in the practice of law with his son, Edgar B., who was graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1896 and was admitted to the bar in 1899. The firm is a representative one at Washington and maintains offices at No. 86 North Main street. Mr. Mur- doch has also many other interests, owning a large amount of valuable realty and serving as president of the Thorneycroft Land Company and treasurer of the Murdoch-Baldwin Oil Company. He has been president of the Union Trust Company since its organization, and is president of the Washington County Fire Insurance Company, having succeeded his father in that capacity at the time of the latter's death. He has been a mem- ber of the board of trustees of Washington Seminary for many years, taking an active part in its work. He is one of the directors of the Pittsburg Life & Trust Company of Pittsburg and a member of the finance committee of the company. He is also president of the Waynesburg Water Company of Waynesburg, Pa., and vice president of the Citizens' Water Company of Wash- ington.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

to Rev. W. M. French), Anna V. and John H., Jr. Their home has been since 1874 at No. 313 North Main street.

Mr. Murdoch is a member of the First United Pres- byterian Church of Washington, in which he has held the office of an elder for over 25 years.

SAMUEL FARRER, SR., one of the good, reliable citizens of Independence Township, who is cultivating an excellent farm of 172 acres, was born May 25, 1831, in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of Andrew and Eliza (Buchanan) Farrer.

Andrew Farrer, who was a blacksmith by trade, fol- lowed that occupation until 1850, in which year he com- menced agricultural pursuits and continued until his death in 1866. He was buried at Upper Buffalo Ceme- tery, as was also his widow, who passed away in 1893. They were the parents of the following children: Samuel; Robert B. and David M., both of whom are deceased; Joseph A., who died when small; and Ezra L., residing in Missouri.

Samuel Farrer received his education in the common schools of his native locality, leaving school to learn the trade of blacksmith, which he followed until his father purchased a farm. On this he worked until 1856, in which year he was married, and after that event he be- came a tenant farmer in Buffalo and Hopewell Town- ships. In 1870 he went back to the home farm, of which he had charge for three years, then bought his present farm, which at that time consisted of 144 acres, and to this he has since added twenty-eight acres. He has car- ried on a general line of farming and has specialized in sheep raising. Although past seventy-eight years of age, Mr. Farrer is in the best of health and in possession of all his faculties, and is able to carry on his duties on the farm every day, attributing his present excellent physical condition to the fact that he has always lived a hearty, out-of-door life and has never indulged to ex- cess in spiritous liquors. He is one of the prominent farmers of his section and a well-known member of the grange at Independence.

In 1856, Mr. Farrer was married to Mary Dunkle, daughter of John and Eleanor (Mclaughlin) Dunkle, farming people of Hopewell Township, and to this union there were born children as follows: Ellen, and J. Addi- son, who reside at home; Nettie B., who married C. L. Grimes, a general storekeeper at Coon Island, Washing- ton County; Andrew C., a leading merchant of West Middletown, who started in business in 1908 and now has a large trade; Abraham Lincoln, a successful mer- chant of Wolftown, Canton Township; John, a carpenter of Buffalo village; James, who died at the age of about eight years; Samuel, Jr., also a carpenter, residing at home; Martha, who married Ernest Smith, operates a farm adjoining that of Mr. Farrer in Independence

Township; and Emma, residing at home. The mother of these children died August 20, 1890, and was buried at West Middletown Cemetery.

Mr. Farrer is connected with the United Presbyterian Church at Mount Hope, in which for many years he served as trustee. A Republican in politics, he has been prominent in the ranks of his party, serving as county commissioner from 1894 to 1897, as justice of the peace from 1889 to 1894, as supervisor for one term, and as school director and judge of election for a number of years.

M. W. SCOTT, a representative business man of Bur- gettstown, carrying on a large trade in furniture, wall paper and carpets, was born in Smith Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., November 7, 1856, and is a son of Robert K. Scott.

M. W. Scott attended school in Burgettstown, during boyhood and youth, after which he assisted his father on the home farm in Smith Township, for some years. In 1887 he embarked in the furniture business at Bur- gettstown and has added to his original stock and now does a large amount of dealing, his patronage coming from the town and also from the adjacent country.

On January 18, 1888, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Sarah E. Dornan, a daughter of William Dornan, and they have the following children: William R. K., F. Donn, Pamela M., M. Burt, C. Denny, R. Lauretta, K. Leroy, Wylie F., Lila and Lena, twins, and Harry Mc- Kee. All survive with the exception of Lena, a large, healthy, happy, intelligent family. Mr. Scott and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Bur- gettstown, of which he is one of the trustees. In poli- tics he is a Democrat and was formerly a member of the town council and of the school board. He is also serv- ing as one of the directors of the Union Agricultural Association.

JESSE Y. SCOTT, M. D., one of Washington County 's prominent and able physicians and surgeons, has been engaged in active practice in the borough of Washing- ton, for almost a score of years. He was born in Fallow- field Township, Washington Co., Pa., November 13, 1848, and is a son of Joseph A and Eliza (Sheplar) Scott, who long were honored and esteemed residents of Washington County.

From the common schools of Fallowfield Township, Dr. Scott, as an ambitious youth, took up the higher branches of study in the Southwestern State Normal School, at California, Pa., and in 1870 commenced his medical studies. These he pursued under the supervision of Dr. J. H. Leyda, of Bentleyville, and when sufficiently prepared, he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. With hon-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

orable mention he was graduated from that institution in 1875, and immediately thereafter started into prac- tice at Centreville, Washington County. He remained two years at Centreville, practiced one year at Pittsburg and eleven years at Bentleyville, and then came to Wash- ington. His success has been exceptional both from the standpoint of professional achievement and in a finan- cial way. Associated with him is Dr. Donehoo, and they maintain a fine suite of offices at Nos. 211-213 Washing- ton Trust Building. He is a director of the Washington Trust Company, the Washington Electric Light and Power Company, and is financially interested in other successful business enterprises of the borough.

On June 16, 1881, Dr. Scott was married to Miss Ella M. McLean, a daughter of Henry B. McLean, of Bealls- ville, who formerly served in the office of county com- missioner. Dr. and Mrs. Scott have a beautiful home, their residence being located at No. 498 East Maiden street. They are active members of the Central Pres- byterian Church. In politics, Dr. Scott is a Republican. His fraternal connections are with several medical or- ganizations and with the order of Heptasophs.

J. HARPER WALLACE, one of Washington County 's prominent citizens, residing on his valuable farm of 163 acres, which is situated in Canton Township, adjoining the corporation limits of Washington, is president of the Dunbar-Wallace Company, of Washington, and pres- ident of the Crafton Builders' Supply Company, of Crafton, Pa. Mr. Wallace was born in North Fayette Township, Allegheny Co., Pa., January 19, 1849.

Mr. Wallace was afforded excellent educational ad- vantages in his youth, receiving academic training in several well known institutions. In 1889 he purchased his present farm in Canton Township and has made it his home ever since. He takes an interest in fine stock, particularly horses, and is credited with having one of the best driving teams in the county.

In 1870, Mr. Wallace was married (first) to Miss Louise Donaldson, who died in 1871, leaving one son, Joseph D. At the time of his decease, he was a physi- cian of high standing and was professor of anatomy in Jefferson Medical College. In 1873, Mr. Wallace was married (second) to Miss Jennie B. Oliver, of Allegheny County, and to this marriage six children were born, namely: J. W., who is secretary and treasurer of the Dunbar & Wallace Lumber Company and of the Crafton Builders' Supply Company; O. C., who is connected with the Dunbar & Wallace Lumber Company; John H., who is a graduate of Princeton University, is manager of the Crafton Builders' Supply Company; Robert, who is interested in the management of the farm; Frank M., who is a student in Washington and Jefferson College; and Alice, who resides at home. Mr. Wallace and family

are members of the Second Presbyterian Church at Wash- ington. Fraternally he is an Elk.

WILLIAM V. CALDWELL, who resides on his fine farm of ninety acres, in Hopewell Township, Washington Co., Pa., was born on a farm, about two miles east of Buffalo village, October 27, 1855, and is a son of Robert S. and Caroline (Vance) Caldwell.

The Caldwell family is a very old one in Washington County, Samuel Caldwell, grandfather of William V., being an early resident of Hopewell Township. Robert S. Caldwell was born in Hopewell Township, December 9, 1820, and lived on a part of the same farm until he retired and moved to Buffalo, where he died, December 7, 1903, and his burial was in the Upper Buffalo Ceme- tery. The children born to Robert S. Caldwell and his wife were: Hannah J., who married Robert G. Maxwell; Margaret, who is the widow of John W. Stewart, of Buffalo Township; William V .; Samuel, who died aged twenty-four years; and Carrie, who was six months old at the time of her death.

William V. Caldwell attended the public schools until old enough to take on himself the management of the home farm and he has continued in argicultural pursuits ever since. He is executor of his father's estate. He remained on the home place until 1906 when he moved to Buffalo village. He located on his present farm adjoin- ing the village in April, 1909.

Mr. Caldwell was married December 3, 1885, to Miss Allie M. Patterson, a daughter of Moses and Grisella (McComb) Patterson, of Cross Creek Township. The father of Mrs. Caldwell died February 7, 1906, the mother having passed away May 27, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have one son, Robert Vance Caldwell, who was born October 1, 1894. Mrs. Caldwell has one sister and one brother: Lettie, who is the wife of J. C. Blaney, of Buffalo; and James W., who resides at Coon Island, Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are mem- bers of the Upper Presbyterian Church of Buffalo and Mrs. Caldwell belongs to the church missionary society. Mr. Caldwell takes no active interest in politics and cares for no political favors. He casts his vote with the Re- publican party and has served on the township election board. He is one of the stockholders in the Buffalo Telephone Company.

JOHN I. CARSON, who, for many years has been prominently identified with the affairs of Washington, Pa., is a representative member of the Washington Coun- ty bar and is a leading factor in Republican politics. He was born in Ohio County, W. Va., October 21, 1853, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Brown) Carson.

John I. Carson was reared to school age on the home farm, and after completing the common school course

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

near home, entered West Alexander Academy, and when sixteen years old, Waynesburg College. After leaving college he taught school in Ohio and Marshall counties, West Virginia, and then in Peoria County, Illinois. In 1875 he returned to his old home and was married in that year and after that settled down to farming in Chesterfield County, Virginia. He continued there some five years and then moved to Philadelphia, where he was employed for one year as a clerk in a commission house. In 1882 he became principal of the public schools of West Alexander and as an educator became well known. In July, 1891, he came to Washington Borough, where he entered into partnership with J. W. Murray, in the insurance, real estate and loan business. In the mean- while he prepared for admission to the bar of Washing- ton County under Attorney James Q. McGiffin and sub- sequently was admitted to practice. He maintains his offices at Rooms 208-209 in the Brown building, Wash- ington.

Mr. Carson, however, is a man of versatile talents and has not confined himself to the practice of his profession. He is an enthusiastic Republican and many times has been elected to important offices on the Republican ticket. In 1887 he was elected a justice of the peace at West Alexander and served in that capacity until 1892; dur- ing 1892-1893, he was secretary of the Republican county committee; and on January 1, 1893, he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for the 23d district, having charge of the 7th division, which embraces Wash- ington, Greene and a part of Fayette counties. In 1900, Mr. Carson was elected prothonotary of Washington County, at which election he led the ticket, and was re-elected to that office in 1903 and again led the ticket, with an increased majority, and served with marked efficiency through his second term, retiring on January 1, 1906.

On November 25, 1875, Mr. Carson was married to a native of his own county and State, Miss Josephine M. Whitham, a daughter of Perry Whitham. They have had the following children: Ross Milligan, Glenn Pere, Murial Joy, Salome and Denton B. The youngest son was accidentally killed by the railroad in 1908. Mr. Carson and family reside at No. 121 LeMoyne avenue. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM BAILEY, who passed out of this life Jan- uary 27, 1880, was for many years one of the most prom- inent and substantial farmers of Robeson Township, and was a son of Joseph and Mary (Ackleson) Bailey. Mr. Bailey was a man of public spirit and enterprise. Dur- ing his early life, politically he was a Whig, but later a Democrat, and served in various township offices, includ- ing assessor and treasurer, and was for twenty-two years constable. He was married in 1848 to Mary Ann Spring-

er, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (McMurtrie) Springer, and to them were born three children: Mar- garet, who is the widow of John Eaton, is the mother of the following children: Mary, Aaron, Earl, George and John: Joseph S., our subject; and Rachel Jane.

Joseph S. Bailey was born on his present farm in Robeson Township, November 28, 1850, and since com- pleting his education in the common schools of the town- ship, has always engaged in agricultural pursuits on the home farm in Robeson Township, where he and his sis- ter Rachel have spent their entire lives. The farm, which consists of 102 acres, was inherited by the three children of William Bailey, who still own the land between them, and they also inherited another farm of forty-two acres from the father. Joseph S. Bailey is engaged in dairy- ing in connection with his farming interests and ships his produce to Pittsburg from Midway. He keeps about twenty head of cattle and makes a specialty of raising Holstein cattle.

Mr. Bailey is politically a Democrat and has served nine years as auditor, his present term in that office expiring in the spring of 1910, and he has also served as judge and inspector of elections.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 103

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1474

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474