History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 105

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 105

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Mr. Stevenson was married April 8, 1869, to Martha Aten, a daughter of William and Sarah (Russell) Aten, who were well known farmers of Washington County, Pa., and the parents of the following children: Martha; Rachel, deceased; Jane, the deceased wife of Ephriam May, 1908, was born January 16, 1881, in Washington, Voegle; Henry, who lives at Midway; and Elizabeth, · deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are the parents of the following children: Marietta, who lives at home; Sarah; Martha, married Charles Farrar and has one child, Robert; and John A., who is engaged in farming in Washington County, Pa.

Mr. Stevenson is a Republican in politics, and served one term as assessor of the township. The family at- tends church at Candor.

HUGH E. FERGUS, a well known and able attorney of Charleroi, Pa., who has been a resident here since Pa., and is a son of Samuel P. and Margaret (Weir) Fergus.

The Fergus family originally came from Scotland and settled in Huntington County, Pa., where they attained considerable prominence. Samuel P. Fergus was born in Washington County, east of Washington, and was a son of Thomah Fergus. He was for many years one of the prominent farmers of the county, but subsequently re- moved to Washington, where he engaged in the oil busi- ness until the time of his death in June, 1900. His widow is still living and a resident of Washington, Pa.

Hugh E. Fergus obtained his educational training in

the public schools of Washington and the Washington- Jefferson College, from which he graduated in 1900. He then entered the law department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, now known as the Uni- versity of Pittsburg, and graduated in law in 1907, and in July of that year, embarked in the practice of law at Washington, where he continued until May, 1908. He then came to Charleroi, and has since been located at No. 511 Fallowfield avenue.

Mr. Fergus is one of the able and rising members of the legal profession of Charleroi, and possesses to the fullest extent the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.

THOMAS JEFFERSON DUNCAN, whose activity in the affairs of Washington, Pa., during the 34 years of his residence in that city, has made him a prominent figure in the eye of the public, is a man of many parts. As an educator, lawyer and financier he has been success- ful, displaying those qualities of leadership and character which mark the highest type of citizenship. He is, at the present time, (A. D. 1910), senior member of the well-known law firm of Duncan, Chalfant & Warne, with office at No. 80 South Main street, and is president of the Real Estate Trust Company.

Mr. Duncan was born at Bridgeport, Fayette County, Pa., Feb. 11, 1845, and is a son of Hon. Thomas and Priscilla (Stevens) Duncan, both of whom were of pioneer families in that county. His paternal grand- father, Arthur Duncan, was of Irish birth, but of Scotch descent, and after being engaged in the struggle for Irish freedom against England, left his native land for America late in the 18th century and took up his resi- dence in Fayette County, Pa., where he was employed at his trade as an iron worker at the forge of Dr. Stevens. There Hon. Thomas Duncan was born and in said county lived through a long and honorable career. He was, in early life, active as a politician and fre- quently was called into service as a public official, serving some years as commissioner of Fayette County, and for ten years as one of the judges of its courts. The declining years of his life were spent at the old home at Bridgeport, where he died at an advanced age. He married Priscilla Stevens, whose death occurred in 1873 at the age of about 66 years. Her father, Dr. Benjamin Stevens, emigrated from Maryland to Fayette County, Pa., at an early date and occupied a position of promi- nence in the community. In addition to caring for a large practice, he established and operated an iron forge. Thomas and Priscilla Duncan became parents of the following children: Sophia, deceased wife of W. H. Laning; Elizabeth, widow of William Worrell; Dr. W. S. Duncan, a physician and surgeon of wide repu-

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tation, who died in 1892; Arthur Duncan, who died in early manhood; and Thomas Jetterson, whose name heads this sketch.

Thomas Jefferson Duncan attended the graded schools of his native town, after which he studied under the tutelage of E. N. Hartshorn, a gentleman of scholarly attainments, who afterward became a professor in Mt. Union College, at Mt. Union, Ohio. At the age of 18 years our subject began teaching school in Wharton Township, a mountainous region of Fayette County, and after one season thus engaged entered Mt. Union College to continue, his intellectual training. The year of 1864 marked a bitter contest in that institution between fac- ulty and students as to the authority of the former over the literary societies, and the result was some of the undergraduates were dismissed from the institution. Others, resenting the summary action of the faculty, voluntarily withdrew, and among the number was young Duncan, who with a friend, now the Rev. John H. Hart- man, entered Vermillion Institute, at Haysville, Ohio, a flourishing academy under the guidance of Rev. Sanders Diefendorf. Before the completion of his second year in the academy, his health failed and he was obliged to re- turn to his home and recuperate. In the spring of 1866 he was sufficiently recovered to enter Washington and Jefferson College, at Washington, Pa., from which in- stitution he was graduated with the Class of 1868. Dur- ing his senior year he had served as teacher in the pre- paratory department of the college, and upon graduation was asked to accept a position as one of the instructors in the institution, but declined. His class was one of the largest ever sent out by his alma mater, and its enrollment included the names of many who attained dis- tinction in the various walks of life, among them: Prof. D. J. McAdam, Hon. H. J. Eckly, S. B. Fisher, James S. Moorhead, Rev. T. J. Sherrard, Rev. L. M. Gilleland, and Hon. W. B. Sutton. Upon leaving college he was chosen superintendent of schools in his native town, and during the two years he served in that capacity dis- played such ability as an instructor and executive as to attract attention and gain for him recognition in more important and remunerative fields. He was next elected to the office of superintendent of schools at East Liverpool, Ohio, and while there effected a complete reorganization of the school system. The success of his work during the two years he remained there added largely to his reputation, but he resigned in order to prepare himself for the legal profession, his studies along that line having been begun while in college, in the office and under the direction of I. Y. Hamilton, Esq. The fall of 1872, however, found him back in the ranks from which he had so recently withdrawn; this time located at Pittsburg as principal of the schools of the 15th and 17th Wards of that city. The progressive

system of instruction he employed the decorum of his pupils in the various school rooms, and the success of his methods, were such as to excite comment and admiration and to bring many visitors from other schools. He was an enthusiast in all that pertained to educational mat- ters, became an active member of the College of Prin- cipals, a frequent instructor of Teachers' Institutes of Pittsburg and surrounding counties, a lecturer at the Teachers' Association, and an occasional contributor to the press on educational topics. Notwithstanding the great demand on his time by the duties of his position, Mr. Duncan, during his four years in Pittsburg, con- tinued his preparation for the profession of law and in the fall of 1875 was admitted to practice in the courts of Washington County. He subsequently was admitted to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and the various courts of the United States, as his business demanded. He embarked in practice at Washington, Pa., in 1876, and almost immediately gained public recognition by his activity on the stump during the memorable cam- paign in which Tilden and Hayes were rival candidates for the presidency . A forceful speaker, alert, resource- ful and of discriminating mind, he appealed to the reason of his audience, which he never failed to impress. The zeal and energy expended in the interests of his clients brought success and a more extensive clientage, and the condition soon existed where he was retained, on one side or the other, in much of the important liti- gation which came before the courts of the county. He has a large and well selected library of legal lore, works so essential for the preparation of briefs in appealed cases, a branch of his professional work in which he has been unusually successful. Although he has always been active in political campaigns, working hard for the suc- cess of his friends, he has steadfastly refused to run for office since the first year of his practice, when he was Democratic nominee for district attorney. In 1888, he was strongly importuned to run for Congress and in his refusal went to the extent of telegraphing the Democratic Convention of the 24th Congressional Dis- trict. After a two days' session in which his wishes were disregarded, he was nominated amid great enthusiasm of the delegates who believed his candidacy would bring party success at the polls. A committee of notification was appointed, consisting of James H. Hoover, of Fayette County; Joseph A. Skelly, of Allegheny; James Smith, of Greene; and John P. Charlton, of Washing- ton. Notwithstanding the flattering outlook for his election, Mr. Duncan, upon meeting with the committee, again voiced his refusal to accept the honor, assigning reasons of a personal and private character arising chiefly from a desire to devote his energies to the wel- fare of his family and business affairs. He prepared a letter of declination which was widely published and

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quoted from, in which he gave utterance to some of the political principles for which he stood. Among other things he stated that "among his party associates he did not recall a single individual toward whom he en- tertained the slightest feeling of political animosity or whose advancement he would willingly impede in the least; that he united with unabated interest in the efforts of the people to maintain their liberties against the encroachments of power unjustly exercised whether manifesting itself in the form of monopolizing combi- nations and trusts, corporate aggregations or official usurpation; that he was uncompromisingly opposed to legislation in the interest of favored classes, to the squandering of the public domain, to oppressive and un- necessary taxation direct or indirect, and to the ten- dency during the past few years to a centralization of power in the administration of governmental affairs; and that he adhered to the principles of just government administered wisely and economically for the peace, safety and prosperity of its citizens as a whole, without preference or favor as to class, location, race, or other basis of distinction."

Although his professional duties have claimed his at- tention first and foremost, Mr. Duncan has devoted much time to various business, benevolent and charitable organizations. He has served as director and vice- president of the Farmers and Mechanics National Bank of Washington; as a member of the Board of School Directors; trustee and chairman of the finance committee of the Dime Savings Bank of Washington; chairman of the Board of Examiners of the Courts of the county; trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association; presi- dent of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Children; curator and treasurer of the Citizens' Library Association; president of the Real Estate Trust Company, in which capacity he now serves; and in various other positions of trust and responsibility.

In July, 1880, Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Morris, a lady of high educational at- tainments and superior accomplishments. She was born in West Brownsville, Washington County, Pa., Dec. 11, 1856, and is a daughter of Benjamin F. and Sarah J. (Miller) Morris. Paternally, she is of Quaker stock through both the Morris and West strains; and, not- withstanding their religious faith and consequent anti- pathy to bloodshed, numerous members of those fami- lies attained distinction in the Revolutionary struggle. The Morris family in America dates back to the early colonial days when David Morris emigrated from Wales, some time prior to 1685, at which date he married Mary Phillipine. Their home was on the west bank of the Delaware River, below Philadelphia, and they reared a family of five children: David, Isaac, Elizabeth, Mor- decai and Jonathan, to whom many of the present day

Morrises trace their lineage. The first of the family to locate in Washington County, Pa., was Jonathan, grand- son of David, first mentioned. He came shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War and took up his resi- dence among the Quakers in East Bethlehem Township. He brought his family with him, having previously mar- ried a sister of the celebrated early painter, Benjamin West, and a relative of Jonathan West, from whom was descended Judge William West, the famous blind orator of Ohio. Jonathan Morris died in 1788, and was sur- vived by four sons, three of whom, it is alleged, were in the Revolution. They were: Joseph; David, for many years proprietor of the widely-known Globe Inn at Wash- ington, Pa .; and Jonathan, who bore the rank of captain in the Continental Army, and is said to have organized and equipped a full company of soldiers at his own expense. He was wounded at the battle of Brandywine, and died at Fredericktown, Washington County, in 1838. Jesse, who was born in 1771, was the fourth son and the grandfather of Mrs. Duncan. On Apr. 12, 1789, Jesse Morris married Sarah Blackmore, who lacked one day of being 17 years old at that time, and they became parents of eleven children: Rebecca, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Sarah, David, Almira, Martha W., Benjamin F., Cynthia, Adelia M. and Jesse J.

Benjamin F. Morris, father of Mrs. Duncan, was born in Washington County, May 3, 1809, and was for many years well known as a steamboat pilot and captain on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. His career on the river was terminated about the time the Civil War start- ed, and at the time of his death, June 18, 1882, he was a resident of Fredericktown, in Washington County. A blue military cloak, which had been willed him by his uncle, Capt. Jonathan Morris of Revolutionary fame, and for which he had a peculiar affection, was at his re- quest made his burial shroud. Capt. B. F. Morris was married Aug. 15, 1842, to Miss Sarah J. Miller, who was born in February, 1825, and was a daughter of W. H. Miller. Her father was born in Barren County, Ky., in 1800, and died in Hart County, of that state, at the age of 82 years. His wife, Elizabeth, died at Louis- ville, Ky., in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were parents of five daughters: Mary E., Emily, Louisa, Julia and Sarah J. Capt. Benjamin F. Morris and his wife, Sarah, had the following offspring: Jesse J., who married Nancy E. Sharpneck; Mary E., who married first Leroy Hiller, and, after his death, W. W. Reeves; Adelia M., who died at the age of 2 years; Sarah Louise, wife of John Crumrine; L. Franklin, deceased, who married Jennie Cowden, and after her decease, Victoria Hendrix; William B., who died in infancy; Samuel, now deceased, who married Annie Reece; Eleanor, wife of Thomas Jefferson Duncan; and Lorena M., who was the wife of John V. Stathers, and died Sept. 21, 1883.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Eleanor Morris (Duncan) was two years of age when her parents moved from West Brownsville to Frederick- town, where she was a pupil in the public schools until their removal to Pittsburg in 1869. There she attended school in the 17th Ward, and there formed the acquaint- ance of Mr. Duncan, her future husband, who at that time was principal of the school. After completing her course in that school, she, at the age of 17 years, be- came a teacher in one of the schools of the 31st Ward of Pittsburg, and later in the 15th Ward, where she con- tinued until her marriage in 1880. During this time she held a professional certificate, received a teacher's permanent certificate from the state, and was elected a member of the Pittsburg Academy of Teachers. She is a woman of great breadth of mind, a deep reader and well posted on current events, and an entertaining con- versationalist. Possessed of artistic talent, she devoted some time to art studies with a view to her own pleasure, and has produced a number of oil paintings of merit. Mrs. Duncan was nonored by appointment to the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee of l'ennsylvania for the World's Columbian Exposition, held at Chicago in 1893, and rendered efficient service in that capacity.

Mr. and Mrs. Duncan reside in a beautiful home at No. 214 East Wheeling street, in Washington. They have but one child, a daughter, who married John H. Donnan, Esq., a son of John W. Donnan, an attorney of Washington, who is president of the Washington Trust Company and of the Citizens' National Bank of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been active in the work of the First M. E. Church, of which they are members. Mr. Duncan serves as a member of the board of trustees of this organization and was for many years custodian of its funds.

JAMES DALLAS HOON, whose insurance and real estate office is located in the Alexander Bank building at Monongahela City, Pa., has been a resident of this city since 1889, and is identified with various enterprises of this locality. He was born on a farm in Butler Coun- ty, Pa., August 23, 1845, and is a son of Samuel and Mary E. (Shanor) Hoon.

Samuel Hoon was born in the eastern part of Penn- sylvania and when quite young came with his parents to Butler County, where he was reared on a farm and learned the carpenters' trade, at which he worked for many years. He erected many large barns through this section of the country and died in Butler County at the advanced age of ninety years. He married Mary E. Shanor, a native of Butler County, Pa., and a daughter of Daniel Shanor, who was one of the early settlers of that county. She died at the age of eighty-two years. Samuel and Mary Hoon became the parents of twelve children, as follows: Maria Ann, is the widow of Jesse

Dutter; Mrs. Isabella Manda Burns is a widow; Edward L., who was a member of the 13th Pa. Reg., in the Civil War, which was reorganized and was known as 102d Pa. Reg., lost a leg at the second battle of Wil- liamsburg; Matilda E., married John Dick; James Dal- las, the subject of this sketch; Mary E .; L. S., lives in Butler, Pa .; Harriet A., died aged thirteen years; Henry, whose death occurred in 1909, served in the Spanish- American War; Sarah, married Edward Seckler; George W., who died aged seven years; and Olive D., who is the wife of O. Fish.

James Dallas Hoon spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Butler County, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1865, in the last year of the Civil War, enlisted in Co. I, 78th Pa. Reg., under Capt. Boggs and served until September of that same year. After the close of the war he was stationed a short time at Nashville, Tenn., then went to Ohio, where he first located at Warren and followed carpenter work and subsequently settled in Cleveland, where later he entered the employ of the National Milling Company, and in the second year was made head miller. He also oper- ated a mill at Minerva, Ohio, for three years and in 1889 came to Monongahela City, where for one year he had charge of the mill for George & Co. Then, in part- nership with J. B. Hayward he rented and operated for 18 years the mill owned by George & Co., and when the railroad bought the property from the mill-owners, he embarked in the insurance and real estate business, opening his present office in the Alexander Bank Build- ing. Mr. Hoon and Mr. Hayward also operated a coal mine near the Driving Park, where they owned a tract of 35 acres. Our subject later purchased his partner's interest in this business, and now has the land laid out in lots. Mr. Hoon is president of the Standard Real Estate Company of Donora, Washington County, is in- terested in oil lands in Butler County and owns stock in other enterprises of this locality.

Mr. Hoon was married Sept. 2, 1869, to Maggie C. Shaffer, of Warren, Ohio, a daughter of William and Catherine Shaffer, both deceased. Of their union were born two children, Jessie May, who died aged 10 years, and Leroy M., a student in the medical department of the University of Pa., at Philadelphia. Mr. Hoon and family hold membership with the Baptist Church in which he is a deacon. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Jr. O. U. A. M., Royal Arcanum and the G. A. R., Stark Weather Post No. 60, of Monongahela City, of which he is quartermaster. He is a Democrat in politics and has served in the city council.

ROBERT HORACE McCLAY, a director of the First National Bank of Washington, Pa., and a well-known citizen, for many years was interested in farming, but

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has now practically retired from business and occupies an exceedingly comfortable home which is situated at No. 204 Jefferson ave., Washington. He was born in Canton Township, Washington Co., Pa., Jan. 12, 1850, and is a son of John and Jane (Welch) McClay, and a grandson of Samuel and Sarah (MeClellan) McClay, the latter of whom were born in Ireland and were early settlers in Canton Township, Washington County.

Robert H. McClay was reared on the old homestead in Canton Township. In his boyhood his educational opportunities were somewhat limited, but later he ac- quired a good education through a course of reading and of absorption from those with whom he came in contact, who had enjoyed more advantages than had been afforded him. He followed agricultural pursuits during many years and resided on his well improved farm in Canton Township until he removed to Wash- ington. In addition to his farming interests he has been concerned in successful business undertakings, has made wise investments and is a stockholder and a director of the First National Bank of Washington. Mr. McClay has always evinced public spirit and has given active support to measures and enterprises which have been calculated to be of permanent benefit to borough and county. He is a man of integrity and kindness of heart and the majority of his acquaintances may be numbered with his friends.

On Jan. 11, 1876, Mr. McClay was married to Miss Rachel A. Wright, a daughter of William Wright, of Buffalo Township, Washington County, and they have three children: Annie A., who married Samuel J. T. Hough, of Washington, Pa., and they have three chil- dren-Samuel Sheldon, William Robert and Sarah Mar- garet; John W., who married Anna Jeannette Knox, of Canton Township, and they have one daughter, Mary Jeannette; and Maggie M. The whole family holds membership in the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. McClay is a Republican, with a tendency to be inde- pendent in his views on public questions.

WILLIAM J. MEHAFFEY, a representative citizen and prominent farmer and stockraiser in Donegal Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., is one of the largest land owners in the county, having 775 acres, 670 of these being in one tract, comprising the home farm. He has been a life-long resident of Donegal Township, born here May 25, 1868, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Sawhill) Mehaffey.

The father of Mr. Mehaffey was born in Donegal Township, Washington County, where he died in 1908. His father, Robert Mehaffey, was born in Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and came early to what is now Donegal Township, where he died in 1824. The late

John Mehaffey was a man very highly respected. He carried on farming and stock raising all through his active life and then retired to Claysville. He married Elizabeth Sawhill, who was born in Blaine Township, in what was then a part of Buffalo Township, Washington County. The one survivor of their children is William J. They were worthy members of the United Presby- terian Church.

William J. Mehaffey attended the schools of Donegal Township and also Duff's Commercial College at Pitts- burg, from which he was graduated in 1890. From youth he has been interested in agricultural pursuits and he owns enough land to satisfy his desire to raise bountiful crops and hundreds of head of cattle together with from 800 to 900 head of sheep, and at the same time to come into the market as an extensive grower of fine fruit. All his operations are carried on with the help of modern machinery and according to the very best known methods.

In politics, Mr. Mehaffey is a Republican. He is serving in his fourteenth consecutive year as a school director in Donegal Township and is secretary of the board and is also secretary of the Board of Road Super- visors. For many years he has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Claysville and is one of the church trustees. He is a man who deservedly en- joys the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 105

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