History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 106

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 106

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DANIEL WILSON CRANE, a well-known citizen of Canonsburg, which has been his place of residence since 1877, was born in Peters Township, Washington Co., Pa., June 22, 1852, and is a son of Caleb and Margaret (McLoney) Crane.

The father of Mr. Crane was born in Allegheny Coun- ty, Pa., a son of Amos Crane. In association with two brothers, he worked at the ship building trade, con- structing many of the steamboats plying on the water- ways of Western Pennsylvania. Caleb Crane was mar- ried in middle manhood to Margaret McLoney, a daugh- ter of Luke McLoney, of Washington County. Her death occurred at Carnegie, Pa., in 1906, when aged 74 years. Caleb Crane died almost a quarter of a century before, in Cecil Township, Washington County. His first marriage was to a daughter of Enoch Holland, of Allegheny County, who left one daughter at death, Mary Catherine, who married William Weaver. Ten children were born to his second union and the eldest of the family was Daniel Wilson Crane, of Canonsburg. The others were as follows: William Park, who resides at Carnegie; Esther Elizabeth; John, who died when 5 years of age; Sadie Edith, Jennie Florence and Annie, all deceased, never married; David P., who resides on the old home place in Cecil Township, married a Miss

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Manes; James Luke, who was accidentally killed by a railroad train at Canonsburg, left a widow; and Glenn Dickson, who resides at Carnegie, Pa., has a family.

Daniel Wilson Crane attended the district schools in Peters and Cecil Townships. He is a well driller by trade and does a large amount of business all through the county. For more than 20 years this has been his main avocation. For two years he supplied Washington and Canonsburg from a drilled well which he discovered on his property at Canonsburg. This well is 200 feet deep and the chemist of the Board of Health of Pitts- burg, on analyzing it, declared its water the purest in the State of Pennsylvania. Naturally this water is in great demand. Mr. Crane owns several properties and is one of the borough's substantial citizens.

In 1877, Mr. Crane was married (first) to Miss Uretta Hickman, who died in June, 1899. She was survived by three children: Margaret Edith, a highly educated and accomplished lady, formerly taught school at Canonsburg and is now connected with the schools of Wilkinsburg; Nancy Gail, who married Harry McCon- nell, of Canonsburg; and Howard Wilson, who is a student at Grove City College. In 1902, Mr. Crane was married (second) to Miss Jennie Norris, who was reared in North Strabane Township, near Canonsburg. One son, Norwood Norris, has been born to the second mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Crane are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg, in which he is an elder.

S. C. CUMMINS, postmaster at Cross Creek village and a prosperous business man of the place, belongs to an old family of Washington County. He was born in Cross Creek village, Sept. 17, 1854, and is a son of Alfred and Mary A. (Hay) Cummins.

Mr. Cummins was educated in the village schools and has always resided here. He learned the business of painting and paperhanging and has continued in that line, finding his time sufficiently engaged with his busi- ness and his duties as postmaster, the latter of which he assumed in September, 1909. The business of this office is constantly increasing and Mr. Cummins is a man well qualified to handle it.

In 1880, Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Margaret Wherry, who is a daughter of William Wherry. Their one child is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins are mem- bers of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church. In poli- tics Mr. Cummins is in accord with the present ad- ministration, but he lays no claims to being a poli- tician. He is a good citizen in all that the word im- plies and as such is a representative man of Cross Creek Township.

GEORGE A. DOUGHERTY, M. D., deceased, was one of Washington's eminent physicians and surgeons.

He was born in County Derry, Ireland, Dec. 15, 1839, and died at Washington, Pa., Mar. 12, 1909, where he had been in continuous practice for 41 years. His parents were Edward and Lillie (Allender) Dougherty.

The parents of Dr. Dougherty came with their chil- dren to America in 1840 and resided at Washington, Pa., until 1859, when they returned to Ireland. About the time of the close of the Civil War, Edward Dough- erty came again to the United States, and in 1866 his wife, son and daughter, Annie, joined him at Washing- ton. All died here, the death of the daughter occurring Dec. 8, 1908.

George A. Dougherty had already made some progress in his medical studies and had received excellent literary training in the public schools and Washington College when he accompanied his parents back to Ireland. Shortly after his return to his native land came up the question as to where he should complete his medical training, and the great Glasgow University was chosen. In the classic shades of an institution which was estab- lished in 1450 and is an acknowledged repository of the learning of ages, Dr. Dougherty spent four full years and gained his coveted degrees of M. D. and C. M., graduating with the class of 1865. Taking advantage of both hospital and dispensary training, Dr. Dougherty remained one year longer at Glasgow, and then returned to Washington, as noted above.

Dr. Dougherty was married on Jan. 14, 1880, to Miss Rebecca M. Clokey, and they had two children, a daugh- ter and son, of whom the former, Anna E., survives. She is the wife of W. G. Edmonds, of Washington, Pa. They have four children: Clarence George Dougherty, Margaret Rebecca, Walter Roy and Charles Raymond. In 1906 he erected his handsome, modern dwelling, which stands on the old homestead lot which was his place of residence during his whole life at Washington. At his office at No. 127 North Main street, he had a valuable library, in the selection of which he took much interest, and which contains many rare old English volumes, together with the apparatus generally utilized by the progressive men of science at the present day, to which class Dr. Dougherty belonged. With his family he was a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church at Washington. He belonged to the Washing- ton County Medical Association, and with his thorough training, his years of experience and his continued en- thusiasm for his science, he easily stood in the front rank among the medical men of Western Pennsylvania.

SIMON WHITE, a leading representative of the business interests of Claysville, Pa., and the senior member of the firm of White & Son, manufacturers of paving material and of granite and marble monu- mental work, with the main plant at Claysville and a

GEORGE A. DOUGHERTY, M.D.

JOSEPH BRADFORD JOHNSON

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

branch at Wheeling, W. Va., was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1844. He is a son of Alexander and Minerva (Renehart) White.

The father of Mr. White was born also in Washing- ton County, but the mother was a native of Waynes- burg, Greene County. For a number of years Alexander White engaged in the manufacture of head stones and monuments at Claysville, having learned the business from his father, also Alexander White. The first Alex- ander was the real founder of the business at Claysville and has been succeeded in the business by three gener- ations of his descendants.

Simon White was about four years old when his parents brought him from Ohio to Claysville and here he attended school. When 18 years of age his father died and he took the responsibilities of the business on his shoulders and has continued in the same line ever since, making some changes and many improvements. The plant as it now stands was established at the pres- ent location many years ago and Simon White has been the practical head ever since. Constant employment is afforded 16 experienced and skilled workmen, and this is without doubt the most extensive business of its kind in this part of Pennsylvania.

Mr. White was married (first) to Miss Elizabeth Bane, a daughter of Jesse Bane, of Washington County. This wife was survived by one son, William A. Mr. White was married (second) to Miss Mary A. Daugherty, who was born at Claysville, a daughter of the late Samuel Daugherty, and they have three children: Samuel, who is in partnership with his father, manages the business at Wheeling; Lorena J., who is a teacher residing at Homestead, Pa .; and Harry L., who is em- ployed as a drug clerk, at Washington, Pa. In poli- tics, Mr. White is a Democrat and he has served as a director in the Claysville Independent School District. He is identified with Claysville Lodge No. 447, F. & A. M.

ROBERT G. JEFFREY, one of Cross Creek Town- ship's leading citizens and enterprising and successful farmers, was born on his present estate of 172 acres,. situated in Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 1855, and is a son of Robert and Eliza (Rus- sell) Jeffrey.

The father of Mr. Jeffrey was a substantial farmer of this section for many years. He was a man of quiet life and industrious habits and enjoyed the respect of his neighbors. He married Eliza Russell, who was a daughter of Andrew and Ann (McClelland) Russell, of Chartiers Township, and they had the following children : Anna Jane, widow of William Glass, lives in Mt. Pleasant Township; Mary Belle, deceased, was the wife of Matthew Acheson, of Smith Township; Sarah

Elizabeth, wife of J. M. MeKitrick, of Cambridge, Ohio; Martha Agnes, deceased, wife of Samuel A. Mc- Calmont, of Houston; Andrew Russell and Robert Gra- ham.

Robert G. Jeffrey attended the public schools of Cross Creek Township with more or less regularity when farm work did not prevent, until he was 20 years of age, after which he cultivated the homestead farm for his parents and later obtained possession of it by purchase. For years he has engaged in raising sheep and general farming, and during the past two or three years has also engaged in dairying, shipping to Pitts- burg. Mr. Jeffrey has other investments and is a stock- holder in the Hickory Telephone Company.

On Jan. 1, 1879, Mr. Jeffrey married Miss Jennie McCalmont, a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Moore) McCalmont, of Mt. Pleasant Township, and they have five children, namely: Bessie D., who married C. M. Marquis, has a pleasant home in Cross Creek Township, and John R., Howard G., Clarence D. and Verner Lee, all reside at home. Mr. Jeffrey has given his children all the advantages in his power and his eldest son, John R., spent five terms at Grove City College, taking the engineering course. Mr. Jeffrey and wife are members of the Hickory United Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee for a number of years. Like his father, he is a Republican and he has frequently been elected to township offices and has served acceptably as an election inspector, as a school director and as road supervisor.

JOSEPH BRADFORD JOHNSON, a leading citizen of Canonsburg, whose fine brick residence is located at No. 248 West Pike street, was born in North Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., Sept. 26, 1842, son of John and Rebecca (Van Eman) Johnson.

John Johnson, father of Joseph B., was born in 1802, in North Strabane Township, where his father, Richard Johnson, had been a very early settler. A large part of John Johnson's life was spent at Canonsburg, where he died in 1884. He married Rebecca Van Eman, who survived him for about two years, dying at the age of 76. Her parents were Joseph and Mary (Logan) Van Eman. To John and Rebecca Johnson three sons were born, namely: Richard Van Eman, who served in the Civil War and now resides at Washington (he married Anna Lee, a daughter of William Lee of Cross Creek Village) ; Joseph Bradford; and John Gibson, now de- ceased, who is survived by his widow and three sons, who reside in Canonsburg.

Joseph Bradford Johnson had just completed his sophomore year at Jefferson College when, in 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. G, 140th Pa. Vol. Inf., and was attached to the Army of

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the Potomac. He participated in the battles of Chan- cellorsville and Gettysburg, and in October, 1863, was transferred to the Signal Corps, in which division he served until he was captured by the Confederates, Oct. 28, 1864. The next three months and ten days of his life were passed most unpleasantly in the notorious Libby Prison, where he shared the hardships and sufferings of his unfortunate comrades who were confined there. Although paroled Jan. 22, 1865, he was unable to leave on account of ice in the river, and was thus compelled to remain until Feb. 5, 1865. He was then taken to Annapolis, Md., where he was given a furlough of 30 days. On its expiration he returned to the front, but by that time Gen. Lee had surrendered and the war was virtually at an end. He was honorably discharged at Washington City. He had escaped death and wounds, but during his imprisonment he contracted scurvy, which gave him trouble for a long time.

Mr. Johnson resumed his old occupations after he re- turned home and followed farming until 1900, purchas- ing his grandfather 's farm half a mile above Houston, this county. This farm he bought from William Quail, who had purchased it from Jefferson Patton, who had secured it from Mr. Johnson's grandfather.

In 1867 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Hannah Jane Crothers, a daughter of Samuel J. and Jane (Brownlee) Crothers. Three children were born to this marriage, namely: Ella Maud, who became the wife of Rev. Charles G. Williams, a Presbyterian minister, now in charge of the Hyde Park Church of Denver, and who has two children, Bradford Ralston and Jay; John Tracey, who still operates the home farm; and Charles Crothers, who is president of the Citizens' Trust Com- pany, of Canonsburg, and who married Miss Grace Hen- derson.

Mrs. Hannah J. Johnson died in October, 1897, and Mr. Johnson married Miss Anna M. Harper, April 4, 1900. Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of Robert J. and Eliz- abeth R. (Henderson) Harper. Her father, who resides in Canonsburg and is now 80 years old, was during his industrial period an engineer in the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad. Mrs. Johnson's mother was a daugh- ter of Matthew and Mary (Hutchison) Henderson, and a great-granddaughter of Rev. Matthew Henderson, a pioneer Seceder minister, who was among the early set- tlers of this section, coming here in the days of the Rev. John McMillen, or about the last decade of the 18th century. Mrs. Johnson's maternal grandmother, Mary (Hutchison) Henderson, was a daughter of John Hutchi- son, one of the early settlers of Canonsburg, the west end of the present town occupying the site of his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Harper had ten children, four of whom grew to maturity: Anna, Elizabeth, Ella and

Eva, the last mentioned being the wife of C. W. Camp- bell, of Canonsburg.

The subject of this sketch is a member of Chapter No. 1, of the Union Veteran Legion, at Pittsburg. He is interested in several business enterprises and is a di- rector of the Citizens' Trust Company, of Canonsburg. For many years he has been united with the Central Presbyterian Church and is now serving as one of its elders. His opinions on public questions make him a strong supporter of the Republican party.

JOHN McCLAY, deceased, once a substantial farmer and respected resident of Canton Township, Washington Co., Pa., was born there in 1809 and was a son of Samuel and Sarah (McClellan) McClay.

Samuel MeClay was born in Ireland and from that country he came to America in boyhood, making the long voyage in a sailing vessel. He found a home and employment in Chester County, Pa., where he subse- quently married Sarah Mcclellan, who was also a native of Ireland. Some years after their marriage they came to Washington County and established their home in Canton Township, where Samuel McClay died in 1838 and his widow in 1842.

John McClay grew up on the home farm in Canton Township. His schooling was limited, there being few advantages offered the children in Canton Township at that day. He was, however, gifted with a large amount of practical good sense, had the energy that enabled him to overcome many obstacles and in the course of years he became one of the township's most prosperous citizens. He was for many years a director in the First National Bank of Washington. Mr. McClay was married (first) April 26, 1838, to Miss Jane Smith, who died shortly afterward. He was married (second) Sept. 15, 1841, to Miss Jane Welch, a daughter of Robert Welch, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Sarah, widow of W. A. Morrison; and William W., John H. and Robert H. In 1857 he married Sarah Taggart and after her demise, he was united to Mar- garet Brownlee, who was a daughter of James Brown- lee, a pioneer of Washington County. He was identified with the Covenanter Church until 1858, when he be- came connected with the United Presbyterian. Early in life he was a Whig, later became a Republican, but in the closing years of his life the cause of Prohibition claimed his allegiance. He died in January, 1895, on his farm in Canton Township.

J. B. HENDERSON, proprietor of the Valley Stock Farm, which contains 236 acres, situated in Smith Township, Washington County, was born in Chartiers and is a son of James L. Henderson.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Mr. Henderson's early school days were passed in Chartiers Township and Canton Township, both in Washington County, and later he took a commercial course in Duff's Business College at Pittsburg, after which he settled down to farming with his father. After marriage, in 1892, he located in Washington and began to deal in stock and finding profit in the business has continued until the present. In 1901 he settled on his farm in Smith Township, where he made all the im- provements which became necessary when he went ex- tensively into the stock business. He has two sets of farm buildings and erected one set after taking charge of his property. This is known as the Valley Stock Farm, where Dorset sheep and Holstein cattle are bred from imported stock. He exhibits his fine stock at different points yearly and made a -noted showing at the Chicago International Exposition in 1905.

In November, 1892, Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Lulu Buchanan, a daughter of J. S. Buchanan, of Hickory, Washington County, and they have one son, James Raymond, who is attending school in Smith Township. Mr. Henderson and family are members of the First United Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, in which he is an elder. In politics he is a Republican and at different times he has been elected to important township offices, serving at present as commissioner and formerly was a justice of the peace. He is one of the county's best known representative and reliable citi- zens. In his efforts to improve the grade of stock in Washington County, he has benefited all those who do business in the same line.

GEORGE W. RISBECK, Burgess of Charleroi, Pa., who deals in real estate in a general way, and has charge of a large insurance agency, has been a resi- dent of Charleroi since 1902. He was born Oct. 25, 1869, on a farm near Brownsville, Fayette Co., Pa., and is a son of John M. and Nancy J. (Hess) Risbeck.

George W. Risbeck was reared on his father's farm, and after completing his education, which was obtained in the district schools and the Merrittstown Academy, he taught the district schools of that locality for nine years. He then worked four years in a hardware store in Brownsville, Pa., and since coming to Charleroi in 1902, has been engaged in the real estate and fire in- surance business, having established a business of his own three years ago, making a specialty of fire insur- ance, although he also handles life, health and accident insurance. He represents the Pittsburg Underwriters; the Westchester Fire; the Williamsburg City Fire; the Hamburg-Bremen and the Travelers' Insurance Com- pany, a life, accident and health company. Mr. Ris- beck has been a notary public for about four years,

and his offices are located at No. 427 Mckean avenue. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been burgess of Charleroi since March 1, 1909.

Mr. Risbeck was married in 1895 to Annie VanKirk, of Fayette County, Pa., and they have one child, Hallie, who is 13 years of age. He is fraternally, a member of Charleroi Lodge No. 494, Benevolent Protective Or- der of Elks, and has been secretary of his lodge for the past five years, and is also a member of the Royal Ar- canum and the Maccabees.

GEORGE T. WALKER, a member of the firm of Walker & Slater, is one of Washington's representative citizens, identified with many of her large business en- terprises and for years prominent and useful in public life. Mr. Walker was born at Washington, in 1854, and is a son of Thomas Walker and a grandson of George Walker.

George Walker was born in Ireland and came to Washington County among the hardy early pioneers. His son, Thomas Walker, was born in Washington County, in 1822, and was one of the early contractors and earnest politicians of Washington, and through his energy and public spirit, became a man known over a wide territory.

George T. Walker was reared and educated at Washing- ton, graduating from her High School in the class of 1870, following which he attended Washington and Jef- ferson College for two terms. After he completed his education, he learned his trade with his father and in 1885 was admitted to partnership, under the style of Thomas Walker & Son, this being terminated by the death of his father in the following year. In 1887 the present firm was established, C. M. Slater becoming a partner, and this is now the oldest and one of the most prominent contracting firms in Washington, in the general line of mill work. Mr. Walker is a director in the Union Trust Company; is president of the Wash- ington Ice Company; is treasurer of the Capitol Paint, Oil and Varnish Company, and is a stockholder in sev- eral other enterprises. Mr. Walker has been very ac- tive in local politics for a number of years and his use- fulness and efficiency have been proved during the time he has held public offices. He has served acceptably on the School Board, in the city council, of which he has been president, and also served one term as burgess. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason and belongs also to the Elks. For a number of years he has been united with the First United Presbyterian Church.

THOMPSON MARTIN DOUGLASS, a representa- tive business man of McDonald, now conducting and managing a milk, butter and egg business at this place,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

was born near Venice, Washington Co., Pa., Mar. 9, 1848, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Thompson) Douglass.

Robert Douglass was a citizen of Washington County all his life. He was a stone mason by trade and as- sisted in the construction of many buildings, walls and bridges all over this section. He married Nancy Thomp- son and they had four children, namely: Eliza Jane, who is now deceased; John Allen, deceased; Sarah, who was the wife of William Scott, is also deceased; and Thompson Martin, the youngest and the only survivor. The parents were members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Thompson Martin Douglass attended school until he was about 14 years of age, when he learned the trade of a stone mason and Mr. Douglass followed this trade for about ten years. He then went into the bakery business at McDonald, in which he continued until 1900, when he retired for four years.

In 1905 he entered into the milk, butter and egg business, in which he has since been engaged.

On Oct. 18, 1871, Mr. Douglass was married to Miss Julia McCausland, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Flake) McCausland. The McCauslands came from Butler to Washington County and they were parents of the following children: Beatrice, deceased, was the wife of L. B. Quinn; and John, Catherine and Julia. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Douglass, three of whom died in infancy. The survivors are: Robert, a foreman for the Nocola Building Company of Pitts- burg; John A., who is engaged in the practice of medi- cine at McDonald; Bessie, who is the wife of M. S. Moorhead, a furniture dealer at McDonald, and Leon, who is a druggist. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass are members of the First United Presbyterian Church at McDonald. In his views on public questions, he is a Prohibitionist.

Dr. John A. Douglass of the above family, was born at Allegheny City, Jan. 12, 1874. He was educated in the public schools at McDonald and Ingleside Academy, going from there to Duquesne College and in 1892 en- tered Hahnemann Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1896. He has built up a very substantial practice at McDonald.

HARRY BROWN SIMPSON, who is secretary of the Monongahela Clay Manufacturing Company, extensive manufacturers of various kinds of brick, has been ideti- fied with the business interests of Monongahela City since 1902. He was born Feb. 20, 1877, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of James M. and Sarah C. (Brown) Simp- son, the former of whom died in 1902, at Pittsburg, where for many years he was engaged in the real estate business. The mother is still living.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 106

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