History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 108

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

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

important and his name will seldom be found identified with any enterprise that is not solidly financed.

Mr. Greer married Miss Margaret S. Clark, a daughter of James and Mary Jane (Dickson) Clark, and she was born in Buffalo Township, Washington County. To Mr. and Mrs. Greer three children have been born, two daughters and one son: Lucile, who is the wife of Dr. Charles L. Harsha, of Canonsburg; James Clark and Alice. Mr. Greer is a member of the Greenside United Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee for 21 years. In his political views he is a Republican.

ADDISON F. BURNS, a highly respected and well- known resident of McDonald, Pa., where he lives, prac- tically retired from business activity, has been largely identified with oil production for a number of years and still owns eight valuable oil wells, together with a one-fourth interest in 12 other wells and a one-twelfth interest in 24 more. He is also an honored veteran of the Civil War and is secretary and treasurer of the Sur- vivors' Reunion Association of Capt. Easton's Light Battery A, 1st Pa. Reserves. Mr. Burns was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1846, and is a son of William and Mary Jane (Sergent) Burns.

William Burns was engaged in the lumber business for a number of years, but later turned his attention to the oil industry and continued to be associated with that until his death, which occurred in 1893. He mar- ried Mary Jane Sergent, who died in 1889, and they had the following children: Olive Jane, who married William F. McCullough; Addison F., Delay F., who died in 1900; Sarah Ann, who married Henry Camp; and Harriet R. and Charles N. The paternal grandparents were David and Elizabeth Burns, and the maternal were Jesse and Elizabeth Sergent.

Addison F. Burns attended the district schools until he was 14 years of age and then began to be useful to his father on the home place and worked for him until he went into the army, becoming a member of Capt. Easton's Light Battery A, 1st Pa. Reserves. After his period of military service was over he returned home and went into the lumber business with his father until 1872 and then gave his main attention to dealing in real estate until 1877, at which time he became interested in oil production and that was actively pursued until 1898, when he came to McDonald, where he has lived somewhat retired for a few years.

Mr. Burns was married (first) in 1867, to Miss Sarah E. Undercoffer, who died June 15, 1878. They had five children : Harry, Forest E., Ora I., Cressie and Naomi. Ora I. is the wife of L. W. Gibbs. Cressie died in 1881 and Naomi died in 1907. Mr. Burns was married (sec- ond) to Miss Lida Pike, a daughter of William and Eliza Pike, who were natives of St. John's, New Found-

land. William Pike was a sea captain, who lost his life at sea in 1868. Richard Pike, a cousin of Mrs. Burns, commanded the ship Kite in the Greeley expedition to search for the North Pole. William Pike and wife had three children: Anna, who married Frank Lott; Eliza- beth, who is deceased; and Lida, who is the wife of Mr. Burns. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have four children: Charles A., Lillian, Robert W. and Leroy F. The family at- tends the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Burns is a Republican.

JAMES C. CORRIN, a retired grocer of Mononga- hela City, Pa., who has been a resident here all of his life, was born Mar. 25, 1856, and is a son of William and Eleanor (Hudson) Corrin.

William Corrin, who was born on the Isle of Man, off the coast of England, came to America about 1848, and located at Monongahela City, Pa., where for many years he followed building and contracting. He died here in 1883 at the age of 70 years, and his wife, who was also a native of the Isle of Man, died in 1896 at the age of 76 years. They were the parents of ten children, the six oldest of whom were born on the Isle of Man, name- ly : Catherine, who is the wife of John Sutman; William; Edward, who died at the age of 65 years; Anna, who married H. Underwood; John T .; Ella, who is the wife of James Yohe. The four born in America are: Joseph H., Alfred B., James Calvin, the subject of this sketch; and Emma, who is the wife of George Walker.

James Calvin Corrin attended the public schools, and when a young man learned the plasterer's trade with A. T. Gregg. He subsequently followed contracting for 16 years and about 1892, engaged in the grocery busi- ness with James Skillen, with whom he was associated in that business for 11 years. He first located on Fourth and Main streets, on the present site of the First National Bank, and after his nephew purchased Mr. Skillen 's inter- est in the business, the firm was known as Corrin & Cor- rin. They employed ten clerks in the store and had an extensive trade until 1908, when the firm disposed of the business, since which time Mr. Corrin has been living in retirement, and his nephew, W. T. Corrin, went to Denver in search of health. Beside his residence prop- erty, located at No. 520 Chess street, Mr. Corrin owns considerable other real estate, and he and H. C. Sutman laid out North Charleroi, disposing of their land there in a few years.

In January, 1897, Mr. Corrin married Mrs. Maggie E. (Wickerham) Penrod, a daughter of Adam Wickerham, and the widow of Noah Penrod, who left one son, Charles Edgar Penrod. Her great-grandfather laid out the lower portion of Monongahela City, and her father is the oldest living native of Monongahela City.

Politically, Mr. Corrin is an adherent of the Demo-

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cratic party, is a member of the Democratic County Committee, and is serving his fourth term as a council- man from the Third Ward. He is fraternally a Mason, and past worshipful master of the Henry M. Phillips Lodge of Monongahela City, and is also a member of the B. P. O. E.

JOHN G. HALL, county recorder of Washington Coun- ty, Pa., is one of the county's representative men, with the public affairs of which he has been identified almost continuously since he reached manhood. He was born at Washington, Pa., Apr. 27, 1872, and is a son of James Add and Anna (Martin) Hall and a grandson of the late Gen. John Hall.

After graduating from the public schools of Washing- ton, John G. Hall entered Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, leaving there in order to accept a proffered clerk- ship in the Washington postoffice. Later he was appointed deputy sheriff of Washington County and served in the office with efficiency and in 1903 he was first elected coun- ty recorder. His subsequent re-election was proof suffi- cient as to his capacity and popularity. He possesses much of the geniality that contributed greatly to the suc- cess of his late grandfather, Gen. John Hall, in his long and successful public career. Mr. Hall is a prominent factor in Republican politics, is an earnest worker for his party and has served as secretary and chairman of the Republican County Committee. His place of residence is at No. 252 Locust Avenue, Washington.

WILLIAM R. DICKSON, M.D., physician and surgeon at McDonald, Pa., where he is a leading and representa- tive citizen, was born in Allegheny Co., Pa., Aug. 28, 1868, and is a son of William A. and Elizabeth R. (Mc- Burney) Dickson.

The father of Dr. Dickson was a farmer in Allegheny County where his death occurred. His widow survives and resides at Crafton, Pa. Their parents were: Will- iam and Margaret (Glenn) Dickson, and Robert and Elizabeth (Welch) McBurney. They had the following children : Margaret Glenn, Elizabeth R., Robert M., Anna, William R., Agnes J., Walter E. and Bertha L. Of the above family, Anna is the wife of Rev. W. E. Barcus. Walter E. is engaged in the practice of dental surgery at Burgettstown. Bertha L. is deceased.

William R. Dickson attended the public schools and Ingleside Academy, later Westminster College and subse- quently the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, now the University of Pittsburg, where he was graduated in medicine and immediately located at McDonald, where he has a large and substantial practice. He is a very active citizen, taking a deep interest in all that promises to be beneficial to the city. He has served as a member of the

school board for five years and was in the city council for four years. In politics he is a Republican.

Dr. Dickson was married Mar. 29, 1898, to Miss Jane E. Donaldson, a daughter of Rev. J. B. Donaldson, of New Wilmington. Mrs. Dickson has one sister and two brothers: Frances, who is the wife of Dr. A. A. Aiken; and Thomas I. and John, the latter of whom is a physi- cian. Dr. and Mrs. Dickson have three children: Frances Elizabeth, Robert Glenn, and William R. Dr. Dickson and wife are members of the First United Presbyterian Church at McDonald. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and is identified with the Blue Lodge at MeDon- ald and the Council, Chapter and Commandery at Pitts- burg. He belongs also to the Knights of Pythias, the Heptasophs and the Royal Arcanum, all at McDonald.

HON. JOHN A. MCILVAINE, president judge of the courts of Washington County, 27th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and president of the board of trustees of Washington and Jefferson College, at Washington, Pa., was born in Somerset Township, Washington Coun- ty, Apr. 13, 1843. His parents were William and Ma- tilda McIlvaine, and he is a grandson of Greer McIl- vaine, who settled in Somerset Township about 1789, coming from the eastern part of the state.

Judge McIlvaine acquired his elementary education in the common schools of his native township. On Sept. 19, 1860, he entered the junior preparatory department of Jefferson College, Canonsburg. Here he proved his natural ability and taste for work by doing double duty, and was rewarded by being admitted to the Freshman class at the beginning of the fall term of 1861. In 1865 he was graduated with the second honor of his class, which consisted of 36 members, and delivered the Latin salutatory on Commencement day. This was the last class graduated at Jefferson College before its union with Washington College, the two institutions forming thereafter Washington and Jefferson College, the noted educational center at Washington.

Making choice of law as his profession, Mr. Mc- Ilvaine entered as a student the law office of Hon. Boyd Crumrine, at Washington, and was admitted to the bar at the August term of 1867. For two years following he was clerk in the office of the county treasurer. He then went to Wichita, Kan., where he served for one year as clerk of the District Court. Called home in July, 1872, by the illness of his father, he saw and embraced a favorable opportunity for opening an office in Washing- ton. During the remainder of that year and in 1873, he served as secretary of the Republican County Vigilant Committee. In 1874 he was elected district attorney for Washington County and was subsequently elected for a second consecutive term, serving in all for six years.

HON. JOHN A. MCILVAINE

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The impression he made as incumbent of this office is well reflected in the comment of one of the leading newspapers of the county, which, although of opposite politics, said : "Mr. McIlvaine has been the chosen officer to represent the people in all criminal prosecutions in this county for the past six years, and we but echo the sentiment of all conversant with the facts, when we say that he has discharged the trust with great ability and fairness. He is a hard worker and always had a knowl- edge of the facts, and was fully prepared to present them in a methodical and convincing way. Although a vigorous prosecutor, he was fair; and no defendant had just cause to complain of any undue advantage hav- ing been taken of him."

While serving in the office of district attorney, Mr. McIlvaine formed a law partnersip with M. L. A. Me- Cracken and the firm soon obtained a gratifying share of professional business. This connection lasted until Mr. McIlvaine's election, on Nov. 4, 1886, to the office of President Judge of the 27th Judicial District, for a term of ten years. To this office he was re-elected in 1896, and again for a third term, in 1906. Owing to the great development in the oil and gas industries of this county, the volume of legal business has largely increased since Judge McIlvaine first took his seat on the bench, but it is the universal opinion among his brethren of the bench and bar that he has been fully equal to the responsibilities which have devolved upon him. But seldom have his rulings and decisions been reversed in the Supreme Court. Before his election to the third term a desire was expressed on many sides for his appointment to the Supreme Court Bench of the State, but he declared himself better satisfied to con- tinue in the position he now so ably fills.

On Dec. 17, 1874, Judge McIlvaine was married to Miss Ada C. Shaw, of Philadelphia. No children have come to complete his household. He is an elder in the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington. He has been closely identified with educational movements and for many years was a member of the board of trustees of the Washington Female Seminary. He is a man of kind and genial manner and his unvarying courtesy is no mere mask, but the outward expression of a kind and generous heart, which finds pleasure in deeds of charity and benevolence.

JAMES C. RUSSELL, general farmer and dairyman, who has lived on his present fine farm which contains over 171 acres and is situated in Smith Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., for the past 35 years, was born in this township, Nov. 5, 1847. His parents were John S. and Jane (Simpson) Russell.

John S. Russell, father of James C., was a native of Ohio, but for many years he followed agricultural pur-

suits in Smith Township, Washington County, where he died Sept. 15, 1879. His first marriage was to Jane Simpson, who died in 1853 and was buried at Raccoon Center. They had eight children: Eleanor, Cynthia, Mar- garet, Ophelia, W. S., Agnes, James C. and D. A. John S. Russell was married (second) to Mary A. Vincent and they had two children: Alice Jane and John V. The sec- ond wife is also deceased.

James C. Russell obtained his education in the common schools of Smith Township and afterward assisted his father on the home farm until he was 25 years of age. In 1874 he settled on his present farm, where he has done a large amount of improving, including the erection of all the buildings now standing. In 1888 he started into the dairy business, prior to that having been a large sheep grower. He operates his dairy with thoroughbred Jer- sey cows, securing 50 gallons of milk daily, all of which he has shipped to the same Pittsburg firm for the past 13 years. There is one gas well on the farm.

On November 21, 1872, Mr. Russell was married to Miss Eliza Jane Brimmer, a daughter of James Brimmer, and they have three children: John V., M. Jane and J. S. Mr. Russell and family are members of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church, of which he is treasurer. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. He is an interested citizen of his township, pays a great deal of attention to the public schools and has served six years as a school director.

WILLIAM B. MURDOCH, who is associated with his brother in a wholesale florist and nursery business at Canonsburg, and is engaged in carrying on an enter- prise which was established at Pittsburg, prior to 1840, by his late father, James Murdoch, this being one of the oldest florist and nursery houses in western Pennsylvania. Mr. Murdoch was born in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., July 29, 1871, and is a son of James and Margaret (Bleakley) Murdoch.

James Murdoch was born in Ireland and was a child when his parents brought him to America. He was reared and spent his life at Pittsburg. In partnership with his brother, William Murdoch, he founded the busi- ness to which his sons, William B. and James B. Mur- doch, succeeded. James Murdoch died at Pittsburg, January 25, 1893, when aged seventy-five years. He mar- ried Margaret Bleakley, who was born in Lawrence County, Pa., who still survives and resides at Coraopolis, Pa. To James and Margaret Murdoch there were born three sons and two daughters: James B., who resides at Canonsburg, married Sarah Sneathen; Frank C., who resides at Coraopolis Heights, married Anna Patterson, and is now a capitalist there, having formerly been a florist; Margaret, who is deceased; Esther, who is now deceased, was the wife of David K. Murdoch; and Will- iam B., subject of this sketch.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

William B. Murdoch attended the public schools at Pittsburg and then entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in the class of 1896. He immediately went into the florist and nursery business, in partnership with his brother and they have developed it into one of the largest enterprises of its kind in this section. The firm was originally only a retail one, dealing mainly in cut flowers, with green- houses on Squirrel Hill and two stores in Pittsburg, but since coming to Washington County a wholesale business has been done exclusively. In the spring of 1902 they moved the business to Van Eman, where they have four steel-frame, modernly-constructed greenhouses with di- mensions of 30 by 400 feet, together with three smaller structures, this firm and one other being the only florists in western Pennsylvania to utilize the steel frame for their buildings. In addition to the large business done in the line mentioned, the firm is interested in oil pro- duction in both Washington and Allegheny counties, while the three brothers have large real estate interests in Pittsburg and own also a farm of sixty acres.

At Sewickley, Pa., Mr. Murdoch was married, Septem- ber 21, 1899, to Miss Florence S. Murdoch, a daughter of Hugh J. and Rachel (Hutton) Murdoch. The father of Mrs. Murdoch was the publisher of the United Pres- byterian for many years, being a member of the well- known publishing firm at Pittsburg, of Murdoch, Kerr & Company. He died May 20, 1903, at the age of sixty- nine years, his wife having passed away January 29, 1898, aged sixty-two years. To Hugh J. and Rachel Murdoch the following children were born: James H., who is a physician engaged in practice at Allegheny, Pa .; Hugh, who is a printer, resides at Pittsburg; David K., who is also a printer, lives at Sewickley; J. Floyd, who is a physician, resides at Sewickley; Frank S., who is an electrician, lives at Sewickley; Annie K., who is the wife of J. W. Arrott, Jr .; William E., who is deceased; Susan J., deceased, who was the wife of Dr. S. F. Shan- non, formerly of Pittsburg; and Florence S., who is the wife of William B. Murdoch. Mr. and Mrs. Murdoch have one son, William B., Jr. They are members of Greenside United Presbyterian Church.

GEN. JOHN HALL, one of Washington County's most distinguished citizens, was born in Morris Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., in 1832, and died in his native county, October 20, 1906. He was one of seven children born to Thomas and Catherine (Rainey) Hall. His father was born in County Down, Ireland, and emi- grated to America early in the nineteenth century, set- tling first in Virginia and later removing to western Pennsylvania.

John Hall received the education obtainable in the country schools of the time and later learned the tailor's

trade, going into business with his brother, James Hall, at Dunningsville. Some years later he removed to Will- iamsport (now Monongahela City) and engaged in the grocery business. In 1851 he was elected county treas- urer of Washington County and removed to Washington in 1852. From 1855 to 1856 he was in the employ of the Portage Railway Company (now the Pennsylvania) as a wood agent, having charge of the purchase of wood then used as fuel for the locomotives. During the years 1857- 8-9 he was proprietor of the Fulton House in Washing- ton, which stood on the corner of Main and Beau streets, and was at that time one of the best known hostelries in western Pennsylvania. In the winter of 1859 he turned the hotel over to his brother, Thomas M. Hall. In the same year he was elected transcribing clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Pennsyl- vania and was also appointed brigadier-general of the State militia. On 1861 he enlisted in the United States Army and went to Washington, D. C. During the last six months of 1861 he was President Lincoln's private secretary. Later he was commisioned commissary of subsistence by President Lincoln and assigned to Gen. Wessell's brigade, remaining in the service until the close of the war, in 1865, when he resigned.

After the war, President Grant appointed Gen. Hall deputy United States marshal for western Pennsylvania. He served for three years and succeeded the Hon. Alex- ander Murdoch as marshal. President Grant reappointed him, in his second term, and he was successively ap- pointed to this position by both Presidents Arthur and Hayes, serving in all twelve years as marshal and deputy marshal. During the administration of President Hayes, on one occasion when Gen. Hall was the guest of honor at a reception and dinner given by President and Mrs. Hayes, he was accorded the honor of escorting Mrs. Hayes out to dinner. Gen. Hall and President Hayes were united closely in the bonds of friendship.

After his retirement from public service, Gen. Hall engaged in farming and breeding fine Shorthorn cattle, on the old Wiley and Montgomery farms in Canton Town- ship, near Washington. He was tendered the nomination for governor of Pennsylvania by the late Senator Quay and "Bob" Mackey, who were then in control of State politics, but declined the honor, and Gov. Hoyt was nom- inated and elected. Later, Gen. Hall disposed of his farm and, following the death of his wife, formerly Miss Nancy Jones, of Somerset Township, lived a retired life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. C. Wiley, where his death occurred.

Gen. Hall was an earnest, consistent Christian and for many years was a member of the First Methodist Epis- copal Church of Washington, having borne an active part in the construction of the splendid edifice on East Beau street occupied by the congregation. At the time of his

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death he was president of the board of trustees. To Gen. Hall and wife were born four children: J. Add, John A., Robert T., and Belle, who became the wife of W. C. Wiley. At the time of his death his daughter, Mrs. Wiley, and one son, J. Add, were living.

During his long term in public office, Gen. Hall was brought into contact with hundreds of people, both in a business and social way, and it is probable that no man of his time had more friends. His genial manner, his strict integrity, his uniform courtesy and his ever pres- ent desire to aid those who required assistance, so stamped his personality upon all people who knew him, that it may be safely said that he was one of the most highly esteemed men of his time.

SAMUEL H. JACKSON, postmaster at Claysville, Pa., a very popular government official, has served in this capacity since 1897, having been appointed during the first administration of President Mckinley. Mr. Jackson was born at Claysville, Pa., April 10, 1851, and is a son of Oliver P. and Louisa (Cooper) Jackson.

The father of Mr. Jackson was born in Bedford Coun- ty, Pa., and later lived in Somerset County, coming from there to Claysville in the early thirties. He married Louisa Cooper, who died in 1873, whom he survived until 1889. Her father, Samuel Cooper, operated one of the first blacksmith shops at Claysville. Postmaster Jack- son has one brother and two sisters residing in Clays- ville, namely: Chester B .; Alice A., wife of Buchanan Allendar; and Nora, wife of Oliver Martin.

Samuel H. Jackson obtained his education in the pub- lic schools at Claysville and his subsequent life has been spent in associations which have largely contributed to the broadening of all his faculties. From early man- hood he has been more or less connected with public affairs in his county and State and in his own city has served in municipal bodies and has been president of the school board. His first government office was that of store keeper and gauger and for a time he was sta- tioned at Monongahela City and Allenport. In 1890 he was the choice of the Republican party as its candidate for county clerk but failed of election. In 1885 he was elected a jury commissioner of Washington County and served with the utmost efficiency for three years. He has always been an active Republican and wields a large amount of influence. In 1892 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and subsequently was elected for a succeeding term. Owing to his appointment as postmaster, October 1, 1897, he did not serve out his second term as justice.

The Claysville postoffice is carefully conducted and the rights of the patrons and their convenience acknowl- edged and consulted. Mr. Jackson has as his assistant,

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 108

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