History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 110

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 110

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

following children: James, Joseph, Samuel, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret, Belle and Emeline. James Allison resides in Washington State, aged about seventy-five years. Mary married Alexander McCalmont; Elizabeth married David Cummings; Margaret married Robert Cowden; Belle married James Coulter; and Emeline married John Manson, Mrs. Cummings and Mrs. Manson are the only survivors. The latter, now in her seventy- first years, resides at West Middletown.

The father of Mr. Manson was born in Beaver County and came to Washington County and settled in Mt. Pleas- ant Township in early manhood and there engaged in farming until his death, in 1869, aged forty-eight years. He was survived by six children, namely: Robert Alli- son; James Buchanan, who lives on the old homestead in Cross Creek Township, near the line of Hopewell, married Emma, daughter of Alexander McCalmont; John Franklin, who is a pattern maker in the bridge works at Canonsburg, married Mollie Meneely, who is now de- ceased; Mary Emma, now deceased, was the wife of J. Frank Brownlee and they lived on a farm in Hopewell Township; Samuel, who is a carpenter by trade, resides at West Middletown with his mother; and Harry Elmer, who died in 1907, is survived by his widow, formerly Lillie Myers, who resides at Los Angeles, Cal.

Robert A. Manson attended the McCarrel's district school in Mt. Pleasant Township, also the Limestone Lane school. After he was eighteen years of age he devoted himself to farm work for six years and then learned the carpenter trade, working for five years with Samuel McFadden, in Cross Creek Township and after- ward worked in different places until his marriage, when he moved to Washington, and two years later from there to Ingram, and two years after that returned to the farm and remained there for seven years. He then re- sumed carpenter work, locating at Imperial, in Alle- gheny County. His wife died there March 4, 1900, aged thirty-seven years, and on November 15, 1902, he left Imperial and came to Canonsburg and has continued working at his trade in this city ever since.

Mr. Manson was married (first), September 30, 1885, to Miss Ida Jane Morrison, a daughter of James and Mar- tha Morrison, and they had four children: James Russell, who was born October 9, 1886, is connected with a pot- tery at Newell, W. Va., married Pearl Smith, and they have one child, Eugene Devid; Robert Harold, who was born May 27, 1890, works on a farm; and Emma Ber- nice, who was born September 5, 1893, and Martha Agnes, who was born November 30, 1895, both attend school. Mr. Manson was married (second) December 31, 1891, to Miss Mary E. MeNutt, a daughter of William and Nancy (Weaver) McNutt. Mr. and Mrs. Manson are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg. He is a Republicán.

JOHN LEAMON PATTERSON, who, for fifteen con- secutive years has been a member of the Hopewell Town- ship school board, and has acceptably filled other town- ship offices, resides on his valuable farm of 100 acres, in Hopewell Township, Washington Co., Pa., on which he was born, May 30, 1859. His parents were John and Jane (McClelland) Patterson, both of whom are now deceased. They had four sons: James T., Thomas M., William H. and John L., all of whom survive except the eldest.

John Leamon Patterson obtained his education in the public schools and since the age of nineteen years has been engaged in farming, being associated with his father until the latter's death, in 1880, since when he has been in charge. He devotes his land to the growing of grain and hay and to grazing, each year raising a large amount of fine stock, his unusual success being the result of accurate knowledge and excellent judgment.

In June, 1886, Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Mollie M. McElroy, a daughter of Alexander McElroy, and they have had the following children: Jennie L., who was born February 16, 1887, is a popular teacher ; John, who is now deceased; James and Mary, both of whom attend high school; Homer and Hazel, twins, and Robert, Lillian and Hugh. Mr. Patterson and family belong to the United Presbyterian Church at North Buf- falo, in which he is an elder and for a number of years was a trustee. Mrs. Patterson is interested in church missionary work. The whole family is one held in very high esteem in Hopewell Township.

Mr. Patterson has always upheld the principles of the Republican party. He has frequently been elected to office by his fellow citizens and at times has been judge of elections and also supervisor. In June, 1909, he was re-elected a member of the school board, on which he has already served for an unusual period. He owns stock in the Buffalo Telephone Company.

W. B. LINN, a member of the firm of Linn Bros., lum- ber dealers, at Burgettstown, Pa., and part owner of a valuable farm of 192 acres, situated in Smith Township, Washington County, was born on his father's farm in Franklin County, Pa., June 28, 1867.

Mr. Linn remained on the home farm until he was fifteen years of age, attending school first in Franklin, later in Cumberland and still later in Washington coun- ties, and took a business course at the Iron City Com- mercial College at Pittsburg. He then went into the lumber business at Burgettstown and the firm was first known as Armour and Linn, but later became Linn Bros. After his marriage he continued to reside at Bur- gettstown until 1900, when he moved to Mckeesport, where he resided until August 16, 1909, when he returned to Burgettstown, never, in the meanwhile, having dis-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

associated himself with the lumber firm of Linn Bros. While at Mckeesport he was president and treasurer of the National Lumber Company of that place and con- tinued in those offices until 1908.

On January 19, 1896, Mr. Linn was married to Miss Alice Betts, a daughter of P. B. and Jane (Galbraith) Betts. Two children have been born to them, William B. and George P., both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Linn is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of McKeesport. In politics, he is an active Democrat and he has served three terms as school treasurer of Bur- gettstown, and for three years has been treasurer of the Union Agricultural Association. Mr. Linn is a member of the Masonic order and is a substantial and represen- tative citizen of Washington County.

JAMES M. McBURNEY, a well known citizen and prosperous lawyer of Washington, Pa., was born in that borough March 7, 1858, and is a son of Ebenezer and Mary (Maxwell) McBurney. The family has long been established in America and was a pioneer one in Wash- ington County.

James McBurney, the great-grandfather of James M., married Mary McGoffin and they had six children: Mary, who married John McAuley; Martha, who married James Matthews; Jane, who married John Gillespie; and Alex- ander, Joseph and James.

James McBurney (2), son of James, was born in Washington County, Pa. He was an officer in the Penn- sylvania militia and resided on a farm in South Strabane Towship, which is now owned by the Zediker family. He was the father of the following children: Ebenezer, James, Joseph, Mrs. Eliza Hawkins, Mrs. Martha Wat- son, Mrs. Sarah Thompson and Mrs. Catherine Gault.

Ebenezer McBurney was born in Mercer County, Pa., in 1814, and obtained his education in the subscription schools. He learned the carpenter trade in Washington and subsequently erected many of the substantial struc- tures of the growing borough. Some years prior to his death he went into the business of moving buildings, suc- ceeding in whatever he undertook on account of being a man of energy and capacity. He thus acquired much more than a competency but lost the greater part of his fortune through his generosity and his seeming inability to disappoint a friend when he sought his signature as security. Until the outbreak of the Civil War he was a Democrat but later became and continued a Republican. Although a hearty sympathizer in the cause of the Union, his age and physical condition were against his enlisting, an accident having made his acceptance impossible. His loyalty and his sterling character were recognized, how- ever, and he was appointed and served as provost mar- shal of his district and later was commissioned a private detective for the county under district attorneys Ralph

McConnell and J. F. Taylor, and served as such for six years. His death occurred September 12, 1889, at the age of seventy-five years. He married Mary Maxwell, a daughter of Thomas Maxwell, who was a hatter by trade and had come to Washington County from Wheeling, W. Va. Mrs. McBurney preceded her husband to the grave by six months. Two of their eleven children died in infancy. The others were: Helen, who married Jo- seph Shaw; John F., Alexander F., James M., and George M .; Kate M., who married George M. Haldeman; and Mary and Margaret, the former of whom died aged six- teen years and the latter aged twenty-one years. Eben- ezer McBurney was an active member of the Seceder Church for years but was dropped from the church roll because of his joining the order of Odd Fellows.

James M. McBurney received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools and in the preparatory depart- ment of Washington and Jefferson College, and later entered the collegiate department of that institution and was graduated in 1881. For one year after leaving col- lege he was principal of Mckeesport Academy, in asso- ciation with Rev. Robert M. Russell, after which he re- turned to Washington and prepared for the practice of law in the office of Hon. H. J. Vankirk, completing his studies under attorney John W. Donnan. Since his ad- mission to the bar of Washington County, in 1885, and to the supreme court of the United States, on February 2, 1893, he has been in continuous practice and has at- tained a high degree of success in his profession. He maintains offices in the Washington Trust building, Nos. 315-317.

In 1889, Mr. McBurney was married to Miss Annie S. Reckers, a daughter of J. B. Reckers, of Washington, Pa., and they have two children: Ernestine D. and Bernard R. The family residence is a comfortable and attractive one situated at No. 122 North Wade avenue. He is a Republican of the independent type in his po- litical views. Always interested in educational matters, he has served many years as a school director. As far back as 1876, Mr. McBurney united with the United Presbyterian Church and is an elder in the same, and has taught an adult class in the Sabbath School almost con- tinuously since he graduated from college.

MILTON C. IRWIN, a leading citizen of Buffalo Township, serving as a member of the board of super- visors, and following farming and stock raising as an occupation, was born in Washington County, Pa., Feb- ruary 28, 1873, and is a son of William C. and Mary (Dye) Irwin.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Irwin, David Irwin, was an early settler in Canton Township, Washington County, and there both William C. Irwin and wife spent the greater portion of their lives and died there. They

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

were for many years members of the East Buffalo Pres- byterian Church, but in later years were members of the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington. For a long period William C. Irwin was one of the large sheep growers of this section, raising annually as many as 250 head, his preference being for the Black Top Delaine as superior in wool. He was in his seventy-fourth year when he died, and was a well informed man and took a very active part in politics.

His immediate family contained thirteen children, many of whom married and had children of their own, and the following survive: James D., living in Canton Township; John D., Leman N., William M. and Asa C., all living at Washington, Pa .; Milton C., living in Buf- falo Township; and Clifton C., Edith and Etta, all three residing in Washington.

Milton C. Irwin was reared on his father's farm in Canton Township and attended the district schools in- that neighborhood until he was sixteen years of age, when he started out for himself, going to the oil fields. Through his industry he made the business profitable and remained in one capacity or another, for a number of years, confining himself to Allegheny and Washington counties. About the time of his marriage he settled on his present place in the southern part of Buffalo Town- ship, and has prospered as a farmer and raiser of good stock.

Mr. Irwin was married July 22, 1897, to Miss Sarah Chambers, a daughter of James Chambers, of Buffalo Township, and they have two children: Clark C. and Mary M. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin attend the East Buffalo Presbyterian Church. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party, and he takes an interest in town- ship affairs of a public nature.

COL. L. M. MARSH, deceased, who bore an honorable record for service in the Union Army during the Civil War, was one of the foremost citizens of Washington, Pa., that borough having been the scene of his greatest business activities. He was born at Orange, Essex Co., N. J., June 23, 1824, and was a son of Abraham R. and Sarah (Munn) Marsh.

Abraham Marsh was born in Rahway, N. J., July 8, 1800, where he was reared and educated. He learned the shoemaking trade and worked at it and also engaged in merchandising, both in his native State and subse- quently in Ohio. He married Sarah Munn, a daughter of David Munn, of New Jersey, and she died in Huron County, Ohio, in 1860, aged fifty-eight years, but he sur- vived into extreme old age, dying two days after his ninetieth birthday. He was a Presbyterian of the old Knox faith and for many years was an elder in the church. He saw the formation of the Republican party and became a strong supporter of the same. His nine

children bore the following names: L. M., David, Stephen, Harriet, George, Abraham, Charles, Henry and Mary.

When the late Col. Marsh was thirteen years old, his parents moved from New Jersey to Coshocton County, Ohio, and there he completed his school attendance and then learned the tailoring trade. When twenty-one years old he went to Marietta, Ohio, where he followed his trade, and from there to West Virginia, where he was residing at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. His loyalty to the Union was manifested by his immedi- ately enlisting, and his standing was shown by his being made captain of Co. E, 10th W. Va. Vol. Inf., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He encoun- tered many of the direst misfortunes of war. At the battle of Kernstown he was wounded in the foot and being left helpless on the battle field was taken captive. ror two months he was confined in the infamous Libby Prison at Richmond, at the end of that time securing a parole, and six months later was exchanged and rejoined his regiment. His subsequent career as a soldier was bril- liant and when he was honorably discharged and mus- tered out it was with the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

Col. Marsh then returned to peaceful pursuits, locating at Washington, Pa., and he was occupied for two years as bookkeeper for a large business concern. In 1870 he was made secretary and treasurer of the Washington County Fire Insurance Company and he continued to discharge the duties of that position during the remain- ing years of his active life. He had additional interests, being associated for some years in the real estate busi- ness with his son, Addison C. Marsh, under the firm name of L. M. Marsh & Son. He was a man of upright life and sterling character.

On January 14, 1850, Col. Marsh was married to Miss Louisa McCollum, a daughter of Asa McCollum, and they reared two children: Ella, who became the wife of Will- iam S. Park; and Addison C., who is a representative citizen of Washington, of which he has been burgess since March, 1906. The late Col. Marsh was a Republican in his political affiliation. Both he and wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in March, 1899.

Hon. Addison C. Marsh was born February 26, 1858, and was educated in the Washington schools. He is secre- tary and treasurer of the Washington County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with office at No. 55 South Main street. He was elected burgess of Washington Borough on the Republican ticket and his official career has been satisfactory to his fellow citizens to whose best interests he has devoted his careful attention for the past three years. He married Miss Nettie Foster, a daughter of E. D. Foster, a resident of Bradford, Pa., and they have four children: Ola E., Ellis F., Helen L. and Ruth. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. They

COL. L. M. MARSH

ADDISON C. MARSH

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

have a beautiful home, the family residence being situ- ated at No. 205 West Beau street.

L. M. IRWIN, who is cashier of the Avella Bank at Avella, Pa., is one of the youngest men in Washington County to hold so responsible a position, one that he has acceptably filled since January, 1908. He belongs to an old and honorable county family and was born in Cross Creek Township, May 7, 1881, and is one of three children born to his parents, Dr. J. B. and Louisa Irwin, resident of Washington. Mr. Irwin has two brothers: Russell B. and Jesse B.

L. M. Irwin attended school in Cross Creek Township until he was eighteen years of age, graduating then from the high school at Cross Creek village. For a short time he taught school and then accepted an offer, which promised more remunerative work, from the James G. Corcoran Company, of Pittsburg, and remained with that concern for five years, engaged in construction work. In January, 1908, he came to the Avella Bank as cashier, having fairly won this appointment by reason of his energy, determination, industry and fidelity to the in- terests of his employers in his former capacity.

In June, 1902, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Anna M. Brown, a daughter of W. J. and Margaret Brown, of Cross Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin are mem- bers of the Lower Buffalo Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. He is identified with the Masons and belongs to the Burgettstown lodge.

A. M. CARLISLE, one of Smith Township's leading farmers and representative citizens, residing on his well improved property which contains 145 acres, all tillable land, with three oil wells, owns also a farm of eighty- five acres, situated in Mt. Pleasant Township. He was born in the latter township, February 5, 1862, and is a son of Joseph Elizabeth (White) Carlisle.

Joseph Carlisle was born on an adjoining farm in Mt. Pleasant Township, a short distance south of Hickory, and during a long and provident life which extended to eighty-four years, acquired two farms both in the same township. He was an intelligent and upright man at different times was selected for township offices by his fellow citizens. He married Elizabeth White, a daughter of Nicholas White, and they had three children: Annie, A. M., and I. M. Annie is deceased. Joseph Carlisle died September 16, 1898, and his widow, November 25, 1905, and both were buried in the cemetery at Hickory. They were worthy members of the United Presbyterian Church.

A. M. Carlisle attended school in Mt. Pleasant Town- ship and later at Hickory, and lived at home until his first marriage when he moved on the farm he now owns, south of Hickory, and lived there until January, 1906,

when he moved to Smith Township, buying his present farm from his father-in-law, J. L. Rankin. He repaired the house and erected new farm buildings, his barn being the best structure of its kind in the township. He has sold his coal to the Pittsburg-Eaton Coal Company. He raises superior stock, cattle and sheep and when he ex- hibits at the county fairs is very sure to carry off many of the best prizes. He is a stockholder and a director in the Farmers' National Bank of Hickory; a stockholder and president of the Farmers' Telephone Company at Burgettstown; and for eleven years has been a director in the Union Agricultural Association of Burgettstown.

Mr. Carlisle was married (first) March 7, 1889, to Miss Emma Hastings, a daughter of Daniel Hastings, of Allegheny County. She died July 14, 1893, and her burial was in the Hickory Cemetery. She is survived by one son, Joseph Edgar, who lives at home. Mr. Car- lisle was married (second) November 7, 1894, to Mary L. Rankin, a daughter of J. L. Rankin, and they have two children: John Charles, a manly youth of fourteen years; and Emma Elizabeth, who, although but twelve years of age, is a student in the high school at Burgetts- town. Mr. Carlisle and family are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown. In politics he is independent and fraternally he is identified with the order of Elks.

WILLIAM CAMERON, deceased, who is well remem- bered by the older residents of South Strabane Township, Washington Co., Pa., as one of its most prominent citi- cents at an early period, was born in the county, in Som- erset Township, in 1808. He was a son of John and Esther (Twinem) Cameron.

John Cameron was a native of Scotland and was a young man when he left his own land and went to Ire- land, where he took up his residence in County Armagh and there married Esther Twinem. Shortly afterward they emigrated to America and settled near Gettysburg, Pa., and he secured his naturalization papers there. These papers are still preserved by a son of William, our subject, George M. Cameron, who has them framed in his home. He moved from there to the part of Washington County, Pa., known now as Somerset Township. John Cameron became a man of considerable importance in the section in which he settled and as he was intelli- gent and thrifty, he became a leader in public affairs and an owner of property. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious matters he was a Presbyterian and one of the founders of the church in Somerset Township. To John Cameron and wife were born the following children: John, James G., Esther, Margaret and William.

William Cameron, the youngest of the above family, was reared on the pioneer farm in Somerset Township and all the formal education he secured was in the prim-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

itive schools. After marriage he and wife started to housekeeping on a small tract of land, twenty-one acres in extent, in South Strabane Township, and to this he subsequently added 200 acres, this having been part of the farm of his father-in-law, George Mitchell. This was a large body of land and as it was almost entirely unimproved it required many years of hard work to con- vert it into productive farms, but from youth he had been inured to labor and he had inherited a large meas- ure of his father's Scotch persistency and success crowned his efforts. He always took an interest in the public affairs of his community and performed every public duty with faithfulness and according to conscience. In politics he was a Democrat. For many years he con- sented to serve on the school board.

On September 28, 1837, William Cameron married Miss Martha Mitchell, a native of South Strabane Town- sip, born August 9, 1804, and died August 16, 1860. She was a daughter of George Mitchell and his wife, who had formerly been a Miss Alexander. George Mitchell was born in Ireland and his death occurred May 8, 1847, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cameron. In early manhood he had come to America and settled in South Strabane Township, Washington County. In his political views he was a Democrat, and religiously he was a Pres- byterian. He had five children, namely: Martha, Mary, Eleanor, Thomas and Catherine.

To William and Martha Cameron were born the fol- lowing children: John, who was born August 12, 1838, has always engaged in farming in South Strabane Town- ship; Ellen, who married John G. Paxton; Margaret; Mary J .; George M., who was born April 22, 1849, is a prominent citizen of Washington, president of the E. J. Young Packing Company and a director of the Wash- ington Trust Company; and Martha A., who married J. C. Pease. William Cameron survived his wife for thirteen years, his death occurring October 15, 1873.

WILLIAM W. McCLAY, a prominent citizen of Can- ton Township who owns a fine farm of 191 acres, which he devotes to general agriculture and stock raising, making a specialty of sheep, was born on this farm, March 2, 1845, being a member of one of the old and honorable families of Washington County. His parents were John and Jane (Welsh) McClay.

Samuel MeClay, the grandfather, was born in Ireland and came of Scotch and Irish stock. When he emigrated to America he settled at first in Chester County, Pa., and from there came to Washington County. He located on the farm which his grandson, William W. McClay now owns, probably before the township divisions were made. A former owner had made some slight improvements but the greater part of the clearing was accomplished by grandfather McClay. John McClay, son of Samuel and

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 110

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