History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 112

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 112

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Frank R. Baker was reared in Amwell Township and through boyhood attended the public schools, after which he assisted his father on the farm and has continued in the same industry. He also became interested in rais- ing good stock and has made this quite a feature of his work. He owns 200 acres of some of the best land in Amwell Township. He is a leading citizen, a member of the School Board, of which he has been both president and treasurer. He has served most acceptably in other offices, three years as road supervisor.

On Oct. 31, 1889, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Sarah Hamilton, a daughter of the late William Hamil- ton, of Fayette County, Pa., and they have had four children, namely: Charles H., who is a student at Wash- ington and Jefferson College, at Washington; and Nellie S., Mary F. and Billie B. Mr. Baker is a member of the Lower Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church at Amity, of which he is treasurer and has been trustee. Mr. Baker was called upon to part with his wife on March 19, 1904. She was also a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and a lady of many Christian virtues. Her death caused sorrow not only to her immediate family, but to a large circle of friends, who could recall many evidences of her kindness.

J. A. HEPLER, who is extensively engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Charleroi, Pa., and is also a notary public, with offices at No. 411 Fallow- field avenue, has been located here since the spring of 1903. He was born Dec. 18, 1860, in Westmoreland Co., Pa., and is a son of David D. and Mary A. (Weibel) Hepler. David D. Hepler was a farmer by occupation. In 1895 he retired to Charleroi, Pa., and died there in 1907. His widow survives.

J. A. Hepler grew to maturity on his father's farm in Westmoreland County, after which he conducted a store and was postmaster at Coffey's Station, then known as Brenneman, Pa., from 1886 until 1898, when he came to Washington, Pa., where he was engaged in the oil

business until his removal to Charleroi, where he has since been successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Mr. Hepler is agent for various fire insurance companies, including the Atlas Assurance Co., of London, England, which was established in 1808; the Germanic Fire Ins. Co., of New York City; the Union Ins. Co., of Philadelphia; the New York Fire Ins. Co .; the Keystone Underwriters of Pittsburg; the National Union Fire Ins. Co., of Pittsburg; the Phoenix Ins. Co., of Brooklyn, N. Y., and is also agent for the Standard Life and Accident Ins. Co., of Detroit, Mich.

Mr. Hepler was united in marriage with Minnie P. Brown, who was born and reared in Erie County, Pa., and is a daughter of Hiram Brown, who was a soldier in the 111th Pa. Vol. during the Civil War. They have one daughter, May Hepler. Mr. Hepler is fraternally a member of the Ancient and Illustrious Order of Knights of Malta, and order of Elks. Mr. Hepler is also a mem- ber of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Char- leroi, being one of the trustees and treasurer of the new church fund.

JOSEPH A. SCOTT, deceased, was one of the repre- sentative agriculturists of Fallowfield Township, and was a resident of Washington County, Pa., during the greater part of his life. There he was born Oct. 6, 1806, and came of a family that was established on American soil in colonial days.

The grandfather of Joseph A. Scott was a soldier in the American Revolution, entering the Patriot Army at the age of 17 years, after every other member of his family had met death at the hands of the Indians. He remained in the army until the close of the great struggle and was one of the heroes who spent the terrible winter at Valley Forge. He later established his home in Wash- ington County, where he reared a family. Late in life the father of Joseph A. Scott moved from Washington County to Rush County, Ind.

Joseph A. Scott followed farming through life and spent many years in Fallowfield Township, where he be- came a man of influence and substance. In 1835 he went to Peoria, Ill., where he was married to Miss Eliza Sheplar, who had been born in Washington County, Pa. She accompanied him back to Washington County, the journey being made on horseback, and they settled per- manently in Fallowfield Township. He was a man of great energy, was a hard worker and an excellent man- ager, and as he took an interest in the development of his section, to his efforts combined with those of other public spirited and earnest men, may be credited the material progress and early improvement that put Fal- lowfield Township ahead of many other parts of the county. After a long and useful life he died Jan. 17, 1881, when aged 75 years. His widow survived him

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until May 15, 1892, when she, too, passed away, aged 77 years. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom died unnamed. The others were: Peoria, who died in childhood; James Addison, who died young; Joseph Clark, who died Oct. 31, 1881; Henry S .; Mar- garet M., who is now deceased, was the wife of W. H. Miller; and Jesse Y., who is a well-known physician and surgeon of Washington.

BURNS DARSIE, who is the popular cashier of the Farmers' National Bank at Claysville, Pa., is a thorough- ly trained man in his line of work, having been identified with banks and the banking business ever since he finished his education. He was born Sept. 4, 1873, in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of Hugh S. and Me- linda (Cochran) Darsie.

Rev. James Darsie, the grandfather, was one of the pioneers who was associated with Alexander Campbell in the founding of the Christian Church, and one of his sons, Rev. George Darsie, for over 30 years was pastor of the Christian Church at Frankfort, Ky. The Darsies were true Scotch people, coming to America from Scot- land. The Cochrans mixed with Irish blood, but origi- nally were also Scotch. Both parents of Mr. Darsie were born in Fayette County, Pa., and Hugh S. Darsie owned a valuable farm in Tyrone Township which he sold to the pioneer coke producing firm of Cochran & Brown, this firm developing the veins of what is known as cok- ing or Connellsville coal which underlay its surface.

Burns Darsie obtained his primary education in the schools near his home and then attended the State Nor- mal School at California. Subsequently, from 1891 to 1895, he was a student at Bethany College, W. Va., and in the latter year began his bank training. He entered the Mechanics' National Bank at Pittsburg as a mes- senger and through ability and fidelity was promoted step by step, being corresponding clerk, collection clerk and discount clerk, remaining there for six years and during this time becoming thoroughly drilled in all the manifold duties and technical details of the business. From there he went to the Federal National Bank of Pittsburg and filled different positions, including that of teller, for some four years, resigning in order to be- come cashier of the Farmers' National Bank at Clays- ville. He resided at Washington, Pa., for several years before establishing his residence here. Mr. Darsie is a member of the Bankers' and Bank Clerks' Mutual Benefit Association of Pittsburg and belongs also to the American Institute of Banking.

Mr. Darsie was married to Miss Marietta Bryce, a daughter of Stephen P. Bryce, the well-known manu- facturer of ventilating and heating apparatus, of To- ledo, Ohio. They have three children : Marietta B., Burns

Darsie and Hugh S. Mr. Darsie and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican.

THE ZAHNISER FAMILY. To American citizen- ship no country has contributed more acceptably than has Germany and among the large, thrifty, substantial fam- ilies of Pennsylvania, who can claim a direct German ancestry, is that of the Zahnisers. It is a family also that takes a just pride in its numbers and achievements and through all its 1,400 descendants there is a strong bond of kindred.

According to family tradition, the old home of the Zahniser family was situated in Highland, Germany, not far from the River Rhine, nor far from the Swiss boun- dary, with which the family evidently was early con- nected. On September 24, 1843, either in the village of Ilbesheim or that of Moersheim, one Valentine Zahniser married Julianna Clemens. They had two sons born to them. Failing health led the father to start with his little family, for the great land across the sea, a land apparently flowing with milk and honey and doubtless one where health could also be found. The voyage proved long and rough and before the shores of the promised land came in sight, both Valentine Zahniser and his youngest son had succumbed and their burial was at sea. The widow, with her remaining son, Mathias, were safely landed at the port of Philadelphia, in the fall of 1753. After much hardship the widow and small child succeed- ed in reaching the German settlements in Lancaster County and there she was sheltered and comforted and subsequently spent many happy years, surviving until 1790. From Mathias Zahniser, who landed in Pennsyl- vania in 1753, have descended the family of this name, one, which it has been found, is now represented in every State in the Union with the exception of three.

Michael Zahniser, born in 1820, died in 1899, in 1849 married Margaret Hogg, who died in 1888. He was a farmer by occupation and until 1891, lived on a farm in Jackson Township, Mercer Co., Pa. At that time, being a widower, be came to live with his children at Washing- ton. He was a life-long Democrat and respected citizen. His children were as follows: Andrew Jackson, residing at Washington, Pa .; Eleanor A., widow of Charles Brom- ley, residing at Washington; Robert C., residing near Pardoe, Pa .; William S., residing at Waynesburg; M. Rudolph, a manufacturer, living at Washington; Valen- tine O., also a manufacturer, at Washington; John N., a manufacturer residing at Waynesburg, Pa .; Mont- gomery J., another manufacturer at Washington; and Bithynia.

The late Michael Zahniser was a son of William Zahn- iser, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1789, and died in 1850. In early life he was given sufficient

VALENTINE O. ZAHNISER MONTGOMERY J. ZAHNISER MICHAEL R. ZAHNISER ANDREW J. ZAHNISER

CHARLES E. STEPHENS

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

educational advantages to enable him to teach school and for some years he alternated teaching in the winter sea- sons with farm work during the summers. He served as an American soldier in the War of 1812, with the rank of lieutenant, and he was located during this time at Erie, Pa. A very valuable memento of this time is owned by his direct descendants, it being a walking stick composed of wood taken from Commodore Perry's famous ship "The Lawrence, " and it is a unique as well as valuable relic. In 1814, William Zahniser married Eleanor Stot- ler, who, like himself, had been born in Lancaster County, but had removed with her parents to Allegheny County. Until 1823 William Zahniser and wife lived in the old homestead in Lancaster County, and then moved to a near-by tract on which he resided until death. His father was Mathias Zahniser, who, in boyhood, had landed at Philadelphia, in 1753.

The life history of Mathias Zahniser, on account of its tragic early days, as well as its story of struggle and success, is interesting and may be briefly given as fol- lows. He grew to manhood in Lancaster County, and in 1774 married Mary Lint, a daughter of Michael Lint, with whom he lived until 1790. Then Mathias moved with his family, which included his mother, to Allegheny County, where he bought a farm and also worked at his trade. In 1796 he sold this farm to Frederick Stone. This land lies in Penn Township, east of Pittsburg and Mt. Hope Cemetery is now situated on the old Zahniser farm. When the Zahniser family located in Allegheny County, the family of Benjamin Stokely was the only white one definitely known to have been there previously. After disposing of his land, Mathias Zahniser, with his three eldest sons selected a new home, in what is now Lake Township, Mercer County, eight miles north of Mercer. A cabin was built and land was cleared and a. portion of the old orchard, which, with German thrift, was set out, still remains in evidence. With the coming of winter, Mathias Zahniser returned to Allegheny Coun- ty but in the spring of 1797 he returned with the other members of the family, taking up a new tract east of the one first secured and which passed into the posses- sion of his son Michael. Another son, Mathias, settled on a tract just south, while John took one just west. As each of these tracts contained 200 acres, the family be- came owners of a large body of land.

Mathias Zahniser lived to the age of eighty-four years, his death occurring April 28, 1833. He had survived his wife, who died in 1829, aged seventy-five years. They were buried in the old Zahniser Cemetery, in Jackson Township, Mercer Co., Pa.

JAMES COOKE GAULT, a representative farmer and butter producer of Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., where he owns 113 acres of valuable land, was

born in this township Dec. 7, 1850, and is a son of David and Matilda (Cooke) Gault.

David Gault was born in Cross Creek Township, in 1817, his people being in moderate circumstances. He was a small boy when his father died and it devolved upon him to make his own way in the world and he was a self-made man in every sense. He acquired some 300 acres of the most valuable land in Cross Creek Township, a part of which forms the farm of J. C. Gault. For many years he was an elder in the Cross Creek Presby- terian Church. In the earlier years of his political identification he was a Republican, but later became a pronounced Prohibitionist. He died in February, 1903, at the age of 86 years. He and wife became parents of four children: Georgia, wife of A. H. Kerr, of Bur- gettstown; Henry M., of Cross Creek Township; James C .; and Silas, who lives at Primrose Station.

James Cooke Gault obtained his education in the pub- lie schools and Oakdale Academy at Oakdale. When about 19 years of age he turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits and has continued in the same ever since and is numbered with the prosperous farmers of the township. He keeps a number of cows for dairy purposes and makes a fine grade of butter for the mar- ket. In his views on public matters he has followed the example of his excellent father. Although well qualified for the same, Mr. Gault has always declined to serve in political offices.

On Jan. 18, 1877, Mr. Gault was married to Miss Margaret Allison, a daughter of John and Harriet (Mc- Elroy) Allison, of Hopewell Township. The parents of Mrs. Gault are both deceased, the father having passed the declining years of his life at Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Gault have had six children, several of whom have comfortable homes of their own: Haidee, who is the wife of Alexander Campbell, has four children-Helen, Mason, Dorothy and Mildred Campbell; David A., who married Grace Miller, has one son, David; Percy, who is now deceased; Guy A., who is engaged in railroad work and lives at Carnegie, Pa .; and Donald and Archie, both of whom reside at home and are students in the Cross Creek High School. The family attends the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek village and for ten years Mrs. Gault has been the very capable president of the Home Missionary Society of this church. Mr. Gault has one oil well on his farm.

CHARLES E. STEPHENS, member of the firm of Stephens Bros., dealers in lumber and contractors, at Monongahela City, Pa., has resided here since 1882 and has thoroughly identified himself with the business and public interests of the place. He was born at Bentley- ville, Washington Co., Pa., Jan. 27, 1860, and is a son of John W. and Martha J. (Bentley) Stephens.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

John W. Stephens was born on his father's farm in Fayette County, Pa. After he married he settled at Bentleyville, where he resided until 1889, when he came to Monongahela City, where he is one of the respected and venerable citizens. For many years he was promi- nent in State politics and in 1878 he served as a mem- ber of the State Legislature. He married Martha J. Bentley, who died in 1895. She was a daughter of Shel- bazzer Bentley, who came very early to Washington County and was the founder of the village of Bentley- ville. To John W. Stephens and wife were born six children: Frank, William P., Charles Edgar, Henry Bentley and two who died in infancy.

Charles E. Stephens resides at Bentleyville during boyhood and youth, attended school there and learned the carpenter trade. After working at the same for some time at Monongahela City, where he was connected with Blythe & Co., for five years, he entered into part- nership with Thomas Neel, a lumber dealer, and they did business for two years under the style of Neel & Stephens. Then Henry and William Stephens, brothers of Charles E., bought the Neel interest and the firm be- came Stephens Bros. They were together for several years, when William Stephens sold out to Charles E. and Henry Stephens. The business was conducted on the opposite side of the river from the present location until 1904, when they established their plant between the railroad and the river, the area covered being 3121/2 feet. Employment is given 30 men and the business is in a very prosperous condition, many contracts being in sight and these will add activity to the lumber trade. Mr. Stephens is numbered with the city's substantial citi- zens and is one of the directors of the First National Bank.

In January, 1898, Mr. Stephens was married to Miss Minerva J. Colvin, a daughter of Moses and Josephine Colvin, of Allegheny County, Pa., and they have three children: Franklin A., Josephine M. and Jean. The comfortable and attractive home is situated on the cor- ner of Eleventh and Main streets. With his family, Mr. Stephens is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee. In politics, he is a Republican, has served in the city council and for eleven years has been a valuable member of the school board. He belongs to the Elks and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

THOMAS ALLISON, deceased, once one of the most active and useful citizens of Chartiers Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., during the most important time of its existence, its creative period, was born in that town- ship in 1780 and was a son of James and Jane (Brad- ford) Allison.

The Allison family is of Scotch extraction but before

the birth of James Allison, had been driven, by religious persecution, to the north of Ireland. When James Alli- son came first to America he located in Cecil County, Md., and it was there that he entered into the business negotiations with Thomas Moffatt that resulted in his purchase of 560 acres of land, located in Washington County, Pa. He took possession Oct. 26, 1773. The first patent for this land was issued in the name of James- Allison, Moffatt having but a squatter's claim, and a part of this land is now owned by the estate of Jonathan Allison, late of Washington. James Allison found many hardships to contend with and the hostile Indians were so threatening that after many a night passed with rifle in hand, he retired from his property to a more pro- tected position and did not return until the following year. In 1774, accompanied by 20 families, among these being the Bradfords, the McDowells, the Parks, Scotts. and others, whose names, with that of Allison, were linked with the subsequent development of the county, Mr. Allison returned and again settled on his land. A block-house was erected, in which all lived together for one year, when one log cabin after another was built: around the block-house which was kept as a place of re- treat in case of attack. James Allison erected a frame house about 1789, which stood for years afterward. He was one of the foremost men of his day, was associate judge of the courts of Washington County during 1786- 87-88, and in 1789 was a member of the Supreme Ex- exutive Council, at Philadelphia, and in that position cast his vote for the abolition of slavery, which was accomplished so many years later. For years he was a trustee of Jefferson College and was a very strong sup- porter of the movement that resulted in its union with Washington College. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church under Dr. John McMillan, in North Stra- bane Township, which was one of the first Presbyterian societies organized in the county and of this he was a ruling elder. He married Jane Bradford, sister of David Bradford, who was prominently identified with the "Whiskey Insurrection" in Pennsylvania. They had eight children: William, James, John, George, Thomas, Mary, David and Rachel.

Thomas Allison of the above family escaped many of the hardships which attended his father's early man- hood, but the clearing of the large estate and assisting in developing and civilizing the section in which was- his home, took years of hard work and persevering en- durance. He was a typical Allison, honorable and up- right, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church,. one of the trustees in Chartiers Township, and a sup- porter of law and a liberal contributor to benevolent enterprises.

In 1817, Thomas Allison married Miss Mary John- son, a daughter of Richard Johnson, of North Stra-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

bane Township, and they had the following children: Jane, James, William, Richard, Thomas, Jonathan, David, Joseph, Uriah and Mary. Of the above, James served five years in the Civil War. Thomas Allison died Oct. 21, 1849, aged 69 years. His widow survived to the age of 86 years, passing away in 1884.

WILLIAM L. DODD, M. D., a well-known physician and surgeon who has been in active practice at Amity, Pa., since 1890, is a member of one of Washington County's old pioneer families which has many represen- tatives throughout this section. Dr. Dodd was born in Amwell Township, Washington Co., Pa., Oct. 17, 1866, and is a son of Daniel F. and Ruth (McFarland) Dodd.

The late Daniel F. Dodd passed his whole life in Amwell Township, where he was extensively engaged in farming and stoock raising. His father was Freeman Dodd, and his grandfather was Daniel Dodd, who was a brother of Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, who was a noted preacher in his day, in Washington County, the fame of whom was spread all over Western Pennsylvania.

Dr. William L. Dodd spent his boyhood on his father"'s farm and otbained his early education in the country schools. After his choice of profession had been made, he prepared for the scientific schools with local practitioners, and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., and he secured his degree, in 1888, from the Western Penn- sylvania Medical College which has since been merged into the medical department of the University of Pitts- burg. Mr. Dodd immediately entered upon practice at Amity, Pa., associating himself with Dr. W. S. Dodd, then of Amity but now of Washington, and they con- tinued together until the removal of the latter phy- sician in 1890, to Washington, since which time Dr. William L. Dodd has remained alone, and enjoys a good, substantial practice. He keeps closely in touch with all scientific investigation and is a valued mem- ber of the Washington County Medical Society and belongs also to the American Medical Association.

Dr. Dodd was married to Miss Emma G. Conger, a daughter of the late John Conger, of West Union, Washington Co., Pa., and they have two children: John L. and Ruth E. Dr. and Mrs. Dodd are members of the Lower Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church at Amity, in which he is an elder. He is a Republican.

GEORGE S. MORRON, who is engaged in the drug business at Canonsburg, of which city he has been a resident for 15 years, was born at Lisbon, Ohio, and is a son of John A. and Amanda (Bon Bright) Morron.

The Morron family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and the paternal grandfather, John Morron, established the Morrons in Columbiana County, Ohio, and there many

of his descendants reside. The father of Dr. Morron was born in Columbiana County and died there in 1902, at the age of 80 years, his wife having passed away many years previously. They were the parents of six sons and two daughters: Alice, Frank and Charles, all of whom are deceased, and George S., William, Roy, Edgar and Addie, all surviving.

George S. Morron is the only member of his family residing in Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools of Lisbon, Ohio, and later the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, and was graduated from that institution in 1892. Prior to coming to Canonsburg, in 1898, he was in the drug business at Salem, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio, and Meadville and Derry, Pa. Dr. Mor- ron conducts a large and modern drug store and enjoys the confidence of the medical profession and the people of his city, having kept to high standards and han- dling only pure drugs.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 112

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