History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 113

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 113

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In 1896, Dr. Morron was married to Miss Margaret Griffith, a daughter of A. A. Griffith, of Canonsburg, and they have two children: Thelma and John. Dr. and Mrs. Morron are members of the United Presby- terian Church. He is a Republican in politics and fra- ternally is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Eagles, the order of the Moose and the Elks, all at Canons- burg.

JOHN W. PRY, who has been postmaster of South Burgettstown, Pa., since 1873, with the exception of seven years, for 31 years was engaged in the mercantile business at this place. He was born in Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., May 9, 1846, and is a son of Abraham and Rachel (McClurge) Pry.

John W. Pry was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools in Cross Creek Township, after which he assisted his father until he entered the Federal Army in December, 1864. He served until his honorable discharge in July, 1865, in Co. H, 21st Pa. Cav., and escaped serious injury, although ever at the post of duty. He then returned to the home farm and continued agricultural operations there for some years, after which he moved to Burgettstown and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster and has filled this office for almost 30 years, under Republican administrations. He no longer con- ducts his mercantile business, but he has other interests, these including stock in the International Steel Com- pany, the Pittsburg Coal Company, the National Fire Proofing Company and the William Liard Company, of Pittsburg. He is a member of Capt. Samuel Campbell Post No. 286, G. A. R., at Burgettstown and enjoys attending the annual encampments.

Mr. Pry was married (first) to Mary E. Rea, who died after the birth of two children, Charles L. and Rachael

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

E., and her burial was in the cemetery at Cross Creek. He was married (second) to Elizabeth B. Welch, a daughter of Mathew Welch, to which marriage there is no issue. Mr. Pry is one of the representative citi- zens of Burgettstown and for years has been a leader in Republican politics in the county.

HON. JAMES S. DENNISON, deceased, who was the founder of the Dennison family in Washington County, Pa., where it has been widely known for so many years, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., in 1801. His father, Thomas Dennison, was born in Ireland and he married a lady of Scotch birth, shortly afterward coming to America and settling for the rest of their lives in Virginia. They had three children: Marie, who became the wife of Washington Bennett; and Thomas and James S.

James S. Dennison received a rudimentary education in the log cabin schoolhouses near his home. That he became a well informed and broad-minded man in after years, was due to his own efforts and his contact with the world. He came to Washington County in early manhood and engaged in agricultural pursuits before his marriage and after that event he located for a short time on a property which was afterward known as the E. H. Dennison farm. From there he moved to Claysville, Washington County, where he conduct- ed a hotel for a time, and from there to Uniontown, Fayette County, where he remained engaged in business until his death. This took place in 1851, as the result of an accident, being thrown from the stage on which he was riding on his way home from a business trip to Brownsville. He was a man of prominence in his community and his untimely death was lamented by all. He was a kind husband and father and a loyal friend and good neighbor. He was a Democrat in politics, but never was willing to assume official cares.

James S. Dennison was married at Claysville to Mrs. Catherine (Stevenson) King, a daughter of Hon. James Stevenson and the widow of William King, who is sur- vived by one son, W. C. King, the latter being cashier of the National Bank at Claysville. Hon. James Ste- venson was a pioneer settler of Donegal Township, Washington County. His death occurred at Harrisburg while he was serving his district in the State Legis- lature. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Dennison returned to the old Stevenson farm, one mile west of Claysville, where her father had large possessions, and there she continued to reside until her death, which took place Oct. 7, 1889, when she was aged 86 years. She was an estimable woman, possessing admirable traits of character and was universally beloved. For many years she was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. To James S. Dennison and wife were born

the following children: James, Jane E., John, Ell- bridge C. and Edwin Henry.

Edwin Henry Dennison is now living in retirement at Claysville, Pa., but is still owner of the home place. This is a part of the 400-acre tract originally patented by James Stevenson, Mar. 12, 1807. He took up 400 acres for which he paid $70.24, and this tract has been in the Stevenson or Dennison name ever since that date. Edwin H. Dennison married Salina Reed, and they had six children : Katherine E., Edith E., Joseph D., Harry C., William R. and Edwin H., Jr.

William R. Dennison, a representative of this promi- nent old family, was born Apr. 7, 1879, and is a grad- uate of Washington and Jefferson College and the Pitts- burg Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1906. He has been identified with much important litigation in the county courts and many times has proven his legal ability. He has been active in politics and during 1907 and 1908 was chairman of the Democratic. County Com- mittee. In November, 1904, he was elected county auditor and in the spring of 1908 he was again nom- inated for the office. He maintains offices at No. 533 in the Washington Trust Building. William R. Dennison was married June 27, 1907, to Miss Matilda Snodgrass, of Claysville, and they have one daughter, Katherine Stevenson, named after her great-grandmother, Kather- ine Stevenson.

JOHN H. WEAVER, one of Amwell Township's sub- stantial men and most esteemed citizens, who has resided on his valuable farm of 187 acres, devoting it to farm- ing and stock and sheep raising, for half a century, was born in Amwell Township, Washington Co., Pa., Feb. 22, 1835, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Horn) Weaver.

Jacob Weaver was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and was a son of Leonard Weaver, who was of Ger- man parentage. Leonard Weaver died in Virginia when his son Jacob was four years old and the latter was brought to Washington County, Pa., by his mother and other members of the family, and they settled on a por- tion of the land which John H. Weaver now owns. At that time the forest growth was heavy and before they could erect a cabin a clearing had to be made. For many years conditions of living were hard with the little pioneer colony, but all dangers were finally overcome and with the rapid development of this part of Amwell Town- ship, the Weaver family had much to do. As may be imagined, Jacob Weaver had but meager educational opportunities but he grew strong and robust physically and lived to the unusual age of ninety-four years. He was widely known for his many fine qualities. He served as one of the first school directors of the township and he was very active in the founding of the Lone Pine

J. R. STUDA

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Christian Church of which he was long a member. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat. Of his two sons, George W., born Jan. 2, 1837, is now deceased.

John H. Weaver has been engaged in farming and stock raising ever since early youth. He has given a large amount of attention to growing sheep, making this industry one of continued profit. On December 22, 1856, he was married to Miss Sarah Slusher, who was born in Amwell Township, December 28, 1836, a daugh- ter of Michael and Lovina (Paul) Slusher, her parents both being natives of Amwell Township. Her grand- father, Christopher Slusher, was born in Virginia and was an early settler near Lone Pine, in Amwell Town- ship, and at one period in his life owned 700 acres of land, a portion of which is now the site of the village of Lone Pine. Of the children of Michael and Lovina Slusher, the following survive: Mrs. John H. Weaver; Keturah, who is the widow of Thomas Whipkey, for- merly of Fayette County, and she now lives at Kansas City, Mo .; Ellen, who is the wife of Philip A. Cooper, of South Franklin Township; Hannah, who is the wife of Joseph Miller, of Laboratory, Pa .; Henry C., who resides at Washington; Mary, who is the wife of George Lacock, of Miami County, Kas .; Christiana, who is the wife of Addison Hazlett, of Amwell Township; and Martha, who lives at Columbus, Ohio.

To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver four children have been born: Huston P., who married Emma Miller, and they have three surviving children-Arley B., Leta and Alta Pauline; Catherine L., who married John Bainer, of Amwell Township, and they have three children-Mary, Jacob M. and Charles Bainer; George M .; and John W., who married Sarah Anderson. They have had two children, one of whom, David Paul, survives and lives in New Jersey. John H. Weaver has always shown his interest in the public schools and for four years served as a member of the Amwell Township school board. He is a Democrat.

J. R. STUDA, a highly respected citizen and retired farmer and milk producer of South Burgettstown, who has the distinction of residing in the only brick veneered house in the place, which he has but recently completed and in which modern comforts have been installed, is one of the substantial men of this section of Washing- ton County. He was born in Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., November 14, 1851, and is a son of Henry L. and Melsina Studa. The parents of Mr. Studa were farming people in Cross Creek Township for many years and they were worthy members of the German Lutheran Church. Their family contained five sons and two daughters. In politics, the father was a Democrat.

J. R. Studa received instruction in his boyhood in the Muddy Lane School, in Cross Creek Township, and after-

ward helped his father on the home farm until he was twenty-eight years old and for two years more, prior to his marriage, worked on other farms. After marriage he settled on a small farm near Twin Bridges, not far from the Wabash Railroad, which he rented from J. Reed. One years later he moved to the Thomas McCorkle farm, which he operated for three years, going from there to the McConny farm, in Mt. Pleasant Township, on which he remained for eleven years. He then returned to Cross Creek Township and bought the Pryon farm of 143 acres, on which he lived for seven years and then sold it prior to moving to Burgettstown in 1902. This property was bought by the Washington County Coal Company and they paid a good price for it as it is very valuable. Mr. Studa still retains a one-fourth interest in 215 acres of land in Cross Creek Township and also owns his fine residence in South Burgettstown, the lighting plant in which alone cost $100, together with two more lots, and other lots and residences both in the town and in the country. He is one of the stockholders in the Bur- gettstown National Bank.

On March 14, 1881, Mr. Studa was married to Miss Nannie B. Moore, who is a daughter of William Moore, and they have one daughter, Ora M., who is a talented musician. Mr. Studa and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is identified with the Demo- cratic party. Mr. Studa is something of a sportsman, having always taken delight in hunting and is considered a fine marksman. He is also fond of driving and keeps two speedy roadsters.

HENRY M. GAULT, general farmer and stock raiser, residing on the old homestead farm in Cross Creek Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., on which he was born March 16, 1848, is a son of David and Matilda (Cooke) Gault.

The parents of Mr. Gault were well known residents of Cross Creek Township, where the father died in 1903. The mother died many years previously and David Gault was married (second) to Mrs. Mary Marquis, who was a daughter of William and Mary Patterson. To the first marriage four children were born: Georgetta, who married A. H. Kerr and lives at Burgettstown; and Henry M., James C. and Silas.

Henry M. Gault was educated in the local schools and the State Normal School at Edinboro, leaving at the age of eighteen years to assist his father on the farm. After his own marriage, in 1874, he moved to Norfolk, Va., where he engaged in gardening until 1882, when he went to Plattsmouth, Neb., where he carried on farming and stock raising until 1903, when the death of his father caused his return to the homestead where he has been engaged ever since, having 188 acres of fine land.

In 1874, Mr. Gault was married to Miss Rachel Dun- bar, a daughter of William and Isabella Dunbar, of

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Cross Creek Township, and they have had three children: Laura Belle, who resides with her parents; David Roy, who is now deceased; and Nellie Eberta, who is a pop- ular teacher in the Cross Creek high school. Mr. Gault and family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek village, and he has been an elder in the church for the past twenty years. Mr. Gault has never been very active in politics, taking much more interest in developing his land, but he has served for two years as a school director and performs all the public duties of a good citizen. He is a stockholder in the Hickory Telephone Company. He is a stanch advocate of tem- perance in all things and casts his vote in favor of the Prohibition party.

WILSON L. ELLIOTT, a retired capitalist and for- mer successful farmer, has occupied his handsome brick residence at McDonald, Pa., since 1903, and is well known and very highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. He was born in Allegheny Co., Pa., January 18, 1856, and is a son of Morgan and Mary (Walker) Elliott.

The father of Mr. Elliott was engaged in farming all through his active life. Both he and wife are de- ceased and their burial was in the Robeson Run Ceme- tery. They had the following children: Joseph W., Elizabeth, Isabel, Huldah, Jennie, Wilson L. and James M. Of the above family, Elizabeth is deceased. Isabel is the wife of Dr. T. M. Fife. Huldah married A. E. Fife. Jennie married J. J. Patterson.

Wilson L. Elliott attended the district schools more or less regularly until he was eighteen years old and after that followed farming until he came to McDonald, in 1903. He is a stockholder in both banks at Mc- Donald and is a director in the Trust Company.

In 1891, Mr. Elliott was married to Miss Elizabeth Pease, a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Pease. Mrs. Elliott had two brothers and one sister: Everett, deceased; Wilson, and Anna, the latter of whom is the wife of Frank DeNormandie. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have two children: Mary and Morgan, both of whom attend school at McDonald. The family belongs to the United Presbyterian Church. In his political views, Mr. Elliott is a Democrat.

CYRUS MORROW, a prominent citizen of Washing- ton County and one of its most efficient and popular public officials, serving at present as register of wills, is a member of one of the pioneer families of this sec- tion. He was born in Donegal Township, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of Abraham and Jane (De France) Morrow, and a grandson of William Morrow. The lat- ter was a native of the north of Ireland and was the founder of the family in Washington County.

Cyrus Morrow had no exceptional advantages in his

youth, his education being mainly acquired through individual study and contact with the great world, with experience as his teacher. He turned his attention to farming at an early date, and after his marriage, lo- cated on property near Acheson, in Buffalo Township, where he remained until 1880, when he purchased the George W. Guy farm, situated on Dutch Fork of Buf- falo Creek, just above their point of juncture. He en- gaged in farming on a large scale and was one of the most extensive wool growers in the county. His ability as a business man and financier was recognized and he was accorded a position in the front rank among the affluent citizens of his township. Politically he has al- ways been a firm believer in the wisdom and justice of Republican principles, has consistently worked for the success of the party of his choice and has received hearty party recognition. He has filled numerous township offices and in 1906 began his first term as register of wills, and is now serving his second term in that capacity, his term to expire January 1, 1912. As a public official his duties have been discharged in the same capable manner as his private transactions and with such un- varying faithfulness as to place him high in the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Morrow was married August 26, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Condit, who was born in Amwell Township, Washington County, July 1, 1853, and is a daughter of Cephas and Mary (Bane) Condit. To this marriage have been born the following children: Minnie E., Franklin S., Garfield B., David C., Earle, Ethel, Eliza- beth J., Guy and Donald A. Minnie E. Morrow married Clyde S. Smith and they reside at Dunsport, Pa.

HON. JOSEPH R. MeLAIN, president of the Na- tional Bank of Claysville, Pa., and formerly a member of both House and Senate in the Pennsylvania State Legislature, is a man of high standing in Washington County, his private character as well as his public serv- ices securing him the confidence and regard of his fellow citizens. He was born in Cross Creek Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., January 8, 1828, and is a son of William and Margaret (McLelland) McLain.

John McLain, the grandfather, was born near Gettys- burg, Pa., later lived at Pittsburg and came from Alle- gheny County to Washington County, locating permanent- ly on a farm between Washington and Canonsburg. William McLain was born on that farm, which was lo- cated one and one-half miles from Washington. After the death of his father he had to care for the family and for more than thirty years engaged in teaching. He was a justice of the peace for a number of years and was one of Cross Creek's best known citizens. He died in 1872, having lived a long and useful life. He mar- ried Margaret MeLelland, who was born in Huntington

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County, Pa., and of their family of ten children, Joseph R. was next to the youngest, and is the only one living.

Joseph R. McLain was well educated, attending the schools of Buffalo Township and having private teachers and later he became a teacher himself and while he de- voted his summers to farming and stock raising for twen- ty years, passed his winters in the school room, with book and ferule. For a short period he engaged also in the mercantile business at Claysville and Taylorstown, but, in 1890, when the National Bank of Claysville was organized, he accepted the presidency and has continued to shape its policy ever since. Not only has Mr. MeLain been prominent in business activities but he has also been a power in politics in Washington County. With the greatest acceptability to his constituents he served one term of two years in the lower House of Representa- tives in the State Legislature and approval was conclu- sively shown when he was elected to the State Senate for a term of four years. He is identified with the Re- publican party.

Mr. McLain was married to Miss Susanna Ralston, who was born at Claysville, a daughter of James and Susanna Ralston, well known residents of this place, and nine children have been born to this union, namley: Lauretta Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of John M. Gamble; William J. E., who is cashier of the National Bank of Claysville; Margaret, who is the wife of Dr. J. N. Sprowls, of Claysville; John A., who resides at Wilkins- burg, Pa .; Joseph Milton, who died aged thirty years; David, who lives in California; Susanna S., who is the wife of W. L. Noble, of Martin's Ferry, Ohio; Rebecca, who is the wife of Rev. H. B. King, of Harrisburg; and George W., who had passed his twenty-second birthday at the time of his death. Mr. McLain and family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Clays- ville, with which religious body he has been connected since youth, and is a member of the Session.

HENRY F. CARL, a successful agriculturist of Wash- ington County, Pa., and the owner of several large prop- erties in Independence Township, was born in Schon- hagen, in Province of Hanover, Germany, August 21, 1848, a son of Henry and Hannah (Overman) Carl na- tives of that country.

The parents of Mr. Carl came to the United States in 1856, located on a farm in Washington County, Pa., and there began the cultivation of the soil, and spent the remainder of their lives in Donegal Township. They were the parents of children as follows: Caroline, who is the widow of George Kindemond, residing at Hickory; Lucinda, who married Henry Gunther, residing in Done- gal Township; Hannah, who is the wife of Charles Schmitz, of Pittsburg; Eliza, who is the widow of Henry

Danenburg, of Wheeling; Minnie, who is the wife of Georgs Arns, of Jefferson Township; and Henry F.

Henry F. Carl was eight years of age when he ac- companied his parents to this country, and until he was sixteen years old he attended the school situated near his father's farm. He remained on the home farm until his first marriage, in 1873, when he became a tenant farmer, and so continued until 1896, in this year locating on his own farm of 106 acres in Independence Town- ship, which he had previously purchased, and in 1902 bought the farm adjoining this property, a tract of 131 acres. His first purchase of land was when he bought out the other heirs to his father's old property in Done- gal Township, consisting of some fifty acres. This he sold and later purchased his present farm of 106 acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and makes a specialty of sheep breeding, while still operating the two farms. His land has all been acquired by his own efforts, assisted by those of his children, and his career is a striking example of what may be accomplished by a man through perseverance and industry. In politics a Democrat, Mr. Carl has been too busy looking after his farming interests to give much attention to public affairs, although he has done his duty as a citizen by serving as school director. The family is connected with the Presbyterian Church.

In 1873, Mr. Carl was married (first) to Rachel Mc- Pherson, a daughter of Daniel and Nancy McPherson, of Donegal Township, and to this union there were born the following children: Nannie, the wife of William Cunningham, who has four children, namely Ethel, Mary, Edna and Henry; Mollie, the wife of Ira Moore, of Independence Township; Ida, residing at home; Sadie, who lives with relatives at Claysville; Lucy, the wife of Robert Craig, of Hopewell Township, and they have a son, Robert Carl Craig; George C., of Independence Township, who is married and has a son, Clarence; and James W., Annie and Grover, living at home, Annie be- ing a school teacher. The mother of these children died in 1887, and was buried in Donegal Cemetery. In 1893, Mr. Carl was married to Lou Adams, daughter of Alex- ander and Lucinda Adams, of Independence Township, and two children have been born to this union: Twila and Earl L., both students at school.

ABRAHAM MORROW, deceased, for many years was one of the leading agriculturists of Washington County, Pa. He was born in West Bethlehem Township, Washing- ton County, in 1816, and was a son of George and Hes- ter (Poole) Morrow and a grandson of William Morrow.

George Morrow was born in the north of Ireland and was a son of William Morrow, a native of that part of Ireland, who was of Scotch-Irish parentage. William

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Morrow was the first of the family to settle in Washing- ton County, establishing a home for himself and family near Hillsboro, in West Bethlehem Township. At the time of his death he was living with his son George, in Donegal Township. George Morrow remained on the home farm in West Bethlehem Township until some time subsequent to his marriage, when he moved to a farm on the Dutch Fork, about one mile from its confluence with Big Buffalo Creek, in Donegal Township, and resided there during the remainder of his life. He married Hes- ter Poole and they became the parents of the following children: David, Abraham, Noah, Thomas, Elizabeth, Matilda and Mary.

Abraham Morrow grew up on the home farm and the education he received was obtained in the subscription schools. His life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and he acquired an ample fortune. For some years fol- lowing his marriage he resided on a farm in Donegal Township and then moved for a few years to Licking County, Ohio, but subsequently returned to the old farm in Washington County. His death occurred February 12, 1888. He was a man to whom his fellow citizens ac- corded respect and esteem. He was a consistent member of the Christian Church and contributed liberally to the erection of the Dutch Fork church edifice and parsonage. When he removed to Licking County he found no church of his faith in the section in which he located and while he lived there was largely instrumental in the erection of a suitable church edifice and the establishment of a congregation which has prospered.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 113

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