History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 116

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 116

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David Herron, who was born in Kentucky, became a captain on the lower river and about 1844 came to Mo- nongahela City. He married Eliza Alexander, and after the birth of their only child, the subject of this sketch, he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died in 1864, after which his widow returned with her son to Mononga- hela City, where she died in 1907, at the advanced age of eighty-four years.

Joseph Alexander, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born April 1, 1795, a son of one of the pioneers of the Upper Monongahela Valley, who came here from Cecil County, Md., in 1763. Joseph Alexander first engaged in business in Monongahela in 1828 as a general trader, in a log house on Main street, and later engaged in the banking business, taking in his son, William J., as a partner in 1843. The business was car- ried on under the firm name of Joseph Alexander & Son, and continued under that name until 1850, when the present firm of Alexander & Company was organized. Joseph Alexander died June 20, 1871. James S. Alexan- der, one of the younger sons of Joseph Alexander, who was born August 28, 1828, became a member of the bank- ing firm in about 1864, and a few years previous to his death, in 1904, he divided his interest between his two sons, William H. and Frederick K., who with Joseph A. Herron, constitute the present banking firm, Alexander & Company, of Monongahela City. William J. Alexan- der died June 8, 1894.

Joseph A. Herron spent part of his boyhood days in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended the common schools, and after the death of his father, he and his mother re- turned to Monongahela City, Pa., and his education was completed at the Westchester Military Academy at Westchester, Pa. In 1866 he entered the bank of Alex- ander & Company as clerk, became a member of that firm in 1870, and after the death of his uncle, James Alexander, became senior member of the firm, of which he is the present head and active manager. The new building, which was erected in 1906, is a monument to the energy of the present firm. Mr. Herron is typical of the modern man of affairs, an indefatigable worker, with whom the affairs of Alexander & Company are ever foremost, but one who also finds time to do his part for civic betterment, and also devotes considerable time to his church and social duties. That he is a banker of a high order is shown by the fact that he is president of the Monongahela Trust Company; president of the Farm- ers' and Miners' Bank of Bentleyville; is a director of the Farmers' Deposit National Bank; the Farmers' De- posit Savings Bank of Pittsburg; is a director of the

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Reliance Life Insurance Company, and is also identified with various other business concerns of the county. Mr. Herron owns a valuable farm of 190 acres on Ginger Hill, and also his fine residence property which is located on Meade street. Politically he is identified with the Re- publican party, and is president and one of the board of managers of the Monongahela Cemetery. He has held membership with the Presbyterian Church for many years, and is also a deacon. He is fraternally affiliated with the Masons, the B. P. O. E., and the Jr. O. U. A. M.

Mr. Herron was married October 25, 1877, to Mary Campbell, a daughter of William and Eliza (Shaw) Campbell, of Butler County, Pa., and of their union were born: William A .; D. Campbell, who married Julia Abrahams; Joseph A .; Donald James; John; Ethel; and Gertrude.

JAMES WESLEY GILLESPIE, one of Washington County 's substantial citizens and solid, reliable men, resides on his farm of 60 acres which is situated in Cross Creek Township and also owns a farm of 150 acres, which lies in Jefferson Township. He was born in the latter township Nov. 7, 1863, and is a son of W. J. and Sarah E. (Gillespie) Gillespie. His parents were farming people and he was their eldest child, the other members of the family being as follows: John, Charles, Nannie, Minnie, Venia, Winnifred and Ella Nora.

James Wesley Gillespie obtained his education in the public schools of Jefferson Township which he attended during the winter sessions until he was about 20 years of age, after which he gave the larger part of his at- tention to farming and raising stock. Since 1906, as a side line, he has done considerable butchering and supplies meat to the miners in the coal works adjacent to his farm. In the management of his property, Mr. Gillespie has shown the industry, forethought and good management which is pretty sure to bring about suc- cess.

On Feb. 19, 1885, Mr. Gillespie was married to Miss Mary E. McBride, a daughter of James and Elizabeth McBride, of Cross Creek Township, and to them have been born the following children: Viola B., who mar- ried Albert Boles, of Eldersville; James A., who resides in Colorado; Ethel G., who is the wife of Frank An- drews, of West Newton, Pa., and they have a son, Leslie; William W. and Homer R., both of whom live at home. Mr. Gillespie is a broad-minded man and a believer in higher education and he has given his children excellent advantages, two of them being graduates of the High School at Eldersville. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been a lifelong Republican, but has always declined to serve in public office, although well qualified in every way to do so. He is an Odd

Fellow and has passed all the chairs in Lodge No. 805 at Eldersville.

W. E. McCURDY, one of Burgettstown's leading citi- zens and representative business men, conducting a large drug business as his main interest at present, was born at Eldersville, Washington Co., Pa., May 14, 1866, a son of Dr. J. K. and Elizabeth (Love) McCurdy.

W. E. McCurdy was educated in the schools of Clin- ton and Florence and then learned the drug business, spending two years in Gettysburg, two more years at Tarport, then a suburb of Bradford, and also some time in a suburb of Philadelphia. Since his marriage, in 1898, he has resided at Burgettstown, where he has become identified with business interests and public affairs. For 17 years he has been local manager of the Bell Telephone Company, in which he is also a stock- holder; is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Burgettstown National Bank, and is proprietor of a. drug store. He has taken an active part in advancing the various interests of the town and at present is serving on the Board of Health.

On Sept. 18, 1898, Mr. McCurdy was married to Miss Jennie L. MeCorkle, a daughter of J. S. and Jennie L. McCorkle, and they have two children: Grace Elizabeth and John C. Mr. McCurdy is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, in which he is. an elder, and he is superintendent of the large and interested Sunday school Mr. McCurdy is a Prohi- bitionist and an active worker in the cause of temper- ance. He has been treasurer of Fairview Cemetery for the past ten years, being a charter member of the asso- ciation.

JOHN MILTON DAY, a representative citizen of South Franklin Township, where he successfully carries on a general line of agriculture, stock raising and sheep growing for wool, was born in Morris Township, Wash- ington, Co., Pa., Aug. 26, 1847. His parents were J. Miller and Elizabeth (Hanna) Day. The family is so old and so important a one in this section that the records have been preserved away back through the grandfather, John Day, to Daniel Day and Samuel Day, the founder of the family in Pennsylvania.

George Day emigrated from England to Connecticut in the seventeenth century and thence removed to Newark, N. J. His descendants are quite numerous in that region. His son, Samuel Day, came from New Jersey to Pennsylvania about 1775 and took up land in Morris Township, Washington County, and here became a farmer and man of substance. He was the father of four sons: Daniel, Samuel, Joseph and Benjamin, and one daughter, Joanna.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Daniel Day continued to reside on the land which his father had secured, adding to its improvements and value thereby, and lived to advanced age, dying in 1811. He left six sons and three daughters: Calvin, William, John, Samuel, Stephen, Cephas, Abigail, Eleanor and Electa.

John Day, son of Daniel, succeeded his father and grandfather on the homestead and retained possession of all the land during his life. On Sept. 2, 1813, by Rev. C. Dodd, John Day was married to Sarah Miller, of Amwell Township, Washington Co., Pa., and they had eleven children born to them: Eliza, Mary, Sarah, J. Miller, Daniel, Harvey, Annie, Abigail, Cyrus, Jessie and Meribah. Of these, Eliza was the wife of George Wolf and lived at Ninevah, Greene Co., Pa. Mary was the wife of John Brownlee and lived in Franklin Town- ship, Washington County. Sarah was the wife of Robert Baldwin and lived in Morris Township. Daniel was married (first) to Mary Bates and (second) to Etta Johns and resides at Canonsburg, Pa. Harvey was married (first) to Caroline McCollum and (second) to Mrs. Mary Harris, and moved to Lincoln, Neb. Annie was married (first) to Elias Conger, and (second) to Dr. Strauss, of Amity, Pa. Abigail married H. C. Swart, of Washington County, Pa. Cyrus died when aged 8 years, and Jessie and Meribah, twins, both died in infancy.

J. Miller Day, the fourth member of the above family and the father of John Milton Day, was a lifelong resi- dent of Washington County and a large portion of this time was spent in Morris Township. He obtained ele- mentary training in the early subscription schools, these often being held in abandoned log dwellings and for- tunately one was situated near the Day homestead. His advantages were equal to those enjoyed by his asso- ciates and he, like many others, grew in wisdom as years were added to them. Much of the surrounding country at that time was practically unsettled, although much advance had been made from the time when the first member of the Day family penetrated into the wilderness. When Samuel Day first took up his tract of virgin land, an old fort stood in the southeastern part of Franklin Township and aged survivors would often relate to the younger generation of Days the fear- some adventures and terrifying experiences of early life on that border. Frequently the mothers would have to hasten with their little children clinging to them and take shelter within this fort when there were indications of visits from the Indians, who, in that section were savage at that time. The old fort no longer exists, but doubtless many a romance has been written around it. Among the first settlers to exert a real civilizing influ- ence, the Days without doubt were the foremost, the men of this family being industrious, energetic and

enterprising and the women, courageous and frugal. Evidence was given by the rapid clearing of their lands, the erection of substantial buildings, the gathering of flocks and herds and the establishing of well ordered households. These characteristics of the Days continue into the present generation.

The death of J. Miller Day occurred in 1903, after a long and useful life. Politically he was a Democrat and on several occasions was elected to the office of justice of the peace and from 1866 until 1869, he served the county as a director of the poor. For many years his presence and support were given to the Upper Ten- Mile Presbyterian Church, in which he held the office of deacon for a protracted period.

On Jan. 19, 1843, J. Miller Day was married to Miss Elizabeth Hanna, a daughter of John V. Hanna, of Morris Township, Washington County, and to this union seven children were born, namely: Martha Maria, who became the wife of John N. Weir, of Franklin Town- ship; Sarah Ann, who died in 1848; John Milton; Elsie Jane, who married William Ashbrook, of East Finley Township; George Hamilton, who died in 1854; Hugh Allison, who married Annie Andrews, and Mary Eliza- beth, who married Allen J. Mowl, of West Bethlehem Township. The mother of the above family died in 1872 and was interred in the cemetery at Prosperity. J. Miller Day was married two years later to Mrs. Mary (Wise) McKenna.

John Milton Day attended the schools which are now situated in South Franklin Township and afterward turned his attention to agricultural pursuits as his father before him. His exceptionally fine farm of 163 acres he took possession of in 1874. He has long been numbered with the successful stock raisers and wool growers of this part of the county, worthily upholding the Day name as leading agriculturists and stockmen in Washington County.

On Oct. 12, 1871, John M. Day was married to Miss Margaret Weir, who was born in South Franklin Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., and is a daughter of the late Joseph Weir, who once was a prominent and sub- stantial farmer of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Day two children were born, Elizabeth H. and Lenora P., the latter of whom is now deceased. The former is the wife of L. T. Young, who is engaged in farming in South Franklin Township, and they have three children, namely : Margaret L., Helen M. and John D. Mr. Day and family are members of the old Upper Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church, to which the Day family has given both moral and material support for so many years. In this body Mr. Day is serving as one of the elders of the church. Mr. Day was reared in the Democratic party and has always continued his nominal allegiance to the same, but he has independent proclivities and frequently,

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in local affairs has cast his vote in favor of the candidate who, in his judgment, seems best qualified. He has never been a seeker for office, but has frequently been selected by his fellow citizens for responsible township positions and he has served at different times as as- sessor, as constable and also as township collector.

MAJ. WILLIAM WORKMAN, who was for many years one of the most prominent men in Washington County, Pa., was identified with both public and political life and held many offices of trust and honor. He was born in Washington, Pa., Mar. 26, 1818, and died here Jan. 2, 1901, and was a son of Gen. Samuel Workman and a grandson of Hugh Workman.

The Workman family was established in this country by four brothers, who came from County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1777, and James and Hugh located in Wash- ington County, Pa., just east of the borough of Wash- ington. Hugh and James Workman were both soldiers in the Revolutionary War and were members of Col. William Crawford's expedition against Sandusky in 1792. They were both members of the same company when the army on its outward march left the Mingo Bottom, but when Col. Crawford selected his light horse cavalry, Hugh joined it, and James remained in the ranks of the mounted infantry. Hugh Workman mar- ried Peggy Bryson and soon after the town of Wash- ington was laid out purchased property on South Main street, where he continued his residence until his death, Nov. 20, 1843, at the age of 84 years.

Gen. Samuel Workman, a son of Hugh Workman, was born Jan. 11, 1793, in Washington, and was one of Washington County's most prominent citizens. He mar- ried Nancy McCammant, a daughter of William Mc- Cammant, who kept a tavern at the sign of the "Cross Keys" on the corner of Main and Wheeling streets. Gen. Workman was editor of the Washington "Re- porter" from 1819 until 1821, and during that time showed that he was a fearless and effective writer. Upon leaving journalistic work he entered the militia and rose through the various ranks to Brig .- General. On Aug. 11, 1821, he was appointed county treasurer by the commissioners, was reappointed the two succeed- ing years, and at the October election in 1823 was chosen sheriff, and being commissioned on the 25th of that same month, he resigned the treasurership. He was elected a member of the State Legislature in 1827, re-elected in 1828 and 1829, and on May 11, 1830, Gov. Wolf appointed him secretary of the land office, to which he was reappointed in 1833, and served in that capacity until May 10, 1836. He was appointed post- master of Washington on Mar. 23, 1839, and served until Dec. 24, 1840, and on Jan. 4, 1841, was again appointed treasurer of the county. His death occurred Mar. 31,

1841, after having figured prominently and creditably in county and state politics, and was at all times held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.

Maj. William Workman practically spent his entire life in Washington and vicinity, but during his early manhood went to Iowa with the intention of locating there, and not liking the outlook returned to Washing- ton and bought the old Workman homestead, where he lived until the time of his death. Although not strong physically, he was a man of great energy and indomit- able will. His education was obtained in private schools and at the Washington College, and he acquired a thor- ough training in business affairs, which well fitted him for the many offices of trust and honor which he held in later life. He early became interested in local poli- tics, and was the recognized leader of the Democratic party, a position which he held for many years after the average man tires of the strife and contention of political wrangling and gives way to younger men. He was many times chairman of the Democratic County convention and always discharged the trust thus reposed in him with zeal and fidelity. During his younger days he was twice his party's candidate for county office, and was elected county treasurer in 1841, and in 1845 was elected to the office of register. He was afterward chosen one of the jury commissioners of the county, and it is said, that Maj. Workman had the honor of being the first county treasurer after that office was made elective, and to have been with Hon. J. R. Mc- Lain, of Claysville, the first jury commissioners chosen in the county. He was the first county officer to occupy a room in the court house which was taken down in 1898. Few men in the county have done so much business as he in the settlement of estates. He was called upon to draw deeds, write wills, and legal papers of various kinds, and managed and settled many estates, and was thus engaged down to the day when stricken with his fatal illness. He was a friend to the poor and un- fortunate and hundreds of cases could be cited where he befriended individuals and families, not only with kind words and advice, but with substantial aid. - There are many such in Washington County who will long cherish his memory. As a citizen he was enterprising and lib- eral in the matter of improvements that commended themselves to his judgment. This is well illustrated in his subscriptions and donations toward the building of railroads and the betterment of county roads. He was one of the prime movers in the construction of the Upper Ten-Mile plank road and he did much toward having the B. & O. R. R. built through the county. He was the trustee appointed by the United States Courts to advertise and sell the old Hempfield road and the purchase of it by the B. & O. R. R. was brought about largely through his influence with the B. & O. directors.

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At the time of his death and for many years previous he was a director in the Wheeling branch of the B. & O. R. R., and at the annual meetings of the stockholders of his company was always chosen as presiding officer. In his home Mr. Workman was the typical old-fashioned gentleman, always taking the greatest pleasure in hav- ing his friends come and partake of his hospitality.

On Jan. 11, 1853, Maj. Workman was joined in mar- riage with Mary Jones, a daughter of Charles E. and Susan (Judson) Jones, the former a cabinet-maker and general contractor. She was born in England and when a babe in arms came with her parents to this country. She was one of ten children born to her parents, of whom but four are living: Mrs. Workman; Jane E., who resides on West Wheeling street, Washington, Pa., married William H. Taylor, and is the mother of Hon. J. F. Taylor, Common Pleas Judge of Washington County; Rev. Sylvester F. Jones, D. D., of Washing- ton, D. C., and George O. Jones, a prominent attorney of Washington, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Workman had three children born to them; Samuel, who resides in Washing- ton, Pa .; and Annie and Ida, who with their mother live at the old Workman homestead at No. 645 E. Maiden street, Washington, this property having been in the possession of the Workman family for over a century.

WILLIAM SIMPSON THROCKMORTON, M. D., of Canonsburg, was born in Franklin Township, Greene County, Pa., three miles west of Waynesburg, and is a son of Morford and Nancy (Simpson) Throckmorton.

The genealogy of the Throckmortons can be traced from 1130 A. D. to 1909. From England and the north of Ireland came the ancestors of Dr. Throckmorton and. America has had a number of the name, in both its original and its abbreviated spelling, that have brought distinction upon the family, their sections and them- selves. Mention may be made of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as of the late Gov. Morton, of Indiana, and others equally noted. Both grandparents on the maternal side were converted to Methodism under the preaching of John Wesley him- self and the paternal grandfather, Job Throckmorton, was a convert to the same faith. He was one of its pioneers in the vicinity of Monmouth, N. J., where he purchased land and built an early Methodist chapel and on many occasions entertained Bishop Asbury, the cele- brated divine of that religious body. The children born to Job Throckmorton and his wife, Martha, were as follows: Joseph, who died in Greene County, Pa., aged 96 years and six months; James, who lived also to be 96 years old, dying in Greene County; Job, who lived and died in New Jersey; Morford, father of Dr. Throck- morton; Barnes, who died at the age of 45 years, in

New Jersey; Archibald, who died, aged 83 years, in Ohio; Mary Jane, who was the wife of Rev. Eliphalet Reed, died at Mt. Joy, Pa., aged about 80 years; and Eunice, who was the wife of James Barklow, died in New Jersey, when aged about 80 years. The old New Jersey home of the Throckmorton family was at Free- hold, a village situated within three miles of the battle- field of Monmouth.

Morford Throckmorton, father of Dr. Throckmorton, was born in the old family home near Monmouth, N. J., and remained there until he reached manhood, when he moved to Greene County, Pa., where he was subse- quently married to Nancy Simpson, who was one of a large family born to John Simpson and wife, who were early settlers in Greene County. To this marriage were born the following children: Lucy, who died young; Samuel, who married Nancy Reese and was killed by lightning, when aged 66 years; Morford, who died near Chariton, in Lucas County, Iowa, married a Miss Elder ; John, who died in Lucas County, Iowa, when aged near 80 years, married Nancy Lazear; Margaret, who mar- ried Caleb Grimes, died in Greene County, at the age of 71 years; Alice, who is the wife of Jesse Lazear, re- sides in Greene County, Pa .; Rebecca, who married Dr. James Guiher, of Waynesburg, died in 1908, aged 71 years; Sarah, who died at Afton, Iowa, aged 60 years, was the wife of Joseph Milligan; William Simpson, of Canonsburg; Eliphalet Reed, who resides near Waynes- burg, married Samantha Hill; Caroline, who is the widow of George Waddell, resides at Waynesburg; and Agnes, who died when aged 6 years. The father of the above family survived to be 92 years of age. The mother died when aged 67 years.

William Simpson Throckmorton was reared and re- ceived his primary and preparatory education in Greene County and later entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated in the class of 1865. He immediately located at Nineveh, Greene County, Pa., and there he remained for 42 years, during all that period engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1907, Dr. Throckmorton came to Canonsburg and entered into practice with his son, who had previously been associated with him for two and one-half years at Nineveh. In 1866, Dr. Throckmorton was married to Miss Caroline Hill, a daughter of Jesse and Maria (Hoskinson) Hill, and they have four children: Jessie, Charles B., William and Morford. The only daughter is the wife of Dr. T. R. Kerr, of Oakmont, Pa., and they have a daughter, Virginia. Charles B. Throckmorton has been a resident of Canonsburg for ten years and enjoys a large and substantial medical practice. From the schools of Greene County he entered the Ohio Wes- leyan University, where he subsequently graduated, spent one term at Jefferson Medical College, graduated

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in medicine at the Western Pennsylvania Medical College at Pittsburg and took a post graduate course on the eye, ear and throat, at Philadelphia. He married Miss Mary Donaldson and they have two children: William D. and Caroline. He and his father are now associated in practice and have well appointed offices in the Gowern Building, at Canonsburg. William Throckmorton is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University and of the Pittsburg Dental College and for nine years has been engaged in practice, located at Vernon, Pa. Morford Throckmorton, the youngest son, is a graduate of Wash- ington and Jefferson College and of the Philadelphia Dental College and is located in practice at Beaver, Pa.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 116

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