History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 118

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 118

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OLIVER COLLINS POLLOCK, better known in Washington County, Pa., as O. C. C. Pollock, has been engaged in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture in North Strabane Township since April, 1881, but prior to that had had a career which included some years of military adventure, a chroncle of which is interesting in the ex- treme. He is a representative of one of the old and honorable families of the county and enjoys a wide ac- quaintance, extending to every part of it. He was born in North Strabane Township, October 15, 1852, and is a son of Samuel and Esther (McNary) Pollock.

The early ancestors of Mr. Pollock came to America from Scotland in 1736 and into Washington County, Pa., previous to the War of the Revolution. Their names are preserved as Samuel and Jane Pollock. Samuel Pollock patented a tract of land in the present limits of North Strabane Township, near Clokeyville, the same being now owned by his great-grandson, W. T. Pollock. Samuel Pollock had three sons: John, Samuel and William, all of whom were prominent factors in the development of Washington County and in many ways connected with its early history.

Of the above sons, William Pollock was the direct an- cestor of Oliver Collins Pollock. He married Jane Mc- Nary and resided all his life in North Strabane Town-

OLIVER C. POLLOCK

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

ship, Washington County. In early days he operated an ox-mill, which had been erected by John Calhoun, and to this mill came settlers with their grain from many miles around.

Samuel Pollock, a son of William and father of Oliver C., was a farmer and manufacturer and resided for many years at Canonsburg. He took a prominent part in the organization of the Republican party in Washington County and was foremost in all local enterprises. He was one of the organizers of the Oak Spring Cemetery Asso- ciation and was the main support of a female seminary in Canonsburg, known as "Olome Institute" for several years. This seminary occupied the site of the First Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg, which was first known as the David Templeton property.

Oliver C. C. Pollock in early manhood added an addi- tional initial to his name, on account of having a brother with initials of A. C. residing at the same time at Can- onsburg, and retained the initial after the death of the brother. He was taken to Canonsburg by his parents, in 1857, and as he grew older, attended the public schools. In 1868 and 1869 he was a student at Dixon and Dun- bar's Academy, which is now known as Jefferson Acad- emy, and in 1871 and 1872, at Washington and Jefferson College, going from there to Westminster College, where he spent two years and graduated from the latter insti- tution in the class of 1874. In the fall of that year he entered the United Presbyterian Seminary, at Allegheny, where he pursued his studies until the late fall of 1875. At this time the discovery of gold in the Black Hills was made known to the country and young men from all points in the East were attracted thither, some with the hope of securing fortune and others in the spirit of ad- venture which, at various times, has been the secret of discoveries frequently attributed to scientific research.

Among the young men, many of them students whose lives prior to this, like Mr. Pollock's had been mainly spent in academic halls, he resolved to visit the Black Hills. His proposal did not meet with the approbation of his father, and in order to get transportation to the supposed treasure land he enlisted under the name of Ira E. Douglass as a soldier in the mounted service, at the recruiting station at Pittsburg, on November 20, 1875, and was transferred from Pittsburg to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and from there in January, 1876, to Fort D. A. Russell, Wyo., and assinged to Co. M, 3rd U. S. Cav., and the young soldier took part in the winter cam- paign against the Sioux Indians, under General Crook. Leaving this fort on February 20, 1876, the command at- tacked Crazy Horse village, at the mouth of Otter Creek, in North Dakota on March 16, 1876, after making a forced march of twenty-four hours, with the thermometer registering forty-five degrees below zero. The command did not get back to Fort Fetterman, from which place

they were out twenty-six days, and the average tempera- ture was twenty-six below zero, until March 29th. This was a rough experience for the prospective young gold miner and soldier of fortune, but it was only a beginning of experiences he had scarcely conceived of previously. In June, 1876, his command participated in the summer campaign against Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull's bands of Sioux Indians, the memorable campaign in which the brave Gen. Custer lost his life. In May, 1876, Gen. Crook's command left Fort Russell and on the 17th of June engaged in a running fight with 3,300 Sioux on Rosebud River and were within three miles of the death trap at the mouth of Dead Man's Canyon, in Montana, and were only saved from Custer's fate through the sagacity of Frank Guiard, a half-breed scout, who was with the party. Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill and Texas Jack, all notable scouts, were also with this command. The fight on June 17, 1876, was practically a draw .. Gen. Crook was obliged to return fifty miles to his supply station for ammunition, and the Custer disaster followed within a few days. On August 5, 1876, Gen. Crook left the supply camp with his troops to avenge Gen. Custer. They trailed the Indians through the Yellow Stone and Powder River valleys, and on the 29th reached the edge of the Bad Lands. For ten days the command was lost here, having missed the trail, but on September 9th, American Horse's village was located and destroyed as was another Indian village eight days later, and in this fight Wild Bill lost his life. The command finally landed in the Black Hills, October 5, 1876, after much hard- ship on account of the supplies having run out, the men having to subsist on rosebuds and horse flesh. This experience in the Black Hills and Bad Lands completely cured Mr. Pollock of his attack of gold fever and he decided to serve out his time and then, as fast as possible, return to his native State. He still had many experi- ences, however, before he saw again the welcome sights of home. He was on duty at Fort Sheridan, near the Spotted Tail Agency, in the winter of 1877, when Crazy Horse went on a rampage, and it was Mr. Pollock who was detailed to carry the news to the Red Cloud Agency, a distance of forty-five miles, and he accomplished this courageous feat within four hours. He was present at the rounding up of Wild Hog and Yellow Hand bands of Cheyenne Indians, in 1877, and assisted in the removal of the Spotted Tail and Red Cloud bands of Sioux to the Ponca Reservation, and subsequently, in 1878, to the Pine Ridge Agency. He was stationed at Fort Sidney, Neb .; Fort McKinney, Wyo .; Camp Rawlins, Fort Lara- mie and Fort D. A. Russell during the remainder of his service and received his honorable and welcome discharge on November 19, 1880. He reached the old homestead in Canonsburg, in December, 1880, and in April, 1881, em- barked in farming on the old Judge McDowell farm in

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

North Strabane Township, that property being then owned by his father, Samuel Pollock. In 1884, Mr. Pol- lock erected his present residence, and on December 18, 1884, moved into it, and has continued his farm interests here ever since. He has taken a somewhat active interest in county politics, and on the Republican ticket has been elected to numerous township offices, serving as auditor, tax collector, notary public and justice of the peace, and for five years has been chairman of the present committee.

In December, 1880, Mr. Pollock was married to Miss Anna Belle Weaver, a daughter of Thomas D. Weaver, of North Strabane Township, and to them have been born the following children: Bessie J., Viola P., Oscar D., Eliza W., Inez E., Edna L., Adis. C., Earl Collins and Samuel Blaine McDonald. The eldest daughter is the wife of E. L. Campbell, of Midway, Pa. All the children survive with the exception of Edna L., who died aged four months. Mr. Pollock and family are members of the Greenside Avenue United Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg.

JOHN S. CRAIG, a representative of one of Wash- ington County's old and respected families, who is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising in Hopewell Township, was born in Independence Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., July 4, 1851, and is a son of William and Margaret (McFadden) Craig, the former of whom died in 1890.

John S. Craig was educated in the schools of Inde- pendence and Hopewell Townships and ever since early manhood has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and has always resided in his native county.

On December 1, 1886, Mr. Craig was married to Miss Kate Bates, of an old family of Independence Town- ship. She is a daughter of Conrad and Isabella (Gil- more) Bates, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Craig the following children have been born: Alvin McMurray, who lives at home; Mary Belle, who is a student in the Indiana Normal School; Margaret Leanna; John Stan- ley, and Bessie Luella. Mr. and Mrs. Craig are members of the United Presbyterian Church at West Middletown, of which he has been a trustee for twenty years, and Mrs. Craig belongs to the missionary society and takes a great deal of interest in the work. Mr. Craig is a Re- publican as are his brothers and was their late father. He has served as school director and at present is road supervisor.

MORRIS R. WEIR, a retired farmer, residing for the past two years in a comfortable home at No. 99 Donnan avenue, Washington, Pa., for many years was actively engaged in farming and stock raising in South Franklin Township. Mr. Weir was born in 1846, in South Frank- lin Township, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of

Joseph Weir, who was born in Morris Township in 1800, the family being among the earliest settlers of the town- ship.

Morris R. Weir was reared on a farm and obtained his education in the country schools. Prior to coming to Washington he carried on extensive agricultural opera- tions for many years, paying special attention to sheep growing, dealing only in improved stock. At times he had as many as 400 head of sheep at once. In 1906 he built his fine brick residence in Washington.

In October, 1872, Mr. Weir was married to Miss Sarah J. McClain, who was born in Washington County and is a daughter of James McClain. Mr. and Mrs. Weir are members of the Central Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. Formerly he took considerable interest in the public affairs of South Franklin Township and served on the school board for eleven years.

JOHN A. YOUNG, vice-president of the Star Brew- ing Company, a business enterprise of considerable im- portance at Washington, has been a resident of this city for twenty years and is identified with many of its interests. He was born in 1871, in the eastern part of Washington County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob Young, for many years a substantial farmer in North Franklin Township, Washington County.

John A. Young attended the schools near his father's farm and later the Washington schools. His first busi- ness experience was as bookkeeper for the firm of Joseph M. Spriggs & Son, and later he was connected with Will- iam Forgie, in the lumber business, for four years, going from there to the Crescent Brewing Company for one year. Mr. Young then went into business for himself and for the past six years has been vice-president of the Star Brewing Company, the products of which are known all over this section.

In 1896, Mr. Young was married to Miss Ida Redd, who was born in Amwell Township, Washington Co., Pa.

JAMES H. VAN KIRK, one of the prominent and substantial citizens of Amwell Township, owns and oper- ates in association with his brother, Francis J. Van Kirk, about 300 acres of land, engaging in farming and stock raising under the firm name of Van Kirk Brothers. Mr. Van Kirk has been a life-long resident of Amwell Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of Hiram and Anna F. (Hughes) Van Kirk, both of whom were also natives of Amwell Township, both families belonging to the old settled class in this section.

Hiram Van Kirk died July 22, 1908, having passed his entire life in Amwell Township. He was a son of Capt. Joseph Van Kirk and a grandson of Jacob Van Kirk, the latter of whom was one of the early setlers who came to western Pennsylvania from New Jersey. The late

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Hiram Van Kirk was a man of large means, having devoted a long life to farming and stock raising and having met with success in his undertakings. He was a liberal supporter of the Christian Church at Lone Pine, Pa. In his political sentiments he was a Jacksonian Democrat. He married Anna F. Hughes and their two children survive: James H. and Francis J.

James H. Van Kirk obtained a district school educa- tion and has made agricultural industries his main busi- ness through life. His father was a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and an extensive wool grower and the sons have continued to prosper in the same line. Of their large estate 152 acres comprise the homestead farm. They are recognized as good business men and both are held in high esteem as citizens. In politics they are Democrats and on the Democratic ticket, James H. Van Kirk was elected a member of the school board of the township, in February, 1909. They are heartily in favor of the good roads movement and would be pleased to see more general interest taken in something that is of such vital interest to the agricultural regions. The Van Kirk brothers are associated in business and their interests in many things are the same. They give liberal support to the Christian Church at Lone Pine.

ROBERT D. CRAIG, one of Hopewell Township's leading farmers, owns 147 acres of valuable land and makes stock raising, and sheep growing in particular, a prominent feature of his work. He was born in Inde- pendence Township, Washington Co., Pa., September 4, 1867, and is a son of William and Margaret (Dalzell) Craig. The father died October 3, 1890, and the mother died September 5, 1908.

Robert D. Craig attended the district schools of Hope- well and Independence townships, when about twenty years of age went to farming for his father and con- tinued at home and after the death of his father took charge of the home farm.

Mr. Craig was married February 10, 1909, to Miss Lucy Carl, a daughter of Henry and Lucy (McPherson) Carl, formerly of Independence Township, and they have a son, Robert Carl Craig, born December 1, 1909. Like his father, Mr. Craig is a stanch Republican and he has served three terms as road supervisor. He is a member of Pomona Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.

MEL S. MOORHEAD, who conducts a furniture store at McDonald, and is one of the representative business men of the place, was born in Washington County, Pa., May 9, 1874, and is a son of William B. and Margaret (Johnston) Moorhead.

William B. Moorhead was a son of Samuel and Eliza- beth (Sprowl) Moorhead. For many years he engaged

in farming in Cecil Township and was a leading citizen there, serving in township offices and for two years was a justice of the peace. He married Margaret Johnston, a daughter of Thomas and Susannah (Scott) Johnston, natives of County Donegal, Ireland. Both William B. Moorhead and wife are now deceased and their burial was in Arlington Cemetery. They had the following children: Rosena, who is the wife of Dr. W. A. La Ross, of MeDonald; Mel S .; T. B., who lives in Cali- fornia; and R. J., whose home is in Philadelphia.

Mel S. Moorhead was educated in the public schools and Ingleside Academy, which formerly was a somewhat noted educational institution at McDonald. After com- pleting his school attendance, he went into the furniture business at McDonald, serving for two years as an em- ploye of S. H. Cook, during that time gaining knowledge and experience, and then went into partnership with J. F. Giffin. Later he bought Mr. Giffin's interest and has continued alone ever since. He carries a large stock which includes furniture, carpets, stoves and general housefurnishings.

In July, 1908, Mr. Moorhead was married to Miss Bessie Douglass, a daughter of T. M. and Julia (McCaus- land) Douglass, residents of McDonald. She has three brothers: Robert, J. A. and Leon, the second named being a physician at McDonald. Mr. and Mrs. Moor- head are members of the First United Presbyterian Church at MeDonald. In politics, he is a Republican. He is one of the directors in the First National Bank at McDonald, and is also a stockholder in the Water and Electric Light Company.

Mr. and Mrs. Moorhead have one daughter, Julia Douglass, whose welcome was given her on April 16, 1909.

WINFIELD MCILVAINE, senior member of the well known law firm of MeIlvaine and Clark, with offices at No. 410 Washington Trust Building, Washington, Pa., is a man of prominence throughout this section of Penn- sylvania, not alone for his successes in the legal profes- sion, but as well for his activity in the field of journal- ism, and the results he accomplished in behalf of the Republican party. Mr. McIlvaine was born in Somerset Township, Washington Co., Pa., January 30, 1856, and is a son of S. B. and Catherine (Hill) McIlvaine.

S. B. McIlvaine, the father, was one of the substan- tial men and representative farmers of eastern Wash- ington County, where the family has long been estab- lished. The Hills, to which family his wife belongs, are an old and prominent family of the southeastern part of the county. S. B. and Catherine MeIlvaine became parents of the following children: Winfield; Arabelle, who is the widow of William M. Irwin; Ella Laverne,

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who is the wife of Josiah Thomas; Lena, who is the wife of R. A. Nicholl; and U. G., Julia, who is the wife of Julius W. Nicholl; and Edwin L.

Winfield McIlvaine was educated in the local schools and at Canonsburg Academy, attending that institution for two years. During the winter of 1876-7 he taught in the district schools of Somerset Township, and in the fall of the latter year he entered as a sophomore, Wash- ington and Jefferson College, from which he was gradu- ated with honors, in June, 1880. Prior to this, in June, 1879, he had commenced his law studies, in the office and under the direction of his cousin, Hon. J. A. McIl- vaine, later president judge of the Forty-seventh Judi- cial District. The two years immediately following his graduation were spent on his father's farm with a view to recuperating his physical powers, which had been greatly taxed by his close application to his studies. He also engaged in teaching school to some extent, during this period.

In the fall of 1882, he began his activity in politics, as secretary of the Republican County Committee, in which capacity he served during the campaign of that and the three succeeding years. In 1883, at the June term of court, he was admitted to the bar of Washing- ton County, and in the fall of the same year, he pur- chased of Hon. E. F. Acheson, an interest in the Wash- ington "Observer," which was the recognized exponent of Republican principles in Washington County. He continued in this relation until October, 1890, when he disposed of his interest to Mr. Acheson. On January 1, 1891, he entered into the general practice of law in asso- ciation with Hon. J. F. Taylor, the partnership of Tay- lor and MeIlvaine continuing until June 25, 1895, and enjoying a prestige throughout this whole section of Pennsylvania. After the dissolution of this firm, Mr. MeIlvaine became a partner of W. S. Parker, Esq., under the name and style of Parker & McIlvaine, a combination of legal talent which continued until April 1, 1904, when the firm was enlarged to that of Parker, McIlvaine and Clark, by the addition of Norman E. Clark, Esq. This firm continued until April 1, 1907, when Mr. Parker withdrew, leaving the firm as it now stands, McIlvaine and Clark. Mr. McIlvaine has also been identified with various enterprises of Washington, and at the present time is a director of the Washington Trust Company.

On October 19, 1892, Mr. McIlvaine was united in marriage with Elizabeth S. Stewart, who is a daughter of the late Galbraith Stewart. They reside on East Maiden street. They are members of the First Presby- terian Church of Washington.

C. P. PAXTON, M. D., physician and surgeon at Cali- fornia, Pa., who is professionally associated with Dr. John Leslie Mercer, his step-father, enjoys a large prac-

tice and is located in the First National Bank building. He was born near McConnell's Mill, not far from Can- onsburg, Washington Co., Pa., July 15, 1876, and is a son of Thomas and Eliza (Cornelius) Paxton.

The father of Dr. Paxton died when the son was eight years old. Later, his mother married Dr. John Leslie Mercer, who, in 1908, sold out his medical practice at Eldersville, Washington County, where he had been lo- cated for nineteen years, and came to California. Dr. Mercer was born on a farm in Franklin Township, four miles west of Washington, and is a son of Z. and Nancy (Walker) Mercer. He is well known all over the coun- ty, having taught school some ten terms, six near Can- onsburg, one in Franklin and one in Buffalo Township and two at Canton, prior to entering upon medical prac- tice. He is a graduate of the Western University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church.

When Dr. Paxton's mother remarried, the family went to live at Eldersville and there he attended school and afterward taught six terms of school, five of these in Washington County and one in Allegheny County. This was before he entered upon the study of medicine, which he pursued for several years and was then graduated from the medical department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, in the class of 1905. He came then to California and has built up a good practice.

Dr. Paxton married Miss Claire Mae Philips, and they have one daughter, Pauline Philips Paxton. Dr. Paxton attends the Cumberland Presbyterian Church but is af- filiated with the United Presbyterian. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

GEORGE HAZEN MURPHY, M. D., one of the lead- ing and successful practitioners of the medical profes- sion at Monongahela City, Pa., was born November 18, 1869, on a farm in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of James and Harriet (Hazen) Murphy, both of whom were born in Fayette County, and are still living on the farm in Franklin Township. The parents of our subject reared a family of eight children: Delmer; Phoebe, married Frank Brook; George Hazen, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth; Dorcas; Anna; Walter; and Watson.

Dr. Murphy was reared on his father's farm and at- tended the district schools of that locality, later taking a course at the California, Pa., Normal School, and when about seventeen years of age began teaching, in which he continued three years. He then attended Mt. Union College, finally entering the medical department of the Western University at Pittsburg, Pa., from which he graduated in the spring of 1894. He first embarked in the practice of medicine at Kammerer, Washington Coun- ty for two years, then came to Monongahela City in 1906, where he has since been located, having recently

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purchased his present office and residence on Main street. Dr. Murphy has established an enviable reputation as one of the successful physicians of Monongahela City, where he enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a stockholder of the First National Bank of Mononga- hela City, and is secretary and treasurer of the Citizens' Gas Company, of which he was one of the organizers. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party, and has served six years as a member of the school board. He is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., and the F. O. E. orders.

Dr. Murphy was united in marriage with Mary E. Hoffmann, a daughter of Andrew A. Hoffmann, deceased, who was one of the leading attorneys of Washington, Pa. Dr. Murphy has one son, George Hazen, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Murphy are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ROBERT F. LINN, secretary and treasurer of the Burgettstown Milling and Plate Ice Company and presi- dent of the borough council, is identified with a number of the leading business enterprises of this place and is one of the representative citizens. He was born in Cum- berland County, Pa., June 27, 1873.

Robert F. Linn was born in an adjoining county but Washington lays claim to him as he was educated here and at Concord, Ohio, completing his studies at Pitts- burg. He came then to Burgettstown and for nine years was a member of the lumber firm of Linn Brothers. After his marriage he settled in West Burgettstown, where he still resides. He is a stockholder as well as officer in the Milling and Plate Ice Company, of Burgettstown; and is a stockholder in the Burgettstown National Bank. His business interests are numerous and he is credited with being a very able financier.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 118

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