History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 121

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 121

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CHARLES E. PHILLIPS, a member of the Wash- ington bar, was born in 1871, at California, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of David Phillips, a native of Fayette County, who has been a resident of Washington County for a half century.

Charles E. Phillips was reared in his native place and

attended first the public schools and later the State Nor- mal School at California. From this institution he was graduated in the class of 1890. Although thoroughly qualified for teaching, Mr. Phillips then turned his at- tention to law, entering the law department of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in the class of 1895. He then was interested for several years in real estate dealings, but in 1904 was admitted to the bar and has ben engaged in law practice at Wash- ington ever since, maintaining his office at No. 46 South Main street, but retaining his home at California. The Washington bar is distinguished for its number of bril- liant young men.

Mr. Phillips is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally he is a Mason.

GEORGE D. SCOTT, one of Hopewell Township's representative citizens who carries on agricultural oper- ations on a valuable farm of 113 acres, was born in Nottingham Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 29, 1869. His parents were J. Finley and Margaret (Davis) Scott. Mr. Scott has two sisters: Mary, who is the wife of L. J. Brownlee; and Anna M., who is the wife of Louis Liggett and lives in Ohio.

George D. Scott was about 8 years old when his parents moved on a farm in Canton Township and there he was mainly reared. He attended the public schools and spent two terms at the old Buffalo Academy. He remained with his father on the farm until after his marriage in 1898, after which he rented farms until 1901, in Canton Township, when they moved to Hope- well Township. In 1904, after the death of Mrs. Scott's father, they came into possession of this place, which they had rented for three years. This farm was the land taken up by William Smiley at the time of his arrival here, and has been in possession of some one of his descendants ever since. Mr. Scott makes a spe- cialty of boarding horses for their owners in Washing- ton, and usually has from 25 to 30 head all through the winter. He is recognized as an excellent business man and is a very successful farmer.

Mr. Scott was married March 10, 1898, to Miss Alchie Hamilton, who is a daughter of the late Robert and Mary H. (Anderson) Hamilton, formerly one of Hope- well Township's most respected and best known people. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are valued members of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church and take an active part in its various branches of work. Formerly Mr. Scott was one of the church trustees, while Mrs. Scott has long been a member of the missionary society. In his political views, Mr. Scott is a Republican, but he has always declined to serve in any public office.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

CHARLES C. JOHNSON, president of the Citizens Trust Company of Canonsburg, is well known in finan- cial circles, having been identified with the banking business ever since leaving college. He was born in Chartiers Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 17, 1872, and is a son of J. Bradford and Jennie (Crothers) Johnson.

Mr. Johnson belongs to old county families. His paternal grandparents were John and Rebecca (Van Eman) Johnson, old residents of Washington County, who died in Canonsburg. They had three sons: Richard V., J. Bradford and John G. The maternal grand- parents were Samuel and Jane (Brownlee) Crothers, and they had the following children: William B., de- ceased; Robert . W., residing at Taylorstown, Pa .; Lea- men M., deceased; Mira, deceased, formerly the wife of W. W. McClay; Jennie; Elizabeth, deceased; and Ella, wife of R. M. Dorrance, of Cleveland, Ohio.

J. Bradford Johnson, now an esteemed resident of Canonsburg, was born in Chartiers Township, Washing- ton County, in 1842. Until 1899 he lived on his farm in Chartiers Township, removing then to Canonsburg, where he has since been retired and is a director of the Citizens Trust Company. He married Jennie Crothers, who died in 1897, aged 57 years. They had the follow- ing children: Ella Maud, who married Rev. Charles G. Williams, who is pastor of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church of Denver, Col .; John Tracy, who manages the home farm; and Charles C.

Charles C. Johnson was educated in the township schools, Jefferson Academy and Washington and Jeffer- son College, graduating from the latter with the class of 1893. During his college course he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Immediately after leaving college he was made assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank, limited, and in 1895 he became cashier and continued to fill that office until the Citizens Trust Company was organized, in 1901, when he became sec- retary and treasurer of this company and continued as such until July 1, 1909, when he became president. Mr. Johnson is a young man to fill so important a position and that he has been placed at the head, indicates the great confidence felt in his judgment and executive ability.

The Citizens Trust Company of Canonsburg was or- ganized May 1, 1901, taking over the business of the Citizens Bank, limited, a private bank which had been in existence for ten years. The Citizens Trust Company building is a fine four-story pressed brick structure, which was erected in 1904, the lot and building together costing $90,000. The interior of the bank is of birch wood and mahogany finish and the rest of the building is finished in oak. The dimensions are 70x80 feet. The upper floors have been fitted up as residence flats, while

on the lower floors, in addition to the bank proper are directors' and officers' rooms, vault and all modern fix- tures to ensure comfort, convenience and safety. The institution has been more than successful, paying 6 per cent annual interest. The management has been prac- tically the same since its organization.

On June 20, 1903, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Grace Moreland Henderson, a daughter of John M. and Anna (Cary) Henderson, and a direct descendant of Rev. Dr. Mathew Henderson, who was the first pastor of the Upper Buffalo Church. Mrs. Johnson is a grad- uate of the College for Women, Cleveland. She also spent some years in school in Germany and Switzerland. They are members of the Central Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg, of which Mr. Johnson is treasurer.

JOHN S. HOLMES, one of Donegal Township's well known and highly respected citizens, who has been en- gaged in farming and stock raising ever since he reached man's estate, was born in Donegal Township, Washington County, Pa., July 31, 1849, and is a son of George Y. and Elizabeth (Snodgrass) ) Holmes.

George Y. Holmes was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. His parents were William and Nancy E. Holmes, whom he accompanied to America when he was about 10 years old. The family came directly to Wash- ington County and settled a short distance from Clays- ville, in Donegal Township. George Y. Holmes grew to useful manhood here and in the course of years be- came a man of prominence in the community. He filled many public offices with credit, was long a school director and also a justice of the peace, and on one occasion was the candidate of the Republican party for the office of county commissioner. He was a leading member of the Baptist Church at Claysville and was also a local preacher in this body. His death occurred in 1903, having survived his wife for many years. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Snodgrass and she was born in Donegal Township and was a daughter of John Snod- grass and a granddaughter of William Snodgrass, one of the pioneer settlers. To George Y. and Elizabeth Holmes the following children were born: William, who lives at Washington, Pa .; John S., who resides in Don- egal Township; Nannie E., who is the wife of Charles W. Miller, of Claysville; George Y., his father's name- sake, who lives at Claysville, Pa .; Mary M., who is the wife of Samuel Kelley, of Buffalo Township; Margaret, who lives at Claysville; Robert R., who lives at Me- Donald, Pa .; Florence, who is the wife of Wiley Reaney, lives at Claysville.

John S. Holmes attended the district schools in Done- gal Township, in his boyhood, and afterward passed his youth in helping his father on the home farm. He owns a valuable tract of 64 acres, which he has well stocked

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

and under an excellent state of cultivation. His sur- roundings indicate thrift and substantial comfort.

On Jan. 1, 1873, Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Margaret C. Miller, who was born in Donegal Township, July 9, 1849, and is a daughter of Christopher and Sarah J. (Knight) Miller, and a granddaughter of John Miller, who was one of Donegal Township's early set- tlers. The mother of Mrs. Holmes was born in Vir- ginia. Of the children born to Christopher Holmes and wife, the following survive: Calvin L. and Mary J., both of whom live in Donegal Township; George H., who is a resident of McDonald; Charles W., who lives at Claysville; Margaret C., who is Mrs. Holmes; and Frances E., who is the widow of Robert B. Ramage, re- sides on her farm in Donegal Township. Christopher Miller and wife were people of sterling worth, consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have one daughter, Sarah E., who resides with her parents. They reared two boys, Andrew L. Chapman and William Ramage, both of whom have reflected credit on them and give them the filial affection of sons. Andrew L. Chapman, who is now a preacher in the Disciples Church, stationed at Boise, Idaho, served for three years in the missionary field in Turkey. William Ramage is engaged in farming in Donegal Township. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, and in Octo- ber, 1909, Mr. Holmes was sent as a representative of the Zion United Brethren Church of Donegal Township to the Pennsylvania State Convention, where various re- ligious bodies met and discussed questions affecting Christianity in general. As a broad-minded, clear- headed, intelligent man, possessing the confidence and esteem of all who know him, this selection of Mr. Holmes was a judicious one and he took part in the deliberations of this representative body. He casts his vote with the Republican party, but has never accepted any public office except that of school director and he is now serv- ing in his twelfth year as a member of the school board of Donegal Township.

JAMES P. BROWNLEE, lawyer and merchant at Washington, Pa., and a prominent and useful citizen, was born in 1872, in North Strabane Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., and is a son of Milton O. Brownlee and a grandson of Samuel T. Brownlee.

The Brownlee family belongs to the pioneer class of Washington County. The grandfather, Samuel T. Brownlee, was born after his father settled in Washing- ton County. He left few descendants as he died when only 28 years of age. His son, Milton O., was born on the family estate in North Strabane Township, in 1849, where he continued to live and was extensively engaged in farming and the sheep industry until 1905, when he

retired and moved to Washington, where he still resides.

James P. Brownlee obtained his early education in the township schools and then entered Washington and Jefferson College, where he was graduated in the class of 1897. From there he went to Pittsburg and became a student in the Pittsburg Law School, but in his senior year suffered from an illness that made necessary the postponement of his law studies. After he recovered from a rather severe siege of fever, he completed his law reading in the office of Attorney R. W. Irwin, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1901. He has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession at Washington. In the fall of 1907 he formed a partner- ship with C. E. Penn, under the style of Penn & Brown- lee, in gents' furnishing goods, an enterprise which proved successful, and continued until February 1, 1910, when Mr. Penn retired, Mr. Brownlee continuing the furnishing business at No. 129 South Main street, where he is now located. He is also a stockholder in the Dunn & Connellsville Coke Company. As a citizen he has been unusually active, lending the weight of his influ- ence to promote public prosperity. He has served as a member of the school board and from 1904 until 1906 administered the law as a justice of the peace.

Mr. Brownlee is a member of the First United Presby- terian Church and officiates as the librarian of the Sun- day-school. He is identified fraternally with the Elks and the Heptasophs.

HON. HENRY EATON, justice of the peace at Mid- way, Pa., and for three consecutive years burgess of the borough, is a member of one of the oldest settled families of Washington County, doubtless of Dutch ex- traction on the father's side and Scotch-Irish on the mother's side. One of the most prized relics is a Hol- land Bible, which was printed in 1570 and has been preserved with other family antiquities. Mr. Eaton was born in Smith Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 6, 1848, and is a son of William and Sarah (Russell) Eaton.

Both parents of Mr. Eaton have passed away and their remains rest in the Raccoon Cemetery, they being valued members for many years of the Presbyterian Church at that point. William Eaton was a farmer throughout his active life. He was a consistent member of the old-time Democratic party. Five children were born to William and Sarah Eaton, namely: Martha, who married Robert Stevenson; Rachel, now deceased, who was a public school teacher; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of E. J. Vogle; Henry; and Mary E., who died when aged 14 years.

Henry Eaton attended the district schools in Smith and Robinson Townships and secured a teacher's certifi- cate, attended the Normal School at Carnegie for two

HON. JAMES S. STOCKING

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

terms and Oakdale Academy for two terms and secured a permanent certificate. For many years he gave the larger part of his time and attention to teaching, carry- ing on his educational work both in Allegheny and Wash- ington Counties. In 1875 he came to Midway, where he and Mrs. Eaton successfully taught terms of school and he also served for three years as principal of the Mc- Donald schools, Mrs. Eaton being first assistant. In politics he is a Democrat and on many occasions has been shown the appreciation which his fellow citizens have felt for him, being elected to numerous offices of honor and responsibility. For three years he was treas- urer of Robeson Township and for the same length of time a member of the township school board. For four years he had charge of the Black Diamond coal mine and store belonging to his father-in-law, Thomas Tay- lor. After the exhausting and closing down of the Black Diamond mine he opened a general store of his own in Midway, Pa., which was a success in every particu- lar. After conducting his store for three years he was appointed postmaster during the late ex-President Cleve- land's second administration. He then sold out his store, put in a new and expensive office and gave to the department and patrons a service that was so satisfac- tory that at the close of his term he was asked to retain the office. To this request he replied, "No, thank you, to the victor belong the spoils." For three years Mid- way found in him an able executive head and since then, and for the past 27 years, has been serving in the office of justice of the peace and has a real estate and insur- ance office.

In January, 1882, Mr. Eaton was married to Miss Mattie E. Taylor, a daughter of Thomas Taylor and Sarah (Bailey) Taylor. Mrs. Eaton's brothers and sis- ters are: Eliza, who married Joseph Taylor; Joseph A .; Lilly A .; James M .; and Laura, who married Robert Perry. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have two children: Amy T. and Henry T. Amy has a good and lucrative position in the city of Pittsburg. Henry T. Eaton, after grad- uating from the common schools and the Pittsburg Academy, entered the University of Pittsburg and is now in his second year. Mr. Eaton is identified with Richard Vaux Lodge No. 454, F. & A. M., at Burgetts- town, Pa.

J. MOSS McCOLLUM, architect, who has been a resident of Washington, Pa., for 24 years and is inter- ested in a number of the city's prospering enterprises, is a member of the prominent firm of McCollum & Dow- ler, with offices at Pittsburg. He was born at Amity, Washington County, Pa., in 1864, and is a son of Elias and Sarah (Moss) McCollum.

Elias McCollum was born in the old McCollum home-

stead at Amity, in 1828. He owned farming land, but devoted his whole mature life to general contracing, in the line of building, and continued active in business until within one year of his death, when he retired to his farm. He married Sarah Moss, who was born in Washington County, in December, 1831, and still sur- vives, residing on her farm near Amity. They had three children, namely: Harvey, who operates the home farm; Ella, who is now deceased; and Jennings Moss, the subject of this sketch.

J. Moss McCollum was reared on the home place and was educated in a private academy at Amity, and then learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked until he was 24 years old. From boyhood he had displayed unusual ability in the line of his present work and in 1889 he gave himself up to the study of architecture and for 12 years remained with W. E. Ely, a well-known architect. He later moved his own office to Pittsburg and does business under the firm style of McCollum & Dowler. There are many fine structures at Washington and other points, of which he has been the architect. This city is somewhat noted for its fine schoolhouses and convent buildings, and Mr. McCollum was the de- signer and architect of almost all. He was the architect of the Washington Trust Company building, an example of taste and dignity in building that has excited uni- versal admiration. He also has to his credit the new First National Bank of Columbus, the Braddock Na- tional Bank of Braddock, Pa., a fine new hotel build- ing at Pittsburg, together with schools, churches and public buildings all over the country, the cost of which ran into hundreds of thousands of dollars. He has been able to combine stability and beauty, utility and dignity, and he has few superiors in Western Pennsyl- vania.

In 1892, Mr. McCollum was married to Miss Nora Patterson, a daughter of Speer Patterson, of Wyland Station, Pa., and they have three daughters: Elinore, Mildred and Dorothy. The family belong to the Second Presbyterian Church. The beautiful family home is situated at No. 513 East Beau street. Mr. McCollum takes a good citizen's interest in civic matters and has served efficiently in the city council. He is a member of the Union Club of Pittsburg.

HON. JAMES S. STOCKING, one of Washington County's most active and prominent citizens, who has been identified with public affairs and with business in- terests in this section of Pennsylvania ever since the Civil War, in which he rendered patriotic military service, was born at Washington, Pa., December 4, 1839, a son of Julius and Mary (Phillips) Stocking. Mr. Stocking can boast of both old Dutch and "Mayflower" Pilgrim

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

ancestry. His paternal ancestors were from New York, and those on the maternal side came to Washington County from Massachusetts.

Julius Stocking, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born near Auburn, N. Y., from which place he came in 1835 to Washington. Here, in the following year, he married Mary Phillips, whose father had set- tled in Washington County in 1800. Three children were born of this union: Alfred, Mary and James Stevens. Julius Stocking subsequently moved to Rockport, Ind., where he died in 1870, aged 68 years. His widow sur- vived him for four years.

James Stevens Stocking attended the local schools until he was about twelve years of age, after which, until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in 1861, he was variously employed and was entirely self-supporting. He responded to the first call of President Lincoln for troops, and after serving through his first enlistment of three months, in Co. E, 12th Pa. Vol. Inf., he re-enlisted and served two years and eight months in the 100th Pa. Vol. Inf., this being the noted "Roundhead" regiment. Again he re-enlisted, this time as a veteran, contracting to serve three years longer but the loss of his arm neces- sitated his discharge January 10, 1865. Mr. Stocking not only gave four full years to the service of his country, but also his good left arm, which was left on the battle field at Hatcher's Run, October 27, 1864. From the ranks Mr. Stocking had been continuously promoted for gallantry, and when he was mustered out it was with the rank of first lieutenant.

Mr. Stocking returned to Washington and in 1871 he was appointed to the office of United States store keeper. In the following year he received the unanimous nomina- tion at the Republican county convention, for county clerk, to which office he was easily elected, and in 1875 he was re-elected to the office, with an increased majority. Later he turned his attention to journalism and from October 17, 1879, to October 17, 1882, he was one of the editors and proprietors of the "Washington Observer," owned by Stocking & Acheson, during this period increas- ing its circulation and making it one of the strongest Republican organs of the State. Ill health, resulting from the injuries received in the army, caused him to sell his newspaper interests. His fellow citizens manifested fur- ther their appreciation of his character and services by electing him, in the fall of 1888, to the State Legislature, and by re-electing him in 1890 to that position.

In the following year he was made superintendent and assistant chief of the seed room in the seed division of the Agricultural Department, at Washington, D. C., a po- sition which came to him almost as a surprise, as he had never solicited it. The duties pertaining to this office he satisfactorily performed as long as he retained it.

In 1884, after his return to his native place, he em- barked in a real estate business, and shortly afterward he platted the beautiful addition to Washington known as Kalorama. In 1887, in association with B. F. Hassan, he platted and later disposed of another desirable addition, Woodland. He continued actively interested in realty, and in 1888, with James Kuntz, L. McCarrell and E. F. Acheson, he platted the Weaver farm, naming this prop- erty West End. In the following year, the Shirles Grove property also came under their management and subse- quently they purchased from the Morgan estate a plat of ground which they platted under the name of the "Mor- gan Addition to East Washington." One of these addi- tions was so attractive and desirable that the time came when it was made into a separate borough, bringing into existence West Washington. Subsequently, in connection with John W. Donnan, James Kuntz, Jr., A. G. Happer, David Iseman, L. McCarrell, Thomas Allison and Dr. McCleary, the Gordan farm of 220 acres was purchased and platted, upon which some of the most prominent manufacturing plants in the vicinity of the borough are situated. This plant contained 1,500 lots, 1,100 of which have been disposed of to date.

These additions offer a delightful location for home seekers and favorable opportunities for the establishing of business concerns. Mr. Stocking's name is indis- solubly connected with this prospering section of Wash- ington. He now mainly confines his energies to attend- ing to the affairs of the West End Land Company and the Gordan Land Company, being manager of the former and treasurer of the latter organization.

Mr. Stocking was married (first) on January 4, 1866, to Mary Elizabeth Hallam, who died February 2, 1881. Three children were born of this marriage, Hugh, Harry and Maud. On March 17, 1883, Mr. Stocking married for his second wife Miss Mary Josephine Robinson, of Coshocton, Ohio, whose death occurred September 2, 1907. She was a great-granddaughter of General Robinson, who acquired 3,000 acres of government land in the Mus- kingum Valley, Ohio.

Mr. Stocking is quite a traveler, having been in nearly every state in the Union, also two provinces of Canada. He has been in every country in Europe with the ex- ception of four, and has also visited northern Africa and the Holy Land. In 1909 he was a member of the Clark excursion party, which made a trip around the world, visiting all prominent foreign countries.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON, a prominent citizen and successful agriculturist of Hopewell Township, resides on his very valuable farm of 230 acres, on which he was born, in September, 1863, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Anderson) Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton is the eldest

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 121

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