History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 122

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

of three children, the others being: Benjamin and Mary, the latter of whom is the wife of George D. Scott, re- siding in Hopewell Township, Washington County, Pa.

Robert Hamilton, the great-grandfather of Alexander, came from Ireland and located in Canton Township, Washington County. His son, Alexander Hamilton, grandfather of the present Alexander, came to the farm which the latter owns, in Hopewell Township, and lived here until his death. He married a member of the old Smiley family. The second Robert Hamilton, father of our subject, lived on this farm until within a few years of his death, which occurred in Buffalo.

Alexander Hamilton attended the public schools with more or less regularity until he was 20 years of age and then turned his full attention to farming and stock raising. He carries on his work in a scientific manner and along modern lines. He raises a large amount of registered stock, having Aberdeen Angus cattle and thoroughbred Duroc hogs. Before they are marketed, his cattle and stock present so beautiful a picture as they are browsing or feeding in the rich pastures where they have been raised, that no painting of a rural scene hanging in any celebrated gallery can compare with this bit of Nature. Mr. Hamilton has productive fields and abundant orchards and is justly numbered with Hope- well Township's substantial and prosperous citizens. In 1893 he was married to Miss Urania B. Taggart, a daughter of James and Margaret Taggart, residents of Canton Township, Washington County. They have six children : John A., Robert, Mary M., Fannie, Florence G. and James T. They all are in school and will be given the best of educational advantages. Mr. Hamilton and family are members of the Presbyterian Church in which he is a trustee. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican and at different times has held township offices. He is general manager and one of the board of directors of the Buffalo Telephone Company.

WILLIAM H. RICHARDS, who, for the past five years has been in charge of the Standard Tin Plate Company, of Canonsburg, Pa., as general manager, is a man thoroughly experienced in this line of business and is well qualified also for executive work. He was born in Staffordshire, England, Mar. 16, 1858, and is a son of William and Sarah (Sheldon) Richards. On the paternal side he is of Welsh extraction and on the ma- ternal, of English ancestry.

Mr. Richards came to America in April, 1873, when 15 years old, and had then been a worker in the steel and tin plate mills for four years. He secured employ- ment at Leechburg, Armstrong County, Pa., and re- mained there for three years, going then to the mills at Mckeesport, where he worked until 1879, when he came to Canonsburg. Here he engaged in the sheet

iron business as assistant superintendent and roller. In 1902 he went to New Kensington, where he was put in charge of the erection of the Goldsmith and Lone- berg Tin Plate Company plant and had charge of the same, and was also in the employ of the American Tin Plate Company and remained at New Kensington for ten years, when he was transferred to the Demler plant of the American Sheet and Tin Plate Company, at Mc- Keesport, as general superintendent. He remained there until he came to Canonsburg again, in order to take charge of the Standard Tin Plate Company as manager. He is a stockholder in this enterprise, which is the largest concern in the line of manufacturing, at Canons- burg. The business is one of great importance and the payroll is the largest in the city.

The Standard Tin Plate Company of Canonsburg was organized in 1892, with local capital, the capital stock being originally $300,000. In 1908 the majority of the stock was transferred to the Standard Tin Plate Com- pany. Since the erection of the plant in 1892 it has been enlarged and now covers 20 acres and is modern in every particular. It has on its payrolls 800 employes and makes a specialty of the manufacturing of black plate and tin plates. W. H. Richards is the general manager, and Louis Follett is secretary.

In August, 1878, Mr. Richards was married to Miss Annie Lewis, a daughter of Mark and Sarah Lewis, then of Mckeesport, but a native of Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have four children, namely: W. B., who is employed in the Standard Tin Plate Works as a roller, married Miss Lulu Pollard, of Canonsburg; Mark James, who is also identified with the Tin Plate Works in an official position, married Miss Mollie Williams; and Bertha May and Roy W., the latter being yet a student. The family home is situated on Pike street, Canons- burg. In politics, Mr. Richards is a Republican and has always taken an intelligent interest in the political affairs particularly relating to his place of residence, served several terms on the Council in Canonsburg, and while living at New Kensington, served as a member of the town Council. He belongs to Canonsburg Lodge No. 297, F. & A. M .; to the Elks, at New Kensington, and to the Royal Arcanum at Canonsburg. In his official position, Mr. Richards enjoys deserved popularity with his great army of employes. While a strict disciplinarian, he is a man who can recognize merit wherever he sees it and possesses the tact, judgment and discretion which must be the qualities a successful manager of men must have.

ABEL M. EVANS was a lifelong resident of Amwell Township. His father, Joseph Evans, was an early and well known settler and was one of the founders and an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in this

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

section. Abel M. Evans was an extensive farmer and besides being a man of ample fortune, was also a leader in all matters concerning the general welfare of his community. He served for many years as justice of the peace and as an administrator of estates. He was also county commissioner for one term. The Evans family has always been attached to the Presbyterian faith and Abel M. Evans was one of the elders of the church of that denomination at Ten-Mile. He married Elma Baker, a member of a prominent family of the county, and six of their children now survive, namely : Nathan B., residing at Ten-Mile, this county; Elizabeth S., wife of A. B. Sampson, of Washington; Lucinda J., widow of John T. Reynolds, residing at Ten-Mile; E. Baker, living at Washington, D. C .; Victorine C., wife of James E. Wood, of Waynesburg; and William M., of Ten-Mile.

Nathan B. Evans was born near Baker's Station, in Amwell Township, Aug. 21, 1843, and removed with his parents to Ten-Mile in 1857 and was educated in the local schools. On Aug. 22, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. D, 140th Pa. Vol. Inf., 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was honor- ably discharged from the service in June, 1865. He was six months a prisoner after the second day of the Gettysburg battle. He then returned to his parental home on Ten-Mile and to the farm which has been his home ever since.

Mr. Evans has always taken a deep interest in edu- cational matters, has long served on the township school board and has been its president. He is president also of the board of trustees of Waynesburg College. He is an elder in the Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church and has also been active in Sunday-school work, for years serv- ing as superintendent of that school. He is a member of Philo Paul Post, G. A. R., of Amity. This Post has become almost extinct because of the death or removal of members, nearly all of whom went into the Civil War from the Amity neighborhood.

RANSOM M. DAY, a contract driller and one of the representative business men of Washington, was born in 1870 in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of Stephen B. Day, a prominent citizen of Washington County.

R. M. Day was reared in Amwell Township, where he attended the common schools, afterwards taking a course at Duquesne College, and later graduating with the class of 1891 from the State Normal School at California, Pa. He then taught school for four years, after which he spent five years in Pittsburg as assistant superintendent of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- pany, since which time he has been engaged in contract drilling for different coal companies in Western Penn-

sylvania, and is at present drilling in Guernsey County, Ohio, for the Cambridge Collieries Company. Mr. Day is a stockholder in various enterprises of this locality, and is one of the public spirited and enterprising men of Washington.

In 1892, Mr. Day was joined in marriage with Minnie Chambers, who comes of one of the old established families of Washington County, and is a daughter of John Chambers of Amwell Township. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Day: Earl C., Clark E. and Harold R. Mr. Day is a member of the First Christian Church.

A. M. ARMOR, a retired farmer of Hanover Town- ship, residing at Burgettstown, owns very valuable farm- ing lands in Washington County, consisting of two farms aggregating 165 acres, which are situated in Hanover Township. He was born in that township Oct. 30, 1833, and is a son of James and Nancy (McCandless) Armor.

The grandfather of Mr. Armor was the first of the family to come to Washington County and he entered 400 acres of land for himself and 400 acres for a brother. His son, James Armor, was born in Hanover Township and resided on the same farm until his death, that being the land secured by his father, Thomas Armor. It is now divided into three portions, 141, 165 and 138 acres each, all owned by three sons of James Armor and all adjoining. James Armor was a leading citizen of Hanover Township and served in many public capacities. He was a Democrat and on the Democratic ticket was elected township assessor and road super- visor, the duties of which he performed with the greatest care, honesty and faithfulness. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was twice married, (first) to Margaret Wilson, who, at death left four children: John, Thomas, Margaret Ann and an infant. Her burial was in the Florence Cemetery. His second mar- riage was to Nancy McCandless, a daughter of Alex- ander MeCandless, and they had five children, namely : A. M., James R., William S., Jennie and George P.

A. M. Armor attended the schools of Hanover Town- ship when he was young and then commenced to help his father on the farm and has owned land ever since he reached man's estate. His farms in Hanover Town- ship are well improved and he put up all the buildings now standing. He has almost all of the land free of timber, having cleared 45 acres himself. There may be coal deposits, but he has never experimented for them, but he has eight oil and gas wells that are of value. During the whole of his active life he carried on general farming.

Mr. Armor was married (first) Oct. 26, 1865, to Ann Maria Moreland, a daughter of John Moreland, who died Mar. 17, 1880. Her burial was in the Hopewell

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Cemetery. He was married (second) to Mrs. Rebecca A. Mccluskey, who died May 22, 1908. No children were born to either marriage, but his second wife had one daughter, Mary W., by her first marriage, who re- sides with Mr. Armor. Both wives were most estimable women. Mr. Armor is a member and an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Burgettstown and before leaving his farm was an elder in the Hebron Church. In politics he is a Democrat and served three terms as assessor of Hanover Township and many terms as a school director. He is a stockholder in the Burgettstown National Bank. The Armor family is one of the old and substantial ones of the county and its men have been noted for their usefulness to their communities and for their general good citizenship.

DAVID R. McNARY, one of the most highly esteemed and respected citizens of Robeson Township, who, for 23 years has been a valued resident of McDonald, where he now lives retired, was born on his father's farm in Cecil Township, Washington County, Pa., where East Canonsburg is now located, Mar. 27, 1831. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Van Volkenburg) MeNary.

The parents of Mr. MeNary are both deceased. The father was twice married, nine children being born to the first union and six to his marriage with Elizabeth Van Volkenburg. Of the latter family, David R. Mc- Nary was the second in order of birth, the others being: Elizabeth, who is now deceased, was the wife of James Templeton; William M .; Levinia, who married John Wesby; George; Sarah, who married Milberry Douglass ; and Nancy, who married Alexander McCloy.

David R. McNary remained on the home farm until he was 21 years of age. He first attended the Oram school in Chartiers Township, when his teacher was John Curry, who afterwards established Curry Institute at Pittsburg. After leaving home, Mr. McNary attended this institute conducted by his old preceptor and then took a three-year scientific course at Jefferson College. Later he attended two terms at the State Normal School at Millersville, coming under the direct instruction of Prof. J. P. Wickersham, who not only organized that school, but who became the first state superintendent by executive appointment. Subsequently, Mr. McNary grad- uated from Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburg, and for several years was engaged successfully as a school teacher and during 1858-59 was postmaster at Munn- town.

During the Civil War, Mr. McNary was employed in the building of government boats at the works at Soho, Pittsburg, and assisted in the construction of the Maneyunk and the Umque, used on the southern Missis- sippi River. He also served for eight years as freight agent on the Panhandle Railroad, at Sturgeon, a station

then called Willow Grove. For some years he has been devoting the larger part of his time to looking after valuable realty that he owns at McDonald.

On Oct. 4, 1859, Mr. MeNary was married by the Rev. James Sloan, then pastor of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, to Miss Mary A. Munn, who was born at Munntown, Pa., Mar. 8, 1839. This town was named for her grandfather, Samuel Munn, who was a large land owner, possessing several entire sections. The burden of paying taxes, however, was so great, that he traded one section of land for one ewe lamb, and it is thought probable that this was the first Merino sheep introduced here, the beginning of an industry that has made Washington County one of the greatest sheep growing counties in the United States. Her parents were John and Louisa (McDonald) Munn. She has one brother, Samuel A., and one sister, Matilda. To Mr. and Mrs. McNary the following children were born: Ida Mary, who is the wife of Thomas Grant, of Sheri- den, Pa .; Elizabeth Ora, who is the wife of Stewart C. Gailey, of Columbus, Ohio; John and S. A., both resid- ing at Sheridan; and Clara, who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. McNary have but recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding and the pleasure of the occasion was dimmed by no absent faces, all the children of the family being living, together with 13 grandchil- dren and one great-grandchild. More than usual in- terest was shown in this celebration on account of the prominence of the participants. Kindred came from far and near, while friends and neighbors manifested a desire to participate in the festivities and to take the opportunity of showing their regard.

Mr. MeNary has been a useful citizen and has served on the borough council. He is a member of Garfield Lodge, F. & A. M., at McDonald and of Cyrus Chapter at Carnegie. He is a member of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church.

J. W. MANON, D. D. S., one of the prominent dental surgeons of Charleroi, Pa., who has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in this city since September, 1897, was born Nov. 3, 1869, at Van Buren, Pa., and is a son of William A. and Hannah (Chadwick) Manon, the former of whom was a black- smith by trade, and died in 1904. The mother is still living, and is a resident of Pittsburg.

J. W. Manon was reared at Van Buren, where he at- tended the common schools and learned the blacksmith trade, after which he ran a shop at Lagonda for one and one-half years. He then attended the State Normal School at California, Pa., after which he taught school in South Franklin and Independence Townships, Wash- ington County, for three years. He then took a course in dental surgery at the Pennsylvania Dental College at

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Philadelphia, from which he graduated in the spring of 1897, and in September of that same year came to Char- leroi, where he has offices over Piper's drug store. He has won the esteem and confidence of the public, and the professional success which he has gained has been well merited. Dr. Manon is the owner of the Manon Build- ing, containing four flats, and office rooms, on Fallow- field avenue, and is also the owner of several other val- uable properties in Charleroi. He served from 1906 until June, 1909, as a member of the school board, of which he was secretary during the years 1906-07, and was president of that body during the last year of his membership. He is fraternally a member of the Masonic order, and his religious connection is with the Washing- ton Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Manon married Orpha P. Grim, who was born and reared in Greene County, Pa., and came to Washing- ton County, with her father, Harvey Grim, who settled near Old Concord. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Manon: J. Paul, who was born Oct. 25, 1899; Irene Elizabeth, who was born July 10, 1903, and Virginia Mae, who was born May 11, 1909.

WILLIAM A. McKAY, who is engaged in the whole- sale manufacturing of ice cream, at Washington, Pa., with plant at Nos. 7-9 Sumner street, is a leading citi- zen and representative business man of the place. He was born at Washington, Pa., May 21, 1869, and is a son of G. W. and Susan Elizabeth (Pease) Mckay.

Mr. MeKay is a representative of some of the oldest and most honorable of the Washington County families. His maternal great-grandfather, Andrew Pease, was probably one of the first settlers in the county, and his son, Andrew Pease, was a man of great prominence in pioneer days. His daughter, the mother of William A. McKay, was born in 1843 and still survives, residing with her only surviving child. On the paternal side the grandfather was William Mc- Kay, who was one of the earliest cabinetmakers to settle near Washington. His son, the late George W. Mckay, was born near Claysville, Washington County, and during his active years worked at the shoemaking trade. His death occurred in 1909. Mrs. McKay was one of a family of nine children and is one of the six survivors, the others being: Zachariah, who lives in Indiana; Maria C., who married George W. Teegarden, lives in Illinois; Rebecca Ellen, who lives in Washington County; An- drew J., who lives on the old Pease homestead; and J. C. C., who is a resident of Washington County. .

William A. McKay was reared and attended school at Washington and during his early manhood engaged in clerking, later embarked in a restaurant and con- fectionary business, and in the spring of 1897 started

his present enterprise. He does a large wholesale busi- ness and has also an excellent retail trade.

Mr. Mckay was married in 1892, to Miss Emma J. Miller, who is a daughter of Simon P. Miller, of Greens- burg, Pa., and they had two daughters: Mildred A. and Lilly Irene. The beloved wife and mother died Novem- ber 12, 1908. Mr. McKay and daughters are members of the Second Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Eagles and the Maccabees.

REV. THOMAS PATTERSON, deceased, for many years was one of the ablest preachers in the Pittsburg Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he was admitted in 1866, and remained a faithful mem- ber of that body until the time of his death, which oc- curred while he was, as he himself would have wished it, in the performance of his ministerial duties. The mes- sage came to him while attending a conference session, at Bellevue, Pa., and he passed quietly away on Friday evening, October 8, 1909.

Thomas Patterson was born June 3, 1835, near Ten Mile, Pa., and was a son of John and Jane (Simpson) Patterson. John Patterson was born in Ireland and when he emigrated to America, came to Pennsylvania and settled on a farm near Marianna, Washington Co., Pa., which remained in the family until after the death of one of his sons, Samuel Patterson, who lived and died there, and it is now the property of the Pittsburg-Buffa- lo Coal Company.

The following children were born to John and Jane Patterson: Catherine, who was born January 25, 1812, married James Wherry; Rebecca, who was born Decem- ber 6, 1813, married John Bumgardner and they lived at Amity, Pa .; Elizabeth, who was born September 8, 1815, married Levi Hopkins; Jane, who was born April 1, 1817, married Palmer Baker; Sarah, who was born July 16, 1819, married Levi Dawson; Andrew, who was born Mar. 20, 1821; John, who was born Feb. 1, 1823, never married; Samuel, who was born Dec. 15, 1824; Ann, who was born in January, 1827; Mary, who was born Dec. 5, 1828, is the widow of Joseph Siebert and resides at Washington, being the only surviving member of the family; Thomas, who was the youngest, was, as stated above, born in 1835. Through intermarriage the Pat- terson family is connected with many other leading fami- lies, both in Washington and in Greene Counties.

Thomas Patterson was educated in the public schools and in Waynesburg College, his studies from early youth being directed along theological lines. While still at college the great Civil War was declared and with the loyal enthusiasm of youth he determined to do his part in the suppression of rebellion. He enlisted in the famous Ringgold Cavalry regiment, which was after-

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REV. THOMAS PATTERSON

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

wards organized as the 22nd Pa. Cav. and at this time he was chosen as chaplain of the regiment. He con- tinued in the army until the end of hostilities and was mustered out of the service in October, 1865, his regi- ment then being known as the 3rd Pa. Prov. Cav. He participated in many of the severest engagements of the war, among which was the battle of Winchester, or Cedar Creek. Years afterward, Rev. Mr. Patterson would glow with enthusiasm in speaking of the gallant Gen. Sheri- dan, his commander, who turned defeat into victory on that day. His own victories, in an entirely different way, were no less wonderful and there are many now living who can testify to the triumphs secured for them by him, as commander of spiritual forces.

After he returned from the army, Mr. Patterson com- pleted his theological studies and was admitted to the Pittsburg Conference. For 35 years he preached con- stantly at regular appointments, until failing health prevented his accepting such work. In all his years of ministry he served every appointment to which he was assigned for the full time limit. He served five years at Waynesburg and also was pastor of the churches at Johnstown, Leechburg and Canonsburg. On the last Sabbath of his life he conducted the service of Holy Communion at Canonsburg, in the church building which was erected during his pastorate there. He was not only a deep thinker and earnest student and a courageous supporter of what he deemed his ministerial mission, but as a man he was kind hearted, tactful and naturally sympathetic. He thus commanded both the intellects and the hearts of his people.

Thomas Patterson was united in marriage with Miss Emma Virginia Black, a daughter of James A. and Sarah (Steel) Black, of Greene County, Pa. The father of Mrs. Patterson is living, aged 87 years, a son of James H. Black. The Black family has been prominent- ly identified with public affairs in Greene County. When the great-grandfather, Benjamin Black, was a member of the State Legislature, he was the youngest serving in that body. It was Charles A. Black, a young attorney of Greene County, who compiled the first school laws of Pennsylvania. The venerable mother of Mrs. Pat- terson also survives. She was born near Philadelphia. Her father was James Steel, a miller by trade, of Quaker extraction. He lived for a short time in Fayette County, Pa. His death was occasioned by an attack of cholera. One daughter, Miss Mary Patterson, survives and resides with her mother at Canonsburg.

ADAM COON SAMPSON, deceased, was one of the leading business men of Monongahela City, and was one of the organizers of the Peoples Bank, now the Monon- gahela City Trust Company. He was born at Long Run, Allegheny County, Pa., a son of Thomas and Anna

(Coon) Sampson, and died May 10, 1872, at the age of 49 years. During his early life he engaged in the in- surance business, having a general agency through the western portion of Pennsylvania, and in 1871, with James Sampson, J. B. Finley and others, estab- lished at Monongahela City the Peoples' Bank, of which he served until his death as president, with James Sampson, as vice president, and J. B. Finley, cashier. In fraternal circles he held membership with the I. O. O. F. and the Masons, and his religious connection was with the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he was a Republican.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 122

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