History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 125

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 125

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

William H. McEnrue, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and the business college of Washington. He became assistant court stenographer in 1895, in which capacity he served until 1902, since which time he has been official stenographer of the Com- mon Pleas Court of Washington County. In 1900 he was elected secretary of the Washington Borough coun- cil and served three years in that capacity.

In 1905, Mr. McEnrue was joined in marriage with

683

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Elizabeth Bauer, of St. Mary's, Pa., who is a daughter of M. G. Bauer, a building contractor at St. Mary's. They have one child, Sarah Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. McEnrue are members of the Catholic Church, at Wash- ington.

WILLIAM A. BONAR, one of Donegal Township's leading citizens and successful farmers, residing on a part of the old Bonar estate, near Vienna, in Donegal Township, Washington Co., Pa., was born in this town- ship, April 7, 1855. His parents were Samuel and Eliza- beth A. (Andrews) Bonar.

There are few older or more representative families in Washington County than that of Bonar. There were four brothers of the name who came to what is now Donegal Township as early as 1770. They found the Indians so hostile that they left Washington County, several going to Maryland, and they did not return and secure their patents for government land until 1775. One of these pioneers was Barnet Bonar, who was born in Scotland in 1695, and his son, William Bonar, accompanied him and with three brothers secured 1,200 acres of land, a part of which has ever since remained in the possession of the family.

Barnet Bonar, the grandfather of William A. Bonar, was born on the farm on which the latter lives, January 14, 1778, and resided here his entire life. He was one of the early elders of the Presbyterian Church in this section. He married Jane Donahey, a native of Ireland.

Samuel Bonar, father of William A., was born in Done- gal Township, July 9, 1822, and died February 12, 1905. He married Elizabeth A. Andrews, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, and died in Washington County, Pa., December 29, 1904.

They had eleven children, namely: Mary, who is the wife of S. A. Magill, of Lebanon, Mo .; Barnet L., who was born July 31, 1852, graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1877, and the Pennsylvania Medical University, at Philadelphia, and located for practice at Streator, Ill., where he died December 21, 1906; William A .; Jane, who resides in Donegal Town- ship; Samuel, who lives at Lebanon, Mo .; Elizabeth P., who was born October 27, 1860, died January 16, 1866; Sara L., who was born January 21, 1863, graduated from Waynesburg College in 1884, married Elmer E. Woodburn, of Claysville, Pa., and died November 29, 1895; James L., who lives in Texas; Anna McConnel Bonar, who was born September 5, 1869, died in June, 1898; Margaret D., who is the wife of James Patterson, resides at Vienna, Pa .; and Isabel, who was born August 13, 1875, died February 1, 1881. The late Samuel Bonar was a man of sterling character, one who performed every public and private duty well and conscientiously. He spent his whole life in the quiet pursuits of agriculture,

always, however, finding time to show an interest in public matters that affected his own community. He served as a member of the Donegal Township school board and he identified himself in the late 50's with the Republican party. He was a valued member of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander, Pa.

William A. Bonar attended the Donegal Township schools and later Waynesburg College, at Waynesburg, Pa. He has followed farming and stock raising almost to the exclusion of other business interests, and the value of this close attention is shown in his well tilled fields and his herds of sleek North Devon cattle, usually fifty head or more. His farm contains 150 acres and it is not only one of the oldest in the township but is also one of the most valuable. Like his ancestors, Mr. Bonar is a Republican in politics and a Presbyterian in re- ligion. He is one of the trustees of the West Alexander Church. He has served his political party as a member of the County Central Committee and his township as road supervisor. He is known in every direction and is held in esteem by his fellow citizens.

WILLIAM BUCHANAN CHAMBERS, of Canons- burg, is in the best sense a representative citizen of Washington County, having been one of its most popular public officials. He has served at different times as sheriff, treasurer, and in other offices. He is a native son, having been born in Canonsburg, this county, Au- gust 14, 1850, son of John and Catherine (Ramsey) Chambers.

His parents were both born in South Strabane Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., in 1813. They came to Can- onsburg in 1840. In his minority John Chambers worked for some time at the trade of blacksmith. He after- wards embarked in the mercantile business in Buffalo village, and was also a large wool buyer. After coming to Canonsburg he opened a store here for the sale of gen- eral merchandise and was thus occupied subsequently until his death, which took place October 26, 1885. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically a Democrat, he served in various borough offices.

John Chambers was twice married, first to Catherine Ramsey, a daughter of Josiah Ramsey, of South Stra- bane Township. Of this union there were six children: Martha C., Josiah R., John S., Nancy H., William B., and Dora, who is deceased. Their record in brief is as fol- lows: Martha C. became the wife of Rev. Dr. W. G. Keady, a Presbyterian minister of Greensboro, Ala., who graduated from Jefferson College in 1856. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate army. He is now deceased. They had two sons-George, who is editor of the Alabama "Beacon," and William A., who is engaged in the drug business at Commerce, Ga. Josiah R., who is now deceased, was a soldier in the 10th Pa.

684

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Reserves during the Civil War. He married Mary Ellen McAfee, who is also deceased. They had two sons and five daughters, namely: John, who served in the Philip- pines with a California regiment and died on his return voyage; William A., who was with the Red Cross De- partment in the Philippines and is now connected with an express company at Los Angeles, Calif .; Margaret, who married A. H. Sauers and resides in Pittsburg; Catherine, who is the wife of John W. Warrick, of Wash- ington, Pa .; Dora, who is the wife of H. F. Hetzell, of Bellevue, Allegheny County; Elizabeth, who resides at Washington, Pa .; and Martha, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Hetzell.

John S. Chambers, third child of John and Catherine (Ramsey) Chambers, was a member of Co. D, 10th Pa. Reserves in the Civil War, and on the expiration of a term of three years served in the signal corps. After the close of the war he spent three years in the regular army, was killed in a railroad accident in Marion, Ind., March, 1895. Nancy H. is the widow of M. S. McCloy and resides in Canonsburg with her only son, W. L. McCloy, general superintendent of the Philadelphia Gas Co. Dora, now deceased, was the wife of A. R. Gal- braith. William B. is the special subject of this sketch.

The mother of the above mentioned children died in Canonsburg in 1854, and Mr. Chambers married for his second wife Mrs. B. P. McConnell (nee Watson), a widow lady who had one child by her first husband- Township. By Mr. Chambers' second marriage there is Annie, who married Joseph Kammerer, of Nottingham one child, Ida M., who is unmarried and resides in Can- onsburg with the subject of this sketch.

William Buchanan Chambers began his education in the common schools and afterwards attended Washing- ton and Jefferson College until the close of the fresh- man year. While a student there he belonged to the Philo and Union Literary Society, and to the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. His vacations he spent in his father's store, gaining an insight into commercial routine. At the age of nineteen he left college to enter the mer- cantile business at McDonald, Pa., becoming associated with the firm of J. D. Sauters & Co., where he continued for six years. He then spent over two years in the employ of the Valley Milk Co., of Pittsburg.

He had early begun to take an interest in public af- fairs, and as one of the young and active Democrats of the county, had rendered effective political service to his party. On January 1, 1880, he came to Washington, to fill the position of deputy sheriff under Sheriff Per- ritte, serving in that capacity three years. In 1882 he was elected to the office of sheriff, on the Democratic ticket, and served three years-from January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1886-rendering efficient and satisfactory service. At the expiration of his term he was appointed

chief U. S. deputy marshal, under George W. Miller, marshal for the Western District of Pennsylvania, serv- ing four years, during the first administration of Presi- dent Cleveland, and also for four months, under Mr. Miller's successor, J. R. Hanna, the latter being an ap- pointee of President Harrison. Mr. Chambers served for almost five years in that capacity, his removal being due to the change of party control in the government. He next returned to Canonsburg, where he remained un- occupied for a while.

In 1892 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the office of county treasurer, and was triumphantly elected, overcoming a normal Republican majority of 2,000. He thus served until 1896. He was the first Democratic county treasurer that had been elected in twenty-five years. Later he was further honored by being appointed by Governor Patterson to a position on the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Reform School, at Morganza, Washington County, and held that position until 1897. In 1896 he was the choice of his party as a candidate for Congress in Washington County, Pa. At times also he has been a member of the town council and by appointment served as road and bridge reviewer. He has gained popularity as an official and is highly es- teemed as a man and citizen. This was early shown, on his retirement from the office of sheriff, when, at a ban- quet held by the Washington County bar, the following sentiment, proposed by Alexander Wilson, Esq., was unanimously accepted by the assembly :

"William B. Chambers, Esq .:- A faithful officer, fear- less in the discharge of his duties, pleasant in his inter- course with his fellow citizens, kind and obliging to the members of the bar and officers of the court. He retires from the office of high sheriff of Washington County with an honorable record for purity and integrity, and with the best wishes of all who have had official and per- sonal intercourse with him."

In 1895 Mr. Chambers was married to Mrs. Anna (Cole- man) Galbraith, who died two years later. She was a daughter of Hartman Coleman, a well known resident of S. Pittsburg. In 1902 Mr. Chambers was chair- man and general manager of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the borough of Canonsburg, Pa. Mr. Chambers resides with his sisters at Canonsburg. He attends the Presbyterian Church. Since 1904 he has been connected with the Philadelphia Company in the Canonsburg office.

JOHN M. PHILLIPS, a highly respected citizen of Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., who has been engaged in mining for coal for fifty-five years, is a native of Wales, born February 5, 1845. His parents were David and Catherine (Davis) Phillips. They had three children : Elizabeth, Thomas and John M. Thomas

CURTIS R. POTTER

687

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

came to the United States and lived for a time at Mid- way, in Washington County, Pa., but returned to Wales in 1877. Elizabeth was married to David J. Morgan, and was living in Luzerne County at her death.

John M. Phillips was educated in the select schools of the Church of England, in Wales, and was twenty-four years old when he started for America, taking passage on a sailing ship bound for Quebec. He met with many adventures before he reached Pittsburg, Pa., June 1, 1869, and the recital of these lose none of their interest in the telling. Mr. Phillips became a coal miner and con- tinued to work in different parts of Allegheny County un- til 1897, with the exception of three years spent at Massillon, Ohio, when he came to Cross Creek Township and bought land which is richly underlaid with coal. Mr. Phillips operates his own mine and from it supplies the majority of coal consumers within a radius of some eight miles. He has had a large amount of experience in coal mining and has seen many changes take place in the methods of bringing the precious commodity to the surface, and many needed laws made for the better pro- tection of miners while engaged in their hazardous work.

On November 3, 1866, in Eglwysillian, Wales, Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Margaret Howells, a native of Wales, and the following children were born to them: William Lincoln, born in 1872, lives in Roselle, N. J .; Thomas N., born in 1876, lives in Everett, Wash .; Edwin J., born in 1880, lives in Brooklyn, N. Y .; and Minnie, who married William France, of West Middletown, Pa. Edwin J. served three years as a member of Co. A, 6th U. S. Cav., and served in the Philippines and in the Boxers' uprising in China. Mr. Phillips and family are members of the Christian Church at Pittsburg. In politics he designates himself as a Lincoln Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

CORNELIUS CURRAN, a prominent brick contractor of Washington, who in point of service is the oldest con- tractor in Washington County, has been a resident of this city for about fifty-four years. He was born in 1850, in Mahoning County, Ohio, but when quite young came with his parents to Washington, where he was reared and educated, and early in life began working, a part of the time, on a farm. In 1869 he started to learn bricklaying with Samuel Hargrave, and since 1875 has been engaged in brick contracting, during which time he has worked on many important buildings in Washington County, some of his largest contracts being : the First National Bank, the Reed building, Second Presbyterian church and chapel, First Presbyterian church, the Catholic and Baptist churches, the Washing- ton County court house and jail, and jails at other points. He was joint contractor in the erection of the

Washington Trust building, the Montgomery building, the Siegel Hotel and of many of the ward school build- ings of Washington.

In 1873, Mr. Curran married Addie Spriggs, who was born near Wheeling, W. Va., and reared at West Alexan- der, Pa., where her parents located when she was a girl. They have had the following children: Edward S., who resides in Chicago, Ill., is employed by the American Tobacco Company; Margaret, who died when about four- teen years old; Charles C., who is engaged in business with his father; Ada; Mary F., who is a teacher in the Washington public schools; Agnes L., who is bookkeeper for her father; and John J., who is a student in the Pittsburg College, of Pittsburg. Mr. Curran and family are members, of the Catholic Church, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the C. M. B. A.

CURTIS RANDOLPH POTTER, an honored veteran of the Civil War, who has lived retired from business cares, in a pleasant and comfortable home at McDonald, since 1904, is a highly esteemed citizen of this borough. He was born in Brady Township, Clearfield County, Pa., Apr. 25, 1845, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Postlethwait) Potter.

The father of Mr. Potter engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Clearfield and Indiana Counties, Pa., and in those sections the family was a highly respected one. To Joseph and Margaret Potter the following children were born: Agnes Ann, who married (first) Daniel Cris- man, and (second) Henry. Elkins; Rachel Ellen, who married Joseph Byerly; Curtis Randolph; Woodward R .; Cordelia, who married George Herron; James B .; Emma, who is now deceased, was the wife of C. C. Stear; and Lilly, who married Frank Crean.

Curtis R. Potter had the usual school advantages of the country boy of his youth, and he helped his father on the home farm until he left it in order to become a soldier when his country needed defenders. He enlisted in 1864, in Co. A, 100th Pa. Vol. Inf., this being the noted Roundhead regiment, and was honorably discharged July 28, 1865. He returned to the home farm for one year and then learned the milling trade and was first interested in a mill at Venice, in Washington County, and then purchased what was known as the McConnell mill, and engaged in milling for 20 years, having some- thing of a reputation through the country as a fine mil- ler. Later he proved that he was equally well equipped as a merchant and as a public official. He conducted a general store for four years at Venice and during this time served as postmaster, having been appointed by the late ex-President Cleveland to that office during his first term. He then transferred his store to Midway and conducted it there for two years, after which he

688

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

came to McDonald and here engaged in a general store business until he retired in 1904. He has always been a conscientious Democrat.

In 1869, Mr. Potter was married to Miss Elizabeth Thompson, who is a daughter of William and Eliza Jane Thompson . Mrs. Potter was reared on her father's farm in Washington County. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Potter are the following: Mary Elmira, who is the wife of John S. Campbell; Cecelia, who is the wife of Bert Brestle; Lyla Myrtle, who resides at home; and Emma, who married Everett Ferguson. Mr. Potter and family belong to the First Presbyterian Church at McDonald. He has been an elder of the Presbyterian Church for the past 28 years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Carnegie, Pa.

JOHN SYLVESTER McCLURG, who is now living retired in the pleasant town of Eldersville, for a number of years was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He was born in Hanover Township, Beaver Co., Pa., March 4, 1855, and is a son of William and Nancy Ann (Mercer) McClurg.

The McClurg family is of Scotch descent. William McClurg was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., and was a son of Joseph and Ruth (Mckenzie) McClurg. William McClurg was a tiller of the soil as was his father and also were his sons. He was as stanch a Democrat in his political opinions as he was firm in his adherence to the United Presbyterian faith. He married Nancy Ann Mercer, who was born in Beaver County, Pa., a daughter of Reese Mercer, of Irish birth. To William and Nancy McClurg the following children were born : Margaret Jane, who died young; Sarah Ann, who is de- ceased, was the wife of Robert Johnston; Elizabeth Ada- line, who is deceased; John Sylvester; Alvin R., who is a merchant at Candor, Pa .; and Joseph and David, twins, the former of whom lives near Hookstown, Beaver County; and the latter of whom lives near Harsheyville, in the same county. The parents of this family are still kindly remembered in the section in which their lives were spent. Their remains rest in the Mill Creek Valley Cemetery, in Beaver County.

John Sylvester McClurg attended the public schools in Hanover Township until he was fourteen years of age and then became his father's useful helper on the farm and continued in farm pursuits for many years afterward and then retired to Eldersville, where he re- sides in the enjoyment of ample means. Like his father he always supported the Democratic ticket and many times was elected to office by that party while he lived in the country. He served many years as school di- rector in Jefferson Township and for six years was the very efficient road supervisor and at present is filling the office of judge of elections.

On September 12, 1877, Mr. McClurg was married to Miss Mary A. Cunningham, a daughter of Francis and Sarah Ann (Burd) Cunningham, prominent farmers of Jefferson Township at one time. They are both deceased and their burial was in the Bethel Cemetery in Jefferson Township. Francis Cunningham was a son of John and Susan (Metcalf) Cunningham. At the time of his death he owned 750 acres of land in Washington County. With his wife he belonged and gave liberal support to the Methodist Episcopal Church. To Francis Cunningham and wife the following of their children grew to ma- turity : Mary, who became Mrs. McClurg; and John, David, William, Stephen, Jennie, Emma and James.

To Mr. and Mrs. McClurg three children have been born: Frank, Anna B. and Alverta. Frank McClurg is a farmer and dairyman residing in Jefferson Town- ship. He married Margaret McCorkle and they have one daughter, Gladys. Anna B. McClurg is a highly edu- cated lady and is a teacher in the high school at Mid- way, Washington County. Alverta McClurg married John Johnston, a farmer and dairyman in Jefferson Town- ship. They have three children : Arthur, Helen and Mary. Mr. McClurg and family are members of the Bethel Methodist Protestant Church.

A. H. KERR, one of the well known financiers of Washington County, has served in the capacity of cashier of the Burgettstown National Bank since 1903. He was one of its founders, charter members and stockholders in 1879, and was president from 1887 until 1903. He is a member of an old and prominent family of this sec- tion. He was born at Cross Creek, Washington Co., Pa., May 29, 1850, and is a son of I. H. and Jane (Lee) Kerr.

I. H. Kerr was born in Washington County and died at Cross Creek, February 2, 1866. He was a son of A. H. Kerr, the latter of whom was of Scotch-Irish ex- traction and for many years was a leading politician of the State, serving several terms in the Legislature. For a long period I. H. Ker was a merchant at Cross Creek and was known as an honest man and leading and use- ful citizen. He married Jane Lee, who still survives, aged eighty-two years. Her father was Hugh Lee, one of the old settlers of this section. To I. H. Kerr and wife were born three children: Anna, who is now de- ceased, was the wife of Dr. T. C. M. Stockton; A. H .; and M. B., who is a merchant at Winfield, Kas.

A. H. Kerr attended school at Cross Creek and Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburg, leaving school in 1866 in order to take charge of his father's estate, after the latter's death, and continued the operation of the store at Cross Creek for thirty-three years and moved to Bur- gettstown, in 1895. He has been identified with the banking interests of this place since 1879.

689

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

On May 27, 1874, Mr. Kerr was married to Miss Georgietta Gault, a daughter of David and Matilda (Lyle) Gault, and they have two children: Jean Blanche and Grace M., the former of whom lives in New York. Mr. Kerr is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Burgettstown. In politics he is a Republican.

LOUIS FOLLET, whose position with the Standard Tin Plate Company, of Canonsburg, is that of secretary and commercial manager, is a man of large experience in this business, having devoted his whole mature life to the tin plate industry. He was born in Australia, Au- gust 4, 1865, and came to America in 1891.

When sixteen years of age, Mr. Follet began work in the tin plate factories in South Wales and after com- pleting his apprenticeship he showed the ability that caused him to be put in charge of the affairs of E. More- wood & Company, who, with British capital, erected one of the first tin plate plants in this country, located at Gas City, Ind., after the passage of the Mckinley Tariff Bill. He remained there eight years and was assistant treasurer of the company. It was then taken over by the American Tin Plate Company and Mr. Follet remained in charge for a few months and was then transferred by the company and put in charge of the operating de- partment with headquarters in New York City. After four years there in that capacity, in 1904, Mr. Follet came to Canonsburg and became secretary of the Stan- dard Tin Plate Company and took charge of its com- mercial business. Mr. Follet is a man of fine address and great business qualifications. His place of residence is Crafton, Pa.

WILLIAM NEWTON HAWKINS, a member of the well known firm, Davis & Hawkins, extensive operators in the gas and oil fields of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, was for many years one of the leading farm- ers and stock raisers of Washington County, Pa. He was born in 1855, in East Bethlehem Township, and is a son of James C. Hawkins, who was born in 1809, in what is now known as Beallsville Borough, and died in Washington County, where he spent his entire life en- gaged in farming and stock raising. Richard Hawkins, grandfather of our subject, was one of the early set- tlers of Beallsville Borough, his father, Robert Hawkins, being buried in the old Hawkins burying ground about one mile from Beallsville.

William N. Hawkins received his educational training in the common schools of his native township, the Jeffer- son Academy of Canonsburg, and the Iron City Business College, after which he taught for a period of three years. He then engaged in farming and stock raising and for about twenty years made a specialty of raising Black Percheron horses, in which he was highly successful, and

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 125

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