History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 128

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 128

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JOSEPH BENJAMIN PAINTER, a prominent farm- er and stock raiser of Independence Township, operating his valuable farm of 160 acres, was born in Westmore- land County, Pa., in 1854, and is a son of John and Susannah (Williams) Painter.

The father of Mr. Painter was a substantial farmer

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and the family was a large one. The family record is as follows: Maria, who is deceased; Adaline, who was the wife of Jacob Mitchell, deceased, of Westmoreland County; Catherine, who was the wife of James Culbert- son, deceased, of Westmoreland County; Christopher, who died in Westmoreland County; Jacob, who is de- ceased; Tobias, deceased, who spent the greater part of his life in Kansas; Harrison, who is deceased; Susan, now deceased, who was the wife of Rev. J. M. Hantz; Israel, who is now a resident of Missouri; Joseph Ben- jamin; and Lucinda, who died in infancy.

Joseph B. Painter attended the common schools of Westmoreland County, West Newton, Mt. Pleasant High School, Academy and the Columbia Classical College in Lancaster County, and later graduated from the Iron City Business College at Pittsburg. He then devoted some time to the study of Blackstone, with a view of entering the law, but later abandoned that ambition and accepted a favorable opening in the oil business. He continued to be identified with that great industry for 12 years and after retiring from the same, located on his present fine farm not far from Avella, where he has successfully pursued agriculture ever since.

In 1877, Mr. Painter was married to Miss Phebe Manchester, a daughter of the late Asa Manchester and a member of one of the old and leading families of Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Painter have four children: Asa Manchester, who is married and resides in Independence; J. M., who resides at home and assists his father; Stanley H., who is a student in the State College of Pennsylvania; and Clarence R., who is a student in the Hickory High School. Mr. Painter and family belong to the Presbyterian Church of Lower Buffalo.

In politics, Mr. Painter is nominally a Democrat, but he reserves the right to vote independently when his judgment impels him to do so. Formerly he took a lively interest in public affairs and frequently consented to hold office, for nine years being a school director in Clarion County, and for three years a member of the borough council at Edinburg, in that county. In the fall of 1909 he was chosen a meber of the United States Jury, sitting at Pittsburg. For many years he has been prominently identified with Masonry, is a member of Washington Lodge No. 164, F. & A. M., and has served the Lodge and Chapter by filling the chairs; is a member of Syria Shrine of Pittsburg, and was a charter member of Edinburg Lodge No. 550 and of Clarion Chapter in Clarion County. He belongs also to the Elks. He is an active grange worker; is a mem- ber of Avella Grange No. 1371, and is district deputy of Washington County and a past master of his sub- ordinate and Pomona Granges. He is a fluent writer

and a ready debator. Few men have led a more active life than the subject of this sketch.

EDWARD C. STEWART, superintendent of the Hazel Atlas Glass Company of Washington, Pa., has been a resident of this city for the past 13 years. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1869, and is a son of James C. Stewart, who was for years engaged in railroad con- tracting, but spent his later years on a ranch in South- western Texas. Mr. Stewart is of Scotch-Irish descent and comes of one of Pennsylvania's oldest and best families, it having been established in Lancaster County during the colonial era and from thence removing to Allegheny and Washington Counties at an early period.

When quite young Mr. Stewart's parents moved to Southwestern Texas, where he attended the common schools until about 1886, when he came north and lo- cated near the "S" Bridge, where he completed his education. Upon entering the business world, he was first employed in an insurance office in Pittsburg, after which he was with the Pittsburg Stone Company until 1896, when the Atlas Glass Company of Washington was established, since which time he has been super- intendent of the factory. He is also interested as a stockholder in the company, and gives his entire time to the business, having no lodge or club affiliations. Mr. Stewart attends the Presbyterian Church.

MORGAN R. PRIGG, a representative citizen and farmer of Canton Township, resides on his valuable farm, the old Prigg homestead, which contains 150 acres, on which he carries on farming and stock raising, and was born here, Mar. 24, 1873, a son of Enoch D. and Ma- tilda M. (Daniels) Prigg. His father was born in Washington County and his mother in what is now West Washington.

Enoch D. Prigg was born in Washington County, Pa., Nov. 11, 1817, and died Aug. 26, 1901. His parents were Samuel and Hetty (Dye) Prigg, with whom he continued to reside until they no longer needed his assistance. In the course of years and business trans- actions he acquired the homestead and lived on it until death, later acquiring also other valuable land until his possessions aggregated 385 acres, some of this land in the South owned in connection with a stock company. He was married in June, 1858, to Matilda M. Daniels, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth M. Daniels, who was born May 24, 1839, and came of Scotch ancestry. To this marriage the following children were born: An- drew M., who resides at Washington; Sarah J., who is the wife of Charles Taylor, of Canton Township; Isabel, who is the wife of E. C. Longdon, of Washington; Annie C., who is the wife of James Lacock, of Canton

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Township; and Morgan R., also residing in Canton Township. The venerable mother of the above family resides on the homestead in Canton Township.

Morgan R. Prigg has devoted himself closely to ag- ricultural pursuits ever since his schooldays ended. He has given a large amount of attention to the subject of sheep raising and therefore follows it intelligently, his choice of stock being the National Delaine. They are satisfying wool growers and possess other desirable points.

On Sept. 29, 1897, Mr. Prigg was married to Miss Lillian B. Ramsey, who is a daughter of the late William C. Ramsey, who was a very prominent citizen of Wash- ington County and former sheriff. He was born in Amwell Township Mar. 5, 1843. He married Elizabeth Sowers, who was born in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, and they had five children, namely : Ulysses B., residing at Washington, Pa .; Levi H., re- siding in South Franklin Township; Kate F., living at Washington; Wilmetta M., now deceased; and Liman D., who is the wife of Mr. Prigg. To Mr. and Mrs. Prigg four children have been born: E. Wray, Florence J., William L. and Mauveleen M. Mr. Prigg and wife are members of the Fourth Presbyterian Church at Washington. Like his late respected father, he is a Democrat in his political opinions.

WILLIAM CLARK BLACK, the founder and managing editor of the "Union Labor Journal," the first Labor paper in Washington County, Pa., with offices in the Brown Building, Washington, Pa., was born in this city May 23, 1873, a son of George W. Black, Jr. His pa- ternal grandfather, George W. Black, Sr., was in the tobacco and cigar business, and was the originator of the now familiar "stogie."

George W. Black, Jr., was educated in this county and subsequently entered the tobacco business, in which he continued until his death. He married Myra Belle Crall, of Monongahela, and their children were Samuel, Martha Elizabeth, Mary Etta, William Clark, George, Lucy Hazlett and Myra.

The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Washington County. On January 27, 1887, he entered the office of the old "Washington County Democrat," to learn the printer's trade. After getting some insight into the business, he went to Chi- cago, Ill., where he found employment for a time on the "Inter Ocean." From the office of that paper he went to that of the old Chicago "Mail," and from there to the "Morning News." He next worked on the "Times,"' at the time that paper was edited by Carter H. Harrison. In September, 1897, he went to the State of California, where after some residence received an appointment to a position in the State Printing Office

at Sacramento, and worked there and in the State for some six years. Lived also in Oregon, where he worked for some time on the "Rogue River Courier,"' at Grant's Pass, Josephine County. He also had considerable newspaper experience in the State of Washington, and the copper mining regions of Shasta County, Cal., Kes- wick, De La Mar, Sallee and Copper City; as well as in the Mother Lode gold mining district of California, Calaveras and Amador Counties. In April, 1894, he re- turned to Washington, Pa., and in March, 1907, founded the "Union Labor Journal," of Washington and Greene Counties. This paper is the official newspaper of the Washington Central Trade Assembly, of Washington, Pa., and also of the Monongahela Valley Central Trades Council, located at Charleroi.

Mr. Black is a member of Typographical Union No. 456, and for the last seven years has been the Washing- ton (Pa.) correspondent for the "Typographical Jour- nal." He was elected delegate from this local to Bos- ton (Mass.) in 1908. He was secretary of the Washing- ton Central Trades Assembly for three years, serving one term as treasurer and was district organizer of the American Federation of Labor for Washington, Pa., and the vicinity two and a half terms. In politics he is independent, and his religious affiliations are with the Episcopal Church. Mr. Black is unmarried and resides with his mother, Mrs. George W. Black, at No. 276 Lo- cust avenue.

WILLIAM S. VANCE, a representative business man of Washington, conducting a drug business at No. 66 North Main street, can claim descent from two of the old and honorable pioneer families of Washington County. He was born in South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., Oct. 24, 1872, and is the younger of two sons born to his parents, who were William and Nancy (Dinsmore) Vance.

William Vance was also a native of Washington County and died on April 30, 1872. His widow still survives and since October, 1874, has occupied her beau- tiful Washington home, which is situated at No. 246 East Beau street. She was born in Washington County and is a daughter of Robert W. Dinsmore, also a native of this county, who was engaged in farming and stock raising all his life.

William S. Vance was reared in Washington County. He began his education in the public schools, graduating with the high school class of 1889 and afterwards at- tending Washington and Jefferson College. When about 17 years old he began the study of pharmacy and was employed as a clerk in different drug stores of Wash- ington until 1900, when he engaged in the retail drug business for himself at his present stand. He is a grad- uate of the Pittsburg College of Pharmacy (now a de-

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WILLIAM CLARK BLACK

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

partment of the University of Pittsburg) in the class of 1896.

On Feb. 12, 1906, Mr. Vance was married to Miss Lou Catherine Woodard, of Washington, Pa., and they have one son, William Woodard. Mr. and Mrs. Vance are members of the First Presbyterian Church. He is identified fraternally with the Elks.

JOHN L. COCKINS, vice president of the First Na- tional Bank of Canonsburg and a prominent citizen, was born near Hickory, in Mt. Pleasant Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., May 31, 1847. His parents were John and Elizabeth (McCarrell) Cockins.

The paternal grandfather of John L. Cockins came to Washington County from Lastern Pennsylvania, at a very early date, established a home on the border, as- sisted in bringing civilization to what was then a wild section, and after a long and useful life, passed away and his memory is preserved with that of the other pioneers.

John Cockins, father of John L., was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, in 1799, and was a child when the family came to Washington County. He became a man of sub- stance and spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in July, 1865, when he was aged 66 years. He married Elizabeth McCarrell, a daughter of Lodowick McCarrell, early settlers also in Washington County. She died in 1889 in her 84th year and was laid by the side of her husband, in a cemetery at Venice, Pa. They were parents of ten children, eight of whom reached maturity. Vincent, the eldest, became a minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and never married. At the time of his death, he was pastor of the Fourth Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg. Lavina married Alexander Russell and lived and died at Burgettstown. Margaret and Belle H. died unmarried. William married Miss Anna Welch and for 40 years they have resided at Lawrence, Kas., spending a part of their time in California. He is a successful business man and is interested in real estate. Martha Jane, who died in Mt. Pleasant Township, was the wife of William Berry. James M. is a Presbyterian minister, residing at Los Angeles, Cal. He married (first) Jennie Bosserman, and (second) Anna Miller.

John L. Cockins is the youngest born of the above family. He was educated in the common schools and took a commercial course in the Iron City Business Col- lege at Pittsburg, and after his return home engaged in farming, operating the old home farm in Mt. Pleasant Township until 1875, in which year he moved to Canons- burg. He still owns the old homestead, together with another farm in Mt. Pleasant Township, a third farm in West Finley Township and still another, situated at Dinsmore Station, in Smith Township. His interests

in realty at Canonsburg are also extensive and he is connected with the Canonsburg Land Company, the Alexander Land Company and the Cockins and Johnston plat of lots in Canonsburg. He is interested in other concerns, being a director as well as vice president of the First National Bank and a stockholder in the Canonsburg Steel and Iron Works.

In 1873, Mr. Cockins was married to Miss Anna Mor- gan, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Martin) Morgan, old settlers in Mt. Pleasant Township, who died about 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Cockins have two children: Howard L. and Alice May. Howard L. Cockins was born in January, 1874, was reared and educated at Canonsburg, and for the past 12 years has been engaged in the furni- ture business. He married Miss Edith Perritt, a daugh- ter of George Perritt, who formerly was sheriff of Wash- ington County. Mrs. Cockins was reared at Canonsburg. Alice May Cockins is the wife of Dr. William Inglish, a practicing physician at Columbus, O., and they have two sons-John C. and William D. Mr. Cockins and family enjoy a beautiful modern home, which is located on West Pike street, which was completed in 1892. In 1903 the family visited California, but no climatic nor business advantages served to separate Mr. Cockins, except temporarily, from Pennsylvania. He has always been identified with the Republican party, but has led too active a business life to have been able to devote much attention to public office. He has, however, served as a justice of the peace for a quarter of a century. His interest in educational matters has been genuine and constant and for nine years he served on the school board. He is a leading member of the Chartiers United Presbyterian Church, an elder in the same and has done much to promote the efficiency of the Sunday-school and for some 33 years served as assistant superintendent and as treasurer.

JAMES F. WESTLAKE, who has been postmaster at Independence, Washington County, Pa., since 1903, came to this village in 1856. Mr. Westlake was born April 13, 1846, in West Middletown, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of James and Mary (Miller) Westlake.

Benjamin Westlake, the grandfather of James F., was born in Ohio and came to Washington County in 1826. He was a man widely known in his day as a brave and venturesome frontiersman, and made several trips by flat-boat to New Orleans, the trip back being made on foot, quite an undertaking in those days. On one of these return trips, while passing through an Indian village, he received a tomahawk wound, which left a livid scar on his face.

James Westlake learned the trade of shoemaker when 16 years old at Barnesville, Ohio, and worked with his uncle until after his marriage, when he engaged in busi-

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ness on his own account at West Middletown, Pa., and there continued to reside for 14 years. When he came to Independence, in 1856, and here carried on his trade until within four years of his death, which occurred in 1909. Mr. Westlake was married to Mary Miller, of Donegal Township, and to them the following children were born: Jennie, the widow of J. B. Fouch, of Donora; James Fletcher; John S., residing in Canton, Ohio; Cassius M., minister of the Congregational Church at Sheldon, Iowa; William H. S., residing in Salt Lake City, Utah; and Bertha, who died in infancy.

James Fletcher Westlake attended the district school of the place of his nativity, and later entered Mt. Union College at Mt. Union, Ohio, which he left in 1864, when 18 years of age, to enlist in the 162nd O. Vol. Inf. at Canton, Ohio. He saw four months of active service at Camp Chase and in Central Kentucky, and after the close of hostilities he became a private in the regular army and for three years saw service in Southeast Da- kota during the trouble with the Sioux Indians. In 1868 he came back to Independence, where he went to work with his father, as a shoemaker, and he has made this city his home to the present time, with the exception of two years spent in Fayette County.

In June, 1873, Mr. Westlake was married to Mary F. Fouche, who is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (King) Fouche, of Centerville, Somerset County, Pa., and to this union there have been born children, as follows: Jeanette, who married Robert E. Scott, resid- ing near Irwin, Pa .; James Edward, a school teacher of Washington, Pa., and Frank Ross, a clerk in the Avella bank.

Mr. Westlake is a Republican in politics, and in ad- dition to having been postmaster since 1903, has served as township-clerk, tax collector and in other capacities. For a number of years he has been a trustee of the Methodist Church of Independence.

NORMAN EMMETT CLARK, who has practiced law in Washington, Pa., since 1885, was born in what is now South Franklin Township, Washington County, Nov. 8, 1861, and is a son of John Gaylord and Sarah Clokey Clark.

Mr. Clark attended the public schools of the county and Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was graduated with the Class of 1882. He then regis- tered as a law student and was admitted to the bar of the county Dec. 16, 1885. He entered upon the practice of his profession immediately and in 1886 was made deputy clerk of courts of Washington County. Upon the death of the clerk he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. He then practiced by himself until the year 1889, when he entered the firm of A. W. and M. C. Acheson. Upon the retirement of Judge Acheson,

the firm became Acheson, Irwin and Clark, and later Acheson, Clark and Berryman. In 1899, Mr. Berryman withdrew from the firm and moved to Pittsburg, the firm having prior to that time become Clark and Berry- man, upon the withdrawal of Mr. Acheson. Mr. Clark practiced alone until 1904, when the firm of Parker, McIlvaine and Clark was formed. Since 1907, Mr. Mc- Ilvaine and Mr. Clark have been associated alone, the firm being MeIlvaine & Clark. They practice in all the State and Federal Courts and have offices in the Wash- ington Trust Building. Mr. Clark has been solicitor for the borough of East Washington since 1894, and enjoys the distinction of being the only solicitor that borough has had since it was created. He has been local counsel for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad continuously since 1893. He is a member of the Washington County Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania State Bar Associa- tion, and served two terms each as vice-president and president of the former body.

In 1892, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Sarah Hanna Flack, a native of Washington County, N. Y., and they have three children: John Gaylord, Norman Emmett and Mary Foster Clark.

W. F. SCOTT, general merchant and representative citizen at Burgettstown, a member of the Board of Health and identified with many important interests of the borough, was born in Smith Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 7, 1856. His father, R. K. Scott, is a general farmer in Smith Township.

W. F. Scott obtained his education in the local schools and at Burgettstown, after which he remained at home assisting his father on the farm until he was 23 years old. He then came to Burgettstown to enter into busi- ness and formed a partnership which resulted in the establishing of the firm of MeMurray & Scott, which continued for ten years. At the close of the decade, Mr. Scott sold his interest to his partner and then start- ed into a general store business for himself, at his present location. He carries a large stock, including dry goods and groceries and also handles flour and feed. In politics he is a Democrat and has been interested in public matters ever since he came to the borough as a permanent resident. He has served usefully on the borough council and is recognized as one of the re- sponsible and representative men of the place.

On Jan. 19, 1887, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Hannah May Lee, a daughter of W. S. Lee, and they have two children, Hazel and Merle, both of whom, after graduating from the Burgettstown schools, entered a seminary near Philadelphia, to pursue a higher course. Mr. Scott and family are members of the United Pres- byterian Church, with which he has been connected since boyhood.

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A. P. DUNCAN, treasurer of the Duncan & Miller Glass Company, at Washington, and a director in the Real Estate Trust Company, is a representative busi- ness man of this city and has been identified with glass manufacturing all his business life. He was born in 1875, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of the late James E. Duncan, the founder of the present large glass busi- ness, with plant situated at Jefferson avenue and Fac- tory street.

A. P. Duncan was educated at Pittsburg and at Wash- ington and Jefferson College, Washington, where he was graduated in the class of 1896. He immediately entered into the business of glass manufacturing, as an employer of the firm of George Duncan's Sons, and after the business was incorporated, in 1900, as the Duncan & Miller Glass Company, he became treasurer. The busi- ness is one of large importance, employment being afforded about 190 people, the output of the factory being high grade table glass ware, with a number of specialties from private molds.

JOHN S. McCARTY, one of the old representative business men of McDonald, Pa., senior member of the firm of McCarty & Sons, dealers in lumber, was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pa., Sept. 27, 1846, and is a son of John and Jane (Roseberry) McCarty.

The parents of Mr. McCarty were farming people in Mt. Pleasant Township and in their day were well known and highly respected. They were members of the Candor Presbyterian Church and were interred in the cemetery there. Their parents were Timothy and Jane (McCon- nell) McCarty, and Benjamin and Mary (Donaldson) Roseberry. John S. McCarty, the fifth member of his parents' family, is one of the three survivors, Benjamin R. and Elizabeth being the others. Martha J., wife of Russell Thompson, Timothy, James H. and Thomas D., all are deceased.

John S. McCarty had common school advantages in his youth and then assisted his father on the home farm until he was 30 years of age. About 1879 he embarked in the lumber business at Midway and after seven years sold out to his brother on account of a desire to visit California. He remained in the far West for six years and after he returned to Washington County bought a one-half interest in a lumber and hardware business, which he continued interested in until 1894. In the fol- lowing year he came to McDonald and here went into business with J. W. Robb, in April, 1905, purchasing his partner's share and identifying his sons with him. The firm does a large business all through this section. For four years he served as postmaster at Midway under President Cleveland's first administration in Robeson Township.

In October, 1874, Mr. McCarty was married to Miss Anna M. Lindsey, a daughter of William and Anna (Vanemen) Lindsey, who were much respected resi- dents of Washington County, Mr. Lindsey being a sub- stantial farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey had the follow- ing children: Sarah, who is the widow of Richard Boyce; John, who is deceased; Elizabeth, who married Hamil- ton Kennedy; Alexander V .; Rebecca, who is deceased, was the first wife of Dr. A. C. Stevenson; Margaret ; Rena, who is deceased, was the second wife of Dr. A. C. Stevenson; Robert; Rachel, who married Joseph W. Robb; and Anna M., wife of Mr. McCarty. Mr. and Mrs. McCarty have had four children: John W. K. and Robert V., are associated with their father in business ; and Bertie Jane and Clifford, both died young. The family attends the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McCarty is a member of Garfield Lodge No. 464, F. & A. M., at Burgettstown, Pa.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 128

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