History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 132

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 132

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WILLARD G. CUNDALL, a leading citizen and suc- cessful farmer of Blaine Township, Washington County, Pa., who is serving most acceptably as president of the township board of school directors, was born in Char- tiers Township, in the same county, Aug. 16, 1860. His parents were Edward G. and Martha (Cook) Cundall.

Edward G. Cundall was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1834 and resides at Washington, Pa. His father was Edward Cundall, who was a native of Rhode Island. Edward G. Cundall is a well known citizen of the county and formerly was superintendent of the County Home, in Chartiers Township, where he served for fourteen years in that responsible office. He married Martha Cook, who was also born in Washington County and they had a large family, four of whom survive the mother, who died in 1892, namely: Margaret R., who is the wife of DeForest Wilson, of Taylorstown; Emma J., who is the wife of William MeMannis, of Taylorstown; and Willard G. and William H., the latter being a resident of Washington.

Willard G. Cundall was reared and educated in his native county and throughout his whole life has been more or less connected with agricultural pursuits. For some years he has also been in the employ of the Wash- ington Oil Company. The South Pennsylvania Pipe Line station is located at the place which was named

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Cundall Station in honor of this family, the site being on the old Cundall farm.

Mr. Cundall married Miss Ada R. Clarke, who was born in Chartiers Township and is a daughter of Thomas P. Clarke who is now a resident of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Cundall have four sons: Thomas W., Harry P., Edward M. and Willard G. With his family, Mr. Cun- dall belongs to the United Presbyterian Church at Tay- lorstown. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias at that place and has frequently been elected to official position in the lodge. In politics, like his father, Mr. Cundall is a Republican.

JAMES E. WALLACE, farmer and successful fruit grower, residing at No. 500 Locust Avenue, has been a citizen of Washington since 1890, coming from West- moreland County, Pa., where his family is one of age and prominence. Mr. Wallace was born in Westmoreland County, in 1861, and is a son of the late William Wal- lace, who died at Washington, in 1896.

The grandfather, James Wallace, was born in West- moreland County, in 1805, and followed an agricultural life. His father was Peter Wallace, who was also born in Westmoreland County, where he was prominent in public affairs, serving some twelve years as a member of the State Legislature from there. His father, Richard Wallace, was the first of the family to settle in West- moreland County and he built one of the first mills and a fort, known as Wallace Fort, which was one of the earliest defenses erected to protect settlers from the Indians, west of the Allegheny Mountains. He was known as a great Indian fighter and on several occasions he fell into the hands of the savages, but managed to escape. Finally he joined an exploring expedition into the Ohio wilderness and never returned.

James E. Wallace was reared and educated in his na- tive county and there engaged in farming until 1890, when he came to Washington County and purchased land near where he resides. He makes a specialty of peaches and strawberries and grows other fine fruit, finding a ready market for all his land will produce.

In 1896, Mr. Wallace was married to Miss Julia Fran- ces Ransom, who was born at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, a daugh- ter of Willard Wallace and Julia Nichols (McGiffin) Ransom, both of whom were natives of Mt. Vernon. The mother of Mrs. Wallace died when she was seven weeks old. The father survived for many years and died at his home in Mt. Vernon, March 30, 1902. Mrs. Wal- lace was an only child. Mr. Ransom was a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are members of the Second Presby- terian Church of Washington, in which he is a deacon.

JOHN LOGAN MCCLELLAND, a representative busi- ness citizen at Canonsburg, dealing in real estate and

insurance, and one of the organizers of the Canonsburg Electric Light Company, was born at Florence, Hanover Township, Washington Co., Pa., August 21, 1841. His parents were Jackson and Mary (Criswell) McClelland.

The McClelland family was established in Washington .County by the great-grandfather, Hanson McClelland, who came from Ireland. He reared a family of sturdy sons, one of these being William McClelland, who became the grandfather of John Logan McClelland. The Mc- Clellands and McCooks were neighbors in Chartiers Town- ship and William McClelland and Daniel McCook, father of the "fighting McCooks,"' of the Civil War, together owned the salt well in Chartiers Township. William McClelland married Hannah Long and they had four children : Jackson, Joseph, James and Catherine, the latter of whom married Rev. M. A. Parkinson.

Jackson McClelland was born in Chartiers Township and the mother in Hanover Township, Washington Coun- ty. In 1843 they moved to Canonsburg, where both died, the mother in 1891, in her seventy-first year. They had the following children: John Logan; Romulus L., who died in 1852, aged ten years; and Mary Long, who . was married to Arthur McMurtrie, of Huntington; and Nettie Criswell, both of whom live with their brother.

John Logan McClelland attended Jefferson College be- fore he accompanied the family when removal was made South in 1858. In 1862 the family came back to Canonsburg. In 1861 Mr. MeClelland entered the Con- federate army as a private in Co. G, 50th Tenn. Vol. Inf., in which he served a short time, this regiment being the garrison regiment of Fort Donaldson. Soon after en- listing he was made second lieutenant. In 1869 he re- turned to Washington County and was a member of the civil engineering corps that built the Chartiers Valley Railroad and after the completion of that contract he entered the office of the chief engineer of the Panhandle Railroad, and remained with that road until 1881. In 1883 he was made deputy sheriff of Washington County and served three years under Sheriff W. B. Chambers. In 1886 he opened a real estate office and at the same time organized a building and loan association which proved very successful, and demonstrated his ability . and integrity as a business man. In 1894 he organized, with others, the Canonsburg Electric Light Company, of which he was president from 1894 until 1907, which was sold to the Washington Electric Light Company in 1909, it taking charge on April 1, 1909.

In politics, Mr. MẹClelland is a stanch Democrat, and is a very popular citizen. He has never married.

WILLIAM C. RAMSEY, deceased, once a citizen of large influence in Washington County, was also one of sterling character. He was born in Amwell Township,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Washington Co., Pa., March 5, 1843, and was a son of Reuben and Margaret (Horn) Ramsey.

Reuben Ramsey was born near the corner of College and Maiden streets, Washington, and was a son of George and Lydia (Lloyd) Ramsey. He settled in Am- well Township after he married and there worked at the cooper trade and also as a farmer and there he died in 1882, survived by his widow until 1890. Reuben Ram- sey married Margaret Horn, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Closser) Horn, and they had the following children born to them: William Calvin, Robert Hamil- ton, George Washington, Nicholas Murray and John Nel- son.

William C. Ramsey was reared on the home farm and was afforded excellent educational advantages, better than were enjoyed by his associates. He was prepared to teach school but on August 8, 1862, he entered the Federal Army, enlisting in Co. D, 140th Pa. Vol. Inf., and served faithfully until he was honorably dis- charged June 25, 1865, at Albany, N. Y. He was ever at the post of duty and at the battle of Gettysburg he was seriously wounded, his injury making it necessary for him to spend many months in a hospital. After he had sufficiently recovered, he was transferred to the 11th Veteran Corps, of which he was made quartermaster- sergeant, having served in the 140th Regiment with the rank of color corporal. His whole military record is one that reflects honor and credit upon him and is a source of pride to his family.

After he returned to Washington County, Mr. Ramsey spent several winters teaching school after his summers on the farm, and in the meanwhile he took an active and intelligent interest in public matters in the county. He had been reared a Democrat and on the Democratic ticket, in 1870, he was elected to the important office of sheriff of Washington County and during his three years of service was acknowledged to be an able, courageous and conscientious officer. When he retired to private life he bought a farm situated about five miles distant from Washington and resided there until the close of his life, his death occurring December 2, 1902. His widow sur- vives and occupies a comfortable home at No. 155 Dun- can avenue, Washington.

Mr. Ramsey was married in 1863 to Miss Elizabeth Jane Sower, a daughter of Levi and Cynthias Sower, of West Bethlehem Township. They reared five children, namely: Ulysses Bernard, who is a member of the Kurtz & Ramsey Monument Company, at Washington; Levi Harlan, who is engaged in farming in the county ; Kate Florence, who resides with her mother at Washing- ton; Wilmetta Maud Estella, who is now deceased; and Lillie Blanche, who is the wife of Morgan Prigg, residing on a farm in Canton Township. Mr. Ramsey was one of the active and liberal members of the East Buffalo

Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder. Although he began life with little means, through industry, pru- dence and good judgment, he acquired an ample estate. He was one of the directors of the Farmers' and Me- chanics' Bank of Washington.

ERNEST C. LAWTON, whose comfortable residence is suituated on the edge of the village of West Middle- town, Washington Co., Pa., is successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising on 128 acres of excel- lent land which lies in Hopewell Township. He was born in Independence Township, Washington Co., Pa., March 9, 1870, and is a son of Joseph K. and Mary L. (Quest) Lawton. His mother, who lives in West Middle- town, is a daughter of the late Dr. Quest, of Wellsburg, at one time a practitioner of West Middletown. He has a twin sister, Eva, who married M. G. Lawrence, and one other sister, Annie, who married Malcolm Atmore. Mr. Lawton was a carpenter by trade and lived here most of his life, dying in 1906.

Ernest C. Lawton secured a good common school edu- cation and worked at first, after leaving school, as a tinner. He has been very active in politics and is a recognized Republican leader. He served as deputy sheriff under his father-in-law, Sheriff Pentecost, has also been warden of the jail and has been a member of the township school board.

On November 27, 1900, Mr. Lawton was married to Miss Martha Pentecost and they have a charming little daughter, Phoebe, who was born in her grandfather 's house during his official term as sheriff of Washington County.

JOHN W. WARRICK, one of Washington's representa- tive business men, conducting a large grocery enterprise at No. 102 South Main street, Washington, is also identified with other business concerns of this section. He was born at Washington, in 1862, and is a son of George M. and Mary (Wilson) Warrick and a grandson of Jonathan and Mary (Slack) Warrick, old residents of Washington County.

After leaving school, John W. Warrick entered his father's grocery store and in 1881 became a partner in the business which was conducted as G. M. Warrick & Sons until the father retired, when the firm style was changed to G. M. Warrick's Sons. In 1908, William J. Warrick, the other member of the firm, retired, and since then John W. Warrick has been sole proprietor. During the entire course of his business life he has been identified with grocery interests and is one of the most experienced men in this line in Washington County. This house has always enjoyed a liberal patronage as it has been conducted along the lines to ensure a continuance of the confidence of the

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

public. Mr. Warrick has other interests, being con- nected with the Floral Company of South Strabane Township and is a director in the First National Bank of Washington.

Mr. Warrick was married in 1896, to Miss Catherine Chambers, a daughter of Josiah R. Chambers, of Canons- burg, and they have two sons: George Ramsey and John Wilson. With his family, Mr. Warrick is a mem- ber of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Wash- ington. He has never been unduly active in public matters but his fellow citizens know where he stands when the good citizens of the community are appealed to, to further movements which promise to be beneficial to every one, or to aid in the maintenance of law and order.

W. W. HOYT, burgess of Washington, Pa., has been a resident of this city for the past 20 years and has taken a deep interest in public affairs. He was born at Pitts- burg, in 1867, and prior to locating at Washington lived in various parts of the country.

Mr. Hoyt was reared and educated in Pittsburg, and there learned the trade of a horseshoer in his father's shop. He afterward worked at his trade at various places throughout the country and in 1889 came to Wash- ington, Pa., with the intention of remaining but one week. He has been here continuously since that time and has met with much success at his trade. In 1894, he entered into business for himself, making horseshoeing a spe- cialty, and he now has three men in his employ. He is a Democrat in politics and has always taken an active interest in political affairs. He served in the city Coun- eil from the Fourth Ward a number of years, and in February, 1909, was elected burgess of Washington over the Republican nominee, Jacob Zelt, Jr. He is the first Democrat honored with election to that office in a num- ber of years, the city being normally Republican, and he received a majority of 394 votes.

On Mar. 5, 1890, Mr. Hoyt was married to Miss Edith S. Jones, of Homestead, Pa., and they have six children living. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt are consistent members of the First Baptist Church. He is prominently affiliated with a number of fraternal organizations: National Lodge No. 81, I. O. O. F .; Shakespeare Encampment No. 20, I. O. O. F .; Rebecca Lodge; Hancock Lodge No. 231, K. P .; Washington Commandery No. 62, U. R. K. P., of which he was captain six years; Modern Woodmen of America; Home Guards of America; the Eagles, and Local No. 166, Master Horseshoers National Protective Association.

A. J. RUSSELL, a leading citizen of Washington County, Pa., who has been prominently identified with public affairs and business interests of Bulger, Midway,

and Smith Township, is vice president of the Midway National Bank and is agent for the Pennsylvania Cen- tral and St. Louis Railroad at this point. Mr. Russell was born two miles north of Hickory, in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington Co., Pa., October 6, 1841, and is a son of Andrew and Jane C. (Miller) Russell.

Andrew Russell was born in Chartiers Township, Washington County, about three miles north of Canons- burg, and there he was a large farmer for many years, moving then to Mt. Pleasant Township, where he lived until a year and a half of his death, when he retired to Houston, where he purchased a residence. He was one of the old and reliable citizens of this section and during a large part of his life was a member of the United Pres- byterian Church. He married Jane C. Miller, a daughter of Andrew Miller and ten children were born to them.

A. J. Russell was educated in the common schools of Mt. Pleasant Township and Hickory Academy, complet- ing the course of study at the latter place. In 1862 he entered the Federal Army as a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in Co. G, 123rd Pa. Vol. Inf., and with that organization completed the nine months of his first enlistment. After a visit home, Mr. Russell re-enlisted for further service, entering the 21st Pa. Vol. Cav., and with that brave body of troopers he continued a soldier until the close of the war. After his safe return to peaceful pursuits, in 1867, Mr. Russell embarked in the mercantile business at Bulger, which enterprise he con- tinued for 34 years, when he disposed of it to Charles C. Rodgers. In 1866-67, he accepted a railroad agency with the Pennsylvania system and this business interest he has retained ever since. He has been an active politician and many time has been elected to important offices on the Republican ticket. For 35 years he served as postmaster at Bulger, and for three terms as a justice of the peace in Smith Township and so satisfactory were his decisions that he was re-elected for a like period but declined to serve. When the Midway National Bank was organized, July 4, 1867, Mr. Russell became vice president and he has continued in that office ever since and is one of the largest stockholders. Mr. Russell's business ability, his public spirit and his general high standing in his community, have brought him the respect and approbation of his fellow citizens irrespective of political affiliation.

Mr. Russell was married (first) June 2, 1867, to Miss Margaret McBurney, who died in 1886, leaving one son, Andrew L., who is a resident of Midway, Pa. Mr. Russell was married (second) to Miss Alice M. Smith, a daughter of Robert Smith, of Cherry Valley. They are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Midway, in wnich Mr. Russell has been an elder for 15 years.

G. M. BARRE, a retired farmer of Washington, Pa., and owner of a fine farm of 168 acres in South Strabane

W. W. HOYT

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Township, was born on September 26, 1849, at Scenery Hill, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of William and . Martha (Munce) Barre.

William Barre, who was born in 1822, at Scenery Hill, Pa., was a wagon maker by trade, at which he worked for many years during his early life. He subsequently bought a farm in South Strabane Township, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until about one year before his death, when he removed to Washing- ton, where he died in 1899. He married Martha Munce, who came of one of the pioneer families of Washington County, and they became the parents of fifteen children, of whom the following are living: Joseph C., of East Maiden street, Washington; Thomas, resides in Mis- souri; Angeline, married James Matthews of Washing- ton, Pa .; Kate (Mrs. Haines) resides in California; Maggie, is the wife of Andrew Horn of Washington County; Emma, is the wife of James Wilson, who conducts an undertaking establishment in Washington, Pa .; Sadie, married Samuel McCowan; and G. M., the subject of this sketch.

G. M. Barre was reared and educated in South Stra- bane Township, where throughout his active career, he was engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of sheep raising. In 1904, Mr. Barre retired from business life and came to Washington, where he resides in a fine home at No. 281 Locust avenue, but still continues overseeing his farming interests in South Strabane Township. In 1894 Mr. Barre was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Annie Ellwood, who was born in Washington County and is a daughter of Thomas Ellwood. Mr. and Mrs. Barre are members of the Second Presbyterian Church.

THOMAS A. McCREIGHT, who owns 70 acres of very valuable land which lies in Hanover Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., was born in Jefferson County, Pa., April 3, 1864, and is a son of Smith and Elizabeth (Murphy) McCreight.

The parents of Mr. McCreight were both born in Pennsylvania and were married at Brookville, in Jef- ferson County. The father died March 10, 1907. He had many business interests, being engaged in farming and lumbering and also owned a grist-mill. They had the following children: Thomas A .; Clara, who married Orville M. Grissinger, lives in Colorado; Anna, who married Andrew Wheeler, lives in Jefferson County; and Susan B., who married R. P. Gardner of Hanover Town- ship, and with this daughter the mother makes her home.

Thomas A. McCreight attended school pretty regu- larly until he was 15 years old, after which he went to farming with his father and has made farming his main work in life, although he has also worked at the car- penter trade. This he never really learned, but having

a natural talent, has done some very creditable work in that line, in the way of improving his property.

On May 10, 1888, Mr. MeCreight was married to Miss Laura Bell, a daughter of William and Anna (McCready) Bell, who were farming people of Washington County. The children of the Bell family were: Mary, who is now deceased, was the wife of Seward Walker; Harry ; James A .; Ada, who married Mayo Patterson; Laura. who married Mr. McCreight; Dessa, who married Alex- ander Wilson; and W. C. and A. J. Mr. and Mrs. McCreight have the following children: Clarence A., Lester S., Craig O., George D., Alice Bell and Stella May. The family belong to the United Presbyterian Church of Hanover Township. In politics, like his late father, Mr. McCreight is a Republican. He has served very acceptably in the office of road master and is a respected and representative man in his township.

GEORGE M. WARRICK, one of Washington's most esteemed retired citizens, was born in Amwell Township, Washington Co., Pa., February 28, 1831, and is a son of Jonathan T. and Mary (Slack) Warrick.

Jonathan T. Warrick was brought to Washington County when about ten years of age, but later was taken to Beaver County and lived there until he was seventeen, when he returned to Washington County and engaged in school-teaching here until he was twenty-six years old. For some time afterward he worked at carpentering and cabinetmaking and then turned his attention to farming in Amwell Township, moving from there in 1835 to East Finley Township, where he re- mained until his death, in 1846, at the age of sixty-two years. He married Mary Slack, who was a native of Washington County, and to them were born the fol- lowing children: Sarah, who married Jackson Harsh- man; James; Matilda; Mary, who married George Ely, is survived by one son, Dr. Ely, residing at Washington; Charlotte, who married Elijah Coulson; William W .; George M .; Elizabeth, who married W. K. Long, of Washington; and Hannah C.

George M. Warrick obtained his education in the country schools and continued to work on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he came to Washington, where he spent two years work- ing at the carpenter trade. He was of a mechanical turn of mind and soon mastered details sufficiently to enter into contracting and when twenty years old he went to Chicago and engaged in work there until homesick- ness caused his return to Washington. He continued contracting until 1858, when he embarked in the mer- cantile business, at this time entering into partnership with his brother, W. W. Warrick, under the firm name of G. M. and W. W. Warrick. In 1866 this firm, in partnership with John M. Wilson, bought the Washing-

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ton Flouring Mills and for some years both the milling and grocery business was carried on, when William W. Warrick retired from both enterprises and the other members of the firm continued together until 1887, when they sold the mill to Zelt Brothers, Mr. Wilson retiring from the firm. Mr. Warrick then associated his two sons, John W. and William J. Warrick with him, under the firm style of G. M. Warrick & Sons. This became one of the leading grocery concerns at Washington and when George M. Warrick retired from active business life the sons continued, making a slight change in the firm style, preserving the founder's name, in G. M. Warrick's Sons. In 1908, one son, W. J., retired from the firm to engage in another business, and the enter- prise came entirely into the proprietorship of John W. Warrick, who still carries it on.

In 1855, George M. Warrick married Miss Mary Wilson, a daughter of William Wilson, of Taylorstown, Washington Co., Pa., and five children were born to them, namely: Matilda Belle, who married Rev. Mc- Carrell, a Presbyterian minister; William J., who is in the florist business at Washington; John W., who is a grocery merchant; and Rachel and Jennie, both of whom reside at home.

Mr. Warrick united with the Methodist Episcopal Church when eighteen years of age, and has been a consistent member of this religious body ever since. He started out in life entirely dependent upon his own efforts and through industry, enterprise and integrity, built up a large business and attained to a high and honorable position among his fellow citizens. His beau- tiful home is situated at No. 263 East Beau street. His leisure time is occupied in performing the duties of vice president of the Washington County Fire Insurance Company.

HARRY B. HAYDEN, a wholesale liquor dealer of Monongahela City, Pa., and president of the Finleyville Southern Electric Railroad, has been a resident of Monongahela City since October, 1903. He was born June 4, 1873, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of Michael Hayden, who was a resident of Pittsburg, where during the greater part of his life he followed his trade as a bottle-blower. He was a member of the Green Glass Bottle Blowers' Union of the United States and Canada, and during the latter part of his life was general mana- ger of the Ohio Valley Glass Works. His death occurred in Pittsburg, and he was the father of a large family of children, of whom the following are living: Thomas M .; Joseph R .; James E .; Harry B .; Anna L., who is the wife of Harry Walsh; Regina, who is the wife of Ray Albert, and William F., of Knoxville.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 132

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