History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 136

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 136

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Samuel Shane attended the public schools near his home in boyhood, then an academy at Oakdale, after which for five years ne taught school in Allegheny Coun-

ty and following that spent one and one-half years in attendance at the Indiana State Normal School. Four more years of teaching followed in Allegheny County and for one year he was associated with Dr. Irons, a noted educator, in conducting a select school known as Ingleside Academy. Mr. Shane then turned his attention to merchandising, having Joseph Gladen as a partner at first, but has been alone since embarking in his pres- ent business on Oct. 6, 1884. Mr. Shane has served con- tinuously as school director ever since McDonald has been a borough and it is a fact that the public schools here are most creditable in character. He is a director in the First National Bank and also in the Heat and Light Company as well as the Water Company. He was reared a Republican, but his own views are in favor of the principles of the Prohibition party.

On June 19, 1900, Mr. Shane was married to Miss Minnie B. Wallace, a daughter of James and Mary Ann (Sproul) Wallace, the former of whom is surviving, but the latter has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace had the following children: Minnie B .; J. F., who is an at- torney residing in Pittsburg; Nettie, who married J. P. Shane, a brother of Samuel; and R. S., who is an at- torney in Pittsburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Shane three chil- dren have been born, namely: Edna Maurine, who is a student at Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Pa .; and Gertrude Elizabeth and Samuel Wallace. Mr. Shane and family are members of the United Presby- terian Church at Robinson Run.

CLIFFORD T. IRWIN, a representative business man of Washington who deals in general hardware, paints and oils, at No. 483 West Chestnut Street, has been a resident of this city for the past six years. He was born in Canton .Township, Washington Co., Pa., in 1877, and is a son of the late William C. Irwin.

William C. Irwin was born in Canton Township, Washington County, May 6, 1830, and was a grandson of David Irwin, who undoubtedly was one of the earliest settlers of Washington County. James Irwin, father of William C. and son of David, was born and reared in Canton Township. To his second marriage, with Nancy Clark, the following children were born: Margaret, Ann, Jane, Mary, William C., Martha, David, Nancy and Adeline. The mother died in 1860, the father having passed away in 1854. The grandparents of Clifford T. . Irwin were among the founders of the United Presby- terian Church at North Buffalo.

On October 19, 1854, William C. Irwin was married to Mary R. Dye, and they had the following children : James D., who lives on the old homestead; John L. and Leman N., both of whom reside at Washington; William M., who is proprietor of the Clover Leaf Dairy, lives at Washington; Asa C., who also resides in Washington;

SAMUEL SHANE

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Charles Milton, who is a farmer in Buffalo Township; Clifford T .; Edith E. and Marietta, all of whom reside at Washington, Pa. The mother of the above family died in 1886 but the father survived until 1902. He was one of the substantial farmers of Canton Township and owned valuable property there. Both he and wife were worthy members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington.

Clifford T. Irwin was reared in Canton Township and remained on the home farm until the death of his father. He was educated in the public schools and Washington Business College, graduating in 1895. After coming to Washington, Mr. Irwin, associated with his brother, William M. Irwin, erected the commodious brick business block on West Chestnut street, the dimensions of which are 41 by 70 feet, two stories in height, with two large business apartments on the first floor, one of these being occupied by Mr. Irwin, since 1905, as a hardware store. He carries a very complete stock and does a business which has had a steady growth since it was started.

In 1902, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Lina Lindley, of Washington County, who died November 20, 1909. She was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. Their two children survive: Dorothy and Edith. Mr. Irwin is also a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and one of the most interested members of Judge MeIlvain's Bible class.

JAMES N. and DAVID H. BEMIS, physicians and surgeons, who are associated in practice at West Middle- town, Pa., are among the best known and most reputable citizens of Washington County. They trace a clear ancestral line back to Joseph Bemis, who was born in England, in 1619, who came to Watertown, Mass., in 1640, with his wife Sarah, and died in 1684.

Of the descendants of Joseph Bemis the records show that more than 100 served in the American Revolution. One of his descendants was Elias Howe, whose mother was a Bemis and who also married a Bemis, was the inventor of the sewing machine. The line of descent from Joseph Bemis the settler, to Drs. Bemis of West Middletown, is as follows: Joseph, Philip, David, John, David and Erastus, seven generations before the present one. David Bemis, the great-great-grandfather, and John Bemis, the great-grandfather, were both soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The former married Mary, a daughter of David Dunster, who was the grandson of Henry Dunster, who came from Lancashire, England, and was the first president of Harvard College. John Bemis, son of David and Mary (Dunster) Bemis, was married to Jemima, daughter of Rev. David Whipple, the first Baptist minister of the State of Vermont.

James N. Bemis, M. D., was born June 20, 1845, in Hopewell Township, Washington Co., Pa., where his

brother and associate, Dr. David H. Bemis, was born, June 17, 1852. They, with a sister, Mary, were the only children of their parents, who were Dr. Erastus and Ruth (Mccullough) Bemis.

Dr. Erastus Bemis was born near Brattleboro, Vt., October 3, 1817, and his early life was passed in his native State, where he received an elementary training. He engaged in teaching during his early days and during his vacations pursued a course of study. About 1840, or perhaps a little earlier, he came to Pigeon Creek, Wash- ington Co., Pa., and entered the office of Dr. Emery, remaining there some time. He attended Dartmouth College one year, after which he entered the University of New York, from which he was graduated in 1842, when he returned to Washington County and for a time assisted his former preceptor, Dr. Emery. After his marriage, in 1844, he settled in Buffalo Village, in Hope- well Township, and practiced there until 1847, when he moved to West Middletown, where the remainder of his life was passed. He became one of the most successful and well known physicians of the county, and in edu- cational matters was the peer of any citizen in his vicinity. Originally he was a Whig in politics and was a leader in the Abolition party, taking an active part in the Underground Railway, of which West Middletown was then a station. His death occurred in the prime of life, July 14, 1866. He was married February 14, 1844, to Ruth McCullough, who was born in Somerset Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., April 30, 1819, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (McMillen) Mccullough, the former a native of Somerset Township and the latter of Peters Township. The grandfather of Mrs. Bemis was Patrick Mccullough, who was a native of County Antrim, Ire- land, and was 18 years old when he came to America. At that time he located in Somerset Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., where he became possessed of some 600 acres. Of this he received a patent for 43914 acres, this document bearing date of March 4, 1786, being now in the possession of the subjects of this sketch. The warrant for the land was October 29, 1784. Patrick Mccullough served on the first jury in Washington County, and he was one of the signers of the moral pact entered into by the people of that part of the county for the suppression of lawlessness. His wife was Hannah Smith. The wife of Dr. Erastus Bemis died March 8, 1901.

James N. Bemis attended the local schools until pre- pared for Washington and Jefferson College, where he completed his literary training. He then attended the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor for one year, and subsequently took a final course at Bellevue Medical College and Hospital, New York, where he was graduated in 1870. Coming im- mediately to West Middletown, he has since been located

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there and since 1878 has been associated in medical practice with his brother. Dr. James N. Bemis was mar- ried September 7, 1876, to Miss Dora Chapman, who died in 1877. He was married (second) to Miss Jennie Brownlee, a daughter of John Brownlee, and they have had the following children: Newton, who is deceased; Ruth; Janet; Sarah L .; and Erastus Lindsey.

David H. Bemis also entered Washington and Jefferson College after his preparatory training, but on account of failing health was obliged to leave his studies when in his junior year. Subsequently he read medicine and en- tered Bellevue College, New York, where he was grad- uated in 1878. He immediately settled at West Middle- town, where he has been associated with his brother. Both physicians are held in high regard by their fellow citizens, their professional skill being undoubted and their personal qualifications being such as to make them desirable and valuable citizens. They are both active in public affairs to a reasonable extent and have served acceptably in numerous borough offices. They vote with the Republican party. In September, 1908, Dr. David H. Bemis was married to Miss Jennie E. Brownlee, a daughter of Ebenezer and Eliza Brownlee, residents of Donegal Township, Washington County. For several years, Dr. David H. Bemis has filled the office of pension examiner.

WILLIAM T. POLLOCK, a veteran of the Civil War, and owner of a farm of 160 acres, lying in North Stra- bane and South Strabane Townships, was for many years one of the leading agriculturists of Washington County. He now lives in retirement at No. 50 North avenue, Washington, Pa., where he recently erected a fine modern brick residence. He was born in North Strabane Town- ship September 28, 1840, a son of James Pollock, and comes of a family long established in this county, his father and grandfather having been born in Washington County on the same farm which is now owned by our subject, and which was first the property of his great- grandfather, John Pollock.

William T. Pollock was reared in North Strabane Township and received his education in the district schools and at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, where he was a student when the Civil War began. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 140th Pennsylvania Regiment, and served until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, participating in all the important engagements and skirmishes up to that time, including the battles of Chancelorsville, Gettysburg, Bristow Station, Mine Run, the four days' battle in the Wilderness, Tod's Tavern, Poe River, Spottsylvania, Tolopotama, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, (including all the engagements in the vicinity of that city) Fort Stedman, Reams Station, Deep Bottom, Five Forks, and Appomattox. He enlisted

as a private and was orderly sergeant at the time of the surrender, and while he had buttons shot off his coat, and his canteen shot, he suffered not even the slightest skin wound, nor was he ever sent to the hospital. He was mustered out of service at Alexandria and paid at Pittsburg. After the war Mr. Pollock engaged in farm- ing in Washington County on the old farm entered from the government by his great-grandfather, raising a large number of sheep for many years. He then engaged in dairying for about 20 years, and in 1909 came to Wash- ington, where he erected a fine modern brick residence. Here he lives in retirement in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after years of unceasing activity.

In December, 1867, Mr. Pollock was united in marriage with Sarah J. Barr, who was born in Somerset Town- ship, Washington County, Pa., and they have three chil- dren living, namely: Elizabeth A., residing at home; Margaret M., who is the wife of Rev. Robert Harsha of Taylorstown; and James H., who lives on the farm. Mr. Pollock and family are members of the Pigeon Creek United Presbyterian Church, in which he is serving on the board of elders. He is also a member of Templeton Post, G. A. R.

JEROME W. POTTS, who is the manager of the old Potts homestead farm situated in Hanover Township, of which he is one of the heirs, was born in Hanover Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., January 17, 1848, and is a son of William and Margaret (Ward) Potts.

Both parents of Mr. Potts are now deceased, having pased their whole lives in Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and they both were devoted members of the historic old Presbyterian Church at Florence, where Rev. Elisha MeCurdy, of noted memory, was the first minister, and as he also practiced medicine in a quiet way he frequently made professional as well as pastoral calls at the home of William Potts and his mother, Lydia Potts. To William and Margaret Potts were born the following children: Reuemah, who married Dr. W. F. Pollock, of South Pittsburg; William Jackson, who died July 21, 1895; Jerome W .; Thomas Albert and James A., twins. The former died when two and one-half years old, but the latter is a practicing physician in Pittsburg, Pa., where he was married to Miss Fannie W. MeGahan, a teacher of that city, October 25, 1888.

Jerome W. Potts attended school as regularly as his health would permit until he was about seventeen years of age and then became a clerk in a general store at Florence and later at Burgettstown, with the idea of sub- sequently becoming a merchant, but continued poor health made it advisable for him to turn to work that would be in the open air and thus he became a farmer. He has always maintained his residence in Florence, but manages the work of the tenant farmer and raises quite

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a large amount of stock for which he finds a ready sale. In politics he is a Democrat as was his father, and he has served acceptably in the office of township auditor for a number of years.

On October 2, 1879, Mr. Potts was married to Miss Elizabeth H. Stevenson, only daughter of Rev. Ross and Elizabeth (Hurst) Stevenson. Rev. Ross Stevenson was - born in Strabane, Ireland, and came to this country when eighteen years of age, and for fifty years was a minister of the Presbyterian faith. He married Elizabeth Hurst, who was born at Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and their only child was Elizabeth H., the young mother dying when her babe was but nine days old in Johnstown, Pa., where Mr. Stevenson was pastor of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Potts have no children of their own, but they are rearing and educating Agnes Florence Potts, giving her every advantage although they have not adopted her. They are members and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church at Florence.

FRANK H. MEYER, who has been proprietor of Hotel Donora at Donora, Pa., since April, 1906, was born July 8, 1875 at Essen, Germany, and is a son of Henry and Dora (Minor) Meyer, both of whom were born and reared in that place.

Henry Meyer, who was for many years engaged as a shoe merchant in Essen, in 1880 brought his family to the United States, locating for one year at Noblestown, Allegheny County, Pa. He then removed to Carnegie, where he resided 13 years, and then went to New Ken- sington, Pa., where he lived until 1906. He then came to Donora and in partnership with his son Frank H. pur- chased from F. E. Garwood, the Hotel Donora, which he operated for two years. Selling his interest to his son, he then returned to New Kensington, Pa., where he still resides, spending his time in looking after his real estate interests. He married Dora Minor, who died in the fall of 1906, and of their union were born the following chil- dren : Herman; Frank Henry, the subjete of this sketch; Adolph; Mary, who is the wife of Dr. E. W. Klingen- smith; and Charles, who was the only child born in the United States.

Frank H. Meyer was quite young when his parents came to this county and was reared to maturity at Car- negie, where he attended the common schools of the First Ward. When a young man he learned the barber's trade, afterwards conducting a shop at New Kensington, Pa., for twelve years. In 1906 he came to Donora and with his father purchased the Hotel Donora, and since 1908, when he purchased his father's interest, he has been sole owner of the business.

Mr. Meyer was married June 12, 1907, to Margaret Keating, a daughter of James Keating, who is one of

the old residents of New Kensington, Pa. In fraternal circles he holds membership with the B. P. O. E. at Monessen, and the Improved Order of Heptasophs at New Kensington, and he is religiously a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He is politically an adherent of the Republican party.

M. L. COOKE, a prosperous general farmer of Smith Township, residing on his well improved property which contains 169 acres, was born on this same farm, in Washington County, Pa., April 6, 1850. His parents were O. P. and Eliza (Lyle) Cooke.

Mr. Cooke was educated in the common schools of Smith Township and at Duff's Comercial College at Pitts- burg, after which he took charge of the farm when he was nineteen years old, and has since made this his home. Mr. Cooke has either erected or put in repair all the buildings now standing on the farm and has made many improvements which have added both to the ap- pearance and value of the property. He grows excellent crops, making use of modern machinery and raises suf- ficient stock for his own use. He is a stockholder in the Washington National Bank at Burgettstown and formerly was one of the directors. In politics he is a Republican but takes no very active interest and the only public office he ever accepted was that of school director.

On December 30, 1880, Mr. Cooke was married to Miss Eliazbeth M. Welch, a daughter of M. R. Welch, and they have had four children: Clair, who is the teacher at the Cook school in Smith Township; and Homer C., Julius R. and Lola, Julius R. being deceased. Mr. Cooke and family attend the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church.

ALEXANDER SPEER, one of the representative men of Canonsburg, has been a resident of this locality for thirty-seven years and has been identified with the business and public interests of the borough ever since locating here. He was born August 22, 1850, in Chartiers Township, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Harsha) Speer.

The first of the Speer family to locate in Washington County were three brothers, and one of these, Robert Speer, was the grandfather of Alexander Speer. He married a Miss Mathews, and settled on the little branch of Chartiers Creek, purchasing a farm which has been in the possession of the family for more than 100 years. The children born to the grandparents of Alexander Speer were: James, who lived on the home farm; Latta, who was a United Presbyterian minister and preached at the Cross Roads Church; Jane, who married a Mr. Black, of Allegheny City; and Robert. Robert Speer, father of Alexander, was a native of Washington County, and conducted a carding mill below Canonsburg up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1852, when he

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was forty-eight years of age. His wife, who was a native of Chartiers Township, died in March, 1903, having reached the age of ninety-one years. They were the parents of the following children: Thomas, who died young; Jennie, who married William Patterson, of Ven- ice; James F., a veteran of the Civil War, residing in South Canonsburg, who married Rebecca McMillan, great- granddaughter of Dr. John McMillan, and daughter of John McMillan; Robert L., who was a soldier in the Civil War, was wounded in the service and died of chronic diarrhea contracted while in the army; Stewart, who died in Cass County, Mo., where he had been en- gaged in farming; Alexander; and Catherine, who mar- ried Joseph Templeton, of North Strabane Township.

Alexander Speer has been a resident of Canonsburg for many years, and his education was secured in Char- tiers Township. Until the age of eighteen years he worked on a farm, then learned the bricklaying trade, which he followed for a long period, and he helped to build the majority of the houses on Jefferson street, Canonsburg. He now resides in his own home here, which, at the time it was erected by him was located in Chartiers Township, but has since been included in the borough. A Republican in political matters, Mr. Speer has been an active worker in the ranks of his party in this section, and has served as a member of the council and as treasurer of the borough. He belongs to the United Presbyterian Church.

In March, 1882, Mr. Speer was united in marriage with Eliza J. Wallace, daughter of James and Jane (Irwin) Wallace, former residents of Six-Mile Ferry, Allegheny County, on the Monongahela River, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Speer have had no children. She has two brothers living: Samuel, a farmer of Baldwin Town- ship; and John I., a retired citizen of near Knoxville.

HON. JOHN G. CLARKE, ex-member of the State Legislature of Pennsylvania, and a director of the First National Bank of Washington, for many years has been one of the most active and best known men of Washing- ton County, Pa. His principal business until recent years was farming and wool growing, in South Franklin Town- ship, but he is now living practically retired from busi- ness activity, his residence being at No. 90 South Wade avenue, Washington. He was born not far from Wash- ington, January 24, 1829, and is the third son of Joseph Clarke and a grandson of Joseph Clarke, Sr., who pat- ented the farm on which the nephew of John G. Clarke, Joseph J. Clarke now lives, in South Franklin Township.

John G. Clarke enjoyed excellent educational advan- tages, first in the public schools and later in Washington and Jefferson College. At the beginning of his indi- vidual career, agricultural activities lay nearest his hand and he became interested in farming and stock raising,

but, at the same time, gave considerable attention to the affairs which pertained to the welfare of South Franklin Township. After the formation of the new township of Franklin, in which he assisted, he helped in its redis- tricting and at the first election was chosen as a member of the school board. Being somewhat of an enthusiast on matters pertaining to public education, he continued his services on the board and for a long term of years was its secretary. As his years increased his public re- sponsibilities increased also. Soon after its incorpora- tion, he was elected to the board of managers of the Upper Ten-Mile Plank Road Company and served as its president for thirty-five years.

In the meanwhile, Mr. Clarke became an extensive wool grower and was one of the leading advocates for a tariff on wool, writing articles on the subject for publi- cation in the newspapers and carrying the fight to Con- gress, three times being sent to represent the Washington County Wool Growers' Association, of which he was presi- dent for several years, to Washington, D. C. In 1886, he had the honor of making the only farmer's address in defense of tariff on wool before the committee on ways and means. This address was published in the periodicals all over the United States and excited much comment, being pronounced a clear and convincing ex- position of the wool growers' case. In addition he was chosen to make the speech on behalf of the wool grow- ers' of Washington County, when this body visited the late President Mckinley, at his residence. That he had a keen insight into the conditions that existed and the results that would be brought about by the proposed tariff, was amply demonstrated by what followed- the enactment of the Dingley Bill.

Politically, Mr. Clarke was reared a Whig and held strong anti-slavery views and upon the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. In 1886 he was the party nominee for the State Legislature, and in his election which followed, led the ticket with the larg- est majority. He took the duties of his office seriously, was always to be found in his seat and in committee meetings, and voted intelligently on all questions of im- portance to his country and State. He was particularly active in furthering those bills of vital import to the rural communities, served efficiently as a member of the agricultural committee, and gave his influence in favor of the bill for the increase of State appropriations to the public schools. He antagonized the repeal of the oleomargerine law. Mr. Clarke served with faithfulness and won a place high in the esteem of his constituents.

On May 26, 1853, Mr. Clarke was married to Miss Sarah H. Clokey, a daughter of Samuel Clokey, of Clo- keyville, Washington County, and to them were born seven sons and three daughters. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Washington, of which

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 136

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