History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 139

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 139

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The late James Hodgens was given educational oppor- tunities far beyond those afforded many of his asso- ciates, attending good schools and completing his studies at Jefferson College. He had shown a taste for mathe- matics and this aided in perfecting him in civil engineering and surveying. Later he gave a large por- tion of his time for some years to his profession and enjoyed it, but he also carried on large agricultural operations. His engineering work took him to other points and he was connected with railroad construction in Iowa, but later gave up contracts that would take him so far from home. He owned 260 acres of some of the best land in Buffalo Township and his farm was well stocked, his herds of cattle being Holsteins and Shorthorns; his stock of the highest grade throughout.

On Dec. 24, 1863, Mr. Hodgens was married to Miss Mary E. Farrar, who was born in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a daughter of Aaron and Jane (Griffith) Farrar. Mrs. Hodgens comes of Revolutionary stock. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Hodgens, James Farrar, had two brothers, John and Peter Farrar, who served in Washington's army and were killed at the battle of Long Island. Her grand- parents, Andrew and Margaret (Moore) Farrar, crossed the Allegheny Mountains and came to Washington Coun- ty, after the close of the Revolutionary War, settling in Mt. Pleasant Township, where they died about 1832. Their eighth son, Aaron, father of Mrs. Hodgens, was born in 1812, in Washington County, married Jane Griffith and they had five children, Mary E. being the fourth in order of birth. in 1845 the Farrars moved from Mt. Pleasant to Buffalo Township and purchased a farm near Taylorstown.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hodgens nine children were born

and the following survive: Thomas M., formerly a min- ing man and banker at Butte, Mont., now has head- quarters at Indian Chase, Greenwich, Conn .; Maud E., who is the wife of Rev. D. P. Smith, formerly pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Pawnee City, Neb., and now pastor of the U. P. Church at Springfield, Mo .; Isaac W., who is a physician at Chicago, Ill .; James O., who was formerly a banker at Butte, Mont., is now interested in irrigation in Madison County, Mont .; Al- bert M., who is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, is a civil engineer by profession, and is a justice of the peace of Blaine Township; and Ralph M., who is interested in mines and irrigation projects at Butte, Mont. He was a soldier in the Philippine Islands and while in the service was once wounded in the arm by the savage islanders.

In his political views the late James Hodgens was a rigid Democrat and he exerted a wide influence. He served at times in township offices as his duties in other lines would permit, and for a considerable length of time was justice of the peace. He was a leading mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church at Taylorstown.

J. J. DAVIN, manufacturer of and dealer in all kinds of drilling and fishing tools, with quarters near the Chartier depot, at Washington, Pa., leads the trade in this line, in the oil country. He was born in 1848 in Ireland and came to America a boy of 15 years.

Mr. Davin secured work in a tobacco factory at Brooklyn, N. Y., but after he had accumulated a little capital, he started out to seek a better business field, and in his travels reached Chicago, Ills. He remained there until 1868, but the rapid development of the Penn- sylvania oil fields and the business opportunities offered on every side, led him to go to Oil Creek and he has been identified with the oil industry in some way ever since. He began the manufacture of tools and appurte- nances required in the oil fields while still at Oil Creek, later moved his business to Bradford, and finally, in 1885, to Washington. He carries the largest stock of general drilling and fishing tools of modern design and improved patterns, also cordage, win lines, rubber bells and fillings, to be found in the oil country. In addition to this successful enterprise, Mr. Davin is interested in other prosperous concerns. In 1880 Mr. Davin was married in Canada to Miss Ellen A. Magner. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a charter . member of the order of Elks at Washington.

Mr. Davin has shown his enterprising spirit by estab- lishing a branch of his business at Sisterville, W. Va., where he has put a nephew, Mr. Magner, in charge. Through his enterprising spirit, his energy, industry and good judgment, Mr. Davin is numbered today with the representative business men of Washington.

781

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

FRANK KAMP, manager of the old Hopper home- stead farm in Peters Township, Washington County, Pa., has 135 acres of land under cultivation and is num- bered with the leading citizens and successful agricul- turists of this section. He is a son of Michael Kamp, of Allegheny County. Mr. Kamp married Miss Mary Jane Hanna and they have one son and three daughters: Albert, Anna, Julia and Jennie.

James Hopper, grandfather of Mrs. Kamp and the founder of the Hopper family in Washington County, was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1788, and was a son of Robert Hopper. He learned the linen weaver's trade in early manhood. He married Jane Little, also of County Derry, and in 1849 he brought his family to America and they lived for one year at Pittsburg, Pa. Mr. Hopper then bought a small farm on Brush Run, in Peters Township, Washington County, and there engaged in farming. In 1878 he purchased the present homestead and subsequently added to it until he owned 135 acres at the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 3, 1885, at the advanced age of 97 years. His wife died Feb. 12, 1879, aged 81 years. Mr. Hopper's mother was conceded to have been the oldest woman on record in Ireland, living to the remarkable age of 105 years. James and Jane Hopper were the parents of nine chil- dren, namely : Mary A., Arthur, James, Robert, Thomas and John, twins, Nancy, Eliza and Samuel. All of the children were born in Ireland and Eliza died there. Three of the children survive: Thomas, John and Sam- uel, these aged brothers being tenderly ministered to by Mr. and Mrs. Kamp, all residing on the old home- stead. The eldest daughter, Mary A. Hopper, married Richard Hanna, of Pittsburg, who died Dec. 16, 1871, and she died on the homestead in September, 1895, leav- ing five children: Samuel H., James, Joseph, Thomas J. and Mary Jane, who is Mrs. Kamp. The family belongs to Center Presbyterian Church.

ROBERT H. BLACK, of the firm of Robert H. Black & Son, in marble and granite monumental work at Canonsburg, established this business in 1876 and it is the only concern of its kind in this place. Mr. Black was born at South Canonsburg, Washington County, Pa., only a few rods from his present residence, and is a son of William and Eleanor (Manifold) Black.

James Black, the grandfather, was born in Adams County, Pa., and came very early to Washington County, where both he and wife died. They were interred at the Hill Church Cemetery, one mile south of Canonsburg. The grandparents had four sons and four daughters.

William Black, father of Robert H., was born in Washington County. In 1847 he purchased what was known as the College farm, on which South Canonsburg

is now located and both he and wife died there, his death occurring in 1866, when aged 64 years. He mar- ried Eleanor Manifold, who was born in 1804, in York County, Pa., and died in 1885, in Washington County, when aged 81 years. She belonged to a family of noted longevity, seven members of which averaged 82 years at date of death. To William and Eleanor Black ten children were born, Robert H. being the youngest of the family. The others were as follows: William, who lives in South Canonsburg, married Mary Bebout; Ben- jamin, who was killed during the Civil War at Gettys- burg, was a member of Co. G, 140th Pa. Vol. Inf .; James, who never married, was a member of Co. D, 10th Pa. Res. Corps and served through the Civil War, died at Rome, Ga., in 1907; George, who died on his farm near Washington, married Jane McNary; Richard, who is a resident of Canonsburg and now retired, mar- ried Flora White; Margaret, who became the wife of William Grimes, who died in Butler County, Pa., for more than 40 years a minister of the United Presby- terian Church in Belmont County, Ohio, and Mrs. Grimes resides at Millersburg, Ohio, with their son, Rev. Will- iam Grimes, who is pastor of a church at that place; Mary, and two who died young. Mary Black married Rev. J. S. Barr, retired and living at New Wilmington, Lawrence County, Pa. At the time of marriage both were missionaries in India, where they spent 43 years and Mrs .Barr died at Sealkote, India. A son, J. D. Barr, is a member of the faculty of the New Wilmington College.

Robert H. Black attended school at Canonsburg until 18 years of age and then went to work on a farm and continued there until he went into the marble and granite business. The plant is now situated at No. 16 Central avenue, having been moved from beneath the Citizens Trust Company building. He is one of Canons- burg's old and reliable business men.

In 1878, Mr. Black was married to Miss Margaret White, a daughter of W. S. and Jane (Stewart) White. Mrs. Black was born near Hickory, in Mt. Pleasant Township, in Washington County, and died at Canons- burg in 1900. She was the beloved mother of the fol- lowing children: Helen D., residing at home; Harry, a draughtsman, who resides at Toledo, Ohio, unmarried; John W., who is associated with his father in the monu- ment business; Virginia, who died in 1904; and Mary E., Agnes, Jeanetta and Eleanor, all at home, the younger ones still attending school. Mr. Black and chil- dren attend the First Presbyterian Church at Canons- burg. The family residence is an attractive one located at No. 305 South Chestnut street. In politics Mr. Black is a Republican and he has served acceptably as school director and also as Councilman.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

J. W. PINAR, an extensive dealer in builders' sup- plies, coal and ice, is one of the leading young business men of Washington, where he has resided since 1905. He was born in 1875 in Chicago, Ill., but was reared and obtained his early schooling in Guthrie County, Iowa, later graduating with the Class of '97 from Iowa College at Grinnell, Iowa, when he received the degree of A. B. He subsequently took a post graduate course at the University of Chicago, and at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, Ill., where he received a degree of A. M., after which he taught for four years in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mr. Pinar was engaged for a period of three years in the furniture business at Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he filled a position as traveling salesman for a brick concern of Pittsburg until 1905, when he purchased his present business in which he has since continued with well merited success.

In 1902 Mr. Pinar was united in marriage with Miss Emily Brooke, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a member and an elder of the Central Presbyterian Church of Wash- ington, and fraternally has recently been elected for initiation in the I. O. O. F. lodge.

JONATHAN RANKIN, a retired farmer and one of the most respected residents of South Burgettstown, whose valuable farm of 245 acres is situated in Smith Township, Washington County, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 1837, and is a son of James and Rachel Rankin. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters. The survivors are Jona- than and one of his two sisters.

Jonathan Rankin was reared in Fayette County, ob- tained his education there and for many years there- after engaged in farming and in school teaching in his native county. In 1901 he purchased his valuable land in Smith Township and at that time took up his resi- dence in South Burgettstown, where he has been num- bered with the useful citizens ever since. He is a man of capital and is one of the stockholders in the First National Bank of Burgettstown. In politics Mr. Rankin has always been identified with the Democratic party, but he has never sought political office.

Mr. Rankin married Mrs. Rachel E. Murphy and they have five children, as follows: Laura Jane, who married A. B. Pearsol; Margaret, who married George Pearsol; Winnie I., who married J. K. Chalfant; Bessie, who mar- ried C. A. Rittenhouse, and Harry, who married Jessie Currey. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown.

AMBLER M. ELLIOTT, residing on his well cul- tivated farm, which contains more than 149 acres and is situated in Blaine Township, was born in Morris Town-

ship, Washington County, Pa., Jan. 10, 1863, and is a son of Valentine and Nancy (Dougal) Elliott.

Valentine Elliott was born in Morris Township and was a son of Jacob Elliott, one of the very early settlers in that region. Valentine Elliott was a farmer and stock raiser and was one of the useful and leading men of his township. He was a prominent Democrat and frequently had township offices tendered him and served as road superintendent and school director. His death occurred in February, 1906, when he was in his seventy-fourth year. His widow survives and lives comfortably at Claysville. Of their children the following survive: Relda P., widow of Robert Adams, resides at Claysville; Ambler M., of Blaine Township, and Perry S., of Denver, Colo. The father of these children was a valued mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of East Finley Township.

Ambler M. Elliott attended the public schools and was trained to an agricultural life on his father's farm. After his marriage in 1885 he engaged in farming in East Finley Township and then returned to Morris Town- ship, later moved to a farm in Jackson Township, Greene County, and remained there for nine years, when he moved to Rich Hill Township, in the same county, where he resided until April, 1908, when he returned to Wash- ington County and settled on his present farm, where he has carried on farming and stock raising ever since. He is an intelligent, progressive man, and makes use of modern methods and knowledge in his agricultural opera- tions.

On Dec. 19, 1885, Mr. Elliott was married to Miss Mary M. Johnson, a daughter of the late Nicholas John- son, of Rich Hill Township, and they have two daughters: Ella S., who is the wife of William Huston, of Morris Township, Greene County, and Anna L., who is the wife of Harry Applegate, of Blaine Township, Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Applegate have a little daughter, Mary Jeanette.

In his political views Mr. Elliott is entirely inde- pendent. He keeps posted on current events, does his own thinking and casts his vote as his judgment dictates. He is more or less a self-made man and, like all such who have successfully made their own way in the world, pos- sesses a large amount of that useful commodity, com- mon sense.

JOHN WHITE MARTIN, of the dry goods firm of J. W. Martin & Sons, leading merchants at Canonsburg, was born in South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., Jan. 11, 1828, and is a son of James and Mary (White) Martin.

James Martin was born in York County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Peter and Mary (Adams) Martin.

JOHN A. DIXON

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The greater part of his life was spent in South Strabane Township, Washington County, where he died when aged eighty-eight years. He married Mary White, who was born in North Strabane Township and died in South Strabane Township at the age of eighty years. Her parents were Samuel and Mary (Henderson) White and her maternal grandfather was Rev. Matthew Henderson, a pioneer preacher and the first pastor of what is now the North Buffalo United Presbyterian Church, serving from 1781 to 1795. To James and Mary Martin the following children were born: Peter, who married Mary J. Clokey, died in South Strabane Township; Samuel, who married Sarah Herron, died at what is now Smith's Mill, in North Strabane Township; James, who married Elizabeth Clokey; John W .; Matthew Adams, who died unmarried; Mary J., who died in early womanhood; Ebenezer Henderson, who was a soldier in the Civil War and a member of the 140th Pa. Vol. Inf., was drowned while attempting to cross the James River, in Virginia, on horseback; William H., who died on the home farm near Washington, married Annie, daughter of James Thon; Elizabeth, who is the widow of George Davis, lives in South Strabane Township; Thomas J., who was accidentally killed by a fall from a haymow, and Ann Eliza, who died in childhood.

John White Martin, who has been identified with the dry goods business at Canonsburg for a period of fifty- one years, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest active merchant in the place. He was reared on the home farm, but early decided upon the study of medicine. In 1849 he was graduated from Washington and Jeffer- son College and shortly afterward began the reading of medical works under Dr. John Wishart and then at- tended medical lectures in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania and was graduated there- from in the class of 1853. He returned to Washington County and engaged in practice at Canonsburg until 1858, when he entered into the dry goods business, with which he has been so prominently connected ever since. For a number of years he remained alone and had already built up a large business before his younger sons were prepared to be taken into partnership. The present firm is made up of John White Martin, John C. Martin and Ralph Martin, the firm style being J. W. Martin & Sons.

In 1855 Dr. Martin was married to Miss Elizabeth Allison, who died in 1881 and was interred in beautiful Oak Springs Cemetery. Five children were born to this marriage, namely: James Allison, who died at the age of nineteen years; Charles Edwin, who has been con- nected with the Standard Oil Company since youth, has his home at Titusville, Pa., but spends a part of his time at Buffalo, Pittsburg and other points as the duties

of the position he fills require; John C., who is associated with his father, was educated in Canonsburg Academy ; Ralph, who is a member of the firm of J. W. Martin & Sons, married a daughter of William Donaldson and they have one daughter, Mabelle, who is the wife of George Cameron, and Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have a daughter; and Mary, who is the wife of William Dick- son. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson lost one child, but they have three-Aneita, Margaret and William.

Dr. Martin has always been an active citizen in the sense of supporting any proposition for the improving of the borough along well considered lines or advancing the permanent welfare of the people, but he has de- clined all public offices with the exception of membership on the School Board. He is one of the leading mem- bers of the Greenside Avenue United Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Session. For a number of years he served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is a Republican in his political views.

JOHN N. DIXON, an honorary member of the board of trustees of the Southwestern State Normal School at California, Pa., was an active member of that board for more than thirty-five years, during all of which time he was president of same with the exception of two years. He was born March 16, 1824, on a farm just across the Monongahela River in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Forsythe) Dixon. Nathan Dixon followed farming all his life and was also born and reared on the Dixon farm in Fayette County, which was land settled on by his father, John Dixon, a native . of Chester County, Pa. Nathan Dixon died when our subject was a small child, leaving his widow with three children to rear, namely: John N .; Jane, who married James Elliott, died at the age of seventy years; and Ruth, deceased, who was an invalid during the greater part of her life.

John N. Dixon was reared on the home farm in Fay- ette County, and lived continuously for seventy-six years on part of the land originally purchased by his paternal grandfather, John Dixon. His maternal grandfather, Eli Forsythe, also owned a tract of 400 acres near the Dixon farm. Mr. Dixon has always followed farming and also dealt extensively in coal for some time, and has been highly successful in all his business ventures. In 1900 he sold his farm, consisting of 212 acres, and came to California, Pa., where he has since been living in retirement. Mr. Dixon is vice-president of the People's Bank of California, and is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church of California.

Dixon Hall, the fine new dormitory of the South- western State Normal School at California, which was erected at a cost of $95,000, and completed during the

786

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

summer of 1908, was dedicated and named in honor of Mr. Dixon, who possesses to the fullest extent, the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen.

J. G. MARQUIS, a retired farmer and auctioneer, residing in his handsome residence at Burgettstown, for- merly was engaged in farming in Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pa. He was born in that town- ship May 9, 1843, and is a son of William and Lettice (Griffith) Marquis. The father died in 1855 and the mother in 1882. They were members of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church and were buried in the cemetery attached to the same.

J. G. Marquis attended school through boyhood in Cross Creek Township. and devoted himself to agri- cultural pursuits both before and after marriage. He was also a well known and popular auctioneer and cried sales in many parts of the county. In the spring of 1906 he retired to Burgettstown, where he is a valued citizen.

On Mar. 1, 1866, Mr. Marquis was married to Miss Clara A. MeFarland, a daughter of Andrew and Mary McFarland, and eleven children were born to them, all of whom survive with the exception of the oldest, which died unnamed, and Amber G., whose death occurred in December, 1905. The others are: Mary L., Anna B., Orin K., Clara, Margaret A., Jannette G., Ella A., Elsie and William A. Mr. Marquis and family attend the Westminster Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown. In polities he is a Democrat and has served three years in the office of judge of elections. He is a stockholder in the Guardian Trust Company, of Pittsburg.

WILLIAM PICKETT, general contractor and a rep- resentative business citizen of Washington, Pa., was born in this city, April 22, 1863, and is a son of John and Nora (O'Leary) Pickett.

The parents of Mr. Pickett, who were born in County Clare, Ireland, came to America in March, 1852, landing at Castle Garden, New York. The father secured work on what was then known as the Hempfield Railroad, now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio system, and then came to Washington County. He was found to be a faithful, reliable man and was given the position of watchman at the Baltimore & Ohio roundhouse, at Washington, which he held for 14 years. Later he served four terms as street commissioner at Washington. He married Nora O'Leary and they had eleven children, the survivors being: Thomas F., who is superintendent of Hazel Glass Factory No. 1; William; Peter and John H., both of whom are agents for the United States Express Com- pany; Michael, who is with the Hazel Glass Works; Mary, who is employed at the United States Express office at Washington; Julia, a teacher in the public

schools; Catherine and Margaret, both of whom are at home; Anna, who is bookkeeper for the Real Estate Trust Bank; and Nellie, who is a teacher in the public schools.

William Pickett, with his brothers and sisters, was reared and educated at Washington. One of a large fam- ily, it was necessary for him to early assist his father, and later, through his own industry, he accumulated the capital with which he started into business in general contracting work. Beginning in a small way, by honest work, fair prices and punctuality he won some important contracts, which paved the way for others, until now he stands very near the head in his line of business at Washington, his work mainly being street grading, build- ing and street railway contracts. He erected his own handsome home at No. 57 North Lincoln street.

In June, 1898, Mr. Pickett was married to Miss Mary Scanlon, of Steubenville, Ohio, and they are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Pickett is a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Lodge at Washington.

JOHN SAWHILL, one of Blaine Township's leading citizens, who owns three farms, aggregating 370 acres, was born in this same section of Washington County, Pa., Aug. 10, 1835, and is a son of William and Jane (Lorimer) Sawhill, and a grandson of William Saw- hill, the latter of whom was a pioneer settler in the county and ever since, his descendants have been owners of land, farmers and stock raisers in this vicinity.

William Sawhill, father of John Sawhill, died in Washington County in 1867. He was a well-known man and respected one and for many years enjoyed member- ship with the United Presbyterian Church in Buffalo Township. In his early years he was a Whig, but later became a Republican. He married Jane Lorimer and but two of their children survive: John and Sarah J., the latter of whom is the widow of J. R. Donaldson, for- merly of East Finley Township. Mrs. Donaldson now resides at Claysville.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 139

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