History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 140

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 140

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John Sawhill grew to manhood on the home farm and from youth has been accustomed to farm work of every kind. For many years he has made a specialty of the sheep industry and is one of the largest sheep raisers in Blaine Township, keeping from 200 to 300 head at a time. Although Mr. Sawhill had but few educational advantages in his youth he profited by those he had and is one of the well informed and intelligent men of this section. All of -his land is valuable and he has the knowledge that enables him to cultivate every portion of it profitably. Mr. Sawhill is interested also in the National Bank at Claysville and ever since it was organ- ized has been one of its directors.

On Jan. 4, 1864, Mr. Sawhill was married to Miss Jane B. Ziegler, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

is a daughter of Abraham Ziegler, who moved from Lancaster County to Donegal Township in Washington County. To Mr. and Mrs. Sawhill ten children have been born and of these the following survive: Nettie, who is the wife of William Woodburn, of Washington; William L., who lives in Donegal Township; Elmer C., who lives in Pittsburg; Oscar H., who resides in Blaine Township; John M .; Ina M .; Sadie M., who is the wife of Ulysses G. Duvall, of West Pittsburg; Maud E .; Clara A., who is a successful teacher in Blaine Town- ship; and Elizabeth, who is deceased. John M., Ina M., Maud E. and Clara A. reside on the old home place in Blaine Township.

Mr. Sawhill is a Republican in his political opinions. He has frequently been elected to public office in Blaine Township and has served most acceptably as school di- rector and road supervisor, performing every duty to the best of his ability. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Taylorstown and for a long time served as a trustee of the same.

HENRY C. COOPER, a retired merchant of Elders- ville, Pa., who was engaged in business here for 35 con- secutive years, was born at Bellevue, Allegheny County, Pa., May 5, 1845, and is a son of Erasmus and Eliza- beth (Patterson) Cooper.

James Patterson, the maternal grandfather, came from Ireland with his wife about 1793, and his oath of allegiance, now in possession of Henry C. Cooper, was made in 1794, and in 1814, he was made a citizen of this country, the naturalization papers being also now in the possession of Mr. Cooper. James Patterson and wife were parents of four sons and three daughters. He died when aged 92 years and his wife when aged 84 years.

Erasmus Cooper resided for a number of years on a farm near Bellevue, Pa., but after the death of his first wife, in 1846, moved to Massillon, Ohio, where he kept a book store. Four sons were born to his first marriage: John, William, Robert P. and Henry C. At Massillon, Erasmus Cooper was married to Mary Elizabeth Logan, and they had one child, Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. Bethel), who lives in California. When Erasmus Cooper later moved to Iowa with his second family, his two elder sons, John and William, accompanied him. At that time transportation facilities were poorly developed and Mr. Cooper and his family had to go down the river from Steubenville by boat to St. Louis and thence to Keokuk, Iowa, and from there drove across the country to a farm on which he settled and on which he lived until the time of his death, Nov. 4, 1856, and his burial was at Des Moines. His farm is now within the limits of that city. In politics he was a Whig.

Henry C. Cooper attended school at Eldersville and

Sharpsburg, and after gaining a little practical experi- ence in the mercantile business, in 1867 embarked in the same with his brother, John, and they successfully car- ried it on until 1890, when the latter retired. The for- mer continued the business alone for 12 years, but in 1902 sold out and also retired. He is a man of ample fortune, being one of the stockholders in the Washing- ton National Bank of Burgettstown, Pa., the owner of considerable town property and also the owner of his grandfather Patterson's farm of 191 acres, which has never been out of the family since 1797.

Mr. Cooper was married Dec. 18, 1889, to Miss Carrie Virginia McCarrell, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (McComb) McCarrell. Her grandfathers, Thomas Mc- Carrell, Sr., and Capt. John McComb, were Revolutionary soldiers. Mr. Cooper was reared in the Protestant Metho- dist Church, of which he is an officer. Mrs. Cooper is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which her late father was an elder for a large part of his life.

WILLIAM W. LESLIE, general contractor, is one of Washington's enterprising business men and has lived in this city all but four years of his life. He was born at Monmouth, Ills., in 1875, and is a son of Peter and Agnes (Brownlee) ) Leslie.

The Leslie family is probably of Irish extraction. The father of Mr. Leslie, who died in 1908, was born near Xenia, Ohio. He married Agnes Brownlee, who was born in Washington County and was a member of one of the oldest county families.

William W. Leslie attended the Washington schools, having accompanied his parents here in 1879, and then learned the brick-laying trade and for ten years has been engaged in general contracting. In addition to building many other residences, in 1903 he erected his own fine home at No. 405 Addison avenue. In the same year he was married to Miss Sue Grimes, a daughter of Thomas Grimes, of Washington. They are members of the First United Presbyterian Church, Mr. Leslie being on its of- ficial board.

JOHN W. STEWART, deceased, was formerly one of Buffalo Township's best known and respected citizens. Born in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 3, 1847, he died Oct. 26, 1905, and was buried in the cemetery at Washington. His parents were John W. and Jane (McCall) Stewart.

The Stewart family is numbered with the old ones of Washington County and the name occurs again and again in the early records. It originated in Scotland, but the date of the coming of the first immigrant has not been preserved. Both parents of Mr. Stewart were born in Washington County .

John W. Stewart in his boyhood attended the district

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schools near his home, but from early youth assisted in the opperation of the home farm and became thor- oughly acquainted with all the work that is required in order to make agriculture a successful business. He continued to farm and to raise fine cattle and stock dur- ing the entire period of his active life and when he was called away he left an ample estate to his surviving widow and his children. He was a consistent member of the North Buffalo United Presbyterian Church, of which he was also a trustee and was a man who not only professed to be a Christian, but led the life of one. He was a Republican in his political views, but sought no public offices.

On Oct. 11, 1877, John W. Stewart was married to Margaretta M. Caldwell, who was born in Hopewell Township, where she was also reared. She was edu- cated in the public schools and at Washington Seminary, at Washington, Pa. Mrs. Stewart's parents were Robert S. and Caroline (Vance) Caldwell. Her father was a native of Hopewell Township and her mother of Cross Creek Township, both of Washington County, and her grandfathers had also been old residents of those sec- tions. Robert S. Caldwell was a farmer and also raised many sheep, this industry for many years being one of the most profitable. He was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church at Buffalo Village.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart had four children, namely : Robert V., who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Monongahela City, Pa .; Irene McCall, who is the wife of Charles F. Young, of Nestor, Cal .; J. Lloyd, who lives in Buffalo Township; and Edna Margaretta, who also is at home and attending school. Mrs. Stewart is very active in the North Buffalo Presbyterian Church and is president of the Missionary Society. She con- tinues to reside on the old Stewart farm, the old home- stead, where she has spent many peaceful, happy years. In 1904, a fine new brick home, modern in its construc- tion and improvements, was erected by Mr. Stewart, but he lived to enjoy it but a few months.

GLENN GEORGE HALLAM, a lifelong resident and for many years one of the prominent business men of Washington, Pa., who has retired from business activi- ties, was born in 1855 in this city and is a son of John B. and Emma (Forrest) Hallam.

Joseph Hallam, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the pioneer settlers of Washington, where at an early period, which was during the days when the old prairie schooner was the mode of travel, he conducted a hotel for many years.

John B. Hallam, who followed wagon manufacturing throughout his active career, was born in Washington County, Pa., and died at the age of 74 years. He mar- ried Emma Forrest, and to them were born a family of

five sons and two daughters; Glenn G., the subject of this sketch; Clara, who died in infancy; Hugh B., de- ceased; Frank Forrest, who is a resident of Mckeesport, a civil engineer by profession and is employed on the state roads; Alice M., the wife of Charles H. Spriggs, a wholesale grocer; John R., one of the leading photog- raphers of Washington; and Forrest R., a resident of Belleville, Ills.

Glenn G. Hallam was reared and obtained his edu- cational training in Washington, and early in life began learning the carriage-making trade with J. M. House, who failed in the business in 1871. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and afterwards embarked in the manufacture of brick for many years, later dealing in grain and builder's supplies for six years. Since that time he has been devoting his entire attention to his real estate business, which he has always carried on in con- nection with his other business enterprises.

Sept. 15, 1881, Mr. Hallam was joined in marriage with Eva McCollum, who was born in Washington, a- daughter of Dennis McCollum, and of their union were born the following offsprings: Ethel M., Emma B., Sarah, deceased; Glenneva, deceased; and Paul McCollum Hal- lam. Mr. Hallam is religiously a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and fraternally is affiliated with the Royal Arcanum.

CHARLES C. COATES, president of the Hickory- Woodrow Telephone Company of Mt. Pleasant Township, and station agent at Hickory, Pa., for the Wabash Rail- road, has been identified with railroad work for a num- ber of years and his office experience has been of a character to well qualify him for the position he fills. He was born at Plumer, Venango County, Pa., Aug. 14, 1872, and is a son of Frederick C. and Mary C. (Denny) Coates.

The father of Mr. Coates died Nov. 30, 1888, but the mother survives and resides at Custer City, Pa. Fred- erick C. Coates served 18 years on a German man-of- war. He was a carpenter and contractor after locating at Plumer, Pa. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith he was a German Lutheran.

Charles C. Coates attended school at Custer City and then entered Western Brooke College, at Olean, N. Y., and after completing a commercial course there, became manager of the Sewickley Valley Journal, a weekly so- ciety newspaper, at Sewickley, Pa., and was manager of the printing office there for some years. He also was a resident of Haysville, Pa., for some time and during that period was- prominent in public affairs, serving one term as burgess and one term as president of the Coun- cil, and also was a school director. He also was elected president of the Pennsylvania State Brass Band Asso- ciation and during his year of service in this position,

CHARLES W. YARNALL, M.D.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

he increased the membership of the organization from 980 to 2,210, a larger increase than was ever made be- fore or since. He is an expert telegrapher and is a mem- ber of the order of Railroad Telegraph Operators. Mr. Coates was called to Hickory when the Wabash Com- pany inaugurated its service here, in July, 1904. He has had many duties, including service as chief clerk for the superintendent and also for the roadmaster of the Wabash Railroad at Pittsburg. In polities he is an independent Republican. He was a member of the Council in the city of Pittsburg, also served on the Central Board of Education, being elected on an inde- pendent Democratic ticket. At present he is serving as a member of the school board of Mt. Pleasant Town- ship.

On Dec. 8, 1900, Mr. Coates was married to Kath- erine Neelan, a daughter of Thomas Neelan, and they have one daughter, May D., who is attending school at Hickory. Mr. Coates is a Thirty-second degree Mason and he belongs also to the fraternal order of Hepta- sophs, the Royal Arcanum and other societies.

JOHN M. BURROUGHS, a representative citizen of Buffalo Township, who is now serving as a member of the township school board, devotes his estate of more than 125 acres to farming and stock raising, like his neighbors, giving a large amount of attention to sheep. He was born in Greene County, Pa., Dec. 10, 1862, and is a son of Talmage T. and Jane (Scott) Burroughs.

The father of Mr. Burroughs was born in Morris Township, Greene County, Pa., a son of Samuel Bur- roughs. The latter spent the larger portion of his life in his native county, but prior to his death, moved to Iowa. Talmage T. Burroughs married Jane Scott, who was born in Center Township, Greene County, and of their children the present survivors are: H. S., a phy- sician practicing in the city of Pittsburg; Belle, wife of Frank Hedley, of Rich Hill Township, Greene County ; Lottie, wife of Leroy Marsh, of Rich Hill Township; Ella, wife of Dr. T. N. Milligan, of Waynesburg, Pa .; John M .; James, who lives in Center Township, Greene County; and Bertha and William, both of whom live in Waynesburg.

John M. Burroughs has been a farmer all his mature life. He resided in his native county until 1907, when he came to his present valuable farm in Buffalo Town- ship. It did not take him long to prove to his fellow citizens that a man of energy, experience and good judg- ment had settled among them and in the spring of 1909 they elected him a member of the school board for a term of three years.

On Oct. 15, 1887, Mr. Burroughs was married to Miss Emma F. Throckmorton, who was born in Center Town- ship, Greene County, and is a daughter of James Throck-

morton. Two children have been born to them, Edna Belle and Etta Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs are mem- bers of the East Buffalo Presbyterian Church. In his political views he is a Democrat.

CHARLES WESLEY YARNALL, M. D., physician and surgeon, and specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and thoat, has been actively engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Washington County, Pa., for two decades and has been located at California since 1899. He was born at Claysville, Pa., October 10, 1860, and is a son of Rev. J. V. and Elizabeth (Boggs) Yar- nall.

The Yarnall name is an old one in the city of Phila- delphia, and from there came the grandparents of Dr. Yarnall. The father of Dr. Yarnall was born in Ohio. He became a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church and according to the discipline of that church was transferred from one charge to another every three years. In that way his children attended school at dif- ferent places, wherever the temporary home might be, all, however, during Dr. Yarnall's boyhood, being in Washington County, Pa. The latter became a student in the State Normal School at California, leaving in his senior year to enter Allegheny College at Meadville. For six years he was connected with the railway mail service between Pittsburg and New York. By that time he was prepared to gratify his cherished ambition of entering Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he was graduated April 3, 1889. He subsequently took a post- graduate course in 1899, in New York City. He settled first at Roscoe, Washington County, where he practiced for five years, moving then to Bellsville for five years more, after which he came to California. In large meas- ure, Dr. Yarnall is a self-made man, providing for his own education by teaching school and otherwise, and is justly proud of the fact. He is deeply interested in his profession and keeps fully abreast with the times in all that concerns it. He was one of the first to install an X-Ray machine in his office, with other costly electrical apparatus, in this section, and makes a specialty of their use. He enjoys the confidence of a large clientele and the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens in general.

Dr. Yarnall was married before coming to California, to Miss Allie Hopkins, who was born in West Pike Run, Washington County, and is a daughter of T. C. Hopkins. Dr. and Mrs. Yarnall have three children namely: Jo- seph Olan, a graduate of the State Normal School at California, who is now a student in the Dickinson Law School, at Carlisle, Pa .; Eva May, a graduate also of the State Normal School at California, who is a teacher in East Pike Run Township; and Audrey H., who is a student in the senior class in the California Normal School.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Dr. Yarnall is professionally identified with various medical and scientific organizations and fraternally he belongs to the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and the order of the Moose.

DONALD G. WILKINSON, who fills a very import- ant position, being engineer of the Pittsburg Coal Com- pany, at Westland, Pa., was born in Scotland, Nov. 19, 1859, and is a son of George and Christina (Morrison) Wilkinson.

The mother of Mr. Wilkinson died in Scotland, but the father came to America and later resided at West- land and worked as a boss track-layer. Both of his two sons reside here, Donald G. and Andrew M., the latter of whom married Margaret Christie.

Donald G. Wilkinson came to America in February, 1887, hence his school days had all been spent in his native country. He landed in the United States at Philadelphia, and from there went to Clearfield and later to Westmoreland County. In April, 1890, he went from there to Stockdale, where he worked for one year, then to Morewood for eight months, to Uniontown for nine years, to Buffington for one year and from there came to Westland and accepted his present position. He has thus had a large amount of experience as an engineer and is regarded as a safe and trusty employe, under all conditions. Mr. Wilkinson is one of the stock- holders in the Farmers' National Bank at Hickory. In politics he is a Republican and he has served four years as a justice of the peace.

Mr. Wilkinson was married in Scotland to Miss Jenet Stewart, whose parents were John and Mary Stewart. They attend the Presbyterian Church at Westland. Mr. Wilkinson is much interested in the Young Men's Christian Association at Washington and has been a member of that organization for three years, and he is identified also with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Miners' Union.

M. W. LARKIN, who has been a resident of Wash- ington for a period of 20 years, is interested in a' num- ber of business enterprises of this city and is one of the experienced and successful oil and gas operators of this section. He was born at Syracuse, N. Y., in 1864 and was only 13 years of age when he entered the oil fields of Butler County, Pa. Although a mere boy, he found plenty of work in the busy oil fields and soon began to gain a knowledge of the industry and to get practical experience. From Butler County he went to Venango County, and later to the Mckean County oil fields, from there to Allegheny County, N. Y., and then to Pittsburg, where he became heavily interested in both oil and gas wells. He returned for a time to the Butler field and then visited the oil regions near Lima,

Ohio, after which he came to Washington, where he established a permanent home. At present he is operat- ing in Lawrence and Crawford Counties, Illinois, has interests in Illinois and also in West Virginia and Ohio. The whole of his industrial career has been devoted to the oil and gas industry and this long experience has made him well qualified to pursue the business success- fully.

In June, 1892, Mr. Larkin was married to Miss Adelia Connor, of East Brady, Clarion County, Pa., and they have four children, Mary, Edward, Martin and Kath- erine. Mr. Larkin and family are members of the Catho- lic Church. He is identified with the fraternal order of Maccabees.

FRANK W. DONALDSON, deceased, was once one of Buffalo Township's most respected citizens and suc- cessful business men. He was prominent in the affairs of the community in which he lived and when he passed from earthly life, on Oct. 9, 1900, he left behind the record of many kind deeds done and an honorable name along with a substantial estate. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pa., May 8, 1858, and was a son of Robert and Rachel (Walker) Donaldson, a grandson of Robert and a great-grandson of Isaac Donaldson, who was one of the first settlers in Mount Pleasant Township.

Frank W. Donaldson was reared in his native town- ship and attended the district schools. His family was an agricultural one and he naturally became a farmer also and developed into an excellent one. He gave a large amount of attention to stock raising and made a specialty of growing sheep, and with his usual good judgment, made this industry a profitable one. After his marriage he lived for a short time in Buffalo vil- lage and then acquired and settled on what was known as the old Governor Ritner farm, on which the remainder of his life was passed. It comprises 150 acres of well improved land. In his political sentiments, Mr. Donald- son was a stanch Democrat, but he cared little for pub- lic office, consenting, however, to serve at times as a school director, when, on account of his good judgment and capacity, he was usually made secretary of the board. For many years he was a worthy and valued member of the North Buffalo Presbyterian Church.

On November 8, 1883, Mr. Donaldson was married to Miss Annie F. Taggart, who was born in Canton Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a member of one of the oldest and most representative families of the county. Her parents were James and Margaret M. (McBride) Taggart, and her grandfather, James Tag- gart, settled in Washington County while the Indians were still numerous here. The father of Mrs. Donaldson was a leading citizen of Canton Township, held public

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office there and successfully conducted large farming en- terprises. He was a prominent member of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church and was a member of the building committee when its new edifice was erected, being treasurer of the same. To James Taggart and wife the following children were born: James McBride, who lives in Hopewell Township; Annie F .; Archibald A., who lives in Canton Township; Urania B., who is the wife of Alexander Hamilton, of Hopewell Township; and Charles L., who lives in Canton Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson had five children born to them, as follows: Earl McBride, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry at Glassport, Pa .; Mabel V., who resides with her mother; James T. and Archibald Mc- Bride, both of whom reside at home, in Buffalo Town- ship; and Robert, who is now deceased. Mrs. Donald- son is a member of the North Buffalo United Presby- terian Church and she has a pleasant social circle in the township, many members of which have known her dur- ing her entire married life.

W. J. SHIDLER, M. D., who is engaged in the prac- tice of medicine at Westland, Pa., was born near Scenery Hill, Washington County, Pa. His parents were Jacob and Sarah (Ward) Shidler.

W. J. Shidler enlisted for service in the Spanish- American War, entering Co. H, 10th Pa. Vol. Inf. Dur- ing his service he was once wounded. After he returned home he entered the medical department of the West- ern Pennsylvania University, at Pittsburg, where he graduated with the Class of 1903. After spending one year as an interne in the South Side Hospital, at Pitts- burg, he came to Westland Feb. 22, 1904. He is a mem- ber of the Washington County and the Pennsylvania State Medical Societies and the American Medical Asso- ciation.

On Sept. 30, 1908, Dr. Shidler was married to Miss Margaret Adella Couch, who is a granddaughter of the late Joseph Couch, of Mt. Pleasant Township, Washing- ton County. Dr. Shidler is a Republican and during 1908 was a member of the Republican County Committee.

JAMES P. EAGLESON, a well-known member of the Washington bar and a practitioner in all the courts of the State of Pennsylvania, is a member of one of the old Washington County families. He was born in 1869, in Canton Township, and is a son of A. S. Eagleson.

James P. Eagleson went from the country schools to Washington and Jefferson College and was graduated there in the Class of 1892. He at once registered as a student in the office of J. W. & A. Donnan and was ad- mitted to the bar in January, 1896. He has been in con- tinuous practice at Washington ever since and has taken part in a number of important cases, both in Washing-

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 140

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