History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 151

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 151

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CHARLES E. HACKNEY, who is actively engaged in the real estate and insurance business, with office at No. 509 Washington Trust Building, is prominent among Washington's younger generation of enterprising and progressive business men. He was born at Hackney Station, Washington County, Pa., Dec. 31, 1885, and is a son of Clark M. Hackney and a grandson of Clark Hackney.

Clark Hackney, the grandfather, was born at Heis- tersburg, Fayette County, Pa., and about the year 1853 moved to Washington County, where he took up his residence in Morris Township. In 1861, he moved to Hackney Station, in Amwell Township, and there lived until his death. Clark M. Hackney was born in Wash- ington County, in 1860, and now resides in the borough of Washington, but still looks after his farming in- terests.

Charles E. Hackney attended the district schools of his native township and Jefferson Academy at Canons- burg. He completed a business course at Washington Business College, and in 1904 entered the real estate and insurance business in Washington, transacting a general real estate business. He is special agent for the

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Standard Accident Insurance Company. He is also in- terested in a number of business enterprises in this vicinity, and takes an active part in politics.

In 1905, Mr. Hackney was united in marriage with Miss Hazel M. Gaus, of Amity, Washington County, and they have two sons, Donald C. and James B. They are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Order of Moose.

HENRY M. KEENY, one of South Franklin Town- ship 's substantial citizens, large land owners and ex- cellent farmers, resides on a tract of 167 acres which he denominates the home farm and has two other farms also located in South Franklin Township. He was born on Daniel's Run, Washington County, Pa., Jan. 12, 1837, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Shipe) Keeny, both parents being natives of Amwell Township, Wash- ington County.

The grandfathers on both sides were very early set- tlers in Amwell Township, the maternal grandfather coming after the close of the Revolutionary War, in which he had been a soldier. Daniel Keeny's whole life was spent in Amwell Township, where he carried on farming all through his active years. He was a Demo- crat in politics. He was one of the early members and liberal supporters of the Christian Church in this sec- tion. Of this family of children three survive, namely : Henry M .; Catherine, who is the wife of Charles Van Kirk, of Washington, Pa .; and George, who resides in Virginia.

Henry M. Keeny grew to manhood in Amwell Town- ship and after attending school there he spent some time at Lone Pine Academy. At an early age he displayed enterprise and independence as may be illustrated by the following incident : When Mr. Keeny was a lad of about 18 years, he led a pet sheep from Prosperity, Pa., to Philadelphia, a distance of 353 miles, and was fol- lowed by 700 head of sheep. He was accompanied by two other young men, making the trip, despite the ob- jection of his parents, as he wished to see the country. He was young when he began to teach school in Am- well Township, but nevertheless succeeded so well that he was encouraged to continue and before he turned his attention to other pursuits taught also in what is now North and South Franklin Townships and also in Morris Township, in Greene County. For a number of years afterward he was engaged in the buying and shipping of stock and also bought wool on commission, in the meanwhile carrying on his own agricultural oper- ations. He has given a large amount of intelligent at- tention to the live stock industry and is a large raiser of both sheep and cattle. His entire acreage is valuable both for general farming and for pasturage.

Mr. Keeny was married Sept. 1, 1881, to Miss Sarah

C. Chambers, of South Franklin Township, who is a daughter of Robert Chambers, formerly a well-known citizen of South Franklin Township. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Keeny: Bessie and Birdie, both of whom reside with their parents. They have been given both educational and social advantages and are well known in local social circles. Mr. Keeny belongs to the Christian Church, while the Chambers family has been connected with the M. E. Church.

Mr. Keeny is identified with the Republican party. For 15 years he served as a justice of the peace in South Franklin Township and has filled other important offices, having been road supervisor, auditor, and for 12 years was a school director, during eleven years was secretary of the board. He is a man of public spirit and, largely due to his efforts, the division was made that separated old Franklin Township into a North and South Division. This was no political move, simply being for the convenience of all voters and has met with general approval.

HARRY S. GRAYSON, who is one of the most ex- tensive oil and gas operators of Western Pennsylvania, is one of the prominent citizens of Washington, Pa., and is identified with various business enterprises of this city. He was born in July, 1864, in Washington, Pa., and is a son of John Grayson, who, about 1869 moved to Pittsburg, where our subject was reared and attended the common schools until 17 years of age. He then entered the employ of the Bridgewater Gas Company, of which Capt. Vandergraft was president, and was subsequently employed by the United Oil and Gas Company and also the Forrest Oil Company, until he began operating in the oil and gas fields for him- self, and is now one of the most extensive oil and gas producers in the fields of Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and the Southwest. He is asso- ciated with M. L. Benedum and J. C. Trees, who are also extensive operators in the various oil fields, and holds important positions in numerous oil and gas com- panies.

Mr. Grayson was united in marriage with Eliza Low- rie Hamilton in 1909.

JAMES D. IRWIN, a representative citizen of Can- .ton Township, whose fine farm of 192 acres is the one on which he was born, Dec. 25, 1856, belongs to one of the oldest and most substantial families of this section, and the present farm has been in the possession of the Irwin family for more than 100 years. The parents of Mr. Irwin were William C. and Mary R. (Dye) Irwin.

William C. Irwin spent the whole of his life in Wash- ington County and was numbered with the sterling

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

citizens of Canton Township, where he died Jan. 31, 1902. His father was James Irwin and he was of Scotch-Irish descent. Of the children born to William C. Irwin and wife the following survive: James D. and John L., both of whom live in Canton Township; Le- man, who is a resident of Washington; Edith and Etta, both of whom reside at Washington; William C., who lives in West Washington; Milton C., who lives in Buffalo Township; Clifford T., who lives in West Wash- ington; and Asa C., who is a resident of Washington. William C. Irwin was a consistent member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington. In all public mat- ters in his township he took an active but disinterested part, seeking no offices but performing every duty that good citizenship demanded.

James D. Irwin spent his boyhood on the old family farm and obtained his education in the district schools. For some time after his marriage, in 1885, he resided in Buffalo Township, moving then to South Franklin Township and several years later back to Buffalo Town- ship. In a few years after that return he went back to the old homestead in Canton Township, acquiring the same, and here has successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until the present. He is a leading citizen of the township and has served in various public capacities. Like his father he has al- ways supported the Democratic party.

On Sept. 29, 1885, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Annie Horn, a daughter of George C. and Rebecca (Cox) Horn. George C. Horn was born in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Apr. 27, 1825, and died Jan. 13, 1908, aged 83 years. His father, John Horn, was one of the pioneer settlers of Buffalo Township, where he became a man of wealth and standing. The mother of Mrs. Irwin was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Nov. 23, 1836, and died July 12, 1879, aged 42 years. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin have had five children: Rebecca May, who is the wife of Herman Castner, residing in Buffalo Township, and they have one son, George Irwin Cast- ner; and George L., Chalmers C., Russell R. and Will- iam H., all of whom reside at home. Mr. Irwin has given his children advantages of every kind, and the family is one highly valued in this section. They are members of the First Christian Church at Washington.

JEREMIAH SPROWLS, one of Washington's sub- stantial citizens, residing in his fine home at No. 514 East Chestnut street, is a well known man through Washington County and for a number of years was concerned in agricultural pursuits in Somerset Town- ship, which is now in the borough of Bentleyville, where he still owns a valuable farm of 70 acres. Mr. Sprowls was born in Somerset Township, Washington County, Pa., Oct. 19, 1840.

In the district schools of Somerset Township, Mr. Sprowls obtained the educational training that enabled him to become a teacher and for about 15 years he taught school through the county and was numbered with the successful educators of his day. He then settled down to farming in Somerset Township and en- gaged in the stock business at Bentleyville and re- mained on his farm until April, 1908. Mr. Sprowls then retired and took up his residence at Washington. He rents out his farm and also has tenants on his prop- erties at Bentleyville, where, for a number of years he held borough offices.

In 1874, Mr. Sprowls was married to Miss Josephine W. Nelson, who was born near Finleyville, Washington County, and they have one daughter, Leona V., who is the wife of Wiley McCarty, of Charleroi, Pa. Mr. Sprowls and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He united with this religious body at Bentleyville and was a member of the official board there. He is now a leading member of the congre- gation of the First Methodist Church at Washington. Formerly he took a' very active interest in politics and held many local offices, for 25 years being a school di- rector and for five years holding the office of justice of the peace. He has lived a busy and useful life and the retrospect is one he can calmly and satisfactorily con- template. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows and for 21 years was active in the fraternity.

HUMPHREY BLAKEWAY ELLIOTT, a prosper- ous farmer and stock raiser of South Franklin Town- ship, Washington County, who owns 200 acres of val- uable land, herds of fine cattle and flocks of sheep, be- longs to one of the old and substantial families of the county. He was born in what is now South Franklin Township, Sept. 19, 1858, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Newman) Elliott.

Abraham Elliott was born in Morris Township, Wash- ington County, a son of William Elliott, an early settler in that section. Abraham Elliott died during the in- fancy of his son, H. B. Elliott, leaving five children : Addie, who married Joseph Poinsett and resides at New- port, Ky .; Lizzie, who married Rev. Longdon, lives at Blue Mound, Kas .; William P., who resides in Athens County, Ohio; H. B .; and one who is now deceased. The mother of Mr. Elliott contracted a second marriage with Matthew Anderson and of the children born to this union the following survive: William; Annie, who married Frank Hitchcock, of Pittsburg; and Thomas, who also resides at Pittsburg. Mrs. Anderson died be- fore her son, H. B. Elliott, reached manhood.

When a lad of 7 years, Mr. Elliott became a member of the family of his uncle, M. B. Craig, who was the owner of the farm on which the nephew now resides,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

this having been his home ever since he went under his uncle's protection. His education was obtained in the district schools, after which he devoted himself to as- sisting Mr. Craig on the farm, just as he would his own father. He married Miss Belle McKhan, a daughter of Lewis McKhan, who formerly was proprietor of a hotel at Claysville, and they have two sons: Martin B. and Lewis C., both of whom are residents of South Franklin Township. Mr. Elliott is a member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church at Van Buren. In politics ne is a Democrat. He is one of South Franklin's most respected citizens.

JAMES McDUFF FARMER, who, for the past fifteen years has followed the profession of civil engineering, has been borough engineer of Canonsburg, Pa., since May, 1904, and is recognized as a very careful and capa- ble public official. He was born in the city of New York, July 31, 1864, and is a son of Rev. S. F. and Jeanetta (McDuff) Farmer.

Rev. S. F. Farmer was born near Noblestown, Pa., and was educated at Jefferson College, where he was gradu- ated. For many years he served in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, his last charge being at Charleroi, Pa. His death occurred at Edgewood Park, Allegheny County, in the fall of 1898, when aged seventy-six years. The whole life of Rev. Farmer was one of Christian en- deavor. He married Jeanetta McDuff, who died in 1873. She was born in Scotland and was brought to America when very young. Her father was James McDuff, who lived and died at Riverhead, Long Island, N. Y. To Rev. S. F. Farmer and wife two sons were born, James Me- Duff and William R. The latter was educated at Wash- ington and Jefferson College and the Allegheny Theo- logical Seminary and is a Presbyterian minister. He re- sides at Edgewood Park and is assistant to Dr. Riddle, who is connected with the Allegheny Theological Seminary.

James McDuff Farmer was nine year old when his parents left New York and went to Brown County, Kas., and in Kansas, California, Iowa and Nebraska he lived until he was twenty years old. He was a student in the University of Iowa and took a course later in civil en- gineering at the University of Nebraska. Leaving school in 1889, he spent two years on different ranches in Cali- fornia, since which time he has devoted himself entirely to his profession. Prior to coming to Canonsburg, he was in the employ of the Philadelphia Gas Company. Since taking charge at Canonsburg he has had entire supervision over the paving and other important im- provements coming within his sphere as borough engineer, and by his careful estimates and honest service has saved the city large amounts while at the same time these im- provements have been substantial and satisfactory.

Mr. Farmer was married December 13, 1906, to Miss

Margaret J. Crumb, a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Wilson) Crumb, of Canonsburg. He gives his political support to the Republican party. Fraternally he is identi- fied with Canonsburg Lodge, No. 846, B. P. O. E.

BENJAMIN T. JONES, postmaster and general mer- chant at Venitia, Pa., was born in 1868 at St. Clair, Schuylkill County, Pa., a son of John and Charlotte (Matthews) Jones.

John Jones was born in Wales, a son of Thomas Jones, of Merthyr, and grew to maturity in his native country, where he later was employed as a bookkeeper. He married Charlotte Matthews, also a native of Merthyr, Wales, and a daughter of Thomas Matthews. After coming to America in 1861 he was employed by the Reading Railroad Company at St. Clair, Pa., after which he went to Hubbard, Ohio, where he served as postmaster from 1879 until 1885. He resided one year at Palmyra and in 1887 came to Venitia, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was an invalid for a num- ber of years previous to his death, which occurred in 1893. His wife died May, 1901. They were the parents of nine chudren, of whom but six grew to maturity : Mary, who is the wife of H. B. Phillips, of Hubbard, Ohio; Richard, superintendent of mines for the Y. & O. Coal at Amsterdam, Ohio; Benjamin T., the subject of this sketch; Minnie, who is the wife of William M. Clel- lan, of Homestead, Pa .; Annie, who married John C. Davis of Mt. Lebanon, Allegheny County, Pa .; and Char- lotte, who is the wife of Thos. J. McKenna, Chicago, Ill.

Benjamin T. Jones received his educational training in the public schools of Hubbard, Ohio, and subsequently assisted his father in the postoffice at Hubbard. He was for a time employed as a clerk at Palmyra and in 1887 came to Venitia with his brother Richard, who was then mine foreman for the Osborn-Seager Company, in whose employ our subject also entered as a clerk. In 1892 he met with an accident in the mine, which left him a cripple for life. In May, 1894, he was elected justice of the peace of Nottingham Township, and on November 15, 1898, he resigned that position to take up the duties as postmaster at Venitia, where he also - conducts a general store. Mr. Jones is a Republican in politics, and was the first Republican elected justice of the peace in Nottingham Township in fifty years. He has filled the office of school director, township clerk and auditor.

On June 3, 1897, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Charity E. Anders, a daughter of H. F. Anders, of Peters Township, and they have three children: John, who was born in 1898; Thomas, who was born in 1900; and Benjamin, who was born in 1902. The family are members and liveral supporters of the Methodist Church of Venitia.

JAMES McDUFF FARMER

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

WILLIAM EDGAR BALDWIN, one of South Frank- lin Township's most respected citizens and successful farmers, stock raisers and sheep growers, who is serving in his eleventh year as trustee of Bethel Presbyterian Church at Van Buren, was born in South Franklin Township, Washington County, Pa., July 16, 1862. His parents were Silas and Martha (Sargeant) Baldwin.

Silas Baldwin was born in Washington County, Pa., and died in South Franklin Township. In his early business life he followed butchering for a time and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was greatly interested in growing fruit and was very suc- cessful in his attempts, his orchards, under his intelli- gent treatment, being vigorous and productive. He was identified with the Republican party and frequently was chosen for township offices. For many years he was a member of the Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He married Martha Sargeant, who was born in Greene County, who predeceased him. Of their chil- dren the following survive: John T., who lives in South Franklin Township; Sarah M., who is the wife of Rev. W. W. Dixon, a Baptist minister at Marietta, Ohio; William E., of South Franklin Township; and Ida F., who married W. R. Gunn, of this township. The Bald- win family has been a leading one in this section through many years. The grandfather, Francis Baldwin, was one of the earliest settlers in the township and his re- mains were the first to be interred in the cemetery at Van Buren.

William Edgar Baldwin secured his early education in the township schools and this he has supplemented with judicious reading and association with others, ex- perience frequently being as efficient a teacher in the practical things of life, as a college professor. Mr. Baldwin devotes his 64 acres of land to general farm- ing and to raising stock and sheep, giving close care to all his interests, thereby making them all profitable.

On Dec. 29, 1886, Mr. Baldwin was married to Miss Mary J. Weir, a native of Washington County and a daughter of John B. Weir, a prominent resident of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have had ten chil- dren, the survivors being: Norris P., Julia A., Grace L., John S., Boyd O. and Glen E. In politics, Mr. Baldwin is a Republican and for three years he has served in the office of township tax collector.

H. B. DUNCAN, president of the Duncan & Miller Glass Company, an important business enterprise of Washington, was born in 1864, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of the late George Duncan.

During the early years of his business life, the father of Mr. Duncan was engaged in iron manufacturing at Pittsburg. In 1869 he embarked in the glass manu- facturing business and in 1872 he bought out his part-

ners and then organized the firm of George Duncan & Sons. He died at Pittsburg in 1877.

H. B. Duncan was educated in the Pittsburg schools and his whole business experience has been one more or less connected with glass manufacturing. In the fall of 1892 a glass plant was built and business was started under the style of George Duncan's Sons & Co., the firm being composed of James E. Duncan, J. E. Miller and H. B. Duncan. In January, 1900, James E. Duncan died and later in the year the company was incorporated as the Duncan & Miller Glass Company. The officers are: H. B. Duncan, president; James E. Duncan, Jr., secretary ; and A. P. Duncan, treasurer . These officers, together with J. Ernest Miller and Mrs. James E. Dun- can, constitute the board of directors. The plant of this company is situated at Jefferson avenue and Fac- tory street, Washington. The product is a high grade of table glass ware, a specialty consisting of work from private molds. Employment is afforded a very large force, approaching 200 people. The business is in a highly prosperous condition, the excellence of the prod- uct making it acceptable where formerly only exported ware was purchased.

In 1902, Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Katherine C. Baird ,who is a member of one of the earliest pioneer families of Washington County. They have two daugh- ters: Harriet B. and Agnes O'Connor. Mr. Duncan and family are members of the First Presbyterian Church. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Wash- ington, being past master of the Blue Lodge and to the Consistory at Pittsburg. During the Spanish-American War, Mr. Duncan was adjutant of the 10th Pa. Vol. Inf. and he served in the Philippine Islands.

DAVID S. REED, a prominent citizen of Claysville, Pa., who has resided in his pleasant home which is situated on Wayne street, since the spring of 1906, was born in Ohio County, W. Va., June 18, 1852, and is a son of Samuel and Jane (Wallace) Reed, and a grand- son of Robert Reed, who was a native of Ireland.

Samuel Reed was born on his father's farm in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Pa. He was a miller by trade and the family lived in different sections where the father engaged in operating grist mills. In 1854 he brought his family back to Washington County and for a time they lived near Buffalo village and then moved to East Finley Township. Samuel Reed there engaged in farming. His death occurred in Claysville Jan. 10, 1893.

David S. Reed obtained his education both in public and private schools and he also taught school for five winter terms. In 1880 he returned to Ohio County, W. Va., where he engaged in truck farming and dairying

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

for several years and also paid special attention to breeding Poland China hogs, having registered stock. He owns a farm of 200 acres which is situated in Ohio County, just three miles southwest of West Alexander, Pa. In the fall of 1905 he returned to Washington and in 1906 settled permanently at Claysville and in 1907 embarked in the gardening and greenhouse busi- ness, with a partner, the firm name being Reed & Snee. Prior to returning to his native county, Mr. Reed was a clerk for a short time for the well known merchant, D. M. Campsey, at Claysville. He also gained a fair knowledge of the science of medicine, for two years being a student in the office of the late Dr. George Inglis, at Claysville, and he also for a time subse- quently, was a student in a medical college at Cincin- nati. His natural impulse, however, has always been for things that he could produce from the soil, and in his present enterprise he is taking pleasure and meet- ing with success.

On Dec. 5, 1883, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Mag- gie G. Laird, a daughter of Robert Laird, late of Don- egal Township, and they have one son, David S. M. Reed and family belong to the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Independent School District of Clays- ville. Since June, 1909, has been secretary of the board.

JAMES A. MOUNTS, one of the leading citizens of Washington, Pa., who has resided here for some 15 years, owns a farm of 238 acres, situated in South Franklin Township. Mr. Mounts was born in South Franklin Township, Washington County, Jan. 28, 1842, and is a son of Richard R. and Margaret (Johnson) Mounts, and a grandson of Richard Mounts. The grand- father came to Washington County from Maryland, in 1773. His wife (Mary Keley) was born on the Atlantic Ocean while her parents were on their way here from Ireland. They settled on a small farm near what is now the city of Washington, Pa., and there spent the re- mainder of their lives. Nine children were born to them ,all of whom later became well and favorably known in South Franklin Township. They were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. In his political sym- pathies he was a Federalist.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 151

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