History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 154

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 154

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Albert F. MeIlvaine attended the public schools of Linden, where the family lived until he was grown to manhood. Shortly afterward he entered into his roofing and heating business at Canonsburg, where he enjoys a large trade. A large amount of building in the city calls for more and more modern comfort and security and this is just in line with the commodities Mr. MeIlvaine handles.

Mr. MeIlvaine was married in 1898, to Miss Anna Mary Templeton, a daughter of David Templeton, Sr., of North Strabane Township. In politics he is an active Republican and while residing in the country served as township clerk of North Strabane Township. His at- tractive home is situated on South Central avenue, Can- onsburg.

DAVID H. WISE, general contractor, No. 708 Jeffer- son avenue, Washington, has been a resident of this borough for eighteen years and belongs to an old and prominent pioneer family of western Pennsylvania. He was born in Greene County, Pa., in 1855, and when he was about four years old his parents moved to West Bethlehem Township, Washington County.

Thus Mr. Wise may almost be claimed as a native of Washington County for all his many business achieve- ments have been completed here and in this county he was reared and educated. He remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of age and then went to work in a sawmill, where he continued for four years, after which he learned the carpenter trade, showing particular aptness for the same. He has been engaged in doing a general contracting business for the past ten years and has been connected with much of the important build- ing going on in different parts of the county.

In 1890, Mr. Wise was married to Miss Emma Mon- inger, a daughter of Michael Moninger. She is a lady well known in the different charity organizations in the city, being identified with benevolent societies connected with the Christian Church, of which she is a devoted member.

The Wise family was among the early pioneers who set- tled in this section and it has been noted for its enter- prising spirit and rugged honesty. Probably no family ever lived in this part of Washington County that did so much, individually and collectively, in the early days of its history, to promote rapid settlement and improve-

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ment. It was a Wise who erected the first water-power mill for grinding grain, built in the valley of Ten-Mile and it probably was in operation in 1775 and remained in possession of the Wise family until about 1840.

WILLIAM R. GUNN, one of South Franklin Town- ship's representative and respected citizens, has resided on his present farm in this section since 1900, but he was born in West Finley Township, Washington County, Pa., December 8, 1856, and is a son of Alexander A. and Mary (Burns) Gunn.

Alexander A. Gunn was born also in West Finley Township and spent the larger portion of his life there, dying in 1899. He was a son of John Gunn, a very early settler in that part of Washington County, who probably was born in Scotland. Alexander A. Gunn was a useful and respected man and was well known all over the county. In politics he was affiliated with the Republican party. He was one of the liberal supporters of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, at Windy Gap. He married Mary Burns and of their children the following survive: Mary J., who married Rev. J. W. Fisher, a prominent Presbyterian minister of San Francisco, Cal; William R., of South Franklin Township; Ross Delano Aldrich, who is a practicing physician of Cleveland, Ohio; Leanna, wife of Ellsworth Ackley, who resides at Homestead, Pa .; Addie, who married George Orm, of Canyon City, Col .; Sadie, who is the wife of John N. Marshall, of West Finley Township; Lottie, who is the wife of Lewis Barnhart, of Cleveland; and Linnie, who is the wife of Elmer Grimm, of Homestead.

William R. Gunn was reared in West Finley Township and obtained his education in the schools of Washington County. He was married (first) to Miss Belle Patterson, who was born in Greene County, Pa., and they had two children; Jean B. and Robert P. He was married (sec- ond) to Mrs. Ida (Baldwin) Clapper, a daughter of Silas Baldwin, of South Franklin Township, and they have one daughter, Cora Louise.

Mr. Gunn is identified with the Republican party, which, in the spring of 1909, made him its local candi- date for the office of director of the poor, for Washing- ton County. He has served as school director since re- moving to this township and is numbered with the useful citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Gunn are members of Bethel Presbyterian Church at Van Buren, in which he is an elder.

WILLIAM L. MILNE, who does a large business at Washington as a plaster contractor, has been a resident of this city for thirty-seven years and is one of its best known, reliable and reputable business men. He was born in Scotland, in 1853.

In his native land Mr. Milne attended school near his

home but when thirteen years of age he came to America, stopping first in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., where he learned the plasterer's trade. In the spring of 1872 he came to Washington and has been engaged in general contracting along his line, for many years. Mr. Milne has acquired property and also high standing as a citi- zen and formerly, when more active in politics than at present, he was frequently urged to accept public office. He served in the council of the old borough and has also been a member of the school board of East Wash- ington.

In 1873, Mr. Milne was married to Miss Flora E. Baldwin, who is now deceased, three children surviving her, namely: Gertrude, who is the wife of H. H. Shank, who conducts a grocery business at Washington; Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Frank Ewing, an attorney at Pittsburg, Pa., and Rena, who is the wife of F. E. Montgomery, an attorney in the city of New York. Mr. Milne was married (second) to Miss Laura Johnston, of Washington County. Mr. Milne is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and belongs to its official board. He is identified with the Royal Arcanum.

W. B. CULLEY, merchant tailor, doing a large and prosperous business at Burgettstown under the firm style of Culley Bros., is a son of Robert J. and Annie Eliza- beth Culley, and was born at Burgettstown, Pa., Septem- ber 19, 1866, where he was reared and educated.

In 1888, Mr. Culley went to Canonsburg and worked in a tailoring establishment there until 1901; from Can- onsburg he went to McDonald and six months later re- turned to Burgettstown and bought out the merchant tailoring business of C. M. Elder. Mr. Culley has been an active citizen and served as burgess of Burgettstown, from February, 1894, to 1897, being the first incumbent of that honorable office to serve three years.

On January 26, 1892, Mr. Culley was married to Miss Jessie B. Schaughency, of Canonsburg. They are mem- bers of the First Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, of which he is treasurer of the board of trustees. He is past master of the Masonic Lodge at Burgettstown and belongs also to the Odd Fellows and is a past com- mander of the Sons of Veterans.

REV. HENRY WOODS, D. D., professor emeritus of Washington and Jefferson College, has been identified with this great school of learning for more than forty- two years and was an active teacher for over thirty-nine years. Since 1907 he has been pastor of the Presbyterian Church at East Buffalo, Washington County, Pa., of which he has served as stated supply since 1871. Dr. Woods was born in Missouri, July 2, 1838, and is a son of Andrew and Rebecca (Brison) Woods.

The father of Dr. Woods was born at Wheeling, W. Va.,

COL. ALEXANDER L. HAWKINS

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

and the mother at Pittsburg, Pa. They had the happi- ness of rearing a family of sons to noble manhood, and these, in order were as follows: James Brison, who, for many years was engaged in the steamboat business be- tween St. Louis and New Orleans, later was agent for a transportation line at New Orleans; Luther, who now lives retired at Toronto, Can., was engaged in business at St. Louis, for a long period; Archibald, who resides at St. Louis, was long identified with business life there; Al- fred, who died in New Orleans, in 1905; Henry; Francis, who is pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Martins- burg, W. Va., has been stationed there for thirty years; and Oliver Brison, who died in Texas, in 1885.

Dr. Henry Woods was graduated from Washington College in the class of 1857, after which he taught school for two years at Morgantown and then entered a theo- logical college and was graduated in 1862, was licensed by the Presbytery of Baltimore, and accepted the pas- torate of the First Presbyterian Church at Steubenville, Ohio. He continued his ministerial duties there for five years and then accepted the call to Washington and Jef- ferson College, becoming a member of the faculty in April, 1867, taking the chair of languages. For thirty- nine years he has lent his scholarly presence to these historic halls and all over the country, where men of edu- cation gather who have a dear memory of old Washing- ton and Jefferson, Dr. Woods is recalled with the respect, esteem and affection which show appreciation of his years of faithful effort. In addition to his college work, during all these years, he has frequently been called on to supply charges, and in 1871 he became the regular supply at the East Buffalo Church and after retiring from active duties in the college, accepted the pastorate in 1907.

In January, 1863, Dr. Woods was married to Miss Mary L. Ewing, a daughter of Hon. John H. Ewing, who was one of the oldest residents of Washington. Mrs. Woods died in December, 1904. They had four children that reached maturity, namely: Margaret, who married William B. Hamilton, who is a missionary in China; Mary N., who resides at home; John E., who is general manager of sales for the Carnegie Steel Company, at Cincinnati, Ohio; and Francis H., who is an attorney at Washington. Both sons are graduates of Washington and Jefferson College.

COL. ALEXANDER L. HAWKINS, deceased, will long be remembered as one of Washington County's dis- tinguished citizens. He was born September 6, 1843, and his death occurred July 18, 1900. His early days were spent on his father's farm, on the border line of Washing- ton and Greene counties, Pa.

Col. Hawkins was a soldier by inheritance, belonging to the fourth generation of a military family. The founder

of this family in America, was Robert Hawkins, who came from England as early as 1715. It is recorded of him that he was an industrious, prudent man and during his long life in the country of his adoption, amassed an ample fortune. That he was a true patriot and loyal supporter of the colonies in their struggle for freedom from Great Britain, was shown by his contributing more than 2,000 pounds sterling to the Patriots' cause. Three of his sons fought in the Revolutionary War and one of these died during the winter of hardship at Valley Forge.

James Hawkins, father of the late Colonel Hawkins, was a farmer and a carder of wool. He was a man of sterling character and practical ideas and being indus- trious himself, he impressed upon his children the value of frugality supplementing industry, in providing for a future of independence. He resided on the Hawkins homestead, situated in East Bethlehem Township, Wash- ington County, the original tract that came into the Hawkins family in 1772, on letters patent granted to his father, Thomas Hawkins, by the commonwealth of Penn- sylvania.

Alexander L. Hawkins was the fourth child born to his parents. He was surrounded in youth with the up- lifting influences of a Christian home and was reared in a law-abiding community. After receiving a liberal edu- cation in the public schools, he prepared for college at George's Creek Academy and for some time subsequently was a student at Waynesburg College, interrupting his course in order to teach a few terms of schools. He was on the eve of resuming his collegiate studies when came the clarion call to arms, one to which every loyal fiber of his being responded. As soon as he could arrange his affairs, Alexander L. Hawkins enlisted for service in the Federal Army, becoming a member of Co. K, 15th Pa. Vol. Cav., on August 30, 1862. He was one of a com- pany of farmer boys, many of them being acquaintances, all of sturdy strength, robust frames and clean and whole- some lives. The company was almost entirely a Greene County organization, and in the later victories won by the regiment, this aggregation bore no inconsiderable part. The first work of the regiment was the raid on Chambersburg and then came the battle of Antietam. On May 19, 1863, he was raised from the ranks to be cor- poral and subsequently filled the various grades of non- commissioned officers until October, 1864, when he was made lieutenant, and in the following spring he was given a commission as captain of a U. S. Col. troop. His su- perior officers recognized in him a commander and soldier of great ability. In the winter of 1862, he was made acting lieutenant when the regiment was lying in the bar- racks at Nashville. Later, at the battle of Nashville, when he was serving under Gen. Thomas, with the rank of captain, he did valiant service. For some months after

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the actual termination of the war, he remained in the service as a member of the staff of Maj-Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, and was finally mustered out on January 21, 1866.

After his return from the army, Col. Hawkins entered into the drug business at Pittsburg and from the fall of 1866 continued there for two years, when he sold his store and moved on the homestead in East Bethlehem Town- ship, Washington County, ere long becoming prominent- ly identified with politics. He was a strong Republican and at different times served with great efficiency as chairman of the county Republican organization. In the fall of 1875 he was elected treasurer of Washington County, held other public offices and was burgess of East Washington, when he entered the service of the government for the Spanish-American War.

It was during his term as treasurer of Washington County, that Col. Hawkins began his career with the 10th Pa. N. G., which, as an organization, has long stood very high in the regard of the citizens of the State. In 1872, Co. H, the local company of the 10th Regiment, was so demoralized that there had been a sug- gestion entertained to disorganize it. However, on the advice of Maj. Wilson, who had been the first captain of the company, Alexander L. Hawins was chosen as commander, receiving his commission on January 1, 1877. Maj. Wilson had been right, Mr. Hawkins was just the man needed to bring about the former efficiency of Co. H, and both his and the company's usefulness were shown shortly afterward, when they took part in quelling the Pittsburg riot. On Feburary 12, 1879, he was elected colonel of the regiment, succeeding Col. Black, of Greensburg, and was re-elected in 1884, 1888, and in 1894, and for a long time served as senior colonel, and with him at its head it was developed into one of the strongest military organizations in the State. It gained a name for itself both on account of its make-up and its devotion to its commander, and was affiectionately called "Hawkins' Hay-Seed Regiment." During his twenty years' service as commander of the regiment, Col. Hawkins never missed an encampment nor was absent on any occasion when his regiment was represented. He commanded during three inauguration ceremonies at Washington, those making Garfield, Cleveland and Har- rison, President of the United States. He enjoyed the most mordial relations with his fellow officers and was so beloved by his men that, as was the case with a favorite commander during the Civil War, the affection- ate and familiar title of "Pap" was given him. He was a man of commanding presence and martial air and presented a fine appearance at all functions where the military was not only useful but ornamental. When President Mckinley issued his call for volunteers for the Spanish-American War, Col. Hawkins was eager to go to the front with his regiment and that his was the

only one from the State that was selected to be taken to the Philippines, was considered a high mark of merit for it. While on his way to the Philippines he was elected to the State Senate, from the Washington and Beaver District, having no opposition and receiving a phenomenal vote. From the effects of the climate and his efforts in behalf of his regiment, Col. Hawkins was taken sick in the far-off islands and he was urged to return home, but no persuasion could induce him to leave his "boys" until he had brought them back to the homes he had taken them from, but he died before his noble mission was entirely accomplished, passing away on board the transport "Senator," on July 18, 1900.

Col .. Hawkins was married in 1869, to Miss Cynthia Greenfield, and to them were born three children: Clyde E., Jessie Benton and Frank B. The elder son, Capt. C. E. Hawkins, was educated at Washington and was in his third year at Washington and Jefferson College, when he received his appointment to West Point, where he graduated in the class of 1895. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kas., and sailed with his regiment to the Philippine Islands on December 5, 1909. Jessie Benton, the daughter, is the wife of Robert W. Darragh, who is an attorney-at-law at Beaver, Pa. Frank B. Hawkins, the younger son, is a captain in the U. S. Army, and for two years was stationed in Cuba, and at present is in command of a company of the 29th U. S. Inf., at Governor's Island, N. Y. He married Miss Rebecca Streator, danghter of Col. J. B. R. Streator, of Wash- ington, Pa. The widow of Col. Hawkins resides in her pleasant home at No. 49 South Wade avenue, Washing- ton.

For many reasons the late Col. Hawkins will long be remembered. His personality was compelling, and his friends, to whom he was ever loyal, were equally true. As a soldier he possessed the courage which inspired his men and the executive ability that brought about their fullest efficiency. He was a hero of two wars and gave up his life when aged but fifty-six years, after fighting for the freedom of an alien people. .

WILLIAM W. SPROWLS, M. D., one of Washington County's eminent medical men now located at Houston, served for ten years as physician to the Washington County Home and Children's Home. He was born at Bentleyville, Washington County, Pa., March 30, 1852, and is a son of William and Margaret (Mitchell) SprowIs.

The paternal great-grandfather of Dr. Sprowls was born in North Ireland and from there came to America and was one of the first of the hardy pioneers who faced the dangers along the frontier boundary of the Monon- gahela in western Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by a large number of kindred and from that day until

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the present this name has been one of more or less prominence in this section and many have borne it with distinction. This ancestor bore the name of John Sprowls, and he established the family in Finley Town- ship, Washington County, a division that is now known as East Finley. The paternal grandfather bore the name of Edward and he accompanied his father from Ireland to Washington County, where he subsequently married Sarah Brown and they lived in Finley Township until 1840, when they retired to Bentleyville and both died there.

William Sprowls, father of Dr. Sprowls, was born in Finley Township, lived there and in Chartiers Township and at Bentleyville and died in Somerset Township in 1897, aged seventy-seven years. He was one of a family of twelve children: William; Elizabeth, Isaiah, Margaret and Jane, none of the four ever married; Elmira, who married Philip Robinson, resided near Claysville, in Fin- ley Township for many years and died at Bentleyville; George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were substan- tial farmers but they never married; Julia Ann, who is now in her eighty-third year, still lives on the old home- stead; Edward, who died at Bentleyville, never married; Obediah, however, married twice, (first) Damorest Mitchell and after her death, Henrietta Luker; Sarah Ann, who is the widow of Nelson Town, resides in eastern Ohio. William Sprowls married Margaret Mitchell, who was born in Washington County and died in 1898, aged seventy-nine years. She was a daughter of David and Hannah (Burt) Mitchell. David Mitchell came to Wash- ington County from New Jersey and settled near Bealls- ville, where he died. His children were as follows: Eleanor, who was married first to a Mr. Freeman and later to Daniel Flick; Mark, who married Sarah Lutz and died in Ohio; Jemima, who never married; Mary, who married Louis Cleaver, died in Iowa; David, who married Sarah Lutes, died at Bentleyville; John, who married in Nebraska, died there and his family live at Lincoln; Julia Ann, who resides at Beallsville, was mar- ried (first) to Christopher Croft and (second) to John Hough; Hannah, who died unmarried; Sheshbazzar, who resided in Illinois, married; and Martha Jane, who died single.

To William Sprowls and wife were born the following children: Sarah Ellen, who resides at Houston; Mary Jane, who is the widow of Daniel Sumney, resides in Somerset Township, near Bentleyville; Hiram Mitchell died in infancy; William W., of Houston; Mark, who died in Washington County, married Sadie Devore; Mar- garet Malissa, who married John Sumney, resides at Do- nora, Pa .; and Arthur Melville, who follows the carpenter trade, resides at Carnegie and married Ida Devore.

William W. Sprowls attended Jefferson Academy at

Canonsburg and the Normal School at California, Pa., prior to entering the Western Reserve Medical College, where he was graduated in the class of 1884. For two years thereafter he practiced medicine at McConnell's Mill and then moved to Houston, where he has been es- tablished ever since. He is a member of the Washington County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Society, and thus has always kept thoroughly in touch with all the wonderful strides forward made by his beloved science.

On October 8, 1874, Dr. Sprowls was married to Miss Mary Wylie, a daughter of Archie and Nancy (Wilson) Wylie, of Chartiers Township. She was three years old when brought to Washington County. Two children born to Dr. and Mrs. Sprowls are deceased, namely: Gemella Mary, and a son unnamed. The survivors are: Nannie Margretta, who is the wife of Rev. James S. Ferris, who is a member of the Pittsburg Conference of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church and now resides in Colorado; Will- iam, unmarried, who lives on his ranch in Colorado; and Lloyd Sumney, who is principal of the Midland schools and is a graduate of Jefferson Academy. Dr. Sprowls and family are members of the Houston Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which he was one of the organizers.

Dr. Sprowls has been one of Washington County's most active citizens. For nine years he served as a member of the township school board and six years as a member of the borough board. In 1906 he was elected to the General Assembly and served most acceptably to the people of Washington County, reflecting their views and safeguarding their interests, through 1907 and 1908. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and is a member of the lodge at Canonsburg.

LEWIS SNYDER, deceased. In naming over the prom- inent pioneer families of Washington County, that of Snyder is found to be one of the foremost and through the generations which have passed since it was first es- tablished in this part of Pennsylvania, it has produced the very highest class of citizens. One of these was the late Lewis Snyder. He was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1844, and died in 1895.

For many years Lewis Synder carried on large agricul- tural operations and was widely known not only for his industry and thrift, but also for his good citizenship. He married Matilda Barger, who came also from one of the old county families, and they had two children, both of whom survive: Ray, who is the wife of William Ag- new, of Washington, Pa .; and Lewis Snyder. The parents were most estimable people and were members of the Evangelical Church. Lewis Snyder was educated in the Washington schools and then learned the machinist trade and is employed in one of the large establishments at

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Washington. He is an enterprising young man who en- joys the esteem of a wide circle of friends and the re- spect of those with whom he has business relations.

RICHARD JUDSON MATHERS, road supervisor and one of the substantial farmers of North Strabane Town- ship, Washington County, where he owns a tract of 133 acres, was born November 10, 1860, and is a son of Milton K. and Angeline M. (Dagg) Mathers.

Milton K. Mathers, who is a cooper by trade, was born May 3, 1822, in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of John and Susan Mathers. In 1844 he came to Washing- ton County, and settled in the Giffin district of Cecil Township, where he worked at his trade for many years. For many years he resided on a farm in Cecil Township, and in 1901 came to North Strabane Township, where he resides with his son, the subject of this sketch. He was twice married, his first wife, Mary J. Giffin, who died in 1847, was a daughter of James Giffin, of Cecil Town- ship. There were no children born of this union. His second marriage was with Angeline Dagg, a daughter of Richard Dagg, of Cecil Township, and of this union were born the following children: Anna J., who is head ma- tron at the Woodville Home; George, who died in 1885; Susan, who died in 1887; Richard J .; Franklin C., who died in 1877; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles Crum; Ella, who lives at home; and Ida, who is the wife of Arthur White of North Strabane Township.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 154

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