History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 159

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

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JOHN F. SHRONTZ, one of the substantial and representative citizens of Washington, Pa., residing in a fine residence situated at No. 990 East Maiden street, for many years was identified with the dairy interests of this section. He was born in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pa., Mar. 2, 1828, and is a son of John F. Shrontz, who came to America from Witten- berg, Germany, in 1800.

The first John F. Shrontz had followed the tailor trade in Germany and found opportunity for the same after coming to Washington County. He married Eliz- abeth Shidler, who was a native of Washington County, of German ancestry, and to them seven children were

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

born, the only survivor being this one son who bears his father's name.

John F. Shrontz, the second, was reared on the farm his father had acquired and in boyhood went to school until he was old enough to be of service in the pressing work of the farm. He remained at home until he was married and then embarked in a general mercantile business in Allegheny County which he continued for four years there and then returned to Washington County and for a number of years engaged in merchan- dising at different points. Finally he established what is now known as the East End Dairy, at Washington, and there dealt in farm and dairy products until he retired from active business life. The business he had founded had grown to large proportions and he has the satisfaction of knowing that each year, under the cap- able management of his sons, its volume is increasing.

In 1860, Mr. Shrontz was married to Miss Nancy Blackmore, who died in 1873. There were five children born to this union, namely: W. F., a minister, who is stationed in Michigan; Sarah Ann, who lives at home; Charles B., who is a commercial traveler; and Elizabeth and Emma J., both of whom are successful teachers in the Washington schools. Mr. Shrontz was married (second) in May, 1875, to Nancy Griffith, and two sons were born to this marriage: John F. and Clark A., both representative business men. For a half century, Mr. Shrontz has been a member of the Christian Church and belongs to the official board of the First Christian Church at Washington.

WILLIAM J. MUNCE, a prominent farmer of North Strabane Township, residing on a valuable farm of 165 acres, who makes a specialty of breeding fine cattle and horses, was born in 1869 on his present farm, and is a son of Dr. Robert and Mary (Rickards) Munce.

Dr. Robert Munce was of Irish ancestry, and was born in South Strabane Township, where his father located at an early period. After his marriage to Mary Rickard in Washington County, he removed to Ohio, where he practiced medicine for ten years, when failing health compelled him to give up his practice, and he returned to the farm in Washington County, where he resided until his death at the age of 73 years. His widow is still living in Washington, Pa. Dr. and Mrs. Munce were the parents of nine children: Thomas, deceased; Robert; George; Anna, who is the wife of Humphry Ludwick; Phoebe, who is the wife of Rev. J. L. Thome; Margaret, who married Park Weaver; William J .; Eliz- abeth; and Emma, who married Rev. Charles Irwin.

William J. Munce was educated in the common schools and has been engaged in farming on the homestead farm all his life. The Munce farm lies in both North and South Strabane Townships, and at one time the resi-

dence was located in the latter township, but in 1872 the present home was erected a short distance over the line in North Strabane Township. In connection with his farming interests, Mr. Munce makes a specialty of breeding Ayershire cattle and English shire horses, and is a member of the Ayershire Cattle Breeders' Asso- ciation.

In 1898, Mr. Munce married Minnie Fife, a daughter of John Fife, of this township, and they have the fol- lowing children : Aneita, Ivan, John Fife, Raymond and Jennie. Mr. Munce is identified with the Republican party. The family are members of the Pigeon Creek United Presbyterian Church.

ROBERT M. CARRONS, an extensive farmer and stock raiser of Washington County, Pa., has been a resident of Washington since 1900, his fine residence which he erected in 1901-02 being located at No. 134 LeMoyne avenue. He was born Nov. 2, 1854, in Henry County, Iowa, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Munce) Carrons.

Leslie Carrons, grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland, a son of Daniel Carrons, who lived in County Down, Ireland, and was a farmer by occupation. Daniel Carrons died during the latter part of the 17th century. Leslie Carrons was reared and obtained a good education in his native country, where he was mar- ried in 1797 to Mary Chambers, a daughter of James and Mary Chambers. In 1803 he emigrated to America with his wife and three children, Daniel, James and Mary, and settled first at Chambers Mills, Washington County, Pa., afterwards removing to Amity, Amwell Township, where they resided for several years. About 1813, Mr. Carrons purchased the Achison farm of 164 acres to which he later added the Stokey farm of 90 acres, and there spent the remainder of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. After coming to this country there were three more children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carrons: Eliza, Sarah and Robert. Mr. Carrons was a self-made man and one whose advice was often sought by his neighbors when in trouble. He was a man of public spirit and enterprise and very successful in busi- ness. In his native country he belonged to the Orange- men and in this country he was identified with the Democratic party. He was a charter member of the Episcopal Church at Washington and gave liberally toward building it up. His death occurred in 1851, and his wife died in 1876, in her 98th year.

Robert Carrons, father of our subject, was born Oct. 12, 1812, in Amity, Washington County, and here was reared and educated in the common schools. In 1847, he moved to Henry County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming upon a half section of land, to which he added from time to time until at the time of his death he was

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the owner of nearly 1,300 acres. He was a man of con- servative business methods and met with success. His death took place in Iowa, Dec. 7, 1883. On Oct. 4, 1849, he was united in marriage with Jane Munce, a daughter of Robert and Mary Munce of South Strabane Town- ship, Washington County, and to them were born three children: Leslie, born Jan. 4, 1851; Mary, born May 30, 1853; and Robert M., the subject of this sketch.

Robert M. Carrons was reared in Henry County, Iowa, where he attended the common schools and spent one year in an academy, and when 22 years of age came to Washington County, Pa., where he spent a winter and then returned to Henry County, Iowa, where he re- mained until 1877, when he came to Washington Coun- ty again and embarked in business for himself, having purchased his Uncle Daniel's interest in the homestead farm, and later bought out the heirs of his Uncle James. He has always been a successful farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of breeding black top Merino sheep and Ayershire cattle, sparing no expense in securing the best stock. His first lot was purchased in 1880 from Dr. Sturderant, of Massachusetts. At one time he had -a herd of 100 head of Ayershires, which was said to be at that time the largest herd of this famous breed in the West and the second largest in America. In 1900, Mr. Carrons moved to Washington, where he erected his present commodious residence which is one of the finest in the city. Mr. Carrons owns a fine large farm in Henry County, Iowa, and continues to look after his farming interests in this county.

On Oct. 4, 1877, Mr. Carrons was joined in marriage with Mary Emma Chambers, a daughter of George and Catherine Chambers, and of their union were born three children: Frank Leslie, who at the age of 15 years was kicked and instantly killed by a horse; Catherine J., and Emma. Catherine J. is a student at Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, Ia., and Emma is a student at Washington Seminary.

DONALD DARROCH, who occupies a very respon- sible position as superintendent of the Acme Mine No. 1, located at Bentleyville, Pa., has been a resident of this place since July, 1908, and is one of the most experi- enced and best informed men in his line of work in Western Pennsylvania. He was born in Scotlad, Feb. 7, 1867, and is a son of Donald and Marion (McMillan) Darroch, who never came to America. His father was a railroad man.

Donald Darroch attended school in his native place and was 17 years old when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean to America, finding his first home in the United States at Pittsburg. Shortly afterward he began to work in the mines and has been identified with mining interests ever since. He has been a resident of Washington Coun-

ty since 1888, living at Finleyville, Monongahela and Bentleyville, with the exception of two years spent in the same business in Westmoreland County. In 1904 he was appointed mine foreman at the Shoenberger mine, at Baird Station, where he remained ten months and then went to Manor, Westmoreland Couty, as mine fore- man for ten months, going from there to Claridge, in the same county, as mine superintendent, one year later locating at Monangahela City, where he was division superintendent of the Pittsburg and Westmoreland Coal Company, one year aferward coming to Bentleyville. While superintendent of Mine No. 1 he also acted as overseer for the other mines controlled by this company while making his headquarters at Monongahela City. Mr. Darroch is president of the Miners' Institute, an organ- ization founded in 1907 and devoted to the interests of miners, meeting every month at Monongahela City. He had much to do with the organization of the Miners' Institute and was appointed the first vice president, with John McVicker the first president, but on May 1, 1909, Mr. Darroch was elected president. The name given the organization explains its character, it in reality being a school of mining, and its value to its members can scarce- ly be overestimated. A paper prepared and read by Mr. Darroch at its first meeting was considered extreme- ly valuable, its subject being mine fires, how to prevent them. He is a practical miner himself and there is no subject connected with this vast industry on which he is not qualified to speak. He is identified with the Masonic bodies at Charleroi, Monongahela City and Pittsburg, and of the three branches of the Odd Fellows at Monon- gahela City and with the Elks at the same place.

He was married at Washington, Pa., on Nov. 28, 1909, by the Rev. L. R. Jones of the M. E. Church, to Miss Bazzenia Bentley Jones of Bentleyville, Pa., where he intends to make his home.

J. W. ROBB, who has been identified with the Crafton Builders' Supply Company, of Crafton, Pa., for the past three years, is one of the leading business men and representative citizens of Washington. He was born May 18, 1849, in Robinson Township, Washington Coun- ty, Pa., and is a son of Ebenezer Robb, who was also born in Robinson Township, in 1810, and was one of the prominent citizens of the county. Ebenezer Robb died Aug. 4, 1884. He served some time as a justice of the peace and was for many years an elder in the United Presbyterian Church.

The Robb family is of Scotch-Irish descent and was established in Lancaster County, Pa. About 1725 one Henry Robb appeared as a witness to prove a will in Philadelphia, and the family had undoubtedly been estab- lished in this country some years before that time. Jo- seph Robb, great-grandfather of our subject, came to

L. R. CRUMRINE

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Washington County in 1781, from Lancaster County, Pa., with his wife, Barbara, and resided there until his death in 1804. Some of the land on which he settled upon coming to this county is still in the possession of the Robb family. Joseph Robb, Jr., grandfather of our subject, was born in 1776, and died in 1847, aged 71 years.

J. W. Robb was reared on a farm in Robinson Town- ship, receiving his education in the district schools and at Allegheny City, and was for some time engaged in working on the farm. He subsequently engaged in the lumber business at McDonald for 12 years, when he be- came a resident of Washington, still continuing to oper- ate his lumber business at McDonald for about five years. In 1904 he disposed of his lumbering interests at McDonald, and in 1906 became interested in the Crafton Builders' Supply Company of Crafton, Pa., dealers in all kinds of lumber and building supplies. Mr. Robb has his residence at Washington, going to Crafton and back each day.

In 1877, Mr. Robb was married to Rachael Lindsey, a native of Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, and they have reared the following children: Edmund E., of Washington; Mary; Laura; and Joseph. Mr. Robb is a member of the 2nd United Presbyterian Church of Washington.

L. R. CRUMRINE, who is serving in the responsible office of superintendent of the schools of Washington County, Pa., has been identified with educational work in this section ever since completing his own education. He was born in Washington County, in what is now the borough of Deemston, May 10, 1867, and is a son `of William G. and Mary (Nail) Crumrine.

The Crumrine family is one of age, prominence and substance in Washington County and was established in the pioneer period by John Crumrine, the great- grandfather of L. R. Crumrine, who came from Ger- many. His son, Jacob Crumrine, was born in Wash- ington County, where he reared a large family. Will- iam G. Crumrine, father of L. R., was born on the old homestead in 1833 and survived until 1907. He was a miller. He married Mary Nail, who died in 1886, and they had three children, namely: Dora C., who is the wife of Rev. E. H. Greenlee, who is pastor of the Cooper Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church at Johns- town, Pa .; Lucy E., who resides with her brother; and L. R.

L. R. Crumrine was educated in the public schools and at the State Normal School at California, Pa., and has made educational work his life career. For 24 years after leaving school he taught in different sections of the county, each year strengthening his reputation as a successful imparter of knowledge and as an excellent

disciplinarian. For six years prior to accepting his present position he was superintendent of the East Washington schools, and since coming into his office as county superintendent, has had the management of 648 schools, exclusive of those of Washington Borough and the schools of Charleroi. The progress made by the schools since he took charge is notable and his plans for still greater progress are maturing. He is a mem- ber of the State Educational Association.

In 1892, Mr. Crumrine was married to Miss Emma Porter, who died in 1906, leaving three children: Harry, Mary and Ross. Mr. Crumrine is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Washington.

JAMES B. DUNLAP, deceased, formerly the head of the business firm of J. B. Dunlap & Son, at Canonsburg, was born in Cecil Township, Washington County, Pa., Feb. 26, 1853, and is a son of John and Priscilla (Point- er) Dunlap. John Dunlap died at Canonsburg in 1902, but his widow survives and has reached her seventy- eighth year.

The late James B. Dunlap was reared in Peters Township and resided there until he came to Canonsburg in 1901, where he died Apr. 3, 1907. He started the feed store which, since his death, is conducted by his sons under the name of Dunlap Brothers, and during the few years in which he was active in commercial life at Canonsburg, he impressed all with whom he came into contact, with his excellent qualifications and his high standards of business honesty.

James B. Dunlap married Miss Lucy Anderson, who was born in Buffalo village, Washington County, Pa., and six sons and one daughter were born to them, name- ly: James Howard, who died in 1900, at the age of twenty-one years, was a young man of great promise and a recent graduate of Duff's Business College; William Hamilton, who was born Mar. 25, 1881, also had colle- giate advantages and in 1901 entered into the feed busi- ness with his father; Benjamin Anderson, who was born Sept. 9, 1883 is a painter by trade, married Estella Mooney and they have one son, Bertram; George D., who was born Aug. 8, 1885, is a graduate of Duff's Business College and is in partnership with his brother, William Hamilton, married Blanche Patch, of Houston, and they have one daughter, Margaret Belle; Ada Lou, who is the accomplished stenographer for the business house of J. W. Gowern, was a member of the graduating class of the Canonsburg High School, in 1905, and also of Duff's Business College; Robert Dinsmore, who was born Feb. 28, 1890, is also a graduate of Duff's College; and John M., who was born June 23, 1892, is a member of the class of 1912, Canonsburg High School.

The firm of Dunlap Brothers is made up of William Hamilton and George D. Dunlap, and following the

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

death of the former head of the firm they changed the style to Dunlap Brothers. They have every reason to be satisfied with the business progress they have made and contemplate extending their activities to cover a wider territory. William Hamilton Dunlap, the senior 'mem- ber, married Miss Maud McKee, a daughter of the late John and Susan McKee, of near Hickory, and they have two children: Howard, born Aug. 26, 1906; and William McKee, born Apr. 2, 1908. Mr. Dunlap is a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg. He is iden- tified with the Knights of Pythias.

JAMES A. WILEY, a prominent member of the bar of Washington County, Pa., is a member of the firm of Irwin & Wiley, with offices in the Washington Trust building. He was born at Washington, in 1859, and is a son of John Wiley, who also was a native of this county, born in 1820 and died in 1874. The Wiley family became established here in the pioneer days, before the departure of the Indians from this region, and the great-grand- mother of the subject of this record was taken captive by them, and in after years wrote a book concerning her experiences during captivity.

James A. Wiley attended the common and high school at Washington and after graduation matriculated at Washington and Jefferson College. He was graduated for that institution in 1882 and then studied law under the direction of Mr. A. M. Todd in the office of Dougan and Todd. He was admitted to the bar in 1886 and at once took up practice in association with his former pre- ceptor until the death of Mr. Todd some years ago, when Mr. Wiley became a member of the firm of Irwin, Wiley & Morgan. After two years, Mr. Morgan with- drew from the firm which since has continued as Irwin & Wiley. It is a strong combination of legal talent and enjoys a prestige throughout the county. Mr. Wiley is a member of the Washington County Bar Association.

In 1892, James A. Wiley was married to Dr. Alla S. Fulton, who had been engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Allegheny City, and they became parents of four children, namely: John F., Monica, James Alexander and Paul Morgan. The family attends the First Pres- byterian Church.

JAMES M. McMURRAY, a representative citizen of Donegal Township, Washington County, Pa., president of the township school board, having served as such for the unusually long period of twenty years, has been a life-long resident of Washington County, and was born on this farm December 13, 1854. His parents were John and Margaret (Boyd) McMurray, the latter of whom died in Washington County in 1889.

The McMurray family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and was established in Donegal Township, Washington

County, at a very early time, by Samuel McMurray, the grandfather of James M. Of his children, John Mc- Murray became his successor on the old farm and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1867. Of the latter's two sons, James M. alone survives, the sole male representative of the family in the county.

James M. McMurray obtained his education in the schools of Donegal Township and his life has been de- voted to farming and stock raising. He is one of Done- gal Township's large landowners, having 290 acres, a large part of which he devotes to his fine stock. He breeds Holstein cattle, registered, also horses of excellent grade and keeps 300 sheep on an average. Mr. McMur- ray's surroundings indicate what is true, that he is one of the most successful and prosperous agriculturists of this section.

Mr. McMurray was married in 1878, to Miss Augusta Slater, a daughter of David Slater, who formerly lived in Ohio County, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. McMurray have two children: Elizabeth A., who is the wife of George Liggett; and James W., who resides in Donegal Town- ship. In politics, Mr. McMurray is a Republican. In addition to serving so long and usefully on the school board, he has served as judge of elections in Donegal Township. As an honorable business man he is known all over Washington County.

JOHN F. CARMICHAEL, president of the Washing- ton school board and a resident of this city for the past twenty-two years, was born at Wellsburg, W. Va., Sep- tember 27, 1865, and is a son of James W. M. Car- michael, who resides in West Virginia.

The Carmichael family was established in Washington County by James M. Carmichael, the great-grandfather of John F., who came from Maryland when scarcely be- yond boyhood, and was a pioneer school teacher. He married and reared a family, one son, George Carmichael, becoming the grandfather of John F. His son, James W. M. Carmichael, was born in Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pa., but was interested during his active years in coal operating in West Virginia.

John F. Carmichael remained in his native place until he was twenty-one years of age, acquiring his education in the public schools. He then came to Washington, hav- ing already learned the glass-making trade, and ever since then has been associated with the Hazel Atlas Glass Company in some capacity. He has always been an active and interested citizen, accepting public responsi- bilities as a duty and giving time and effort to the per- fect performance of the same. He was first appointed a member of the school board to fill out the unexpired term of John F. Berthel, and in the following fall was elected without opposition to a three-year term and when the board was organized, he was elected president.

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He served usefully for three years in the city council and for ten years as a member of the board of health.

On June 14, 1887, Mr. Carmichael was married to Miss Laura Virginia Wheatley, of Wellsburg, W. Va., and they have had the following children: Estella Wheatley, a graduate of the Washington high school, a successful teacher of music, and organist of the Third Presbyterian Church; Paul Denney; Meldrum Keesey; and Russell Ely, the latter of whom died when aged two years. Mr. Carmichael and family are members of the Third Pres- byterian Church, he being a charter member, one of the elders and for the past ten years superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally, Mr. Carmichael is identi- fied with Hancock Lodge, No. 231, Knights of Pythias, and National Lodge, No. 81, Odd Fellows.

LEGRAND RUNION, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Canonsburg for the past twen- ty-one years, and occupies a foremost place in his pro- fession in Washington County, was born at Salinesville, Ohio, September 16, 1850, and is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Crosser) Runion, and a grandson of Charles and Martha (Scott) Runion, on the paternal side, and of Adam and Dorothy (Schock) Crosser, on the mater- nal, all old and well-known names.

Richard Runion, father of Dr. Runion, was born in Lancaster County, Pa. The father's trade was that of saddler and harnessmaker. He enjoyed unusual good health into old age, but a sudden stroke of apoplexy closed his career, when aged eighty-six years. The mother of Dr. Runion was born at Carrolton, Ohio, and died in 1902, from pneumonia. Their family consisted of one son and four daughters, all surviving, the latter being: Mary Etta, who is the wife of George A. Carnes lives at East Liverpool, Ohio; Viola, who lives at Carrolton, Ohio; Florence, who resides at East Liverpool, and Mar- tha who lives in the old home at Carrolton.

Legrand Runion obtained his early education in the public schools of Carrolton, where his parents resided, and then prepared for medical college with one of the lomal physicians, in 1884 entering the Homeopathic Med- ical College at Philadelphia, where he remained a student for one year, and then entered the medical department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, where, two years later, he was graduated in the class of 1888. He immediately located at Canonsburg and has been engaged in medical practice here ever since. In the meanwhile, Dr. Runion also worked for two years as a typesetter on the Canonsburg "Herald." He is a member of the Washington County Medical Society; the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Society, keeping thoroughly abreast of the times in his profes- sion. In politics he is nominally a Republican, but his

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 159

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