History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 169

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 169

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On May 1, 1870, Dr. Stewart was married to Miss Harriet A. Davis, of Washington County. They have an adopted daughter, Irene, who is now the wife of Ray G. Courson. Dr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the United Presbyterian Church and he is a member of the Sessions. Politically he is a Republican.

ROBERT S. CALDWELL, a substantial and repre- sentative citizen of Mt. Pleasant Township, who resides on his well improved farm of 126 acres, lying one and one-quarter miles northeast of Hickory, Pa., was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, Feb- ruary 26, 1875. His father and mother were James and Nancy (Smith) Caldwell.

William Caldwell, the grandfather, was probably born in Ireland and family records show that he came to Washington County in 1810 and settled in what is now Mt. Pleasant Township. His first marriage with a Miss Moore, resulted in the birth of two children: James and Isabel. The second marriage of William Caldwell was to Sarah French, and five children were born to that

union : Maria, David, Anna, Hattie and a babe that died in childhood. William Caldwell lived for two years at Raccoon and then returned to his farm, where the re- mainder of his life was spent. He was a Whig in poli- ties. In him the Mt. Pleasant Hickory Church found an exemplary member and liberal supporter.

James Caldwell, father of Robert S., was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, in 1835. He attended school in a log building used for school purposes and continued to live on the home farm until within one year of his death, when he retired and removed to Hickory, where he passed away in 1905. His widow survives and still re- sides at Hickory, where she is highly esteemed by her circle of friends and church members. James Caldwell was active in church and Sunday-school work, serving as an elder in the Hickory Church and as superintend- ent of the school. He was a great advocate of temper- ance and was identified with the Prohibition party.

Robert S. Caldwell obtained his primary education in the Cockin District School, near his father's home- stead, andd later attended Hickory Academy for two years, after which he entered Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio, with the intention of preparing for one of the professions. Sickness in the family at home, how- ever, recalled him in his first term and as he found he was needed to take charge of the farm, he never re- turned to college. After his marriage he settled on his present farm, which his father had purchased from W. S. White, a good property at that time, but one which Mr. Caldwell saw that he could vastly improve both in appearance and productiveness. He has erected fine new buildings which can be seen from the public high- way and has made many improvements all over the place. He cultivates the usual grains that do well in this section, tilling 120 acres, and has some thoroughbred Holstein cattle that he is justly proud of. He ships about 20,000 gallons of milk yearly. He is one of the stockholders of the Farmers National Bank of Hickory ; of the Midway National Bank of Midway; and also of the Guardian Trust Company of Pittsburg. The coal under the farm has been sold to the Pittsburg Coal Com- pany, but there are no banks open. Some tests have been made for oil and gas, but not enough to decide whether further operations would be profitable in that direction. In the meanwhile, Mr. Caldwell has one of the best farms in the township and under his capable man- agement its pro rata production of grain to the acre, is yearly increasing.

On November 20, 1902, Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Jane Timmons, a daughter of Joseph Timmons, and they have had four children: Robert Timmons, Jane E. and two infants, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cald- well attend the United Presbyterian Church. In poli- ties, he is identified with the Republican party.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

CHARLES F. FERGUSON, manager of the Canons- burg Opera House, at Canonsburg, Pa., is one of the borough's leading citizens and occupies a handsome resi- dence at No. 252 North Central avenue. He was born at Coal Center, Washington County, Pa., June 1, 1879, and is a son of John and Annie Ferguson.

The parents of Mr. Ferguson spent many years of their lives at points along the Monongahela River, and the father died at Smithton, Pa., in August, 1903. He was a miner and became a contractor, his work being the sinking of shafts and putting in drifts in coal mines. His widow survives and resides with a daughter at Brownsville, Pa. The family consisted of three daugh- ters and one son, the latter being Charles F. Ferguson, of Canonsburg.

Until he was twelve years old, Mr. Ferguson attended the Sisters' school at Irwin, Pa., and then became a miner and spent the greater part of three years under- ground, performing the lighter duties of the work, and was then given more responsibility, being made a driver and later a trip-rider and during this time learned enough about the management of the boilers to be made a stationary engineer. He earned further promotion through his carefulness and industry, becoming outside foreman at the Somers mine at Belle Vernon. He then became interested in the workings of the electrical ma- chinery and shortly absorbed enough of the practical part of the work to gain his standing as a master me- chanic and electrician. In that capacity he was with the Pittsburg Coal Company and the Dunkirk Coal Com- pany and also the Monongahela Consolidated Coal and Coke Company, and in 1907 he passed the State ex- amination as an electrical engineer. He also served as mine boss of the Prairie mine at Clarksburg, W. Va. Prior to coming to Canonsburg he was mine electrician at the Knobb and Baumont coal mines for the Monon- gahela Consolidated Coal and Coke Company for five years. Mr. Ferguson then retired from mine work and turned his attention to theatrical matters, opening the Canonsburg Opera House on February .1, 1909. He has prospered in this as in his other undertakings. He ad- mits attractions of high moral tone only, giving two performances to the public nightly, the seating capacity of the building being 1,000, and has gained the confi- dence of the community by never advertising any feature he does not give, and its approval, by catering to a high class of patronage. He contemplates extending his business connections in this line of work, possibly in the future having a large circuit under his control. Mr. Ferguson deserves the name of self-made man, of which there can be no more honorable title given to an inde- pendent American citizen.

Mr. Ferguson was married October 14, 1902, to Miss Mary J. Mccullough, of Smithton, Pa., a daughter of

Daniel Mccullough, now a resident of South Canonsburg. They have three children: Irene, Charles and Daniel. Mr. Ferguson is identified with the Elks and the order of Moose.

THOMAS H. MeNARY, one of the leading jewelers and opticians of Washington, Pa., was born in 1872, in Washington County, Pa., and is a son of J. D. McNary.

Thomas H. McNary received his educational training in the schools of Washington, and in 1891 entered the jewelry store of A. A. Pool, with whom he learned the trade and with whom he remained about four years. He then spent some years in the same business at Wil- mington, Del., New York City and Washington, D. C., after which he returned to Washington, Pa., in 1901, and purchased his present jewelry store from his former em- ployer, A. A. Pool, and has since been successfully en- gaged in that business. Mr. McNary has for three years been president of the Washington Board of Trade, to which office he has recently been re-elected. He is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Washington, in which he has served on the official board. In fraternal circles he is prominent in Masonry, in which he has attained the 32nd degree; is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Wash- ington and the Consistory at Pittsburg. He was one of the organizers and charter member of the Bassett Club.

In 1902, Mr. MeNary was joined in marriage with Susan G. Morrow, of Wilmington, Del., and they have two sons, Charles F. and Thomas W.

FRANK BEBOUT, one of the leading funeral direc- tors and furniture dealers of Monongahela City, Pa., who has been a lifelong resident of Washington Coun- ty, was born Dec. 28, 1865, at Canonsburg, Pa., a son of David R. and Dorothy (McMurry) Bebout. This branch of the Bebout family was established in Wash- ington County, Pa., by John Bebout, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and at an early period came to this part of the State from New Jersey. He was the father of ten children: William; Sarah, who mar- ried a Mr. McLain; Susan (Mrs. Long) ; Israel; Peter, grandfather of subject; John; Mary (Mrs. John Haines) ; Israel; Elizabeth, (Mrs. Weaver) ; and Ira.

Peter Bebout, grandfather of subject, was born and reared on the home farm near Canonsburg, Pa., and served in the War of 1812, enlisting from Ohio. He was married in 1805 to Betsey Kinney, also a native of Washington County, Pa., and shortly afterward moved to Jefferson County, Ohio, where the following chil- dren were born: John, William, Peter, James, Israel, Sarah, Elias and Elizabeth, all now deceased. Betsey Bebout died in Jefferson County, Ohio, and Peter sub- sequently married Isabella Cooper, by whom he became

FRANK BEBOUT

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the father of eleven children: Mary Jane, who married William Hays, both deceased; Susan, married William Bebout; Ira, deceased; Margaret, married Cephas Coch- ran, both are deceased; David R., the father of sub- ject; Isabella, deceased wife of John Crouch, also de- ceased; Joshua; Stephen; Martha J., deceased; Caro- line, deceased wife of Joseph Means, deceased; and Herman. Peter Bebout died on his farm near Canons- burg, Pa., Apr. 12, 1860.

David Bebout, father of subject, was born Sept. 3, 1832, on the home farm near Canonsburg, where he re- mained until 15 years of age, after which he spent five years learning the cabinet-maker's trade with Joseph Huston, of Canonsburg, and two years as a journey- man, and then conducted a cabinet shop and furniture store at Canonsburg for many years, and subsequently became the first station agent of the Pennsylvania Rail- road at Canonsburg, resigning that position ten years later on account of ill health. Then he retired to his farm north of Canonsburg, but for some time has been a resident of Canonsburg, Pa. He was married to Dorothy McMurry, a native of Washington County, Pa., and a daughter of James McMurry, who came to the United States at the age of 6 weeks from County Tyrone, Ireland, with his widowed mother, who settled in Washington, Pa., and of their union were born the following children: Catherine, who is the wife of S. W. MeNary; James C .; Mary Isabella, who is the wife of William Greer; Frank, the subject of this sketch; Martha, who married William McCorkle; Elizabeth, who married L. C. Fox; and Dorothy, who died in infancy. Dorothy (McMurry) Bebout died May 24, 1903.

Frank Bebout was reared at Canonsburg, Pa., where he attended the public schools and the Jefferson Acad- emy and in 1889 came to Monongahela City, where he entered the employ of W. A. Patterson, a furniture dealer, with whom he continued until January, 1892, when he became a member of the firm, Patterson & Bebout, funeral directors and furniture dealers of Mo- nongahela City. Mr. Patterson died in 1895 and the following year Mr. Bebout became sole owner of the establishment, which covers three floors of the main building, with two additional rooms. Mr. Bebout re- ceived a diploma from Clark's Embalming School of Pittsburg, Pa., and is recognized as one of the leading funeral directors and furniture dealers of the city. He was married Apr. 29, 1891, to Price Patterson, who is a daughter of Joseph Patterson, deceased, who was one of the pioneer grocers of Monongahela City, and of their union was born one daughter, Ruth.

Mr. Bebout is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F., the Jr. O. U. A. M., and in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of the school board, a director of the City Library, president of the Y. M. C. A., and holds

membership with the Presbyterian Church, of which he is also an elder.

JOHN W. CLUTTER, one of East Finley Township's prominent and substantial men, secretary of the school board and road supervisor, owns a large amount of valuable land in this section, his home farm containing 125 acres. He was born in Amwell Township, near Point Lookout, Washington County, Pa., in 1852, and is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Sanders) Clutter.

The grandfather of Mr. Clutter was Isaac Clutter, who was of German parentage, but was born in Washing- ton County, near Prosperity. He resided there for many years, but prior to his death purchased and moved to a farm in Greene County. His son Christopher and family accompanied him to Greene County. Christopher Clutter died in 1906 and his burial was at Claysville. He had survived his wife since 1884. They had the following children: John V .; Isaac P., who is now de- ceased; Annie Elizabeth, who married James Ely, of East Finley Township; Thomas P., who is deceased; George B., who resides at Pleasant Grove; Mary M., who died when aged fifteen years; Sadie, who married Henry Byers, of East Finley Township; and Christopher W., who is an engineer and is employed in that great undertaking, the building of the Panama Canal.

John W. Clutter obtained his education in the schools of Greene County as he was small when his parents moved there. When eighteen years old he began to devote all his time to farming and for three years carried it on quite successfully. In 1877 he opened up a country produce store on Diamond Square, Pittsburg, and con- tinued in business there for eleven years and then sold out, determining to return to agricultural pursuits. He purchased that year one farm of ninety-five acres in East Finley Township and another farm of 108 acres adjoining his home farm of 125 acres. Mr. Clutter makes sheep raising a feature of his farming and is one of the large growers in East Finley Township. While he has been a remarkably successful man in his various undertakings, he owes his prosperity entirely to his own efforts and he has been heard to remark that the only money he has ever received beyond what he worked for, has been the income from a gas well on his place, which has already paid him $3,300. A good busi- ness man is always valuable to his community in public office and Mr. Clutter has frequently been elected to responsible positions in East Finley Township. He has served continuously as secretary of the school board for the past five years, and during his present term as road supervisor, has rebuilt one mile of the public high- way in the most substantial manner. He has also served as a director of the Claysville Cemetery Association since 1895. To all offices of a public character he gives

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the same close and careful attention which he has be- stowed on his own affairs. In politics he is a Democrat and in 1908 was sent as a delegate to the State Con- vention at Harrisburg.

Mr. Clutter was married (first) in 1880 to Miss Min- nie E. Herzog, who died in 1895. She was a daughter of George and Barbara Herzog, of Smithport, MeKean County, Pa. Two children were born to this union : Arthur and Harry T. Arthur conducts a milk business at his father's old stand in Pittsburg. He married Ber- nice Campbell of that city and they have one son, Mer- rill. Harry T. Clutter has recently bought a farm near Ashtabula, Ohio. He married Flossie Carroll, a daugh- ter of Anderson and Annie Carroll, of East Finley Town- ship, and they have one son, Christopher Carroll. In 1896, Mr. Clutter was married (second) to Mrs. Nettie A. (Dean) Rice, widow of Fred Rice, late of Roulette, Potter County, Pa. Mrs. Rice had one son, Fred E., who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Clutter have had two children: Grace M., who was born in 1898 and died in 1905, and Walter Dean, who was born in January, 1902. Mr. Clutter and family are members and liberal supporters of the Baptist Church at Claysville. Fra- ternally he is an Odd Fellow, being a member of Lodge No. 182 at Pittsburg and of Pittsburg Encampment No. 2.

ROBERT D. MeCLEERY, who is a representative of one of the old Scotch-Irish pioneer families of Washing- ton County, Pa., has been a resident of West Alexander, Pa., since 1902. He is a son of the late Alexander and Mary (Davidson) MeCleery and was born in West Fin- ley Township, Washington County, Pa., April 19, 1861.

Mr. MeCleery's education was secured in the public schools of West Finley Township and Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. On October 5, 1897, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Blayney, daughter of James and Linda (Gilfillan) Blayney, residents of West Alexander, Pa. He is a member of and active in the business af- fairs of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. McCleery's main business in life has been along agricultural lines. He owns 382 acres of valuable farm- ing and grazing land in Donegal and West Finley Town- ships, where he resided until removing to West Alex- ander. In polities he is a Republican. He is a director in the West Alexander National Bank and prominent in the business affairs of the town and community.

Alexander McCleery, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in West Finley Township, and died there November 11, 1897, after a long and useful career. He served two years as county commissioner and four terms, twenty years, as a justice of the peace. In his views on public questions he was clear-headed and broad- minded. In early years he was a Free-soiler, but later

became identified with the Republican party. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.

R. L. HETHERINGTON, who resides on his valuable, well improved farm of 218 acres, situated in Somerset Township, about three miles north of Bentleyville, was born near Jonestown, in Fallowfield Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., April 1, 1848, and is a son of Abraham and Sarah (Hughes) Hetherington.

Abraham Hetherington was born in 1814, on what was then farming land in Somerset Township, but is now the site of the town or borough of Bentleyville. His father, Hughie Hetherington, was born in Ireland and came to Washington County as a young man, lo- cating on the farm land above mentioned. The maternal grandfather was Remembrance Hughes, who was born in Greene County, Pa., but died in California. Mrs. Hetherington was born and reared in Greene County. After marriage, Abraham Hetherington and wife settled first in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, but later moved to Iowa. The climate of that State did not agree with Mr. Hetherington, which caused him to return to Washington County and he spent the remainder of his life at Bentleyville, where he survived into old age, his death occurring March 30, 1904, when in his ninetieth year. His wife died in 1894. They were most worthy and respected people.

R. L. Hetherington grew to manhood on the farm near Bentleyville and has followed farming and stock raising ever since gaining an age to direct his own industries. He came to his present farm in 1875, where he makes growing grain and raising stock his specialties. His full name, which he shortens for convenience, is Remembrance Lindsay Hetherington, in memory of his maternal grandfather, a name that indicates Puritan ancestry.

Mr. Hetherington married Miss Mary Jane Myers, a daughter of Henry and Mary Ann (Myers) Myers, old residents of Somerset Township, where Mrs. Hethering- ton was born and reared. Five children have been born to the above marriage: Mary Capitola, wife of William M. Gault, of Charleroi; Guy M., who married Mary Cassandra Williams; Thomas, who resides in Monon- gahela City, married Mabel Bennett; Sallie Leota, who is the wife of Andrew Crouch, of Somerset Township; and one that died in infancy.

WILLIAM HOCKLEY, who has been a resident of Washington for over a quarter of a century, does an extensive business in stone contracting and house rais- ing, his reliability in all this kind of work having long been established. He was born in England, May 28, 1844, and obtained his education in the schools of his native land.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Mr. Hockley has led an active and honorable life. For ten years he served in the Royal Engineer Corps in the English Army, after which he learned the trade of stone-mason, and from 1867 until 1870 he was employed at his trade working on the fortifications of mighty Gibralter. He was thirty-four years old when he came to America and he located first at Pittsburg, where he found employment on a boat on the river and then he did construction work for two years on the Davis Island dam. Mr. Hockley came from there to Washington and for about 20 years followed contract bridge building, and fully 100 of the substantial bridges in different parts of Washington County were built by contract by Mr. Hoek- ley. His work covers stone contracting, house moving, smoke-stack raising and bridge building, each line requir- ing that certain knowledge and exaet calculation which Mr. Hockley has acquired through his many years of ex- perience.

In December, 1883, Mr. Hockley was married to Miss Mary Lavinia Day, a daughter of John Nelson Day, an old family of property in Washington County, residents of Morris Township. Mrs. Hockley is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Their beautiful home is situated at No. 302 Duncan Ave., Washington.

SAMUEL MILLER DOWNER, a member of the well known real estate and insurance firm of Downer & Ham- ilton of Monongahela City, Pa., has practically been a lifelong resident of this city, but was born June 12, 1860, in Fayette City, Pa., and is a son of Eliphalet and Cath- erine (Procia) Downer.

Eliphalet Downer, who was a native of Elizabeth, Pa., spent his entire life along the Monongahela River, and was a tinner by trade. After learning his trade at Pitts- burg, he returned to Elizabeth for a time, then removed to Fayette City, Pa., where he remained until 1860 work- ing at his trade, and at that time came to Monongahela City, where his death occurred at the age of 66 years. He was married in Jefferson County, Pa., to Catherine Procia, who was of German extraction, and of their union were born the following children: William S .; Mary E., deceased; Samuel Miller; Jennie; Eve C., who is the wife of Prof. Edwin W. Chubb; James E .; Harry R .; and Charles D.

Samuel M. Downer was but three months old when his parents came to Monongahela City, where he was reared and attended the public schools. At the age of 15 years he took up the tin roofing trade with his father, and one year later began looking after his father's outside inter- ests, and remained with him until about 1894, when he embarked in the real estate business in partnership with John M. Grable, of one of the old established real estate firms of Monongahela City. The business was conducted under the firm name of Grable & Downer until the death

of Mr. Grable in 1903, and in June, 1904, T. A. Hamil- ton became a member of the firm, which is now known as Downer & Hamilton, their offices being located at No. 305 Main Street, where they engage in large real estate operations. Mr. Downer is chairman of the Monongahela Chamber of Commerce, and was one of the organizers of the Monongahela City Gas Company, of which he has been president since its organization. He is identified with the Republican party in politics, has served on the city council, was city treasurer. In fraternal cireles he holds membership with the Junior O. U. A. M., of which he is the oldest past counciler, and the B. P. O. E.

On Nov. 1, 1886, Mr. Downer was joined in marriage with Ella Kern, a daughter of Godfrey and Mary E. Kern of Monongahela City, and to them have been born the following children: Godfrey K., a student at Har- vard University; Catherine; and Eliphalet. Mr. Downer resides in a comfortable home, located on the corner of Meade and Lincoln Streets.

JAMES MARTIN TEMPLETON, whose entire life has been spent at Canonsburg or in the vicinity of the borough, resides in one of the beautiful homes of the place, which is situated at No. 255 North Jefferson Avenue. He was born in Chartiers Township, Washing- ton County, Pa., Oct. 26, 1856, and is a son of James M. and Elizabeth (McNary) Templeton.

The father of Mr. Templeton was born in North Stra- bane Township, Washington County, and was a son of David and Mary (Martin) Templeton. The latter was the first wife of David Templeton and they had three children : John, Margaret and James. For his second wife he married Jane MeNary, and they had the follow- ing children: Matthew, Thomas, David, Anna and Jo- seph. James M. Templeton was married (first) to Eliza- beth MeNary, and they had three sons, namely: Joseph MeNary, a resident of South Canonsburg, married a widow, Mrs. McDonough; David, who died at the age of nine years; and James Martin. The mother of the above children was born in Cecil Township, Washington County, in 1825, and died in 1859. Her father was Joseph MeNary, one of the old settlers of the county. James M. Templeton was married (second) to Miss Mary McCoy, who still survives. There were two children born to that union: Martha Jane, who is the wife of Robert Hemphill, residing on Greenside avenue, Canonsburg; and William Hunter, who also resides at Canonsburg. James M. Templeton was born in 1828 and died in the summer of 1891. He was long a leading member of the United Presbyterian Church. Prior to moving to Canonsburg, in 1875, he was a farmer in Chartiers Township, but in later years his health failed and he lived retired. In politics he was a Republican.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 169

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