History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 178

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 178

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

one having been held on this farm in 1884. Kindred to the number of 400 came from many sections, Penn- sylvania, West Virginia, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana and Illi- nois being represented. Hollywood Farm entertained them all and a delightful season was experienced by those in attendance.

Mr. Lyle was married June 12, 1862, to Miss Sarah Hartford, a daughter of John Hartford, and they have had eight children, namely: Mary, who died when aged one year; Elizabeth, who married William G. White, of Cross Creek Township; Lena C., who married H. S. Buchanan, of Mt. Pleasant Township; Maggie G. and Narcissa C., both of whom reside at home; James Ed- win, who married Mary Neel, and lives on the home farm; Jennie R., who died in April, 1904; and a babe that died unnamed. Mr. Lyle and family are members of the Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church in which he is an elder. In politics he is practically independent. He has served as a school director, but otherwise has not ac- cepted any public office. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' National Bank at Hickory.

GEORGE W. COFFEY, one of Buffalo Township's most successful stockmen and a prosperous farmer of this section, owns 140 acres of very fine land at Coffey 's Crossing, a settlement along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line which was named in honor of his father. He was born in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Pa., September 7, 1841, and is a son of George R. and Agnes (Dickey) Coffey.

The parents of Mr. Coffey were natives of Glasgow, Scotland, where they grew to maturity and married. With his wife and three children, George R. Coffey emi- grated to America, landing at New York July 4, 1836. Coming on to Washington County, Pa., the family set- tled for a short time in the vicinity of Washington and for some years the father followed his trade of wagon making in that section. In 1848 he settled on the pres- ent site of Coffey's Crossing and acquired the farm which his son, George W., now owns. He continued to live on this land until within several years of his death, when he retired to Washington. He was a Presbyterian in his religious belief and a Democrat in politics. Of his children there are two survivors, Jennie D., who is the wife of Daniel A. Clemens, of West Washington, Pa., and George W.

George W. Coffey was a small boy when his parents settled on his present farm. He went to school in the neighborhood until old enough to perform farm duties and since then has given his time and attention to these. He raises a large amount of fine stock, having Poland China hogs and registered Shorthorn cattle. For two years he served as postmaster at Brenemen, the office at first being located at Coffey's Crossing, but for sev-

1044

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

eral years the office has been discontinued, the intro- duction of the rural mail service making many of the old distributing places unnecessary.

On November 16, 1865, Mr. Coffey was married to Miss Narcissa A. McCoy, who was born in West Vir- ginia, but was a resident of Washington at the time of her marriage. Her father was the late William McCoy. To Mr. and Mrs. Coffey seven children were born, name- ly : George R., Martha R., Ernest Lester, Clark M., Grace, Bessie E., and Chester W. Their record in brief is as follows: George R., who lives in Buffalo Township, married Jennie McKnight and they are the parents of six children_Mary N., Margaret E., George C., Ralph M., Willis D. and Belle Mildred. Martha R. is the wife of Walter Thomas, of Indianapolis, Ind., and has a daughter, Narcissa Ethel. Ernest Lester resides at Toronto, Ohio. He married Sarah Wallace and his chil- dren are Lucile, Nannie G., Margaret, Narcissa and Ernest. Clark M., who lives in Steubenville, Ohio, mar- ried Jessie Pennell and they have a daughter, Martha Ruth. Grace resides in Buffalo Township. Bessie E. is the wife of Forrest Chetwyn McElwain, of Canton Township, and has two children-Elsie Alberta and Martha Grace. Mr. Coffey is an independent voter, doing his own thinking and casting his ballot according to his own judgment. He enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens in Buffalo Township, who have frequently elected him to office. He has served as road supervisor and for six years was a member of the township school board and during a part of the time was president of that body.

S. R. COLLINS, manager of the Collins Wall Paper Company, of Charleroi, Pa., was born near West New- ton, Westmoreland County, Pa., May 31, 1875, and is a son of O. C. Collins.

S. R. Collins lived in Westmoreland County until 1891, attending school there until he was seventeen years of age, coming then to Charleroi, where his two brothers, M. G. Collins and C. G. Collins, had organized the pres- ent business. They began on Mckean avenue, in 1891, and continued there until 1904, when they moved to their present commodious quarters at No. 419 Fallow- field avenue, and in that year S. R. Collins became a member of the firm and assumed management. The business has developed into a large and important one. Wall paper, paints, oils, picture frames, etc., are han- dled and their patronage comes from a large territory. Mr. Collins has never been in any other business, but has proved his ability in this one.

Mr. Collins married Miss Neva Greenwood, in 1901, and they have one son, Wilbert. Mr. Collins is not active in politics, taking more interest in business affairs than in public matters.

JOHN M. BERRY, a prominent farmer and owner of 187 acres of fine farm land in North Strabane Town- ship, Washington County, Pa., was born in 1839, in Cecil Township, Washington County, and is a son of John and Jane (Eagleton) Berry.

John Berry, great-grandfather of John M. Berry, and a native of Ireland, came to America at the beginning of the Revolutionary War and settled in Lancaster County, Pa., where he married Elizabeth Gilmore, who came to America on the same vessel with the Berry family. Upon reaching this country, before either mar- rying or settling, John Berry enlisted in the Continental Army, for five years, and was with the forces under Gen. Washington, during the winter at Valley Forge. In 1796 he came to Washington County and purchased a tract of the George Washington land, in Mt. Pleasant Township, where he resided until his death. He was the father of three sons: William G., John and James.

William G. Berry, grandfather of John M. Berry, was born December 2, 1781, in Lancaster County, Pa., and was twelve years old when his parents came to Washing- ton County and settled on land in Mt. Pleasant Town- ship. He married Jane McConnell and lived in Mt. Pleasant, Cecil and North Strabane Townships until his death, on October 26, 1866 ..

John Berry, son of William G. and father of John M. Berry, moved to North Strabane Township after his first marriage, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred June 8, 1881. He was married (first) to Jane Eagleton, who died in 1844. There were seven children born to that union: a babe that died unnamed; Jane and Rachel, both of whom are deceased; William, who died in North Strabane Township; John M., subject of this sketch; David W., who was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, died in a hospital, July 4, 1864; and Matthew C., who resides in South Strabane Township. John Berry was married (second) to Mary Barr, a daughter of Col. Joseph Barr, of Peters Township. She died in 1864, their one son, Joseph Barr Berry, surviving until twenty-three years of age. Mr. Berry's third marriage was with Sarah J. Logan, who died in 1877.

John M. Berry grew to maturity on his father's farm in North Strabane Township, attended the district schools of that locality, and has always followed farming, now owning 187 acres of land, including the original home- stead. He has taken an active part in the sheep indus- try and has for ten years been president of the "Black Top Spanish Merino Breeders' Publishing Association," of Washington County, of which he has been an active member since its organization in 1883, and president of the Pennsylvania Wool Growers' Association. He has been a member of the Washington County Agricul- tural Association and the Canonsburg Association during

JOHN M. BERRY

1047

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

their entire existence, and is at present crop reporter for the Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C. He served as a private in Co. G, 140th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., in the Civil War in the three-year service, and par- ticipated in all the battles of his regiment. He was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania, in the bayonet charge at the "bloody angle" and was the first man over the works. After his recovery he was assigned to the Vet. Res. Corps and served until the end of the war, receiving his discharge June 28, 1865. He returned to North Strabane Township after his military service and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Berry is a Re- publican in politics and has served his township on the board of assessors, was a member of the Republican County Committee nine years, and was justice of the peace eighteen years, resigning that position when elected to the Legislature, from Washington County in 1902, and was re-elected in 1904, when he received the largest vote and largest majority any candidate for this office ever received in the county, before or since that time. He served in the sessions of 1903 and 1905 and in the special session of 1906. He was on the committee on appropriations, agriculture, geological survey and con- gressional apportionment.

In 1870 Mr. Berry was joined in marriage with Mary J. Weir, a daughter of Samuel Weir of Somerset Town- ship, and of their union were born the following chil- dren: Samuel, who died aged one year; three that died in infancy; Minnie Jane, residing at home; John Lawrence Weir, also at home; and William Eagleton, residing in North Strabane Township, who married Elsie M. Weir, of Carroll County, Ohio, and has one son, Rob- ert McConnell. The Berry family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. Mr. Berry has been a member of the session of this church for twen- ty years.

GEORGE S. HORNBAKE, junior member of the well- known firm of Hornbake Brothers, lumber dealers and building contractors at Coal Center, Pa., was born March 1, 1857, in Greenfield, now Coal Center, Pa., and is a son of George W. and Hannah (Rothwell) Hornbake. His father was one of the pioneer merchants of Coal Center, but during his later life, ran a saw-mill and built coal boats. He assisted in laying out the towns of Coal Center and California, and died at the latter place in 1872.

George S. Hornbake was reared in Coal Center and since leaving school has been engaged continuously in the lumber and contracting business, this having been originally established in 1878 by O. O. Hornbake, Isaac J. and George S. Hornbake. Ten years later, Isaac J. sold his interest in the business to his brothers and has since been located at Martinsburg, W. Va. The Horn-

bake Brothers carry on an extensive business in Coal Center and employ from five to twelve men in their lumber yards, and formerly operated a planing mill, which was struck by lightning June 24, 1884, was com- pletely destroyed and has never been rebuilt. Mr. Horn- bake is a director in the Peoples' Bank of California, and is a trustee of the S. W. State Normal School.

Mr. Hornbake was joined in marriage with Theresa McCue and they have two children: George S., Jr., and Mary E.

G. S. PATE, general farmer, who owns 166 acres of very valuable land situated in Smith Township, was born in England, December 30, 1856, and is a son of William and Selina Pate. The parents had five children : Julia A., who married John Falconer; G. S .; W. B .; Emma S., who married Joseph McElhainey ;and F. W.

G. S. Pate lived in England until he was twelve years of age, obtaining his education there, and then accom- panied his parents to America, locating with them at Carrick, near Pittsburg, Pa., they later settling at Mid- way. On June 23, 1891, Mr. Pate was married to Miss Mary Rabb, a daughter of George Rabb, and they have had three children: Wylie G., Myrtie B. and Anna M., the latter of whom is deceased. .

After marriage, Mr. Pate lived in Cherry Valley until he purchased this farm on which he lives, buying it from James Scott. All the buildings were here when he took possession. The coal has been sold to the Erie Coal Company; he has twelve oil wells. He carries on general farming and does a large dairy business, ship- ping an average of forty gallons of milk daily to Pitts- burg.

Mr. Pate and wife are members of the First Presby- terian Church at Burgettstown. He casts his political vote with the Republican party. He is one of Smith Township's reliable and representative men.

LEWIS D. PIPER, proprietor of Piper's Drug Store, at California, Pa., is a leading citizen of this borough and served as its chief burgess from March, 1906, until March, 1909. He was born at Coal Center, Washington County, Pa., June 13, 1880, and is a son of Lewis D. and Mary M. (Hornbake) Piper.

The father of Mr. Piper was a boatbuilder by trade and he followed the same at California for a number of years. He died at Coal Center, Pa., April 6, 1907, where both he and wife were born when it was known as Greenfield. They had three children: William, Nellie R. and Lewis D., the two older ones passing away in childhood. The mother survives and is a beloved and honored member of her son's household.

Lewis D. Piper was reared at Coal Center and Cali- fornia and after completing the public school course

1048

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

attended the State Normal School at California and then entered the University of Pittsburg, where he was graduated in pharmacy, in 1901. Prior to entering the university he had three years of experience in the drug business with his uncles, the Piper Bros., at Coal Center. After graduating he returned to the same firm and be- came their prescription clerk until March 20, 1904, when he opened his own business at California. He had pre- pared for the same by erecting his handsome two-story brick block and occupies the ground floor and rents the upper story to a dentist. He has always been identified with the Republican party and has constantly taken a good citizen's interest in public affairs, and in 1906 was elected chief burgess of his native borough, succeeding Hon. R. Kirk Richardson, and served with the greatest usefulness and efficiency until 1909, since when he has given all of his attention to his own expanding business.

Mr. Piper was married to Miss Maud L. Hague, who was born in Fayette County, Pa., and is a daughter of J. E. Hague. Dr. and Mrs. Piper have had one child : Mary M., who lived but five short years, her birth taking place June 10, 1904, and her death occurring November 16, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Piper are members of the Pres- byterian Church. He is identified with Monongahela Valley Lodge No. 461, F. & A. M.

AARON L. JOHNSTON, a prominent citizen of Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pa., where for thirty years he has continuously held the office of con- stable, was born near Washington, Pa., April 8, 1838, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Lanam) John- ston. He was the second in order of birth of his par- ents' family of eight children, the others being: John, deceased; Catherine, deceased; Henry, a resident of Missouri; Margaret, of Washington; Joseph and Robert, both deceased; Harriet, of Washington, Pa., and Nathan, living in the west.

Mr. Johnston attended the district schools in his boy- hood and when eighteen years of age started to learn the carpenter trade and continued to work at the same until a few years since. His father had conducted a cooper shop and there is little connected with work in lumber that Mr. Johnston does not understand. While en- gaged at his trade in various sections he became well and favorably known and since 1880 he has been elected to office by his fellow citizens, serving full thirty years as constable, assessor and tax collector, also as road supervisor and in every position has been a very satis- factory officer.

Mr. Johnston was married (first) in 1864 to Mary Jerome and they had one child, William, who resides in Cross Creek village. In 1873, Mr. Johnston was married a second time, to Phebe E. Reed, who left two children:

Harriet E., of Cross Creek Village, and Thomas L., of Smith Township. The latter is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. Mr. Johnston was married to his present wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Curry, on May 5, 1880. Her parents were Robert and Sarah (Stewart) Curry. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have one son, Edwin, who was born August 18, 1881, and resides at home. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and to the Knights of Pythias.' Mr. Johnston and all of his children are members of the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek Village. For thirty years he has been identified with the Masonic lodge at Burgettstown, Pa. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat.

ISAAC WOODWARD RICHARDS, who passed out of this life July 16, 1908, was the owner of a fine farm of nearly 100 acres in East Pike Run Township, and was born on this farm in what was then the old Black Horse Tavern, October 2, 1842, and was a son of John and Phoebe (Woodward) Richards, and a brother of Thomas C. Richards.

Isaac Woodward Richards was reared and practically spent his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits on the farm where he was born, and which is now owned by his widow, who in maiden life was Margaret Duvall, a native of East Pike Run Township and a daughter of Alexander and Jemima (Hannen) Duvall. The Duvalls, who are of French extraction, and the Hannens, both came from Maryland at an early period and settled in East Pike Run Township, Washington County, Pa. Isaac W. Richards and Margaret Duvall were united in mar- riage in 1866 and to them were born the following children : Hattie, married Eli Lilley, a farmer of Portage County, Ohio, and they have had two children, Glenn and Dale; Mina, married Robert Gibson, of Fallowfield Town- ship, and they have one son, Kenneth; Nellie, who is the wife of Clyde Morris, of Carroll Township, has two chil- dren, Helen and Clyde Kerfoot; Elsie, who is an in- structor in the Granville schools, is a graduate of the Southwestern State Normal at California; and Luretta and Violetta, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have also reared Charles Hines, who is now twenty-one years of age, and whose mother was a Richards. All of the improvements on the farm, including the fine frame residence, barns and outbuildings were made by Mr. Richards. He served as a school director of the township for over twenty years, and in politics was an active worker in the interests of the Republican party. He held membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Coal Center, Pa.

JAMES B. WILSON, residing at San Diego, Cal., is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Washington

1049

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

County. He was born in 1839, at Washington, Pa., and is a son of Hugh W. and Frances Emma (Barlow) Wilson.

The Wilson family can be traced back to the days when James Wilson and his wife, Margaret, were the first white settlers in what is now Washington. They were on very friendly terms with the noted Indian, Chief Cat Fish or Tingooqua. Great-grandfather James Wilson owned the property in Washington recently occupied by the subject of this sketch (this having been inherited by Hugh Wilson, the grandfather). James Wilson had four sons, James, Thomas, John and Hugh. The three elder sons sold out their interests in the homestead to their youngest brother, Hugh, and they are supposed to have started for South America, but all trace of them was lost.

Hugh Wilson, the grandfather, was born in Washing- . ton, in 1763, and was one of the pioneer merchants and the owner of large properties in and adjoining the town. Hugh W. Wilson, the father of James B., was born in Washington in 1812. He was a successful nurseryman, farmer and sheep grower. One of Washington's promi- nent citizens, he was a liberal supporter of Washington College in the days of its need and was interested and contributed liberally to the success of the Washington Female Seminary, of which he was a stockholder and trustee until his death. He was one of the first to ex- press abolition views in this part of the county and was very active in promoting the "Underground" Railroad. He was an original stockholder in the Hempfield Rail- road, now the B. & O .; also one of the original stock- holders in the old Franklin Bank of Washington, now the First National Bank, one of the few banks that never suspended payment of gold. He married Miss Frances Emma Barlow, who was born in France, but was of English parentage. Her mother was a niece of Commo- dore Edward Preble and Mr. J. B. Wilson has in his possession a bronze copy of the medal that was awarded that gallant officer for bravery before Tripoli. His great- great-uncle, Joel Barlow, author of "The Columbiad,"' and Robert Fulton's most intimate friend, was Minister to France from this country and afterward was private secretary to Napoleon during the Russian campaign and was present at the burning of Moscow, and he died from exposure during this campaign. Mrs. J. D. Chambers, Mr. Wilson's maternal aunt, still survives, at the age of eighty-eight years and resides at Washington, Pa.

To Hugh W. Wilson and wife were born three chil- dren, namely: Edward Preble, who resides near Cincin- nati, who was very prominent in railroad circles for years and now lives in comfortable retirement near Cin- cinnati; James Blaine, of San Diego, Cal., the subject of this sketch; Clara W., who is the widow of A. T. Baird and resides at Washington. Hugh W. Wilson

married (second) Miss Sarah Neville, of Pittsburg, daughter of Gen. Presley Neville, noted at the time of the Whiskey Insurrection, and a granddaughter of Gen. Daniel Morgan. Two children, Neville Craig and Re- becca Blaine, were born of this marriage, both of whom are now deceased.

James B. Wilson was married in 1862 to Miss Mary Leet, who was born in Washington, a daughter of Isaac Leet, a member of one of the prominent old county families. Isaac Leet was a leader at the Washington County bar and was also prominent in public life, being State Senator in 1834, afterwards serving as a member of Congress until his death in 1844. He married Mar- garet Swearingen Cook, daughter of John Cook and granddaughter of Andrew Swearingen. Mrs. Wilson's paternal grandfather accompanied Gen. Washington when he was a surveyor, before the need of his country brought him to command her armies. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born four children, namely: Hugh, tem- porarily residing in Wyoming, for a number of years a resident of England, a trusted employee of the West- inghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company ; H. L., who resides in Washington; Emma W. (Speer), who resides at Washington and has charge of the probation work for the Juvenile Court of Washington County; and Frederick Barlow, who is a resident of San Diego, Cal. During the Civil War, Mr. Wilson testified to the loyal principles in which he had been reared by enlisting for service. He was called home before three months ex- pired, however, by the sudden death of his father, whose responsibilities he then assumed. The Wilson family has been closely identified with the development of Wash- ington and Washington County and her varied interests during all their history. The name is one which has al- ways carried with it a sense of stability, its members uniformly having been worthy both as private and pub- lic citizens.

EMERY G. COULSON, whose valuable farm of 135 acres lying in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Pa., is devoted to agriculture and stock raising, was born on this farm, October 4, 1853, and is a son of Elijah E. and Charlotte (Warrick) Coulson.

Elijah E. Coulson was also born on the above men- tioned farm in Buffalo Township and was a son of John Coulson, who was born in Amweil Township, Washington County, the latter being a son of Samuel Coulson, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, all being farmers, and John Coulson being also a blacksmith, starting his first shop and setting up his anvil in the woods, on land that is now the richly cultivated farm of his grandson, Emery G. Coulson. This was one of the first blacksmith shops on the old National road; in fact, it lay directly in the surveyed path, Mr. Coulson having to move it several

1050

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

feet back. John Coulson died in Washington, where he had settled but a short time previously. He was a man of powerful frame and weighed 240 pounds. Elijah E. Coulson died on the homestead in 1889 and two chil- dren survive him, Emery G. and Walter J., the latter being a resident of Washington. He was a worthy mem- ber of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Wash- ington and was a man well known and much respected all over the county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 178

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