History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 188

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 188

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Capt. Wilkins was married shortly after his return from his second trip to California, to Ann Piper, who was also a native of Greenfield, Pa., and a daughter of Thomas and Mary Piper, and of their union were born the following children: Charles E., who is a resident of Kansas City, Mo .; Mary B .; Eva, who is the wife of J. E. Guinn, of California, Pa .; Fred T .; Frank H., who is a captain on the river; Khramer; and Anna, who is a teacher in public schools at Marshall, Pa. Mrs. Wil- kins is still living, a resident of California.

Fred T. Wilkins was born May 11, 1869, in Coal Center, Pa., and at the age of four years came with his parents to California where he attended the local schools, the normal school and also graduated from Duff's Busi- ness College, of Pittsburg. He was engaged as a book- keeper for about four or six years, after which he took charge of his father's business at California. The gro- cery store which he and his brother operate, was estab- lished by his father in 1894, and is located in a large brick block which was erected by the father, Capt. H. D. Wilkins, in 1902.

Mr. Wilkins was united in marriage with Eva B. Sin- clair, of Uniontown, Pa., and to them have been born

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

four children : Henry D., Charles S., Mildred P., and Fred T., Jr.

EVAN C. DONALDSON, postmaster at Midway, Pa., and also secretary of the borough school board, has con- ducted a fire insurance line here for some years in addi- tion to his other interests. He was born in Robeson Township, Washington County, Pa., August 27, 1863, and is a son of James and Amanda E. (Evans) Donaldson.

The father of Mr. Donaldson died in April, 1864, when his only son was not yet one year old. He was a son of John and Catherine Donaldson, who were Scotch-Irish descent. He married Amanda E. Evans, who is also de- ceased. Her parents were Evan and Jane Evans, and they were of English-Welsh descent. Evan C. was an only child and he still owns the farm of 200 acres which his father had acquired and cultivated.

Evan C. Donaldson attended school at McDonald and for fifteen months was a student under the late Dr. W. D. Irons, and spent one year in the Indiana State Nor- mal School. He then started into business at Midway, embarking in the hardware, plumbing and steam fitting line, which he conducted for six years and then sold out in order to give attention to the fire insurance business, in which he has been most successful, and represents . many of the leading companies of the country. In Feb- ruary, 1906, he was appointed postmaster at Midway and has given his fellow citizens very efficient service in this office ever since.

On January 2, 1889, Mr. Donaldson was married to Miss Maud A. McIntyre, a daughter of John and Malissa (Evans) McIntyre. They have had the following chil- dren: Malissa M., who is the wife of Earl McFarland Farrar; and James W., Margaret M., John M., Evan Earl, Joseph F., D. Richard, Edward Russell, Glenn and Mary Agnes. Of these, John M. and Joseph F., are now deceased. Mrs. Donaldson has one brother and three sisters, she being the oldest of the family: Earl; Byrde, wife of Albert Mallory; Ethel, wife of William Lyde; and Blanche. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are members of the Baptist Church. He is identified with Garfield Lodge, No. 604, F. and A. M., at McDonald; Midway Valley Lodge, No. 888, I. O. O. F., at Midway; and while they were in existence at Midway, belonged also to the Hep- tasophs and the Jr. O. U. A. M. In politics he is a zealous Republican. He has been secretary of the school board for the past six years.

REV. CLEMENT L. McKEE, a minister of the Pres- byterian Church, and at present occupying the respon- sible position of superintendent of missions, of the Wash- ington Presbytery, is one of Washington's most highly esteemed citizens. He was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1864. His ancestors were among the first settlers of

western Pennsylvania. His maternal great-great-grand- father, Col. Joseph Huston, was an Indian fighter and an officer in the American Revolution. His paternal great- grandfather, John McKee, served as a soldier in both the wars of 1776 and of 1812. He was wounded, when serving under Gen. Lafayette, in the Battle of Monmouth, and when Lafayette was in Uniontown, Pa., in 1825, he gave John McKee a silk handkerchief, in memory of his - bravery. The handkerchief, together with the flint-lock musket carried by John McKee in these wars, is still preserved in the family.

Dr. MeKee attended the public schools and academies in . Fayette County, and Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, Washington, Pa., where he secured his degree of A. B., in 1889. He then entered the Western Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1892 and immediately thereafter went into pastoral work, his first charge being the Madison Church in the Steubenville Presbytery. From there he was transferred to Wells- ville, Ohio, where he founded the Second Presbyterian Church and served as its pastor for eight years.

A desire to visit the Holy Land, caused Mr. McKee to resign the Wellsville charge in 1904. His journeyings occupied a considerable period of time and led him through the most interesting portions of Europe, north Africa and eastern Asia. He returned to his native land with the satisfaction that all good Americans feel, but the refreshment and benefit of his protracted visit will linger long with him. He afterwards took up his resi- dence at Washington, Pa., that his children might enjoy the advantages of Washington's excellent schools. He has interests aside from his professional ones.

In December, 1891, Mr. McKee was married to Miss Frances R. Junk, of Fayette County, Pa., and they have two children, Ruth and James. The family enjoy a beautiful home on Le Moyne avenue, Washington.

Rev. William F. McKee, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Monongahela, Pa., also Joseph H. McKee, M. D., of Carnegie, Pa., and Rev. D. H. McKee, of Pitts- burg, Pa., are brothers of Mr. McKee.

GEORGE MUEHLBAUER, who has been the owner and manager of the Hotel Aubrey at West Brownsville, Pa., since May 1, 1909, was born December 17, 1876, in Germany, and is a son of Joseph and Theresa (Stoiber) Muehlbauer. His father was a brewer by trade and was the owner of a brewery and flour mill in Germany, and after coming to the United States worked in a brewery at Pittsburg, Pa., until the time of his death in July, 1905. The mother is still living, a resident of Pittsburg.

George Muehlbauer was reared in his native country and worked in his father's mill and brewery there until about seventeen years of age, when the family came to this country and located at Pittsburg, where for twelve

JAMES W. POLLOCK

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

years he worked in the breweries, and for two years pre- vious to coming to West Brownsville was secretary to the Brewery Workers'. Union, No. 22, with an office at Pittsburg. Mr. Muehlbauer came to West Brownsville in October, 1908, and entered the employ of Abe Brody, who was proprietor of the Hotel Aubrey, which our sub- ject purchased on May 1, 1909.

Mr. Muehlbauer was joined in marriage with Magda- lene Aul, who was born and reared in Pittsburg, Pa., and is a daughter of Lawrence Aul. He belongs to the Elks at Charleroi.

JAMES W. POLLOCK, formerly county commissioner and one of Washington County's prominent citizens, now living retired from active participation in either busi- ness or politics, was born in North Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., October 10, 1841. At that time his parents resided in the historic old log house which had been the former home of Judge MeDowell and the place where Dr. McMillan, according to the record made in that noted divine's journal, preached his first sermon west of the Allegheny Mountains, on the fourth Sabbath of August, 1775.

James W. Pollock is the oldest son of Samuel and Esther (McNary) Pollock, and the records of both fami- lies make interesting additions to the old annals of State and country. The Pollock family originated in Scot- land and many of its present traits are those which have made the race notable the world over. A true Scotch- man is honest, religious, thrifty and intelligent.

The pioneer of this family in the New World was one Samuel Pollock, who was born, reared, grounded in the Presbyterian faith and married in Scotland. Accom- panied by his wife and a brother, he came to the Amer- ican colonies prior to the Revolutionary War. After landing at New York, the brothers lost sight of each other entirely, Samuel's brother seeking a home in the South, while Samuel and his wife Jane, for reasons un- known to the writer, continued their journey until they reached Washington County, Pa. Here Samuel Pollock entered land in North Strabane Township, acquiring 148 acres, which he patented March 27, 1788, called "Plenty," and on which he spent the remainder of his life. There were many Indians in this section at that time and dangerous wild animals were numerous in the great belts of woodland. Courage and perseverance were necessary to overcome the hardships and endure the privations, but both he and wife attained a ripe old age. He died in March, 1812, and his wife Jane died in March, 1824. They were members of the early Covenanter Church. They had three sons and five daugh- ters, all of the latter allying themselves by marriage with other families of high standing in this then far western country. Mary married a Mr. House. Agnes

married James Pursley and they lived at West Alex- ander, Washington County, Pa. Grizella married Robert Johnston and they made a home on the Middletown road five miles west of Washington. Jane married John Crow and located in Butler County. Margaret, born December 11, 1780, married Alexander McNary and they settled near Cadiz, Ohio. John lived at home single and died there prior to the 26th day of March, 1810. Samuel married Ellen Young and had four sons and five daugh- ters. William was the third son of Samuel and Jane Pollock.

William Pollock, born in 1783, married Nancy MeNary and their children were Jane, John, Samuel, James and Malcolm Boyd. He spent all his days on the original homestead near Clokeyville, Washington County, which he willed to his youngest son, James Pollock, and this land has been in the family for six generations . To his son, Samuel, he willed the Alexander Scott farm, containing 208 acres and to his other children he was equally generous. He was a member of the Associate (Seceder) Church. When the Pigeon Creek congregation was organized, he was elected one of the ruling elders, an office he continued to fill during the remainder of his life. Politically he was an active worker in the Whig party. He built one of the first mills in the county, or at least he operated it on his farm by ox power. On August 17, 1834, he was bereaved of his wife, whom he survived until August 3, 1856. Their remains were laid in what was then the Associate Cemetery, now known as Oak Spring, situated near Canonsburg.

Samuel Pollock, second son of William and Nancy (McNary) Pollock, was born on the original homestead in North Strabane Township, Washington County, Jan- uary 16, 1813, this being the same farm on which his father was born and the land which his grandfather had bought from the Indians. On September 1, 1840, he married Esther McNary, eldest daughter of John and Jane (Hill) McNary. They resided first on the place known as the Alexander Scott farm, which was a part of the original Judge McDowell tract of 440 acres, all of which they later purchased. In the spring of 1858, they moved to Canonsburg, their object being to give their children better educational advantages, and there they passed the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of seven children, namely: James Wallace, Jennie Hill, John McNary, William B., Samuel Murray, Oliver Collins and Alexander Clark.

Samuel Pollock served seven years in the militia and was a member of what was known as the Ginger Hill troops. He was endowed by Nature with a robust frame and with great business capacity and through his energy and industry, combined with business foresight, he suc- ceeded in acquiring land until at the time of his death he was numbered with the wealthiest owners of property

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in the county. He filled various public offices with the greatest efficiency and was one of the founders of the Republican party in Washington County. He was one of the committee instrumental in inducing Dr. Le Moyne, of Washington, to make the first abolition speech, at Canonsburg, this oration being delivered from the steps of David Templeton 's residence, which Mr. Pollock later purchased and carried on for some years at his own expense, as a female seminary. This building for a time, especially during the campaign of 1856, was the center of much local political activity.

In his youth Samuel Pollock joined the Seceder Church at Pigeon Creek, but after his marriage he united with the Chartiers deceder, now known as the Chartiers United Presbyterian Congregation at Canonsburg, in which he was elected a ruling elder, February 15, 1854, which office he held during the remainder of his life. When the Chartiers U. P. Church was erected at Canons- burg, in 1869-70, he was the largest contributor. He was the original mover in the organization of the Oak Spring Cemetery Company, and was its first president, serving until his death, which occurred July 4, 1883, in the seventy-first year of his age. His widow survived until November 9, 1890, being then in her seventy-sixth year.

James Wallace Pollock was educated in the common schools and at Jefferson College, leaving his books in August, 1862, to take up arms in defense of his coun- try. His immediate commander was Col. Frazier, former- ly a member of the faculty of Jefferson College. He performed every duty required of a good soldier from 1862 until the surrender of Gen. Lee in 1865, being pres- ent at that memorable event. After the close of his military service he took charge of the homestead and became one of the most successful agriculturists and breeders of fine stock in this part of Washington County. He continued to live on his farm in North Strabane Township until the spring of 1892, when he removed to Washington, in order to afford his children better ad- vantages, and also that he might more efficiently perform the duties of county commissioner, to which office he had been elected in the fall of 1890.

For about eight years Mr. Pollock has been a mem- ber of the Council of East Washington Borough and is chairman of the street committee in that body, his election to the office always being without opposition.

Mr. Pollock was married (first) December 5, 1867, to Miss Mary T. McNary, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Templeton) McNary. She was born January 24, 1848, and died February 7, 1890. The following children were born to this marriage: Fannie Luella, wife of Robert B. Leslie, assistant cashier of the Citizens' National Bank of Washington (Mr. Leslie was elected a ruling elder in the Second U. P. Congregation of Wash-

ington, December 11, 1909) ; Maggie Esther, who resides at home; Ulysses Samuel, who is superintendent of the South Bend, Laporte & Michigan Railway Company and resides at Laporte, Ind .; D. M. B. McLean and Ernest James, who are engaged in the jewelry business at Riverside, Cal .; Harry Edgar, who is deputy pro- thonotary, of Washington County; Anna McNary, who is the wife of Harry W. Gabby, a shoe merchant at Washington (Mr. Gabby was elected a ruling elder in the First U. P. Congregation, of Washington, December 29, 1909) ; William Wallace, who is connected with the New Castle, Harmony & Butler Electric Railway, and lives at Evans City, Pa .; Durell Smiley, who is engaged in the shoe business at Canonsburg; and Mary Osee, who is a student in Washington Seminary. Mr. Pollock was married (second) in 1896, to Mrs. Martha Davis Will- son. The family home is a commodious résidence sit- uated at No. 509 East Chestnut street, Washington.

In early manhood Mr. Pollock became a member of the Chartiers Seceder (now the U. P.) Church and was for many years a trustee of the same and was secretary of the board during the period of the building of the church edifice at Canonsburg.

When the Houston United Presbyterian Congregation was organized Mr. Pollock was elected a ruling elder, which position he filled until after he moved to Wash- ington and became a member of the Second U. P. Con- gregation of Washington. He is at the present time president of the board of trustees, of which he has been a member for the past fifteen years.

CHARLES E. VAN VOORHIS, who is engaged in general farming, gardening, and dairying on a tract of 245 acres, located about three miles west of Mononga- hela City, Pa., on the Brownsville Road, has been a life- long resident of Carroll Township, and was born on his present farm, April 25, 1861, and is a son of John Van Voorhis, who was also born in this township, a son of Abraham Van Voorhis, who was one of the pioneers of Washington County.

Charles E. Van Voorhis obtained his educational train- ing at the old stone district school No. 4, and also at- tended a private school at Monongahela City, after which he assisted with the work on the farm until the time of his marriage, when his father removed to Monongahela City, and our subject has since been engaged in general farming, gardening and dairying on the home place.

Mr. Van Voorhis was married November 10, 1886, to Sallie C. McConnell, who is a daughter of John B. and Henrietta (Wall) McConnell, of Allegheny County, Pa., and to them have been born six children: Glen J., Hazel I., Lula H., Frances M., Gladys E. and Walter R. Mr. Van Voorhis is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in politics

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

HON. THOMAS DUNCAN, deceased, who is well re- membered by the citizens of Fayette County, Pa., as one of its able and active men, was born in Fayette County and was a son of Arthur Duncan, who was a native of Ireland, but, as the name indicates, was of Scotch an- cestry. Arthur Duncan, having been engaged in the con- test against England for Irish freedom, found emigra- tion desirable, and came to America late in the eighteenth century and settled in Fayette County, Pa., where he followed his trade of iron worker. He lived in the same county until his death and was survived by eight children.

Thomas Duncan was the eldest of his parents' family. His early advantages were limited but he possessed much native intelligence and mainly through his own efforts became a well educated man. He was a natural leader among men and was frequently called upon to fill of- ficial positions of trust and responsibility. Active in public affairs, he was chosen county commissioner of Fayette County and after years of satisfactory service, was elected county judge, in which honorable office he served for ten years. He lived a long and useful life, and was loved and venerated by his fellow citizens. His death occurred at Bridgeport, where he spent his last years, after he had passed his eighty-seventh mile-stone in life's journey.

In early manhood, Mr. Duncan was married to Priscil- la Stevens, who was a woman of great strength of char- acter and one who was active in the benevolent and char- itable undertakings of the community. Her beneficent life closed in 1873, at the age of sixty-six years. Her father, Dr. Benjamin Stevens, was a pioneer of Fayette County, who had emigrated from Maryland. He was a physician and surgeon of note and owned and operated also the forge in Fayette County, in which the father of Mr. Duncan was employed for many years. To Thomas and Priscilla Duncan were born the following children: Sophia, now deceased, who was the wife of W. H. Lan- ing; Elizabeth, who is the widow of William Worrell, and now lives at Brownsville, Pa .; W. S., who died in 1892, was a prominent physician; Arthur, who died as he was approaching manhood; and Thomas Jefferson, who is one of Washington's leading citizens.

DAVID R. HORMELL, one of the best known young business men of the Monongahela Valley, a member of the plumbing and general supply firm of Regan & Hor- mell, conducting establishments at Charleroi and Mones- sen, Pa., was born on a farm near Centerville, Washing- ton County, Pa., February 12, 1877.

Mr. Hormell comes of old Washington County stock on both sides. His grandfather, Jacob Hormell was one of a party of Quaker pioneers who settled in this county at an early date. The maternal grandfather, John Han- nen, was also an early settler, residing near Centerville,

Washington County. There the mother of Mr. Hormell, Mrs. Lena (Hannen) Hormell was born and reared. She married Robert L. Hormell, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio. They reside at Charleroi, Pa.

After completing his period of school attendance, David R. Hormell worked as a clerk in a grocery store for a short time and then learned the plumbing business, mas- tering every detail so that he is fully equipped with the knowledge that enables him to meet every emergency in this line of business. He entered into partnership with John P. Regan, in 1902, and they do a large business ex- tending along the river from Monongahela City to Brownsville. They conduct two establishments, one at Charleroi and another at Monessen, keeping a large force of skilled workmen, making a specialty of installing hot water heating plants, while they deal also in heating aparatus, stoves and plumbers' supplies. Mr. Regan re- sides at Monessen and overlooks the work on that side of the river, while Mr. Hormell attends to the interests of the firm at Charleroi. He was brought to this village January 1, 1891, the place having been laid out in the previous spring. This firm is characterized by its energy, enterprise and thoroughness.

Mr. Hormell married Miss Amelia Sacher, and they have one daughter, Mildred. They have pleasant apart- ments in the establishment on McKean avenue, in which the business is carried on. Mr. Hormell is identified with the fraternal order of Elks, at Charleroi.

WILLIAM C. McCLELLAND, Litt. D., who fills the chair of English language and literature in Washington and Jefferson College, at Washington, Pa., and has charge of the memorial library of this noted educational institu- tion, is one of the representative citizens of Washington County. He was born in Jefferson County, Pa., in 1852.

Dr. McClelland remained in Jefferson County through his early school period, later attended Glade Run Acad- emy in Armstrong County, after which he engaged in teaching school and prior to entering Washington and Jefferson College as a student, in 1876-7, he taught in an academy at Chase City, Va., and in 1877-9 at New Alex- andria, Pa. He was graduated in the class of 1882, from Washington and Jefferson and then taught in Trinity Academy until 1885, since when he has been a valued member of the faculty of Washington and Jefferson Col- lege. He has thus been identified with this institution during its period of greatest usefulness and to it he has devoted the best years of a life of scholarly attainment.

In 1888 Professor McClelland was married to Miss "Mary E. Brownlee, a daughter of Rev. John T. Brown- lee, D. D., of West Middletown, Washington County. He is an active member of the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington, and for many years has been the earnest and illuminating teacher of the Bible class in the Sun-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

day school of this congregation. He has delivered many lectures, has traveled extensively and is widely known as an educator and contributor to periodicals on subjects relating to literature and natural history. In 1909 the degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred upon him by the University of Pittsburg. Professor McClelland has a certain poetic vein which, although brief, is always spirited, as is shown by those stirring little verses, "Did You Ever Hear John Henry Jones Declaim?"

LEMAN McCARRELL, a respected citizen and retired farmer, who lives on his valuable farm of 183 acres, sit- uated in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pa., was born on this place, March 24, 1836. His father was Thomas MeCarrell and his grandfather was Lodo- wick McCarrell.

Lodowick McCarrell was born in Ireland and came to America and settled at Hickory, Pa., in early man- hood. He conducted a store there for some years, ob- taining his supplies from Philadelphia, which city he frequently visited, making the trip, which usually con- sumed eight days, on horseback. After he sold the store and acquired 418 acres of land in Mt. Pleasant Township, he settled on a farm that adjoins the one now owned by his grandson, Leman McCarrell, and remained there until his death, which occurred January 1, 1851. He was a member and an elder in the United Presbyterian Church at Hickory. He owned 600 acres of land in Washington County at the time of his death and in those days, was considered a very wealthy man. He married Martha Leman, who died several years before her hus- band. She often told her descendants of the time she walked through the native brush on the present site of the city of Washington, Pa. They had seven children : John, James, Thomas, Andrew, Leman, Isabella and Elizabeth.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 188

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