History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 190

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 190

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After completing his school attendance, Mr. Hornbake learned the carpenter trade. and after finishing his ap- prenticeship, worked as a journeyman, and since 1877, as a building contractor. In the fall of 1874 he accom- panied his parents to California, and there he has resided

JOSIAH M. PATTERSON

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ever since. He is associated in business at Coal Center, where the firm has large lumber yards and offices, with his brother, George S. Hornbake.

Oliver O. Hornbake married Miss Jennie W. Wilson, a daughter of John Wilson, formerly a well known citizen of Washington County, where she was born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Hornbake have had five children: Herbert O., who married Anna Drumm, has one child, Herbert ; Leslie W. Hornbake; Ethel, who is the wife of J. H. Kinsey, has one child, Ruth Kinsey; Anna B. Hornbake, who died when aged six years and six months; and Earl R. Hornbake. The family belong to the Methodist Epis- copal Church at California, of which Mr. Hornbake is a trustee.

GEORGE WASHINGTON GILMORE, a general mer- chant and one of the leading and highly respected citi- zens of Donora, Pa., has been a resident of Washington ' County since 1865, and was born March 25, 1850, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of John and Susan (Spargo) Gilmore.

John Gilmore, for many years a resident of Pittsburg, was a wagon maker by trade and ran a shop on the cor- ner of Elm and Fifth streets for a number of years. He subsequently purchased a small steamboat, caller the Miner, and engaged in boating on the river until the time of his death at the age of seventy-five years. He became the owner of seven steamboats, over 100 barges, and in connection with his boating had 232 acres of coal land under operation, 167 acres of which form a part of the present site of Donora. After his death the business was continued by his son, James Gilmore. He married Susan Spargo, a native of England, who came to this country with her parents at the age of six years, and died at Donora at the age of seventy-two years. Of their union were born the following children: Mary Ann, married Henry B. Beazell, and both are deceased; James, deceased; Susanna, is the widow of Gilbert Bake; William H., deceased; John, deceased; Frank; Amelia, deceased wife of John F. Thomas; and George Wash- ington, the subject of this sketch.

George W. Gilmore was reared in Pittsburg, and when a young man engaged in steamboating with his father for ten years, and when about nineteen years of age became manager of his father's business at Donora. They disposed of their coal interests about 1885, since which time Mr. Gilmore has been successfully engaged in conducting a general store at Donora. He is one of the oldest business men, in point of residence, of Donora, the Gilmores having been one of the first families to engage in business in this community. He is the owner of con- siderable real estate in the town, and also owns a tract of fine farming land in Carroll Township.

In January, 1871, Mr. Gilmore married Mary Gilmore,

a cousin, and a daughter of Noah Gilmore, and of their union were born nine children, of whom but five are still living: Samuel, who married Mary Behanna; and Wal- ter, Edgar, James and Susanna. In politics, Mr. Gilmore is a Republican and his religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is superintendent of the Gilmore Cemetery and also of the Donora Cemetery at Donora.

MRS. MELISSA E. PLYMIRE, one of South Strabane Township's most respected and esteemed ladies, resides on her valuable farm of 164 acres which is situated three and one-half miles east of Washington, Pa. She is the widow of Andrew G. Plymire and a daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Bumbarger) Harshman.

Jacob Harshman was born in Washington County, Pa., and for many years followed farming in Buffalo Town- ship, where he died. Of the children born to him and his wife, the following are living: Mary Jane (Metzler) in Logan County, Ohio; Rachel A. (Jenkins), lives in Wolftown; Mrs. Plymire; and Jacob Harshman, who lives in Buffalo Township on the old home place.

The late Andrew G. Plymire was born on the present farm of his widow, July 12, 1833, and died here July 24, 1907, and was buried in the Washington Cemetery. He was a son of John and Barbara (Gantz) Plymire, and was one of the leading farmers and citizens of this section. He made many improvements on the farm and built the present comfortable farm residence. In politics he was a Democrat and for several years he was elected to the office of road supervisor. Mr. Plymire was a mem- ber of the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington, to which Mrs. Plymire also belongs. He married Me- lissa E. Harshman, December 19, 1867, and they have had six children: an infant who was still born; Harry C .; Walter W .; Boyd H .; Samuel J., who married Birdie Dillie and has two children-Carl M. and Pauline; and Alvin, who married Ida Belle Donson, deceased.

In connection with farming, Mrs. Plymire and her sons carry on an extensive dairy business and sell at retail through Washington, handling many quarts of milk daily and numbering many of the best people of the borough as their customers.

JOSIAH M. PATTERSON, a representative citizen and a prominent member of the Washington bar, was born in Morris Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of the late Robert Finley Patterson.

The Patterson family was established in Washington County, by the great-grandfather, who came from York County, Pa., about the year 1790, and settled in what is now East Finley Township, and was one of the pioneers of that section. Robert Patterson, one of his sons and the grandfather of the present subject, was at

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that time a small boy of about seven years of age. After his marriage he purchased a tract of land in Mor- ris Township, on which he lived until his death, and on which one of his grandsons, John Bryant Patterson, re- sides at the present time.

Robert Finley Patterson, son of Robert and father of Josiah M., was born on the old homestead farm in 1830. He married Lydia Clemens, a daughter of Will- iam Clemens, who was born and raised in Virginia. To this union were born the following children: Josiah M .; Clara A., who is the wife of John Reed, of Washington, Pa .; John Bryant, who married Miss Minnie Litle; and Cora A., who is the wife of D. B. Ross, of Morris Town- ship.

Josiah M. Patterson obtained his primary education in the country schools, after which he attended Waynes- burg College, where he graduated in 1879 with honors, he being the valedictorian of his class.

After his graduation he entered upon the study of law with the firm of Ray & Axtell at Waynesburg, Greene County, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of that county. Shortly thereafter he entered the office of Mc- Cracken & McIlvaine, of Washington, Pa., as a student at law, the course of study there being more extended than at the bar in Greene County, and continued the study of law under his new preceptors. He was ad- mitted to the Washington County bar in June, 1882, and began the practice of law the first of the following September at that place, where he has been in con- tinuous practice ever since.

Mr. Patterson has won the right to practice in all the State and Federal Courts, and has handled cases of great importance, always taking jealous care of the interests of his clients. He has a reputation for honesty and ability that places him among the leading lawyers of the Washington County bar.

In politics he is a Democrat, and as he is thoroughly imbued with the principles on which the Democratic party is founded and for which it stands, and having a firm belief, too, in the ultimate triumph of those prin- ciples, he has always been one of its most loyal and most hearty supporters. He has served different times on the school board, and was a candidate for district attorney on the Democratic ticket in 1892, and a candi- date for judge of the several courts in Washington County, on the same ticket in 1905. As the county is overwhelmingly Republican, the nomination for office is the highest honor the Democratic party can confer on any of its members.

Mr. Patterson married Miss Annie Craft, a daughter of David Craft, Sr., late of Morris Township. They have one daughter, Winona Pearl, the wife of Edmond E. Robb, at present a student in the Theological Semi- nary at Xenia, Ohio. Mr. Patterson and his wife are

members of the First Baptist Church in Washington, he being a member of the official board of that church. He is also a member of the Heptasophs and of the Masonic fraternity. He has been eminently successful in business, and his career is simply another instance of what a young man who is thrown upon his own resources can accomplish by decision, pluck and perseverance.

WILLIAM BRUCE, who has been proprietor of the Stockdale Hotel at Stockdale, Pa., since December 19, 1905, was born August 24, 1862, in a coal mining town near Fayette City, Pa., and is a son of Alexander and Debora Ann Bruce. The father, who in early life was a miner and river boatman, later engaged in farming and gardening on a farm near Stockdale, Pa., where he resided until 1905, when he came to live with his son at the Stockdale Hotel, where his death occurred in July, 1906. The mother died in 1873.

William Bruce spent his youth on the farm, learned carpentering and contract building, which he followed un- til he became identified with the Central Hotel, at Ros- coe, Pa., where he spent about eighteen months, and in December, 1905, came to Stockdale, Pa., where he has since been successfully engaged in managing his hotel. Mr. Bruce served six years as burgess of the borough of Roscoe, and also served as a member of the council and as assessor. He is now one of the directors of the Stock- dale school board, and is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias, the United Mechanics, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Royal Order of Moose, the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Bruce has never married.

JAMES C. HARPER, one of McDonald's representa- tive business men, who has been engaged in the real es- tate and insurance line here since 1894, was born in Cecil Township, Washington County, Pa., April 5, 1839, and is a son of John and Ellen Jane (Wallace) Harper. His paternal grandparents were Robert and Tamer (John- ston) Harper, the former of whom was born in County Down, Ireland, and the latter in Pennsylvania, east of the Alleghany Mountains. His maternal grandparents were Robert and Ellen Jane Wallace, who were born in County Down, Ireland.

John Harper was a man well and widely known. He was a farmer by occupation, and was very active in es- tablishing schools and churches in his neighborhood, and was one of the builders of the Seceder Church at Hous- ton. He was married (first) to a Miss Denny, and they had four children: Robert, Susannah, Tamer Ann, and William, the latter of whom died November 28, 1909. He was married (second) to a Miss Miller, who died after the birth of their son, Matthew. His third marriage was to Ellen Jane Wallace, a most estimable woman, a member of the United Presbyterian Church. To this

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union the following children were born: James C .; Mary Ann, who married William J. Carey; Tamer Jane, who married Milton McClain; Ellen M., who married Joseph Hunter; Margaret, who died aged twenty-three years; John, who married Miss E. J. Cubbich; Eliza- beth Agnes, who married Samuel Reed; and Dapcillia, who is unmarried.

James C. Harper's school attendance was over by the time he was seventeen years of age, after which he de- voted himself to agricultural pursuits until 1894, when he settled at McDonald. For twenty-three years of this period, he engaged in farming in Kansas. He enlisted August 8, 1862, in Co. G, 123rd Pa. Vol. Inf., and his service as a soldier during the Civil War entitles him to honorable membership in the Thomas Espy Post, G. A. R., at Carnegie, Pa. In his political sentiments, he is a Republican.

In 1875, Mr. Harper was married to Miss Leah C. Bell, a daughter of Edward A. and Leah Bell, of Dickinson County, Kas., all of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Har- per is survived not only by her husband but by four children, namely: Leah Ellen, who is the wife of L. Y. McFarland; and Elizabeth E., Ethel E. and William J., all of whom reside at home. Mr. Harper served three years on the board of health at McDonald. With his family he belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

HENRY STORK, a substantial and representative citi- zen of Finleyville, Pa., where he has held offices of a public character for a number of years and has given efficient service in all of them, was born in Germany, January 14, 1839, and came to America when sixteen years of age. He is one of the two children born to his parents, who were John and Christina (Wentzel) .Stork.

John Stork learned the shoemaking trade in Germany and followed it as his business through life. He mar- ried in his native land and remained there until after his son, Henry Stork, had emigrated to America, when he followed with his wife and daughter, Mary, who later became the wife of George Schaffer and both she and husband are now deceased. John Stork and family lived in the 16th Ward, Pittsburg, where he died. His widow survived some years and died at the home of her son Henry.

When Henry Stork came to the United States, there were no fast steaming ships as at present. The vessel on which he crossed the ocean took forty days to make the voyage, but he was landed safely and as soon as possible joined his uncle, John King, who was a farmer east of Pittsburg. He worked on the farm for several years and then became gardener for the late Frank Gordon, then cashier of a bank at Pittsburg, who had large grounds that required careful cultivation. Mr. Stork remained with that employer until the Civil War broke out, in

1861, when he enlisted for three months in Co. I, 3rd Pa. Vol. Inf., but he was shortly afterward prostrated with typhoid fever. When he recovered he was given a place at the government arsenal at Pittsburg, where he remained until it was closed. He is one of the four sur- viving members of Maj. Gaston Post, G. A. R., and ever since the war has taken an interest in Grand Army mat- ters. After he returned from military service, he culti- vated a garden at Bloomfield, which is now included in the Sixteenth Ward of Pittsburg, for five years, then bought a small farm in Allegheny County, which he later sold and on September 22, 1882, came to Finleyville. For many years following, Mr. Stork worked in the Flor- shime coal mine. On May 1, 1896, he was appointed police constable, an office newly created at Finleyville, and he served for nine years and then resigned. He has filled numerous other offices, for four years was street com- missioner, has been assessor, and at present is serving as tax collector and constable. He has acquired property here, owns at least six dwelling houses and has all his interests centered in this borough, where so many of his useful years have been spent.

Mr. Stork was married when he was twenty-four years of age to Anna Nuttel, who was the mother of seven children, two of whom died young. The others were: Christina, Lavina, William, Margaret and Ann. William is deceased. Mr. Stork was married (second), in Octo- ber, 1878, to Catherine Miller, who was the widow of John C. Miller, and a daughter of Peter Jung. She had three children: George, Catherine and Margaret Miller, and to the second marriage four children were born: John, Henry K., Rosalie and Carrie. Mr. Stork is a Republican. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias.

HARPER BROS., manufacturers and dealers in har- ness, horse blankets, etc., at Charleroi, Pa., with business quarters at No. 321 Mckean avenue, have been estab- lished in this borough since 1898. The firm is made up of C. H. and William E. Harper. Both were born and reared in Franklin County, Pa., and are sons of J. and Lydia E. Harper.

Both parents of the Harper brothers died in Franklin County. The father was a well known manufacturer of carriages, buggies, harness, etc., at Green Castle, and his sons learned the harnessmaking trade with him and subsequently went into partnership with him, the firm style being J. Harper & Sons, the latter being William E., C. H., and W. P. Harper. W. P. Harper was one of the original firm of Harper Bros., of Charleroi. ' His death occurred November 11, 1906. After the father's estate was settled up, the sons decided to locate at Char- leroi and established themselves first in the opera house block, where they continued for six years and then erect- ed their present substantial brick block, completing the

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same in May, 1904, which they have occupied ever since. In November, 1909, they sold the building to the frater- nal 'order of Eagles, who have their lodge rooms here.

William E. Harper married Miss Josephine Clara Riley, a daughter of J. C. Riley, of the firm of Morris & Riley, of Carlisle, Pa. William E. Harper is identified with the Odd Fellows.

C. H. Harper married Miss Jennie M. Husk, a daughter of Isaac Husk. Mrs. Harper was born at Coal Center, Pa., where C. H. Harper and family reside. They have one son, Arthur Vernon. C. H. Harper is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Turners. Neither mem- ber of the firm of Harper Bros., is an aggressive politi- cian, but both are active and interested in all public measures.

ALEXANDER McKINLEY, deceased, who was close- ly identified with the early business interests of Wash- ington, in which he continued as an active participant until 1886, was born in Washington borough, January 4, 1817, and was a son of Alexander and Hettie (Jones) McKinley.

Family annals tell of the settlement of Samuel Mc- Kinley, the grandfather, in North Strabane Township before the land was divided and that he built his log cabin in the deep woods. He married a daughter of Thomas Scott, who was the first prothonotary and the first representative to Congress from Washington County. Samuel Mckinley and wife reared several children. One son, Samuel, moved to Ohio. The other, Alexander, re- mained in Washington County, where he subsequently married Hettie Jones. Her father, Abednego Jones came to Washington County from Philadelphia. He was in that city during its occupation by the British, by whom he was imprisoned on the accusation of being a spy. He had the good fortune to be subsequently released and came to Washington County, where he passed the re- mainder of his life. He and his wife had ten children, one of whom was the late Alexander McKinley, of Wash- ington.

Alexander McKinley, though not destined for a pro- fessional life, was afforded an excellent education, at- tending Washington College, in his native borough. He subsequently became a jeweler, for which occupation he possessed in high degree the mathematical sense, the ac- curate eye and the delicate power of manipulation which it demands. In 1840 he opened his own store, founding the business which has been continued uninterrupted for the past sixty-nine years. When he retired in 1886, he was succeeded by his son, F. B. Mckinley. During this long period in business, Mr. Mckinley maintained the high standard of work which was an index of his per- sonal character, the leading characteristics of which were honesty and reliability. In various ways he was asso-

ciated with his fellow citizens at different times and not only in the material development of Washington was his influence felt, but also in those movements for the better and higher things of life. He was charitable and benevo- lent, kind and neighborly and ever accepted and per- formed the full responsibilities of citizenship. In early years he was a Whig but later became a Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

On April 27, 1852, Alexander Mckinley was married to Miss Margaret D. Hayes, who died in 1871. She was a native of West Granby, Conn., born May 15, 1829. Mr. Mckinley married for his second wife Mrs. Eliza- beth J. Bailey, of Wheeling, W. Va., who was born Sept. 10, 1829, at Norfolk, England. His eight children, all born of the first union were as follows: Frances E., born June 28, 1853, died February 15, 1905; Thomas H., born January 7, 1855; Lucian W., born January 5, 1857; Frank B., born April 26, 1860; Alice, born November 15, 1862, died December 31, 1863; Ella Wiley, born Au- gust 6, 1865, died September 9, 1871; Alexander, Jr., born January 22, 1868, died September 4, 1871; Samuel W., born March 27, 1870, died January 7, 1907. Of those who are living, Thomas H. Mckinley is an optician of Greensburg, Pa., Lucian W., a physician at Columbus, Ohio, and Frank B., jeweler at Washington, Pa. Alex- ander MeKinley, the elder, father of the above mentioned family, died February 8, 1896. The mother, Mrs. Mar- garet D. Mckinley, died March 5, 1871.

MRS. MARY G. DAVIS, one of Canton Township's most respected residents, whose home has always been in this township, was born May 13, 1844, and is a daugh- ter of David and Grizelda (Johnston) Morrow, natives of Washington County, who both died here.

David Morrow, father of Mrs. Davis, was a son of Matthew Morrow, one of the early setlers of this section. A man of excellent character, he was for many years a member of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, of which he was also a trustee. He died February 22, 1892. His wife preceded him to the grave, passing away De- cember 9, 1887. They were the parents of two children, of whom Mrs. Davis alone survives. They were well known and highly esteemed and had a wide circle of friends in Canton Township.

Mary G. Morrow grew to womanhood in Canton Town- ship, and was fortunate in having parents able to afford her good educational advantages. After attending the public schools of her home neighborhood, she became a student in the seminary at Washington, and so profited by her opportunities as to be possessed of a good literary education and accomplishments when she was married, on March 8, 1865, to Hamilton Davis.

Mr. Davis was born in Canton Township, August 22, 1830, and was a son of Samuel Davis. The latter was a

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pioneer settler in north Canton Township, and for a num- ber of years conducted a hotel there. He did a profitable business in this line, as his hostelry was located near a stage route, over which drovers were constantly traveling.

Hamilton Davis devoted the greater part of his life to agriculture, and at his death, which occurred January 31, 1889, he left a farm of sixty acres, on which his father's hotel was located. He also had 108 acres adjoining the present home farm of Mrs. Davis. The latter consists of eighty-eight acres and is the old David Morrow farm. The two former places were sold some years after Mr. Davis' death and the estate divided. Mr. Davis was an early member of the Republican party, and at various times was elected to township office, always serving with honesty and efficiency. A sincere member of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, he served the same capably as a trustee. He was a man who was held in high es- teem by his neighbors for his admirable personal quali- ties, and he was beloved in his own family as a kind husband and father.

To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born eight children, as follows: Harry N., resident at Cameron, W. Va .; John W., a resident of Buffalo Township, this county; Charles M., residing in Canton Township with his mother; Sam- uel A., also a resident of Canton Township; Minnie H., who is now deceased; Retta C., residing in Canton Town- ship; Frank L., living at Washington, and David O., de- ceased. Mrs. Davis has continued to reside on her farm, of which she has proved herself a successful manager. She is a useful member of the Upper Buffalo Presbyte- rian Church.

CHARLES WILBERT SCOTT, who operates the home- stead farm of ninety-two acres, which is situated in Jef- ferson Township, Washington County, Pa., was born on this farm, July 26, 1869, and is a son of John Franklin and Sussannah (Steen) Scott.

Mr. Scott's paternal grandparents were born in Ire- land- his grandfather, Charles Scott, in 1811, being brought to America when seven years of age. He mar- ried Margaret Cassidy and they had twelve children, eleven of whom reached mature years.

John F. Scott was one of the most prominent citizens of Jefferson Township for many years, was public spirited and influential and many times served in local offices. He was active in the Republican party and was its can- didate for county register at one time. Credit is given him for securing the present rural mail route through Jefferson Township, and for many other beneficial move- ments of a public nature. He owned the present home- stead farm at the time of his death, which occurred on January 12, 1906; his burial was at Bethel Cemetery. He married Susannah Steen, a daughter of William and Frances (Richardson) Steen. Her father was born in

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 190

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