History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 223

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 223

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John C. Insley was born in England and when a boy came to America, locating at Pittsburg, where he found work in the glass works, later becoming a manufacturer of glass. He is now at the head of the Crescent Brewing Company of Pittsburg. He married Margaret Frederick, who was born in Pittsburg, and comes of one of the old southside families of that city. Of their union were born three children: Anna; John N .; and William Ward, the subject of this sketch.

Dr. William W. Insley was reared in Pittsburg, where he attended the public schools and also the high school,

from which he was graduated in 1894. He then entered the Hahnemann Medical College at Philadelphia, but at the end of the second term enlisted in Co. C, 10th Pa. Vol. Inf., of Uniontown, Pa. He was stationed at Manila and served until the close of the war, when he returned to Pittsburg. He then re-entered the medical college at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1901. In August of that year he came to Donora and. embarked in the practice of medicine on Fifth street. In 1904 he removed to the corner of Seventh and Thompson streets, where his office and residence are now both located. Dr. Insley also conducts a garage on the corner of Meldon and Seventh streets. He is a member of the Homeo- pathic State Medical Society, and is fraternally affiliated with the F. and A. M., No. 626, the German Beneficial Union, and the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the board of health of Donora, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the Republican party.

In March, 1900, Dr. Insley married Nayoda Raymond McClintock, a native of Indiana, who was reared in Tennessee, and of their union have been born two chil- dren, William W., Jr .; and Loretta N.

GEORGE L. SUTHERLAND,* who devotes his 205 acres of valuable land to general farming and sheep rais- ing, is one of the leading citizens of Jefferson Township. He was born in Independence Township, Washington County, Pa., March 9, 1864, and is a son of John W. and Ellen (Virtue) Sutherland.

The parents of Mr. Sutherland are both deceased, the mother dying in February, 1869, and her burial being at Cross Creek Cemetery. The father died in October, 1903, and was buried in Bethel Cemetery. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John W. Sutherland voted with the Democratic party.

George L. Sutherland was reared in a quiet, well or- dered home, went to school at the Miller schoolhouse in Jefferson Township as long as his father could spare him, and after that went to farming and has been en- gaged in agriculture ever since. In 1903 he purchased his farm in Jefferson Township, on which he has made some substantial improvements. It is excellent land, probably underveined with coal, none of which has been sold, and Mr. Sutherland has one gas well. He has given a great deal of intelligent attention to growing sheep, keeping as many as 600 head and raising from seventy- five to 100 head a year.

On February 22, 1888, Mr. Sutherland was married to Miss Diana Foster, a daughter of William and Mary (Horn- beck). Foster, and they have had eight children, namely: Myrtle, who is a popular teacher in Jefferson Township; Leolard, who is deceased; Glenn F., who is attending school at Hickory; Hazel Marie and George Roy, both of whom go to school; Esther V., at home; John William,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

who is deceased; and an infant, who, at the present writing, is unnamed. Mr. Sutherland is a careful and in- terested father and is giving his children every advantage in his power. The family belong to Bethel Church, in which he is a trustee and steward and also superintendent of the Sunday school. It is easy to see that Mr. Suther- land believes in the power of example. He also is an advocate of strict temperance and votes with the Pro- hibition party. He is serving most efficiently in the office of road supervisor. For a number of years he has been a member of the grange at Avella, Pa.

JAMES M. DAVIDSON,* a prominent citizen of Mid- way, where he has substantial interests, conducts a large general store and also, being a carpenter by trade, does considerable contracting. He was born in Washington County, Pa., April 23, 1863, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Trimmer) Davidson, both of whom are deceased, their remains resting in the Center Cemetery. The parents of Mr. Davidson had the following children born to them: Mary, who married Jesse Bebout; Phoebe, who married Daniel Johnston; Martha, who married David Trimmer; Sadie, who is the widow of James Brab- son; Paul, and James M.

James M. Davidson attended school until he was about seventeen years of age and then, until he was twenty- one, he worked on a farm, after that learning the car- penter 's trade. He spent the larger portion of his time until 1908, working as carpenter and contractor and then built his fine storeroom and embarked in the general mer- chandise business. He carries a well selected stock and enjoys a quiet, safe trade, many of his patrons being families of long years of acquaintance, and others those who appreciate fair and honest dealing.

Mr. Davidson was married April 10, 1886, to Miss Lilly Gibson, a daughter of James and Martha Gibson, who came to Washington County from Canada, and whose family included Robert, James, Frank, Bert, Allie and Lilly. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson's children are: Seymour, Samuel, Mattie, Robert, Cora, Myrtle, Phebe, Lillian, Wilbert and William (twins), and Cyranus. The family belong to the Baptist Church. In his views on public questions Mr. Davidson is a Prohibitionist and feels much encouraged at the great advances made in the past few years is all sections of the country in temperance legis- lation and public sentiment.

S. C. CUNNINGHAM,“ one of Jefferson Township's representative men and enterprising, successful and sub- stantial- farmers and stock raisers, resides on the old Cunningham homestead in Jefferson Township, Washing- ton County, Pa., where he was born November 24, 1862. His parents were Francis and Sarah Ann (Bird) Cun- ningham.

Francis Cunningham was also born and reared in Wash- ington County, and in 1852 settled on the homestead which lies partly in Jefferson and partly in Cross Creek Townships. He cleared a portion of the land and followed a general line of agriculture during his active life. In polities he was a Democrat and was a man of enough prominence to be elected school director and also road supervisor in Cross Creek Township. He was a worthy member of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church.

His death occurred August 27, 1895. He married Sarah Ann Bird and they had eight children, the three sur- vivors being: Mary A., who married J. S. McClurg; David A., and S. C. Those deceased were: John, William, Sarah Jane, James B. and an unnamed babe. The mother of this family survived until September 15, 1891, and her burial was in the Bethel Cemetery.

S. C. Cunningham attended the White Oak District School in Cross Creek Township and then gave his father assistance on the farm at home, until his marriage, after which he still lived there for one year and then moved to another farm on which he resided for seven years. In the fall of 1895, after his father's death, he returned to the homestead, having a one-third interest in this farm of _10 acres and owning a farm of 273 acres. In all he operates more than 500 acres. He has done improving, repairing and building and has everything convenient about him. He gives considerable attention to his blood- ed stock, his Shorthorn cattle and his sheep, keeping about ninety head of the latter.

In November, 1887, Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss Rettie M. Sutherland, who died in May, 1902. Her father was John Sutherland, a well known citizen. She is survived by five children-Earl Leroy, Effie Frances, Willa Rae, Anna Viola and Stephen Claire. In March, 1906, Mr. Cunningham was married, secondly, to Miss Anna Margaret Anderson, a daughter of John and Mar- garet Anderson.

Mr. Cunningham is a Democrat. He has frequently been elected to important township offices, serving as road supervisor in Jefferson Township, as school director in Cross Creek Township, and at present is township super- visor. He is a director in the Union Agricultural Asso- ciation of Burgettstown and he belongs to the grange, at Avella. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham attend Bethel Church.

J. C. SUTHERLAND, a representative business man - of Washington, is a leading factor in Republican poli- tics of Washington County. He was born in West Finley Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1878, and is a son of James, a grandson of Isaac, and a great-grandson of George Sutherland, all of whom have been identified with this particular section of Penn- sylvania. George Sutherland, who came to America from Scotland, settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

in the year 1786, and engaged in farming. His son, Isaac Sutherland, was born in West Finley Township, but early in life took up the trade of wagon making, and was married at Canonsburg, Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, where his son, James Sutherland, was born on August 13, 1831, and now lives retired at Washington.

During his active years he was a contracting plasterer and carried on that business for fifty years, while liv- ing on a farm. He married Mary Hutchison, who was born in East Finley Township, Washington County, Penn- sylvania, April 30, 1840, and died March 9, 1897. She was a daughter of Thomas Hutchison, who was born near Claysville, Washington County, and who was a prominent farmer and stockraiser. The Hutchisons came to Wash- ington County in 1790. To James and Mary Sutherland five children were born, namely: Annie I., who is the wife of John I. Giles, a contractor, residing at Wash- ington ; Thomas H., who is in the real estate and insurance business at Washington; Isaac A., who continues to live on the old homestead in West Finley Township; and Margaret M. and J. C., both of whom reside in Wash- ington, this county.

J. C. Sutherland was reared in West Finley Town- ship, being graduated creditably from the public schools. He then entered Jefferson Academy, at Canonsburg, later attended Mercer Academy, in Mercer County, and then taught six years in the public schools of Washington .County. Mr. Sutherland then spent three years in the Northwest, visiting in his travels forty-one of the forty- six states of the Union. For four years he was en- gaged in the real estate and insurance business at Wash- ington. From early manhood he has taken an active in- terest in public affairs, especially in Washington County, · where he has been an active Republican. At the gen- eral election in November, 1909, he was elected to the office of Recorder of Deeds for Washington County, be- ing the youngest man ever chosen to serve the people of the county in that capacity.

On May 23, 1906, Mr. Sutherland was married to Miss Essie L. Smith, a daughter of J. B. Smith, of West Middletown, who came to Washington County from Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have one daughter, Ruth. The family attend the Second United Presbyterian Church at Washington.

HON. DAVID M. CAMPSEY, a representative and successful business man and financier of Claysville, Pa., who is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, has been a resident of Washington County throughout his entire life, and has lived at Claysville since 1869. He was born in Donegal Township, October 13, 1843, and is a son of James and Susanna (McMillan) Campsey.

James Campsey, father of David M., died April 4,

1883, having spent his life in Donegal Township. His father, James Campsey, was born in Ireland and came to Donegal Township among its earliest settlers. He acquired, cleared and cultivated land and his son did likewise. The mother of David M. Campsey was born in Ireland. But two of the sons of the family survive: James D. and David M.

David M. Campsey was reared in Donegal Township and in boyhood attended the public schools and later the Excelsior Normal Institute at Carversville, in Bucks County. It was while he was a student there that he enlisted in a militia company, July 2, 1863, which be- came a part of the 45th Pa. Vol. Inf., and served until the following September, when he was honorably dis- charged. He then began to teach school and continued for twenty-two months, which brought him to Septem- ber 17, 1870, when he started into a general mercantile business at Claysville. He developed exceptional busi- ness qualities and was very successful and continued as a merchant until 1881, in which year he sold out his interests, but retained the hardware store at Claysville and also a branch store at West Alexander, which he sold a few years later. The only mercantile training he had enjoyed was a short season spent with the great New York firm of Lord & Taylor. For more than forty years Mr. Campsey has been dealing in wool and since 1894, has dealt in field seeds. He has been the pro- moter and to some degree the financier of large busi- ness interests at Claysville. Since the organization of the First National Bank at Claysville, in 1890, he has been vice president. He served in the city Council and it was during his term that Claysville secured its sys- tem of water works and had other public utilities en- . couraged. On many occasions he was elected to local offices and in November, 1902, he was elected to the lower house of the Pennsylvania Legislature as a repre- sentative of Washington County. The value of his services was recognized by his constituents and he was re-elected in 1904 and during the latter part of his second term, he served as a member of the Special Ses- sion called by Governor Pennypacker. He introduced a number of valuable bills and had sufficient influence to secure the passage of a number of them which are now laws of the land. He introduced and secured the passage of the measure which made the National Pike through the State a free road and at the same time secured an appropriation of $100,000 for the rebuilding of the bridges along its way. At the special session he had charge of the bill known as an Act regulating the building of county bridges and the letting of contracts therefor, authorizing the borrowing of money to pay for the same, and providing for the punishment of persons who combine or conspire to stifle competition in bidding.

HON. DAVID M. CAMPSEY

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

He has always been identified with the Republican party and his friends are men of high standing in the State.

Mr. Campsey was married to Miss Adda G. Kennedy, of West Alexander, Pa., and of their seven children, three survive, namely: George A., who is special agent for the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission; Susanna J., who resides at home; and Donald M., who is a student at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa. With his family Mr. Campsey belongs to the United Presbyterian Church at Claysville, in which he is an elder. He was one of the advisors and a member of the building com- mittee which completed the erection of the new and handsome church edifice in 1883.

JAMES B. HAYWARD,* senior member of the firm, J. B. Hayward & Son, Monongahela City, who deal ex- tensively in flour, feed, hay, grain, etc., has been a resi- dent of this place since 1854. He was born August 24, 1851, in England, a son of John and Sarah (Baird) Hay- ward.

John Hayward was born and reared at Staffordshire, Eng., where he later engaged in mining until the fall of 1854. He and his family then emigrated to the United States, and after a voyage of seven weeks and three days, during which time they were wrecked and experi- enced other hardships, located at Monongahela City, then known as Williamsport, Pa., where he began to work at mining, opening a mine on the old Joseph Cameron farm. He followed that occupation during the remainder of his life, his death occurring when he was seventy-six years old. He was first united in marriage in England with Sarah Baird, also a native of that country, and of their union were born the following children: Elizabeth, who was born in England, and who is the widow of John West and the mother of eighteen children; James Baird, our subject; John Southampton, who was born on the sea, and was named after the clipper "Southampton," the vessel in which the family crossed the Atlantic (he died in Williamsport at the age of six years) ; and four children who died in childhood. Mrs. Sarah B. Hayward died in 1858 at the age of thirty years and Mr. Hayward subsequently married Sarah Davis, of Finleyville, Pa., who is still a resident of Monongahela City. Of this union were born five children-Charles, Harry, Hannah (deceased), Effie (deceased), and one who died in infancy.

James B. Hayward was about three years old when his parents came to this country and located at Williamsport, now Monongahela City. Here he was reared and edu- cated and has since resided. At the age of ten years he entered the mines, where he worked until 1880. He then found employment in the flour mills operated by McGrew, Parkinson & Company, who were succeeded by Archibald George & McGrew, with whom he continued until 1891,

when, in partnership with J. D. Hoon, he purchased the mill from George & McGrew. They operated it success- fully until 1904, when the partnership was dissolved and the mill sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. That same year Mr. Hayward established his present flour, hay, grain and feed business, subsequently taking in his son, James B. Hayward, as partner.

Mr. Hayward was married October 5, 1873, to Anna Earnest, who is a daughter of Stephen L. Earnest, one of the pioneer settlers of Monongahela City. Of this marriage there has been the following issue: Stephen, who married Marcella Calvin; Julia, who died in 1909; Elizabeth, who married Alvin Day and has one daughter, Catherine; James B., married Margaret Gettings and has three children-Gladys Virginia, Dorothy, and John Baird; Laura Jane; Rachel, who died at the age of ten years; George; and Ellen. The family reside in a com- fortable home on Cole street.

Mr. Hayward is affiliated with the Royal Arcanum, as are also his two sons, Stephen and James, who are also members of the B. P. O. E. and the Y. M. C. A. He is politically a Democrat, and the family hold memberships in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

E. S. McLEOD,* senior member of the wholesale pro- duce firm of McLeod & McCracken, at Washington, Pa., is one of the representative business men and useful citizens. He was born at Rixford, MeKean County, Pa., in 1879, and was eleven years old when he came to Wash- igton. His education was secured in the public schools and in Washington and Jefferson College ..

After completing his college course, Mr. McLeod en- gaged in the jewelry business in Washington for some eight years. In 1908, in partnership with John H. Me- Cracken, he embarked in the wholesale produce business, under the firm name of McLeod & McCracken, develop- ing a very large business in this section. The firm stands well with the trade and individually its members are rec- ognized as men of integrity and ability.

In 1899, Mr. McLeod was married to Miss Hortense L. Neuse, who was born and reared at Washington, Pa., and they have two children: H. W. and Edward S. Mr. Mc- Leod is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Improved Order of Heptasophs.

JAMES R. HILL,* owner of the California Foundry and Machine Company at California, Pa., is a manufac- turer of the Robinson Coal Crusher, mining supplies, and brass works, and also conducts a general repair shop, giving employment in his foundry to from fifteen to twenty men including high class mechanics, molders and pattern makers. He also employs three men on the road setting up machinery. Mr. Hill was born October 11, 1869, on a farm in Trumbell County, Pa., and is a son

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

of James R. and Esther (Smith) Hill, the former of whom was a shaft sinker, and a stone and excavating contractor.

James R. Hill was a lad of six years when his parents removed to Fayette City, Pa., where he was reared, at- tended the local schools and subsequently learned the ma- chinist's trade at the Homestead Steel Company's ma- chine shops at Homestead, Pa. He remained there a lit- tle over three years when he came to Allenport, Washing- ton County, and for a number of years he had charge of all the machinery of the Vesta Coal Company. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he enlisted for three years as a machinist in the United States Navy, and after the war was over made application for his dis- charge, and upon receiving same, returned to Pennsylvan- ia. During his one year's service in the navy he served as chief machinist on three different gunboats, and was in service on the "Vixen" at the battle of Santiago. Upon his return to this state, he entered the employ of the Jones Laughlin Company of South Pittsburg, and shortly afterward became a toolmaker at the Westing- house Electric Manufacturing Company. He was later made foreman of one of the departments, and served in that capacity until he came to Charleroi, Pa., and in December, 1902, established his present foundry. He operated for a time on a small scale, employing but four men, which number has been increased with the business and he now employs from fifteen to twenty high-class mechanics.

Mr. Hill was united in marriage with Leonore Cleaver, who was reared in Centerville, Pa., and is a daughter of William H. Cleaver. They have three children: Howard; William M., and Eleanore Jane. Mr. Hill is a thirty- second degree Mason.

JOHN H. THOMPSON,* a life-long resident of Buf- falo Township, was born August 5, 1860, and is a son of John and Mary (Cleland) Thompson. The old Thomp- son farm has been in the family for over a century, de- scending from father to son, John M., of the fourth gen- eration now owning it.

Probably James Thompson, the first American ancestor of the family, came to what is now Buffalo Township, from Ireland, penetrating into what must have been a dense wilderness at that time. Here his son, James Thompson, second, was born, lived and died, leaving the property intact to John Thompson, father of John M. In 1849 John M. Thompson took part in the great eastern exodus to California and spent several years there in mining for gold, and for several years after his return he engaged in freighting between Washington and Cum- berland, driving a six-horse team, and being a pioneer in that industry in this section. He became a man well known over a wide territory and was popular with those

with whom he had business relations. He engaged suc- cessfully in farming, and raised stock and sheep. When he settled down permanently on the home farm he was elected school director in Buffalo Township and was urged by his party for the office of county commissioner. Four children of John and Mary Thompson survive, name- ly : Samuel J., residing at Holton, Kas .; John M., on the homestead; Mary B., wife of Robert Clark, of Buf- falo Township; and Romance, wife of William Lawrence, of West Virginia.

John M. Thompson, of the present generation, attended the public schools at Taylorstown, Pa. The home farm contains 160 acres and he devotes it to general farming and stock raising and also carries on a large dairy busi- ness. As a worthy representative of one of the town- ship's oldest families, together with his sterling char- acter as a citizen, Mr. Thompson is highly respected and esteemed by his neighbors. He has taken no active part in politics, being satisfied with the quiet, independent life of a successful American farmer.

Mr. Thompson was married in early manhod to Miss Sarah M. Donaldson, who was born in Washington Coun- ty and is a daughter of Robert Donaldson, of Mt. Pleas- ant Township. They are members of East Buffalo Pres- byterian Church. He is identified with the order of Elks at Washington.

J. C. WALKER,* a highly respected citizen of Elders- ville, now living retired from active business life, still re- tains his 210 acres of valuable farming land in Jefferson Township, on which he was engaged in farming and stock raising for many years. He was born in Jefferson Township, Washington County, Pa., August 4, 1842, and is a son of James and a grandson of Alexander Walker.

Alexander Walker was born in Huntington County, Pa., May 10, 1773, and came to Jefferson Township, Wash- ington County, in 1795. On October 26, 1800, he was married to Elizabeth Norris, who was born December 8, 1778, and they had the following children: Elizabeth, John, David, James, Susana, Alexander, Mary A., David S., Isabella, Drusilla and Samuel. Alexander Walker had 225 acres of land at that time, the greater portion of it being yet covered with natural growth. He was one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church in Cross Creek Township and was a strong Democrat and active and useful in the early adjustment of township affairs. He died September 8, 1854, and his widow in the follow- ing year and they were buried in the Cross Creek Ceme- tery.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 223

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