History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 94

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 94

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

had sole control of the paper until May, 1819, when he secured the appointment as prothonotary and trans- ferred the paper to Samuel Workman, who conducted it only during the term of Mr. Sample as prothonotary, who in May, 1821, again assumed the management, which he retained until 1833, when he disposed of his interest to B. S. Stewart and George W. Acheson, and removed to Fort Madison, Iowa.

Messers. Stewart and Acheson were satisfied with two years' experience in conducting a newspaper, and in 1835 closed out their interests to John Ramsey and S. B. Robison. These gentlemen were ready to quit the business at the end of a year, and were succeeded by U. W. Wise. His proprietorship covered a span of three years, and in November, 1839, John Bausman purchased the establishment and continued publication until 1856, when James G. and Robert F. Strean became proprietors. Mr. Bausman had associated with him from 1848 to 1852 the late John W. F. White, who later became one of the judges of the court of common pleas of Alle- gheny County. Robert Strean's death occurred at his home here in Washington in January, 1808. Mr. Baus- man was the father of Rev. Joseph H. Bausman, of the faculty of Washington and Jefferson College.

Two years after the Messrs. Strean had taken hold, the interest of Maj. E. L. Christman in the paper began. He had been for about six years associated with William S. Moore in the "Commonwealth," a paper established in 1848, but the political movements of these troublesome times had so militated against that sheet that in 1858 it became merged in "The Reporter." Messrs. Christ- man and J. G. Strean retired, Mr. Christman, however, retaining his interest in the paper. The publication was continued by W. S. Moore and R. S. Strean until March, 1860. At that time the "Tribune,"' a paper established by John Bausman in 1856, and edited in 1860 by Cols. H. A. Purviance and James Armstrong, became con- solidated with "The Reporter" and the paper was pub- lished under the name of "The Reporter and Tribune," by Moore, Purviance and Armstrong. In November, 1863, Mr. Purviance's name was dropped.

Messrs. Moore and Armstrong held control until No- vember, 1867, when J. W. McWilliams, Esq., who had sent several communications to the paper from Wash- ington City, purchased Mr. Armstrong's interest and the firm became Moore & McWilliams. The name of the paper had been changed in June, 1866, the name "Tribune" being dropped, the name henceforth being "The Washington Reporter."

During the first twenty-five years or more of its pub- lication, the name of the paper was "The Reporter." In the thirties the name was "The Washington Re- porter," and during Mr. Bausman's control simply "Washington Reporter."

As mentioned above, J. W. MeWilliams became asso- ciated with Mr. Moore in the paper in November, 1867. The name Moore remained steadily at the head of the paper, but the other member of the firm was subject to much variation. Mr. McWilliams sold his interest in February, 1869, to Hon. James R. Kelley, and "The Reporter" was published by Moore & Kelley until April, 1873. At this time Maj. Christman returned to Wash- ington from West Chester, Pa., and renewed his connec- tion with the paper, never having disposed of his former interest in it. At this time the "Daily Reporter" was established. The interest of Mr. Kelley was absorbed in the new arrangement, and the firm name of Moore and Christman appeared as publishers until October, 1877, when ill health compelled Mr. Moore to retire, severing a connection of twenty years with "The Reporter." On the 30th of the following December his death occurred. His position and interest in the paper were assumed by Alexander M. Gow and the firm's name of Gow & Christman continued until January, 1883, when Mr. Gow disposed of his interest to Mr. Christman, who then be- came the sole proprietor.

In the year 1891 The Christman Publishing Company, a corporation, was formed, the stockholders comprising Maj. E. L. Christman and a number of his children, all of whom were engaged on the paper. The capital stock of the company was $20,000. The senior member of the Christman family was elected president and William Christman chosen manager, the latter, owing to the ill health of the father, practically having managed the plant for several years.

On the 15th of January, 1897, William, Harry and Elizabeth Christman purchased the interest of the re- maining stockholders, William Christman being elected president and manager; Harry Christman was elected secretary and Elizabeth Christman, treasurer. At this time the Daily had a circulation of 2,700, and the Semi-Weekly, 1,481. In the latter part of June, 1897, the Semi-Weekly was changed to a Thrice-a-Week.

During the month of May, 1902, Harry and Elizabeth Christman disposed of their interest in "The Reporter," William Christman purchasing their stock and becoming the sole proprietor.

The Christman Publishing Company continued to pub- lish until its purchase by the Observer Publishing Com- pany, the present owners, on the first of January, 1903. Ernest F. Acheson is president of this company, and John L. Stewart, secretary, treasurer and general man- ager.

Starting in 1808, as a four page, four column news- paper, about 17x11 inches, in 1817 "The Reporter" re- ceived an addition of one column and two or three inches in length. Somewhere between 1825 and 1839 the paper was increased to six columns and lengthened a little. The

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files of "The Reporter" between the years named were not preserved. In 1844 it was increased to seven col- umns and was then a folio about 18 by 24 inches. In 1848 it was enlarged to eight columns, and remained at that until 1861, when it was reduced to seven. In July, 1868, it was changed to an eight page, six column sheet, each page about 14 by 20 inches, which was the size retained until the starting of the Semi-Weekly, or Saturday edition of "The Weekly Reporter." At that time, November, 1883, the pages were shortened a little, and six columns retained to each page, the amount of reading matter being almost doubled. . In December, 1891, the seventh column was added and the paper in- creased in size.

The "Western Missionary Magazine," published at Washington, Pa., its first issue February, 1803. The Synod of Pittsburg of the Presbyterian Church was constituted in 1802-the first synod west of the moun- tains. At its first meeting it resolved that "the Synod of Pittsburg shall be styled the Western Missionary Society," to propagate the gospel among "the inhabi- tants of the new setlements," and to evangelize "the Indian tribes." To aid in this missionary movement the meeting resolved to establish a monthly missionary maga- zine.

The editors elected were Rev. Messrs. Thomas Moore, of Ten-Mile; John Anderson, of Upper Buffalo; James Hughes, of Lower Buffalo, and George Scott, of Mill Creek in Beaver County.

Among the first Board of Trust or managers of this society are named Thomas Marquis and James Edgar, elders of Cross Creek Church.

In 1806 this missionary society changed its plan some- what and elected a new Board of Trust, all or nearly all from Washington County, to-wit: James Hughes, Thomas Marquis, John Anderson and Elisha Nacurdy, ministers (all residing in Washington County), and Will- iam Rhea, William Lee, of near Paris, and John Duncan, of Florence, elders.

This seemed to end the publication of what is thought to be the first religious periodical west of the mountains and the first in America devoted strictly to Home and Foreign Missionary work.

The "Western Corrector" was established about 1809 with Thomas Thompson, editor, and continued for sev- eral years.

"The Washingtonian,"' a weekly publication, appeared in Washington in 1812 and had a short existence. James A. Bayard, Jr., was editor.

"The Mercury" is the name of another short-lived newspaper venture of 1812.

"The Western Register" was published during 1816 and 1817 by Robert Fee.

"The Washington Examiner" was established May 28, 1817, by John Grayson, editor and proprietor. In 1833 William Jack was admitted to partnership with Mr. Grayson and continued in the firm three years. In 1839 Mr. Grayson's son became associated with him and the firm was known as Thomas W. Grayson & Co. In 1842 C. W. Kaine purchased the interest of John Grayson and soon afterward James B. Ruple bought Mr. Kaine's interest. Andrew Hopkins became owner of Mr. Ruple's interest in 1848. Mr. Hopkins' interest was sold to George S. Hart in 1853 and to Adam Ecker in 1856. In 1859 Thomas W. Grayson sold his share to John R. Donahoo. D. F. Patterson purchased Mr. Dona- hoo's interest and in 1865 the "Examiner" consolidated with the "Review" and the name changed to "Review and Examiner," published by Swan & Ecker.

The newspaper known as "Our Country" was started in 1835 by Thomas J. Morgan. After Mr. Morgan had conducted the paper for a year his brother, William D., became editor in 1836 and was succeeded by C. W. Kaine, who merged it into the "Examiner."

Dr. F. Julius LeMoyne established an Abolitionist paper called the "Washington Patriot" in 1843. Russell Errett was editor. The paper existed for but a few years.

The "Commonwealth," first a Whig paper and later a Republican, was established in 1848 by Seth T. Hurd. George C. Stough purchased a half interest about three years later and E. L. Christman, the other half soon after. Joseph S. Clokey became owner of Mr. Stough's interest in 1855. This interest was purchased in 1857 by Hon. William S. Moore. In 1858 the paper was consolidated with the "Washington Reporter," the pa- per being called the "Reporter," and the firm changed to Strean, Moore & Co.

The "Washington Weekly Review" was started in 1851 by Swan & Ritezel. William Swan became sole owner of the business in 1854. In 1865 the "Washing- ton Weekly Review" was consolidated with the "Wash- ington Examiner," and the paper continued under the name of "Review and Examiner."

John Bausman established the "Tribune" in 1856 and soon sold out to Cols. H. A. Purviance and James Arm- strong. This paper was consolidated with the "Re- porter" in 1860.

As is said before, when the "Washington Weekly Review " and the "Washington Examiner" consolidated in 1865 the "Review and Examiner" was formed. The publishers were William Swan and Adam H. Ecker. Andrew Hopkins purchased the paper from Mr. Ecker in 1877, Mr. Swan having died the previous year.

W. C. Lyne owned a half interest for a short period after the business was purchased by Mr. Hopkins. John

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

M. Stockdale bought the "Review and Examiner" in 1881. The paper existed until about the time the "Pe- troleum Exchange" was started in 1889.

The "Advance" was established in 1871 by H. C. Durant and Murray A. Cooper. During the first year it was issued monthly but was changed to a weekly in the following year. Mr. Cooper's interest was bought by Erasmus Wilson, who soon purchased the other por- tion from Mr. Durant. Mr. Cooper bought back a half interest in 1872, and then the other half in the next year. In 1873 B. F. Hasson purchased a half interest and soon the other half, thus retiring Cooper. On March 4, 1874, the name of the paper was changed from "Ad- vance" to the "Washington Observer." A half in- terest in the paper was purchased by Harry J. Shell- man in 1876 and the other half by C. M. Campbell. J. S. Stocking and E. F. Acheson bought the business in 1879.

Since then the proprietors have been Acheson & Mc- Ilvaine, E. F. Acheson & Company, and the present firm, the Observer Publishing Company. The paper, as first established, was a weekly, but was changed to a morning daily about 1896.

The "Petroleum Exchange" was consolidated with the "Observer" in 1890.

The "Washington Democrat" was established April, 3, 1878, by Adam H. Ecker, as a Democratic paper. His death occurred February 23, 1881, and the ownership of the paper went to Alexander Hart and John P. Charlton. Charlton was elected county commissioner and became interested in building the new court house. The firm name was changed by the introduction of John Foster, who, like Charlton, had come up from the print- ers' stick to the editorial chair. This firm was dissolved by the death of Alexander Hart. An attempt had been made to make this a daily paper, but it was abandoned.

The Record Publishing Company was organized and bought the plant of the "Democrat" in 1903. It was again started up with a daily morning edition, strictly Democratic. The capitalization was increased but the plant was sold by the sheriff in 1908. The purchasers sold it prior to the nomination for national and state office holders in 1908, and it became at once Republican in its utterances although retaining the same name.

The "Saturday Evening Supper Table" was founded by J. H. Allen in 1885 as a society paper. The paper was afterward conducted by Frederick Wilson, being known as the "Supper Table," and then discontinued. In 1905 the plant was purchased by the Journal Printing & Publishing Company, and the "Supper Table" pub- lished until 1907, when it was finally discontinued.

The "Journal" was established by George A. Spindler in 1885. The paper was discontinued for a time and in 1897 J. H. Allen purchased the plant and started pub- lishing the "Journal" again. In 1900 the Journal

Printing and Publishing Company, the present owner, was incorporated, and purchased the "Journal." In 1909 the name of the paper was changed from the "Journal" to the "Democrat," which is to be dis- tinguished from the "Democrat" established by Adam Ecker in 1878 and issued later by Hart & Charlton and Hart & Foster.

The "Record"' after it went into Republican owner- ship and control, sought by injunction to restrain the old "Journal" plant from issuing its paper under the name "Democrat," but the court declined to interfere.

The present officers of the Journal Printing and Pub- lishing Company are J. H. Allen, president, and W. B. Smith, secretary and treasurer. The paper is a weekly.

The "Scotch-Irish Picket" was established by Fulton Phillips in 1885 and was afterward discontinued.

The "Petroleum Exchange" was established by T. F. Irwin in 1889, and was consolidated with the "Observ- er" the following year.

The "Labor Journal" was established by W. C. Black in 1908.

The "Scroll" is the weekly paper of the Washington Female Seminary. It was started in 1906. The "Wash- ington-Jeffersonian," a college monthly, was established in 1877.

Since the organization of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, in 1793, when occasional services were held in the court house and Washington Academy, churches have been built steadily until today there are twenty-six sacred structures in Washington and over thirty places where services are held.

First Presbyterian Church of Washington-Prior to the winter of 1793-1794 those of the Presbyterian faith in Washington and vicinity were accustomed to worship in the Chartiers Church, of which Rev. John McMillan was the pastor. The Presbyterian congregation of Wash- ington was organized late in 1793 and occasional sup- plies appointed by the Presbytery of Redstone, services being held in the court house. The first settled pastor was Rev. Mathew Brown, who began his labors in 1805. He was succeeded by Rev. Obadiah Jennings, 1823-28; Rev. David Elliott, 1829-36; Rev. Daniel Derulle, 1837- 40; Rev. James Smith, 1840-44; Rev. William C. Anderson, 1844-46; Rev. John B. Pinney, 1847- 48; Rev. James I. Brownson, 1849-99; Rev. Thomas R. Alexander, co-pastor 1892-1901; Rev. W. S. Slemmons, D. D., 1901-present time. The membership at present is 506.

The first church building, erected in 1805, still stand- ing on South Franklin street, lately used as a glass manufactory, was succeeded by a larger one, 65 by 90 feet, on the present location, dedicated in 1851. It was taken down and rebuilt, except the basement in 1868,

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the cost of reconstruction, furniture, etc., being $22,- 000. In 1886 the chapel was added and furnished at a cost of $10,500. An extension to the main building, at the southern end, for organ and pastors study, followed the next year at a cost of $1,250. These advancements have given a church property worth not less than $50,000.

A mission Sunday School had been conducted by volun- teers in the frame public school building of the Fifth Ward. The building was later purchased by private subscriptions of certain members of the First Presby- terian Church, and the title vested in the First Presby- terian Church. This was necessary because the building had been abandoned and the public school moved to the new brick Fifth Ward school building. A mission school is still conducted and is commonly called the Elm Street Sunday School.

Second Presbyterian Church of Washington-The Sec- ond Presbyterian Church of Washington was organized by the Presbytery of Washington in the First Church of Washington, on March 12, 1861. Services were held until 1874 in Smith's Hall. In that year the church on West Beau street now belonging to the Methodist Prot- estant denomination, was leased for fifteen years. In 1884 it was decided to erect a new building at the cost of $25,000. A lot was purchased on East Beau street and the present church was completed and dedicated March 6, 1887, the day the present pastor, Rev. James H. Snowden, D. D., was installed pastor.

Three memorable revivals of religion have visited the church. The first was in 1867 under Rev. Mr. Dodge, when seventy-two persons were added on confession; the second, in 1876, under Dr. Hays, when seventy were added, and the third, in 1884, under Dr. Magill, when there were seventy-two such additions. The congregation has grown rapidly until at the present time it has 713 communicants.

The next two churches of this denomination were organized and financially assisted by the sister churches, not from dissatisfaction, but to met a growing need for services as the town extended.

Third Presbyterian Church of Washington-This church was organized March 24, 1891, and was constituted of members of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches. The church building was erected the same year. Rev. J. D. Moffat, president of Washington and Jefferson College, served the church during the first year of its history. In 1892 Rev. W. T. L. Kieffer was called to the pas- torate and served until 1895. The present pastor, Rev. Mathew Rutherford, was called the following year. The congregation has at present 518 members. The church conducts a mission Sunday School in the school building on the Belleview plan of lots.

Fourth Presbyterian Church of Washington-In 1903 the three Presbyterian Churches observing the growth of

the city in the direction of Tylerdale, purchased a lot at a cost of $3,000 and gave it to the newly organized Presbyterian congregation. The congregation of the Fourth Presbyterian Church worshipped for a time in the McGugin block, but soon had a good brick building erect- ed at a cost of about $15,000. The first pastor was Rev. J. H. Harvey, who was succeeded in 1907 by Rev. J. B. Lyle and he in turn by the present pastor, Rev. George B. Irwin, in 1908. The congregation has 112 members.

Central Presbyterian Church of Washington-The Rev. Dr. Donnell, the Rev. Reuben Burrow, and the Rev. Alfred Bryan, regularly ordained ministers of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, on the 29th of September, 1831, met in the court house at Washington and organ- ized the church by receiving into its communion Abel M. S. Gordon, William Fleming, Charles Andrew, J. Huper, Elizabeth Wiley, Mary Jordan, Ann Jordan, Martha and Amelia Mehaffey.

In 1832 Samuel McFarland, Alexander Ramsey, John Wilson and William Smith were elected trustees, and were authorized to procure a place of worship. In 1834 Samuel McFarland erected a church edifice on West Wheeling street from the proceeds of a number of volun- tary contributions and his own private funds, and in 1856 it appears that the church was still in his debt $970. The organization was not prosperous and grad- ually died away about the time of the Civil War.

The building was rented to the Christian Church in 1867 and purchased by them in 1873.

In April, 1896, a new organization was effected and worship was held in what is known as the "Iron Front," corner of West Beau and Main streets. Then the college chapel was used for about two years. In 1900 a new building was erected on the corner of West Beau and Franklin streets. This building, with the ground cost over $16,000. Just recently a pipe organ has been in- stalled and improvements made at a cost of $10,500. The first pastor after the reorganization was Rev. J. W. Mckay, who served from 1896 until 1898. Rev. J. G. Patton, the present pastor, was installed in 1899. The present membership is 340.

The name of the Washington Cumberland Presby- terian Church was changed to the Central Presbyterian Church in the summer of 1907, when all the Cumberland Churches in this part of the country united with the Presbyterians.

The First United Presbyterian Church of Washington was the result of the union in 1858 of the Associate Presbyterians, nicknamed "Seceders," and the Reformed Presbyterians, known as "Covenanters." The honor of beginning the work in Washington appears to belong to the Associate Reformed branch of the church. As early as 1813 services were held by this denomination. Between 1820 and 1829 Rev. John Graham pastor of

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the Cross Roards congregation, preached in Washington in connection with his other work. However, the at- tempt to start a permanent congregation appears not to have succeeded.

In 1815 the Associate Church began to hold services occasionally. The meetings were held from house to house for a time. But this movement resulted finally in the organization of a congregation which is now the First United Presbyterian Church. This movement ap- pears to have finally absorbed all that remained of the Associate Reformed Churchs' efforts to establish them- selves. The growth was slow at first and the preaching at irregular intervals. In 1834 Rev. David Carson be- came their first regular pastor, remaining only a short time, having been elected a professor in the Theological Seminary at Canonsburg. The second pastor was Rev. Thomas Beverage, from 1835 to 1849. He was followed by Rev. Thomas Hanna, who served from 1850 to 1862. During his pastorate the union of the Associate and the Reformed branches was consummated and the congrega- tion became the First United Presbyterian Church. Un- der his influence the first Sabbath school was organized in the first year of his ministry. The next pastor was Rev. J. J. Johnston, from 1863 to 1890. Dr. H. W. Temple came to the congregation from the Covenanter Church as the next pastor. He began his work in 1891 and closed in 1905 to accept a full professorship in Washington and Jefferson College. The present pastor, Rev. J. C. Hamilton, began his work in the spring of 1906. The membership of the congregation is 340.

The Second United Presbyterian Church was organized February 22, 1893, with 84 charter members. The first services were held in the chapel of Washington and Jefferson College. For over a year the young congre- gation was without a pastor and was ministered to by supplies. Rev. J. A. Alexander was called to the work and entered upon his pastorate June 24, 1894.

Preparations for building were made and lots pur- chased at the corner of College and Chestnut streets. The present edifice was dedicated June 12, 1896. The cost of the property now owned has been nearly $40,000. The first pastorate closed April 22, 1900. The second and present pastor, Rev. Pressly Thompson, began work March 10, 1901. The present membership of the con- gregation is 401.

The Third United Presbyterian Church of Washing- ton was organized October 6, 1894. Prior to the organi- zation, Christian work had been carried on in the com- munity for a number of years, first in the shape of a Union Sabbath School in which the workers were Christian people from a number of local churches; then a mission school under the care of the Second United Presbyterian Church of Washington. This latter school was organized

May 25, 1893. Under the efficient leadership of A. W. Pol- lock and James L. Henderson of the Second United Pres- byterian Church, as superintendent and assistant superin- tendent, and Miss Jane M. Clark, of the First United Presbyterian Church, the school flourished. The first regular preaching services were held during the summer of 1893, Mr. D. P. Smith, then a student in Allegheny Theological Seminary, being the missionary in charge.

In October, 1893, Mr. E. C. Little, the first pastor, then a third-year student in the Allegheny Theological Seminary, was employed as the missionary. His labors were blessed of God, and in the following September, almost a year after he entered the field, Chartiers Pres- bytery granted the request of the people by giving them permission to organize a church. This organization was effected Saturday evening, October 6, 1894, with forty- one charter members. On October 29, 1894, Rev. E. C. Little was called to become pastor. His work closed in the fall of 1906. The present pastor, Rev. E. C. Paxton, began May 1, 1907. The present membership is 380.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 94

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