Donated by Marta Burns, thank you Marta!
[Marta Burns]
Col James Ruple was born in Morris County, New Jersey, February 6, 1788.
His father was of German parentage, born in Philadelphia about the year
1740 and removed to New Jersey prior to the Revolution. In 1794 he
removed to Washington County, Penna, and located about two miles north of
Prosperity near the line of Morris and Finley townships. He died the
following year. Col James Ruple spent his early life upon the farm but
before he reached his majority came to the town of Washington, and
learned the carpenter and joiner trade with Samuel Hughes.
Shortly after the declaration of war in June, 1812, he volunteered his
services and was chosen first lientenant of Captain Sample's company, and
upon the formation of the regiment was made adjutant. The regiment was
ordered to Black Rock; he remained in the service until the troops were
discharged. In 1814 when Washington City was threatened, he again quit
his business, uniformed his apprentices and started with the company for
the seat of war. They were, however, ordered to return before they
reached the state line. Shortly after that time a volunteer regiment was
formed and he was chosen colonel. In 1817 he was elected coroner and
served three years. In 1828 he was appointed clerk of the courts of the
county by Governor Shultz, and in 1830 was reappointed by Governor Wolf
and served six years.
In January, 1839, he was again appointed to the same office by Governor
Porter, and in October of the same year was elected under the amended
Constitution for three years. His death occurred January 8, 1855.
Parker Campbell was admitted in 1794 to practice at the bar of Washington
county, Penna. He resided where C M Reed now lives. He erected the
building on the northeast corner of Main and Beau Streets where he had
his office.
Joseph Pentecost, son of Dorsey Pentecost, was admitted to the bar in
September, 1782. He married a daughter of Thomas Scott and lived in
Washington and Canonsburg. He came into possession of the Pentecost lands
in North STrabane township and built the large house now owned by John
Gamble. His residence in Washington was on Beau Street west of the public
ground. James Ashbrook, brother-in-law of Joseph Pentecost and son-in-law
of Dorsey Pentecost, was also an attorney, admitted to the bar in 1798.
The three last mentioned were prominent attorneys in Washington and are
more fully noticed in the history of the bar of the county.
Early Business Interests
The earliest reliable information on manufactures carried on in the town
of Washington, Penna, is contained in "The American Museum or Universal
Magazine" of March, 1792, in which the towns of Washington, Pittsburgh,
Bedford, and Huntington are compared as follows:
"The towns of Washington, Pittsburgh, Bedford and Huntington in
Pennsylvania, the nearest of which is 150 miles from a seaport, exhibit
the strongest proof that manufactures are the best support of the
interior landed interests, and are necessary at once to the accommodation
and prosperity of the cultivators of the middle and western country. The
following table contains an account of the population of these villages
which is not exaggerated." Only Washington and Pittsburgh are given:
Washington Pittsburgh
Clock and watchmakers 1 1
Silversmiths 1 1
Coopers 1 2
Skin dressers and breeches makers 1 1
Tanners and curriers 1 2
Tailors 2 -
Cabinet makers 2 4
Blacksmiths 2 5
Shoesmiths 2 5
Hatters 2 2
Dyers 1 -
Weavers 2 2
Reedmakers 1 -
Saddlemakers 1 3
Saddletree makers 1 -
Spinningwheel makers 1 -
Nailors 1 -
Maltsters and brewers 1 1
Potters 1 -
Tinners 1 2
Distillers 3 -
Wheelwrights - 3
Stocking weavers - 1
Gunsmiths 3 -
Ropemakers - 1
Whitesmiths 2 -
Total manufacturers 32 40
Total number of families 90 130
The number of merchants is not given, and it is a matter of conjecture
who they were.
History of Washington County, Pennsylvania: with biographical sketches
of many of its pioneers and prominent men / edited by Boyd Crumrine.
Illustrated. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts and Co., 1882. P489
Historic Pittsburgh
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