THOMAS ARMITAGE. England has given to this country a host of substantial, progressive and law-abiding citizens, and among the number is the gentleman whose name opens this biographical memoir. He was born May 8, 1844, to George and Mary Armitage, who died in England, his brothers and sisters being William (deceased), Joseph (in Yorkshire, England), Sarah (deceased) and Hannah (wife of P. C. Reniers, of Pittsburgh). In 1864 Thomas Armitage came to America, locating first in Pittsburgh, where he worked at the marble cutter's trade for ten years. In 1876 he came to Washington, this county, and opened out for himself a general marble, stone cutting and mantel business; and notwithstanding that he had to compete with old-established firms, he succeeded, by close attention to business and upright dealings with his patrons, in gaining a well-earned popularity, and a large patronage. His workmanship is of the best, and his works find conspicuous place in the most prominent yards in the country within a radius of twenty-five miles. His place of business is at 305 South Main street. Mr. Armitage married Miss Margaret Shaffer, of Pittsburgh, July 7, 1870. Her parents, John and Louisa Shaffer, are residents of Ohio. No children have been born to this union. Ever since coming to Washington Mr. Armitage has taken an active interest in the affairs of the borough, and his energy and enterprise have not been excelled by any of the older or wealthier men residents. He was among the first to assist in the development of the oil industry in and around Washington, and was interested in the pioneer well known as the "Gantz Well," situated near the Chartiers railroad depot, being one of the directors of same. His property on South Main street he bought and materially improved, and has done much toward beautifying that portion of the borough. He was one of the founders, and is at present one of the directors, of the Washington Glass Works. It may be said that no enterprise tending to the advancement of the city has been established or proposed without his prompt and willing assistance. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and he is a member of the borough council. Of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Washington, he and his wife have been members for sixteen years. He is now one of the school directors of the city.

Text taken from page 878 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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