Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 102

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1540

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 102

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Early in life Ebenezer Brownlee learned the trade of tanner at Good Intent, West Finley town- ship, which he followed, however, only a short time, as he returned to the home farm and re- mained with his parents during the rest of their lifetime. On November 25, 1847, he was united in marriage with Eliza Davidson, who was born March' 12, 1824, in West Finley township, a daughter of James Davidson, a native of the county, of Irish descent, born in 1782 near West Brownsville. To the union of Ebenezer and Eliza (Davidson) Brown- lee there came the following named children: Rob- ert D., born November 13, 1849, now in Otoe county, Neb., where he carries on stock dealing; George, born August 16, 1851, also in Otoe county, a farmer; James C., born February 4, 1854, a physician in Kansas City, Mo .; John, born Febru- ary 28, 1856, died May 24, 1890; Samuel, born October 27, 1858; and Jennie, born March 23,

1863, an intelligent and cultured young lady. After his marriage Mr. Brownlee lived five years in East Finley township, on Robinson's fork of Wheeling creek; then during the subsequent five years had his residence in West Finley township, on the Martin Armstrong place; thence moved to Donegal township, on the William McMurray farm which he had purchased, and which is situ- ated about half a mile south of West Alexander. Here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred December 14, 1888. He was very suc- cessful in all his undertakings, and accumulated considerable valuable property. He was a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church, and in pol- itics he was a stanch Republican, one of the influ- ential advisers of the party. He was a strong Ab- olitionist, a great friend to the negro. His widow departed this life July 14, 1892.

J F. McCLAY, one of the progressive and in- dustrious young farmers of Canton township, is a native of the same, born May 24, 1859. He is a grandson of Samuel McClay who em- igrated from Ireland to America at an early date, finally locating in Washington county, where his children were born.'

David McClay, father of subject, was born June 11, 1811, near the home farm in Canton township, this county, and there passed his youth, where long hours of toil, brightened with but little recre- ation, was the rule of life. His early education was much neglected, the only problem which he had leisure or opportunity to solve being how to maintain an existence. Thus, amid the wilds of the forest, educated in the rough but thorough school of nature, and surrounded by all the privations of pioneer life, was formed the character of the man who was destined to be a leader among his associ- ates. From the stern teacher, experience, he learned hard lessons, which in after life developed . into priceless habits of economy and industry that made his future a success. Notwithstanding the lack of school training Mr. McClay became an earnest reader, and with the aid of keen observa- tion soon overcame the deficiencies of his early youth. On January 31, 1840, he was united in marriage with Margaret McElror, whose family were among the earlier settlers of the county. After their marriage the young couple settled on the farm which is the present home of their son, J. F. It was then in a rude state of cultivation, but has since been improved until it is now one of the finest places in the township. Mr. and Mrs. McClay had children as follows: James (deceased in infancy); James M. (who enlisted in Company B, First West Virginia Cavalry, and died February 25, 1862, from disease contracted in the service); William A .; Nannie (deceased); Samuel; David (deceased),

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and J. F. Mr. McClay was a Republican and an active worker in the party, and was elected to the same office for three terms, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death. In 1855 he united with the Christian Church at West Middle- town, which was under the ministry of Isaac Ever- ett, but eventually he became a member of the Christian Church at Washington. He owned 400 acres of land at the time of his death, which oc- curred April 5, 1887.

J. F. McClay spent his early youth upon the farm, securing his education at the common schools. On November 6, 1879, he married Sarah E. Fer- gus, daughter of John Fergus, of Washington county, and they reared the following family: Charles G., Nannie B., John F. and Thomas M. Since his marriage Mr. McClay has continued to remain on the home farm, which he now owns. He is a promising young man, and is always inter- ested in any enterprise tending to the advancement of the community. He is a valued member of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church at Washington.

AMES KELLY (deceased) was a son of William Kelly, who was born in Ireland and received a good common-school education. William Kelly was married to Martha Mc- Courtney, who bore him the following chil- dren: Mary (Mrs. Richard Mounts), Jane (wife of John Mounts), Sarah (Mrs. Robert Marshall), Elizabeth (Mrs. William Montgomery), John and James (all of whom are now deceased). After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kelly immigrated to America, locating in Shippensburgh, Penn., where he died November 1, 1779, and was followed to the grave by his wife January 2, 1827. The sons, John and James, then moved to Washington county, Penn., where they invested extensively in farm land.

James Kelly was born March 1, 1779, in Ship- pensburgh, Penn., and passed his boyhood on his father's farm. He received a good education, and after removing to Washington county was elected to several offices of trust, the duties of which he filled to the satisfaction of all. He was an enthu- siastic and prominent member of the Democratic party. He married Catherine, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Duncan) Rogers, and their children were Martha, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, Sarah A., Ellen, William, Jackson and James .- Of the above family the living members are Jackson (liv- ing in Pittsburgh, Penn. ), Catherine and Sarah A. (wife of John W. Exline, living on the old home farm on the National pike in Buffalo township), Ellen (wife of James C. Stewart, of Buffalo town- ship) and Martha (who died May 18, 1891, at the age of seventy years).

H ENRY H. LAMB is a prominent and suc- cessful merchant of West Alexander. His. ancestors were natives of Virginia, his grandfather, John Lamb, having passed his entire life in that State, where he was married. John Lamb had one son, John (the father of our subject). He was a leading Dem- ocrat in politics, and in religious faith a prom- inent member of the Dunkard Church.

John Lamb, only child of John Lamb, was born in Virginia, and was married in his native State to Mary (daughter of John Sponoggle) who bore him children as follows: William (killed at the battle of Gettysburg), Nathaniel, David, Ambrose (deceased), John D., Margaret (Mrs. Noel Whitecotton) and Henry H. Mr. Lamb en- listed in the First Regiment of the Southern army, and served under the gallant General Lee through- out the entire war. Politically he has always been a Democrat, and has taken an active interest in politics.

Henry H. Lamb was born on August 12, 1864, in Virginia, and passed his youth in Virginia and West Virginia. On October 11, 1882, he was united in marriage with Mary B., an adopted daughter of Benjamin Leonard Craven, whose father (John Craven) was born in Washington county, Penn., of German parents. He was married to Sarah Leonard, a resident of the same county, and to them were born the following chil- dren: Joshua, Regin, Jacob, Benjamin, John, William, Phoebe, Sarah, Mary and Nancy.

Benjamin Leonard Craven was born in Decem- ber, 1811, near Beallsville, Penn., and received his early education in the schools of that neighbor- hood. At the age of eighteen years he commenced life for himself by driving stage from Cumberland to Wheeling, and followed this occupation for years, when he opened a general store in Taylors- town, this county, and some years later moved to Claysville. In 1840 he came to West Alexander, where he continued in business thirty years, retiring in 1870. He was first married to Jemima Mitchell, who bore him one son, David, who died in youth. For his second wife he was married to Jane McConahey, of Buffalo township. He was a successful business man, and dealt largely in wool and general produce, obtaining a competence by his own exertions. In politics he was an active Democrat, and served as postmaster several years. He was a member and liberal sup- porter of the Presbyterian Church, in which he filled the office of trustee many years. On Sep- tember 25, 1883, he passed away, and was buried in the cemetery at West Alexander. He was a warm friend of education, taking an active part in the progress of the schools.

To the union of Henry H. and Mary B. (Craven) Lamb have been born three children: Benjamin

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Leonard, Henry Roy and Lawrence C. Mr. Lamb has been engaged in farming and stock raising. In April, 1891, he entered mercantile business, and is now conducting a general store. Politically he is a Republican.

R OBERT W. MUNNELL was born May 10, 1828, in South Strabane township, Wash- ington Co., Penn. He is of Irish descent, his grandfather, John Munnell, having been born and reared in Ireland, where he was married to a Miss Wallace, who bore him the following named children: Hugh, John, Thomas, Elizabeth (Mrs. Scott), Mrs. Hand and Samuel. Mr. Munnell came to Washington county among the earliest settlers, and located in South Strabane township. In political life he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Samuel Munnell was born in 1795 in South Stra- bane township, Washington county, and passed his early life on the home farm. He was married to Nancy McQuiston, of Butler county, Penn., and they immediately settled on the farm place, where their lives were passed. Their children were Isa- bella, John (deceased), Robert W., Sarah J., Samuel, Thomas (deceased), Catherine E. (Mrs. John Herron), William (deceased), James, Mary E. (Mrs. Adam Hall) and Charles (deceased). Mr. Munnell always followed the vocations of agri- culture and stock raising. In politics he was a Democrat, taking an active interest in public mat -. ters. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Samuel Munnell passed away December 3, 1881, and was followed to the grave by his widow March 26, 1891.

Robert W. Munnell passed his early life on the farm in South Strabane township, and gained his first educational knowledge in an abandoned "still-house," which was on the home place, and had been converted into a "hall of learning " for the benefit of the ambitious urchins. On Novem- ber 9, 1860, he was married to Margaret A., daughter of Joseph Herron, and the young people first settled on a farm in South Strabane township, ` where they remained until 1873, when Mr. Mun- nell moved to his present home. Three children have been born to them: Samuel W., Thomas H. and John H. Of these, Samuel W. was, on May 28, 1891, married to Adda, daughter of John J. Gilbert, of New Stark, Hancock Co., Ohio, who died June 19, 1892. Mr. Munnell is an energetic citizen, and in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of the Chartiers Presbyterian Church, and is now serving as an elder.

John Munnell (deceased brother of Robert W.) passed his boyhood on the home farm, and on March 26, 1851, was married to Susan J. Blackly,

of Gettysburg, Penn., who bore him children as follows: Nancy J., Mary E. (wife of Samnel Hun- nell), Anna B., James W., Charles E. (deceased), Robert and John W. On December 3, 1869, Mr. Munnell married for his second wife Mary S., daughter of Robert McFerren, of Beaver county, Penn. Mr. Munnell was a merchant in Waynes- burgh, Greene county. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat until the Civil war, and then became an ardent advocate of the Republican principles. He died January 12, 1889, a member of the Presbyterian Church at Waynesburgh, Greene county.

H ENRY MCDONOUGH, a prominent agri- culturist of Somerset township, this county, is a native of the same. His grandfather, Henry McDonough, was a native of Ireland, and came to Pennsylvania in an early day. He followed the blacksmith's trade in connection with farming and distilling, carrying on an ex- tensive distillery, although a strict member of the Baptist Church, of which he was an elder for sev- eral years. Politically he was a Republican. He died in 1869, in Washington county, Penn. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Robert Ma- han, came across the mountains in the seventeenth century, and settled in Washington county, Penn., where he helped to erect a log church where the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian church is now stand- ing. The family afterward moved to Ohio. He was an active worker in the Democratic party, serving as a representative of Washington county in the State Legislature. He and his wife died in Medina county, Ohio, the former having passed away in his ninetieth year.

Henry McDonough was born in 1797, and reared on a farm near Vanceville, Washington Co., Penn., receiving a common-school education. He was united in marriage with Margaret Mahan, who bore him children as follows: Henry (whose name opens. this sketch), Robert and David (in Marshall county, Ill.), Joseph (farming in Monroe county, Ill.), Elizabeth (wife of Samuel Hill, a farmer of Benton county, Iowa), Mary, John and James, the latter three of whom are deceased. Mr. McDonough voted the Republican ticket, and served Somerset township as justice of the peace for several years. He died in 1871, having been preceded to the grave in 1867 by his wife. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Henry McDonough was born January 5, 1831, and grew to manhood on the home farm, attend- ing the district schools during his boyhood. On November 6, 1851, he was united in marriage with Mary Smith, who was born in 1829, in Washington county, Penn., daughter of John and Jane (Mor- ton) Smith. To the union of Henry and Mary (Smith) McDonough four children were born, viz .:

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John S., born October 30, 1852 (deceased October 2, 1885); Jane (married on December 13, 1889, to Theodore Burgan, a farmer of Somerset township, this county), born in December, 1858; and two that died in infancy. The mother was a member of the Disciple Church. She died August 4, 1864, and on November 8, 1866, Mr. McDonough made choice of a second wife in the person of Elmira Morton, who was born June 27, 1839, in Washing- ton county, Penn., daughter of James and Elmira (Springer) Morton. To this union three children have been born as follows: Elizabeth (married to James Sprowls, a farmer of Fallowfield township, this county), born November 28, 1867; James H. (deceased), born June 2, 1874; and Ida (living at home), born August 7, 1876. Mr. McDonough is a Republican, and has served his township as audi- tor, assessor and school director. He owns a good and well-cultivated farm, consisting of 160 acres. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church.

SAAC VAN VOORHIS, one of the most prom- inent agriculturists and stockmen of Wash- ington county, is a son of Daniel Van Voorhis, whose father was also named Daniel. The grandfather was born and reared in Holland, choosing from early boyhood "a life on the ocean wave." He was a sailor for twenty-four years, being captain of an Atlantic vessel during the lat- ter part of that time. Finally tiring of the sea, he located in Long Island, N. Y., purposing to there make a permanent home; but his roving disposition led him farther west, and he finally located in Washington county, Penn., on the tract of land in Carroll township where Monongahela now stands, and here passed the best of his life.

Daniel Van Voorhis, father of subject, was born and reared on the farm in Carroll township, this county. Here he erected a gristmill, still-house and sawmill, and employed a large number of hands. After the death of his father he took charge of the business, which had rapidly in- creased, virtually being the foundation of Monga- hela City. In early life Daniel Van Voorhis was married to Mary, daughter of Henry Fry, who had married Miss Spears, a sister of the well-known divine, Henry Spears. To Daniel and Mary (Fry) Van Voorhis the following children were born: Newton (deceased); L. G., a resident of Morgan- town, Penn .; Abraham (deceased); John (living in Kansas); Isaac (of whom further mention is made); Daniel (deceased); Jerome (living in Iowa); Har- vey (residing in Spearville, Kans.); Sarah (Mrs. Cooper, living in Nottingham township, this county); Christina (Mrs. Fry, living in Finleyville, Penn.), and Mary (married to Frank Bentley, of Monongahela, Penn.). The mother died at the patriarchal age of ninety-five years, and when

the father passed away he left 1,000 acres of land, which in his active years he had cleared, cultivated and planted to corn.

Isaac Van Voorhis was born March 27, 1823, in Carroll township, this county, near the head- waters of Pigeon creek. He attended the common school until about sixteen years of age, when he was given entire charge of the stock on his father's immense farm. Before assuming the duties of this position, he started on a trip to Kentucky, intending to purchase cattle, but finding nothing to suit him in the "Blue-Grass region " he jour- neyed northwest to Ohio, and there purchased 150 head of stock. On his return home, when about half way, the boy was met by his father and brother Jerome, who took charge of the herd, givingour young " cow boy " instructions to " face about " and purchase another lot. Accordingly he made a second successful trip, to the satisfaction and delight of the family, who had been half doubtful of the result of the experiment. The youthful drover afterward made frequent western trips, soon accumulating a snug sum of money. He was the first to drive cattle to the East, seventy- five miles below St. Louis. He would start on horseback from the "Big Muddy," swimming the rivers, and on one occasion, on crossing the Muskingum, which was full of floating ice, his cattle sank in a quick sand, and he himself had a narrow escape from drowning. In 1846 he left the paternal roof, and began business for himself by investing in land in Somerset township, this county. About this time he received $3,000 as his portion of his father's estate, and then began a career almost unparalleled for unfailing business successes. His life has been devoted to rearing, fattening and dealing in stock. In boyhood he earned the first horse he ever owned by splitting rails for 50 cents a hundred. It is needless to add that since the proud day when he received the deserved reward for blistered hands and aching limbs, Isaac Van Voorhis has never been without a good horse. He has reared and broken many of high breed and speed, that have since made good record, one of the most valuable being "Gray Hawk," which he sold for $3,000 to his brother Harvey, a resident of Kansas. His real estate now consists of 800 acres of very valuable land, upon which is erected one of the finest houses in Washington county. It is a matter of special in- terest that this home is situated on the highest point between the Alleghany Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Van Voorhis also owns a large farm near Chicago, Ill., which he stocks with western cattle. The path to success is never easy, although it may seem so to the admiring or envious on-looker; and, in the case of Mr. Van- Voorhis, many hardships were endured which space forbids us to here enumerate, and many obstacles.

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overcome, ere he reached the pinnacle which he now occupies. He has visited nearly every State in the Union, and in his travels has swam every river between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi river.

On August 26, 1846, our subject was married to Elmira, daughter of Thomas Hopkins, whose ancestors were an old and prominent family of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Van Voorhis have been blessed with the following children: Samuel (de- ceased); Thomas and Frank (twins), Frank (de- ceased); Thomas (living); Van Emer (living at home); Selina (wife of Henry Huffman, a resident of West Bethlehem township); Lizzie (Mrs. Groot- man, living in Pittsburgh, Penn., where her hus- band is engaged in the oil and soap business); and Charlie (yet living at home).

In addition to what has been previously stated in regard to the reputation of Mr. Van Voorhis as a stockman, he also enjoys the enviable distinc- tion of having taken a greater number of prizes for stock at the county fair than any other farmer of Washington county. He breeds Hambletonian horses, Short-horn cattle and Poland China pigs. Politically he votes the Republican ticket, but is averse to holding office, although he was induced to serve as school director for twelve years. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Among the celebrated men who have visited at his home were Gen. Grant and James G. Blaine,

OHN C. McKEAN is a son of Robert Mckean, whose father, William McKean, was born and reared in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. William McKean received his early education in the country schools of his native land, and was there married to Mary, daughter of William Brown, whose family had been natives of Kirkcud- brightshire for over two hundred years. Mr. and and Mrs. McKean passed their lives on the home farm in Scotland, where the following children were born to them and reared: John, a sea captain, was lost in a wreck in 1837; Mary, wife of Alex- ander Magill; William, a farmer of Mansfield, Penn. ; James, a merchant tailor, of Canada Cor- ners, Mich .; Joseph, living on the old home place in Scotland; Elizabeth, deceased in youth; Andrew, living in Scotland; Robert and Samuel, residing in Fayette county, Penn. The father was a mem- ber of the Established Church of Scotland.

Robert Mckean was born March 7, 1827, on the home place in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, and in boyhood attended the schools of his native par- ish, also assisted in the duties of the farm. On January 1, 1849, he married Janet Caird, who was born at New Abbey, Scotland, a daughter of James

Caird, a merchant and native of the same place, and a member of the Established Church. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Caird were as follows: Janet, wife of Robert McKean; John; Barbara, wife of Andrew Irving; Agnes, married to a Mr. Thompson; James; William; Mary, and two whose names are unknown. Mr. and Mrs. McKean resided on a farm near New Abbey for about one year after their marriage, and then sailed for America. After a voyage of thirty days they landed, in July, 1850, in New York; thence proceeded to Newburgh, where they spent a few months, from there going to Phil- adelphia, and then by rail to Johnstown, thence by canal to Pittsburgh, finally arriving in Allegheny City. In 1851 they moved to a place about six miles out, on the Steubenville pike, on Chartiers creek, where he followed gardening about six years, also working part of the time for 25 cents a day. He then passed one year in Mansfield, Penn., and was afterward engaged for six years in farming and gardening on a place near that town. In 1865 he purchased and moved upon 220 acres at Lock No. 4 (now Charleroi) Washington Co., Penn., having paid for this land with the proceeds of years of arduous labor. Politically he is actively identified with the interests of the Republican party, and in religion he and his family are mem- bers of the U. P. Church. He gives liberally of his means to all worthy enterprises. His children have been as follows: James, postmaster at Pitts- burgh; William, deceased in youth; John C .; Will- iam; Andrew; Agnes; Robert, and Mary E., wife of Charles Thompson.

John C. McKean was born October 18, 1854, and reared near Mansfield, Penn., and worked on the home place during boyhood. He then followed farming and gardening for some years, afterward purchasing a half interest in a packet running from Lock No. 4 to Brownsville. He conducted that business about nine months, then resumed the occupation of a gardener and fruit raiser, shipping his products to Pittsburgh, and successfully con- tinued in the work about nine years. On March 4, 1877, he was united in marriage with Lusettie B., daughter of W. P. Spakeman, a resident of Pittsburgh, Penn., and she has borne him the fol- lowing children: Lillie B., Alice K., Nettie G., Charles S., Mary E. (deceased), and James S. Mr. Mckean superintended the excavating and cementing of the Glass Works plant, his work proving eminently satisfactory. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and in 1891 he was appointed postmaster at Charleroi, receiving his commission in 1892. In religion he is a member of the Pres- byterian Church. He owns about twenty acres of the original plat of Charleroi. Mr. McKean is a very popular and useful citizen, actively inter- ested in all public improvements.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

OHN REED is one of the oldest citizens of West Alexander, and was born August 24, 1815, in East Finley township, this county, a son of James Reed, whose father, William Reed, was reared in Pennsylvania. When a young man William Reed was married to Margaret Linn, who lived near Gettysburg, and their chil- dren were John, William, David, Andrew, Samuel, Ann, Margaret, Jane, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and James. Mr. Reed came to Washington county in the latter part of the eighteenth century, locating near the village of Buffalo, on a farm which he and his sons improved and cultivated. He was a member of the Whig party, and in religion was connected with the Presbyterian Church.

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Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 102

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1540

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1540