Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 104

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 104

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

AMES T. HEMPHILL. Among the pros- perous and energetic citizens of West Mid- dletown, Penn., this gentleman occupies a position of deserved prominence. His an- cestors were natives of Old Erin, but left their island home in an early day to seek a home in the "land of the free and the home of the brave." The earliest pioneer of this well-known family was one John Hemphill, who was born in County Down, Ireland, and married Mary Brooks, a native of the same county. The following children were born to this union: Thomas, Nancy (Mrs. Jesse Merrill), Mary (wife of William McGuffie), John, Margaret, Elizabeth, David and Jane. In 1791 the family immigrated to America, first settling in Winchester, Va., and some years later moved to West Finley township, Washington county, Penn. A short time afterward they settled permanently near West Alexander, Donegal township, this county, with the exception of a few years passed in West Virginia. In politics Mr. Hemphill was a

642

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Democrat, and in religious faith a member of the Associate Reformed Church.

Thomas Hemphill was born in 1789, in County Down, Ireland, his parents bringing him to America when but two years of age. His youth was passed in Winchester, Va., and Washington county, Penn., where his education was received. In early man- hood he was married to Delilah, daughter of James Tearney, of Fayette county, Penn., and the young people first settled in Fayette county, Penn., thence moving to Steubenville, Ohio, where they remained several years, and finally re- turning to Washington county, Penn. Mr. Hemphill followed the cooper's trade, which he learned in youth. . His children were as follows: Mary (wife of John Johnson), Sarah (Mrs. John Sharp), David (deceased), John, J. T., Mar- garet (Mrs. Thomas Patterson), Nancy (wife of Robert C. Stewart) and Elizabeth (married to Hol- liday Sharp). The father never became a natural- ized citizen, but took an active interest in the Democratic party, and in religion was a member of the Disciple Church. He died in 1851, being followed in 1875 by his wife. Both are buried in the Grove cemetery, of West Middletown, Penn.

James T. Hemphill was born February 11, 1819, in Donegal township, this county, and passed his youth on the home farm, receiving a subscription- school education. On November 12, 1850, he was united in marriage with Saria, daughter of James Murdock, and she has borne him the following children: Anna (wife of Samuel C. Maxwell), Martha V., Joseph T., Milton M., Jennie (wife of Rev. John B. Jamison), Lucy, J. E. B. and Nel- lie (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill resided in Hopewell township for four years after their mar- riage; he then conducted a milling business in Independence township, this county, for six years, and afterward moved to the home farm of the Murdock family. He then resided six years in Donegal township, and returning to Independence township purchased the old Johnstown farm. From there he removed to Washington borough, finally settling at his present home in West Mid- dletown, Hopewell township. Politically Mr. Hemphill has been an active member of the Whig party, and is now a Republican. In 1885 he was elected county sheriff, giving satisfaction to all his constituents. He and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Mount Hope, this county.

OHN S. CARLILE is a grandson of Robert and Mollie Carlile, natives of New Jersey. Mrs. Mollie Carlile was the famous Mollie Stark, of Revolutionary fame, and a daugh- ter of the gallant Gen. John Stark. She died in 1858, in her ninety-sixth year, loved and honored

by every true American, leaving four children to perpetuate her memory. Mr. Carlile owned iron furnaces and about 600 acres of land in New Jersey, and was a prosperous business man.

John Carlile, father of subject, was born in 1787, in New Jersey, and moving to Pennsylvania in 1820, located near Lone Pine, Amwell township, Wash- ington county. He was engaged in tanning several years, then began to farm, in which he continued the remainder of his life. On May 2, 1822, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Curry, who bore him six children, viz .: Mary (Mrs. Camp), Mar- garet (Mrs. Onstott), Sarah Jane (Mrs. Prall), Will- iam, Eliza (Mrs. Keeney) and John S. Mr. Car- lile was first a Whig, and afterward united with the Republican party on its formation. He died in 1861, in his seventy-fifth year, followed by Mrs. Carlile in 1864.

John S. Carlile was born November 3, 1838, on the old Hatfield farm in Amwell township, and re- mained at home until 1864, in which year his mother died. He was educated at the common schools, and at Pleasant Valley Academy. When yet a boy he learned the carpenter's trade, serving a regular apprenticeship of three years with a Mr. Keeney, and has ever since followed that business, being constantly engaged in contracting and build- ing. On March 8, 1866, our subject was married to Rebecca Ann Potts, of Beaver county, Penn., and the children born to them were: G. Lawrence, Elfonsine, William, O. Curtis, Harry (deceased) and Alvin (deceased). Mr. Carlile has always been one of the most earnest and influential Republicans in his township. He was enumerator of the First Precinct of Amwell township for the eleventh cen- sus, and, with the exception of three years, has been a member of the election board for twenty years.

M ATTHEW McCONAUGHY, a well-known citizen of McDonald, Washington county, is a grandson of David McConaughy, who was born and reared in County Antrim, Ireland, and there married to

a Miss Glissen. They came to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and made their first settlement in Chester county, Penn. In 1804 they moved by wagons across the mountains to Washington county, settling on a wild farm of 180 acres, part of the George Wash- ington tract. Mr. McConaughy was a mason by trade, and in 1812 built a stone house on the place, afterward following his vocation in this this county. He and his wife reared the following children: John, David, Elizabeth and Alexander. In politics the father was a Whig, and in religion a member of the first Seceder Church organized in Hickory, this county.

Alexander McConaughy, father of subject, was.

Alexander M'conaughey

645

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

born in 1799 in Chester county, Penn., and passed his early life in Chester and Washington counties, receiving a liberal subscription-school education. On April 19, 1832, he married Martha, daughter of Matthew Murdock, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and was there married to Mary McElravy; they resided in Mercer county, Penn., for several years after their marriage, and then came to Washington county, where children were born to them as follows: Sarah, Robert, Ann, Elizabeth, David, Martha, Rebecca, Jane, Nancy and Mary. Politically Mr. McElravy was a Whig, in religion a member of the Associate Reformed Church.

Alexander and Martha McConaughy made a permanent settlement on the home place in Wash- ington county. Their children were David, Mat- thew, Mary A., Elizabeth, John, Alexander and Sarah J., three of whom are yet living-Matthew, Elizabeth (Mrs. Robert T. Mckibben) and Sarah J. Mr. McConaughy was a farmer and stock raiser, and in politics was formerly a Whig, then a Republican. He was first a member of the Seceder Church and then of the United Presby- terian Church. He died in 1870.

Matthew McConaughy (the subject proper of this sketch) was born May 21, 1834. He is a representative citizen and an earnest supporter of church work. Politically he is a Republican, and in church connection is a member and trustee of the United Presbyterian Church of McDonald.

HOMAS H. LYON, a well-known citizen of North Strabane township, and one of her many prosperous agriculturists, was born September 4, 1819, in Greene county, Penn., a son of William and Elizabeth (Hathaway) Lyon, the latter of whom was a resident of Greene county. Benjamin Lyon, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a native of New Jersey, in which State the family had resided many years. He married Miss Wilcox, a lady of English de- scent, and seven children came to bless their union, viz. : Noah, Elizabeth, Peter, Joanna, Sarah, Will- iam and Matthias. Benjamin Lyon and his wife came to Washington county, and were among the earliest settlers, making their first home in Notting- ham township, owing to the hostile incursions of the Indians. Here, surrounded by such dangers, and experiencing the many hardships incident to pio- neer life, did the family clear up their primitive home, the father, in addition to clearing the land and farming, following his trade of carpenter and builder. Many of the dwellings and barns in his vicinity were of his building, and some of them are still standing. After his family had grown up Mr. Lyon moved to Greene county, where he erected a fulling-mill, which he conducted for some

years, and here he and his wife died and were buried. They were members of the Baptist Church, of which he was one of the organizers in his sec- tion, and in which he held various offices. A Democrat " to the back-bone," he was a recognized leader in the party. During the Revolutionary war he served several years under Washington, and experienced many hardships.

William Lyon, father of subject, was born in Nottingham township, Washington Co., Penn., his education, which was somewhat meager, being received at the subscription schools of the locality of his birth. He was married to Elizabeth Hath- away, and the children born to them were as fol- lows: Morgan, Thomas H., Harrison, Jackson and Louisa (wife of David Horner), Perren, William S. After some years' residence in Greene county, Will- iam Lyon moved to Washington county, where he owned Lindley's Mill and 160 acres of land. He was the chief instrument in having Lindley's Mills postoffice established. He moved to Indiana, where he remained two years, and then, on account of sickness, returned to Pennsylvania, where he and his wife passed their last days, dying at the residence of our subject, who with true filial devo- tion cared for them, and comforted them in their declining years. Mr. Lyon died in 1844, aged forty-nine years, his wife at the age of sixty-two years. They were members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Lyon was an old-school Democrat.

Thomas H. Lyon was reared and educated in Greene county, Penn., until twelve years old, when he learned the trade of a carpenter, which he com- menced to work at regularly at the age of eighteen years, following the same until middle life, when he laid away the chisel and the plane for the plow and the harrow. He was a most industrious man, many times working half the night and all day, even occasionaly, when things were pressing, spend- ing an entire night at his bench. He is well known in his section as a man of the strictest integrity, and unquestionable veracity. He has always been a firm Democrat, and has rendered efficient service to his party without being an office-seeker, but was township election judge and township clerk twenty years. In 1862 he was appointed postmaster at Beck's Mills, which office he held over thirty years, and which he resigned in 1891. He is an attend- ant of the Presbyterian Church, and has been a trustee of the same several years. He is a strict Prohibitionist, believing intemperance the greatest of curses. On March 7, 1844, Mr. Lyon was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of John McMillan, of North Strabane township, and their children were as follows: William, an extensive lumber dealer at Burlington, Iowa, and John, who died in childhood. Mrs. Lyon died September 24, 1850, and on February 26, 1852, Mr. Lyon married Lydia, daughter of John Cheeseman, one of the farmers of

646

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Peters township, and the children born to them were: George, Frank, Mary B., Lizzie and Warren. After the death of his second wife, April 5, 1868, our subject married, on February 28, 1871, Martha, daughter of Joseph Horner, of North Strabane township. She died November 25, 1872, and Mr. Lyon on May 24, 1877, married Margaret, daughter of Colbert Manes. Of the last two marriages no children were born. Mr. Lyon ranks among the leading citizens of his county.

A LEXANDER G. PATTERSON, than whom there is no more prominent, better-known or more highly-respected citizen in West Finley township, is a native of this county, born in Donegal township in 1819. His father, William Patterson, a native of Ireland, came to America when twenty-one years of age, and settled on the farm whereon our subject now resides. He married Miss Nancy Gordon, a native of Washington county, daughter of Alexander Gordon, whose birthplace was in the land of Scott and Burns. To this union eight children were born, as follows: Grace, wife of James Moss; Eleanor, who died unmarried at the age of sixty; Alexander G .; Jane, wife of Braddock Dinsmore, at present residing in Missouri; Samuel, unmarried (since the death of his sister Nancy he travels the greater part of his time); Catherine, deceased in her girlhood; Nancy, deceased at the age of fifty- six, unmarried, and William, died when twelve years old.

Alexander G. Patterson received his education at the subscription schools of the locality of his birth, and received on his father's farm a thorough " practical training in the art of agriculture. When Alexander was twelve years of age his father died, leaving a large family of children to be cared for by their widowed mother, and much of the work fell upon our subject, whose willing hands did not a little toward the support of his mother and little brothers and sisters. The habits of economy and industry thus early acquired soon became a second nature to him, and were regarded as characteristic of him by his many friends of later life, by whom he was held in high esteem.

Mr. Patterson was married in 1854 to Nancy J. Nickson, who was born in Washington, Penn., in 1828, a daughter of William and Mary (Linga- felter) Nickson, of Washington county, Penn., and two children have been born to their union, viz. : William, born in 1859, married Stella Armstrong, and they have one child named Wray Grayson; and Catherine, who married Milton Armstrong, and had five children: Maude Ethel, born in 1881; Grace Gordon, born in 1883; Frank Patterson, born in 1886 (who died at the age of five years); Mary Irene, born in 1888; and Blanche Lenore, born in 1891.

Mr. Patterson has lived upon the same place for seventy-four years, and has had a most successful career, having, from almost nothing at the start, accumulated, by industry and judicious economy, a considerable amount of valuable property, which is still left him, after giving both his children a handsome " send off" in life. In his political preferences Mr. Patterson is a Republican, but is not an active party man. In religious faith the Pattersons are Presbyterians.

HOMAS WARRELL BROCKMAN, an en- terprising young business man of Morris township, was born January 19, 1863, a son of N. B. Brockman. N. B. Brockman was born of Scotch parents in Claysville, Wash- ington county, and married Elizabeth Warrell, a daughter of Thomas Warrell, of whom subsequent mention is made. Thomas Warrell Brockman, when a small boy, was taken in charge by his grandfather Warrell, with whom he made his home until he had attained his majority. Shortly after this he married Lizzie McMillan, a daughter of John McMillan, of Morris township. For five years after his marriage Mr. Brockman managed the Warrel farm, one-half mile west of Prosperity, which he now owns, and on which he resides. In 1889 he opened a furniture and undertaking busi- ness in Prosperity, the undertaking department of which he still conducts on quite an extensive scale, though the furniture department was dropped in 1891. Mr. Brockman is also dealing in real es- tate in Pittsburgh, Penn. He is one of those genial gentlemen who always look on the bright side of life, and his friends are numerous. In pol- itics he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, though he is not a partisan.

Mr. and Mrs. Brockman are among those who believe in enjoying life, and devote considerable time to travel. During the oppressive summer months of each year they spend the time at some watering place, having in the summer of 1891 made an extensive trip up the great lakes. They are the parents of three children: Sarah, born in May, 1887; Margaret, born in October, 1889, and Mabel, born in February, 1892.

Mrs. Priscilla Warrell, widow of Thomas War- rell (mentioned above), is the daughter of Luther Day, who was born in 1792, in New Jersey, and came to Washington county with his mother, Bethany Day, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, locating in Morris township. He married Mary Van Kirk, a daughter of William Van Kirk, of Washington county, and to their union eight children were born: William V. (deceased); Dan- iel, a resident of Morris township; Arvida, also a resident of Morris township; Thomas W., who died when young; Priscilla; Lavina (deceased);

647

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Maria and Artemus. Luther Day died in 1880, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1849.

Priscilla Day was married in 1842 to B. F. Mc- Vay, to which union four children were born: Demas Lindley, of Morris township; Elmas D. (deceased); Samuel Bayard, of Morris township, and Wallace (deceased). Mr. McVay died in 1853 and in 1869 Mrs. Mc Vay married Thomas Warrell, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to Washington county in 1824, locating on the farm now owned by his widow, where he died July 23, 1889. Mrs. Warrell is an amiable Christian lady, revered by all who know her.

0 NIAS MONINGER, one of the prominent citizens of Amwell township, was born August 24, 1837, on the old home farm in Amwell township, and, with the exception of two years, has always lived on the place of his birth. He is of German ancestry, his grandfather, John Moninger, having emigrated with his family from Germany to Hagerstown, Md., in 1801, and thence journeying to Washington county, located on the farm which is now occupied by Onias Mon- inger. He was a farmer and carpenter, and fol- lowed both vocations very successfully all his life, having a good farm of 130 acres. In politics he was a Whig, and among the first to organize and promote the cause of that party in Washington county. His children were Henry M., George, John, Jacob, Mrs. Mary Harshaman, Mrs. Cath- erine Harshaman and Mrs. Elizabeth Moore.

John Moninger was born March 27, 1791, in Germany, and when nine years of age immigrated with his parents to America. His youth was passed in attending the rate schools, and assisting in farm duties. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. On September 28, 1814, he was united in marriage with Catherine Dague, and to them were born eight children: John Michael (deceased), Mrs. A. S. Frazee, George W., Mary Garber (deceased), Mrs. Catherine Riggle, Mrs. D. L. Reynolds, Demas M. and Onias. Mr. Moninger passed his life in agri- cultural duties, and owned a farm of 186 acres. He was very successful, and managed a considerable amount of business in settling estates. Politically he was a Republican, and in religion was a mem- ber of the Disciple Church. He died in 1872, in his eighty-second year, and his faithful wife sur- vived him but four years.

Onias Moninger received his earlier education at the common schools, and afterward attended Pleasant Valley Academy five terms. He began teaching school at the age of twenty-one, and taught four winters in District No. 2, Amwell township. On June 24, 1865, he was united in marriage with Emily A. Leyde, of Ohio, and their

union has been blessed with five children: Mary Florence, Netta C., John Wildon, Henry Herbert and Olive Leyde. Mr. Moninger is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and is al- ways interested in local matters. He has served as assessor and clerk, and is now assistant assessor; all being positions requiring a man of good judg- ment and energy to acceptably fill, which Mr. Moninger has done. In 1890 a well was drilled on the farm, which proved to be a light gasser (about 300 pounds pressure), which he now has full control of, as he purchased the entire well, and is using it all through the house for both heat and light.

M ATHIAS MOUNTS, a prominent and pros- perous agriculturist of Franklin township, was born in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., February 15, 1821.

His grandfather, John Mounts, had the following named family of children: Richard, John, Mathias, Enoch and William. The family came from Maryland to Pennsylvania about 1785, settling in the town of Washington, this county, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

William Mounts, father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Penn., in 1777; was educat- ed in the subscription schools of those early days, and was brought up to farm life. He was married in 1808 to Elizabeth, daughter of James McMon- nis, of the same county, and the young couple then settled on the farm now occupied by their son Mathias. The children born to their union were Anna (Mrs. William Uhler), John, James, Enoch, Mathias, Jane (Mrs. Thomas White), William, Elizabeth (Mrs. Elisha Van Kirk), Richard and Maria (Mrs. William Ravencroft). The father of this family died August 2, 1872, the mother March 17, 1860, and they lie buried in Washington cem- etery. They were members of the Presbyterian Church at Amity, and in politics Mr. Mounts was first a Jacksonian Democrat, then a Whig, and lastly a Republican; he served as supervisor for twenty years.

Mathias Mounts was reared from boyhood to farm life, and received a fair education at the com- mon schools. On March 18, 1852, he was married to Asenath, daughter of Joseph Baker, and the children born to them were: Mary E., Eunice J. (deceased), Sophia, Joseph, Anna, Hollace G. and Martha. The family are members of Liberty Chapel, M. E. Church, at Washington, in which Mr. Mounts has been trustee and steward, serving in the latter position for twenty-five years. Polit- ically he was originally a Whig, and since the formation of the party he has been a pronounced Republican.

648

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

T HOMAS F. ALLEN is a native of Washing- ton county, Penn., having been born Novem- ber 7, 1827, in South Strabane township. He is a son of John and Mary (McClellan) Allen, both natives of Pennsylvania, who were married in 1819 in Washington county. Of the six children born to them, two are now living, namely: Mary J. and Thomas F .; Nancy died December 12, 1892. Grandfather Allen was a soldier of the Revolutinary war, and afterward followed farming. He was a highly respected citizen of the community. He died in 1836, in this county, having been preceded by his wife some years.

Thomas F. Allen was reared on the home farm in South Strabane township. He received a com- mon business education in the country schools, and on April 12, 1854, was united in marriage with Nancy A. Hill, who was born in 1830, daughter of David and Eliza Hill, early settlers of Washington county. The following children were born to this union: Lizzie J. (wife of David Hamilton, a farm- er of North Strabane township), Mary (married to William Emery, a farmer of Washington county), Anna B. (living at home), John T. (re- siding on the home farm), Robert W. (living with his parents) and Johnnie (deceased). In 1862 Mr. Allen embarked in mercantile business at Clokey, Washington county, in which he continued until 1865. He then moved to Searight's, Fayette Co., Penn., and sold goods there two years, when he disposed of his stock and came to Washington borough, where he resided one year, and in the spring of 1868 bought the place where he carried on farming and stock raising until September, 1892, when he moved into the borough of Wash- ington. Mr. Allen has always taken an active interest in the questions of public moment; in poli- tics he is a Democrat, and has been school director for three years. He is a successful business man, and owns a farm of 188 acres of good land. Mrs. Allen is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

AMES W. HUGHES, a well-known and re- spected citizen of Amwell township, was born November 5, 1850, in South Strabane town- ship, Washington Co., Penn. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Hughes, was a native of New Jersey, his parents having emigrated from Ireland to that State. Samuel came to Washing- ton county at an early day, and, locating in Am- well township, conducted a hotel on the place which is now the home of John Little. He was united in marriage with Nancy Sample, and reared a large family. He was a successful business man, and in his later years moved to near Fort Madison, Iowa, where he died about 1860.

Workman Hughes was born February 5, 1822,

in South Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., and received a common-school education. At the age of twenty-two years he began business for himself, first buying a farm on the National pike, and afterward purchasing the "McGiffin farm," as it is now called, consisting of 300 acres, situated in the southern part of Amwell township. In 1847 he was married to Rachel Taylor, of South Strabane township, and their children were Sam- uel Taylor, James. W., John H., Mary E. (Mrs. Closser), Nancy J., William and Rachel (Mrs. Myers). Mrs. Hughes died May 12, 1862, and Mr. Hughes in 1864 wedded Margaret Vance, who died in 1879, and in December, 1880, he married Martha Scott. As a result of his own untiring efforts he has prospered in life. Politically he is a Demo- crat, and has held several offices.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 104

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