Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 108

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 108

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In a brief reference to the life of Guyon Mor- rison, it may be stated that from his youth he was a diligent student of science, history and literature. In regard to public improvements and public issues, his views were liberal and progressive. In accord with the history and traditions of his kindred, he was a Whig, and, later, a Republican. In his re- ligious belief, he was a strict constructionist. He had been reared under the ministry of Dr. John McMillan, who, during his long pastorate, had rigidly adhered to the use of the Scripture Psalms in the worship of the sanctuary. After his removal to Ohio, he became a member of the Associate Re- formed Church, and retained his connection also with its successor the United Presbyterian Church, until his death. He was chosen a ruling elder in the Associate Reformed Church of Franklin, and served in that capacity until his removal from that region. He was tolerant of the opinions and prejudices of his fellow-men. He died as he had lived, a consist- ent Christian. .

John, son of Guyon, was born November 18, 1848. He completed a classical course at Mon- mouth College, at Monmouth, Ill., where he grad- uated in 1869. In January, 1879, he became as- sociated with Rev. A. G. McCoy in the publication of the Christian Instructor, which they had pur- chased, and removed from Philadelphia to Chicago. He was engaged in this work for sixteen months, when he disposed of his interest in the publication and retired from the management. Afterward he was, for some time, engaged in mercantile business in Chicago. After disposing of this property, he entered upon the study of medicine. He completed

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the course at Rush Medical College, where, in 1887, he received the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. Afterward he removed to Canonsburg, Penn., where he has since resided. He is a life member of the Western Pennsylvania Humane So- ciety, Historical Society and University Extension Society. He is still in possession of the Mor- rison homestead in Chartiers township.

Mary Morrison (youngest of the family of James, Sr.) was born November 16, 1806. In 1829 she married Marshall McCall, and removed to Belmont county, Ohio. From there she removed to the ad- joining county of Harrison, where she resided until her death, September 17, 1849. Her husband married a second time, and removed to Wenona, Marshall Co., Ill., where he resided until his death, September 29, 1873, at the age of sixty-eight years. They had issue: John A., James M., Mary Jane and Margaret. John A., eldest of the family of Mary, was born probably in 1830. He attended a course at Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio. He studied law at Cadiz, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar. Soon afterward he married Margaret Hender- son, and removed to Wenona, Ill., where he re- sided for a number of years. Afterward he removed to Kansas, where he has since resided. They have issue: Marshall, Elizabeth, Sarah, and perhaps others whose names are not known. James M., son of Mary, was born probably in 1832. He accompa- nied his brother John on the removal of the latter to Wenona, Ill., where he has resided ever since. He is unmarried. Mary Jane, daughter of Mary, was born about 1835. About 1854 she married Leon- ard D. Rowley, and resided some years in Har- rison county, Ohio. Afterward she removed to Mendota, Ill., where she resided until her death about 1876. Her husband, who survived her, re- moved to Akron, Ohio, where he has since resided. They had issue: Catherine (wife of Mr. McGall- iard, of Akron, Ohio) and John (who resides at the same place). Margaret, daughter of Mary, was born about 1838. About 1858 she married Dr. Arter, of Carrollton, Ohio. After a residence of some years at that place, she removed to Canton, Ohio, where she has since resided. They have no issue.

HOMAS H. RALSTON is a native of Brooke county, W. Va .. where his ancestors were among the earliest residents along King's creek. The first member of this well- known family to locate in that vicinity was Joseph Ralston, who was born and married in Scotland. He came to America prior to the Revo- lution, and finally settled in Brooke county, W. Va., where he took up a vast tract of land on King's creek. Indians were numerous then, and wild beasts roamed through the forest, making pi- oneer life extremely dangerous. The family of

Joseph Ralston consisted of but two sons, Joseph and Samuel. They were frequently taken with the mother to Fort Pitt (where Pittsburgh now stands), while the father lived for months in his cabin in the wilderness, without a fire, lest the attention of the Indians should be attracted. Joseph Ralston and his wife passed their days on the farm, and in a good old age were laid to rest in Three Springs cemetery, Brooke county, W. Va. The land, which had then increased in value, was left to his two sons. Samuel (the younger son), was married to Martha Tucker, of Hanover township, who bore him four sons and eight daughters, all of whom lived to marry and have children.

Joseph Ralston, eldest son of Joseph, was first married to Ann McCready, of Beaver county, who lived with her parents on Mill creek, now Hooks- town, Penn. They were early settlers in that sec- tion, and of Irish descent. To this union were born ten sons and one daughter. The youngest child, named McCready, died unmarried at the age of twenty-eight years, and the only daughter was married to Daniel Wilson; the others were also married. The mother died and was buried in Three Springs cemetery. For his second choice Joseph Ralston selected Sarah Greer, a native of Carroll county, Ohio, living near Harlem Springs. She bore him seven children, of whom one died in in- fancy, and another never married. The father lived to be about seventy-two years of age, dying about 1835. The greater part of his life was passed in farming, and he built the first gristmill in that country. His property became very valua- ble, and the gristmill was owned and operated by his descendants of the two generations following. After a long and useful life, he was laid to rest in Three Springs cemetery, where his parents and wives were buried.

Joseph Ralston was the oldest of the eleven children born to Joseph and Ann (McCready) Ralston. He was born March 5, 1791, on the old homestead in Brooke county, W. Va. When a young man he learned the miller's trade in his father's mill, and finally took charge of the busi- ness, which he conducted for many years. In 1817 he married Lucinda P. Holmes, who was born March 7, 1795, east of the mountains. She was a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (McNeely) Holmes, both of whom were natives of County Donegal, Ireland. The McNeely family was an eminent one in Ireland, and the brothers of Nancy were all legislators there. Thomas Holmes was a shoe- maker, and in about 1789 came to America, locating temporarily near New York City. He removed farther west and settled in Brooke county, W. Va., where he died at the age of ninety-six years. His wife died when over one hundred years old, in Guernsey county, Ohio, at the home of her son, Isaac Holmes.

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The children of Joseph and Lucinda P. (Holmes) Ralston were born as follows: Isaac, was killed when a young man, by a horse; Mary A., is the wife of J. H. Harper, of Burgettstown, Penn. ; Joseph, a miller, while taking a cargo of flour to New Orleans, contracted bilious fever in that city, died May 30, 1846; Thomas H., whose sketch fol- lows; Eli, deceased at the age of two years; Car- oline, Mrs. Miller Shane, of Burgettstown, Penn. ; and William, a school teacher, died January 1, 1861, at the age of twenty-eight years. Mr. Ral- ston passed his life on the old place, and followed milling. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and voted with the Democratic party. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church at Three Springs, of which he was an elder for many years. In 1846, while on a trip to Buffalo, N. Y., with a cargo of flour, he was taken sick with bil- ious fever, and returning home, died July 18, 1846, followed by his wife December 26, of the same year. They were buried in Three Springs cemetery, which now contains four generations of this name, who were at one time by far the most numerous family on King's creek.

Thomas H. Ralston was born July 19, 1826, in Hancock county, W. Va., on the ancestral acres. In early life he learned the cooper's trade, in which he became an expert. When his elder brother died, he took charge of his father's mill, in which busi- ness he continued many years. On April 26, 1859, he was married to Rebecca Graham, who was born January 17, 1833, in Hancock county, W. Va., a daughter of Thomas and Honor Graham. Their union has been blessed with the following children: Lucinda P. (Mrs. James Work, of Florence), William S. (a farmer of Hanover township), George G. (at home), Anna K. (Mrs. S. F. Campbell, of Hanover township), and Jessie M. (at home). Mr. Ralston conducted the old mill until April 10, 1873, when he came to Hanover township, Washington county, locating on the " Moses Mclaughlin" place, where he has since resided. He is now following farm- ing and stock raising, having made many improve- ments on the place, which are indicative of his progressive spirit. He owns several good farms, and is one of the leading men of Hanover town- ship. He, his wife and children are members of the Frankfort Presbyterian Church.

M RS. JEMIMA JACKMAN was born July 30, 1805, in East Pike Run township, Penn. She is the widow of Joshua Jackman, and daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Dixon) Bailey. Her parents were born in east- ern Pennsylvania, and came, when children, with their parents to Washington county, where they were afterward married. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were the parents of the following children: Ann,

John, Mary, Martha, Thomas, Ruth, Hannah, Isaac, Elizabeth, Henry and Jemima. Of this family the latter is the only one living. The father was a farmer and stock dealer, and died at the age of eighty years, the mother having been laid to rest at the age of sixty years. Both were members of the Quaker Church. On April 11. 1835, Jemima Bailey was united in marriage with Joshua Jackman, son of William and Elizabeth (Conley) Jackman, who were natives of County Carlow, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Jackman came to America many years ago, and settled on a large tract of land in East Pike Run township, where their children were born and reared as follows: Bernard, William, Mary, Eliza, Joshua, John, Margaret, Nancy, and four who died in infancy.

Joshua Jackman was born January 29, 1795, on the home place in East Pike Run township. He always resided on the farm, and in politics voted the Republican ticket. He died September 27, 1867, and his widow is living in the old house, which has been her home since 1839. The farm embraces 100 acres of well-cultivated land, in- cluding a good storehouse, barn and all modern improvements. Mrs. Jackman is now in her eighty- seventh year and bids fair to see her fourscore years and ten, being yet as active as many a woman of but sixty years, and still doing the greater part of her housework. 'She is a member of the Taylor M. E. Church, with which her husband was also identified. They had two daughters, namely: Sarah E., born February 11, 1840, who died De- cember 29, 1845; and Mary M., born August 10," 1841, died January 3, 1846.

M RS. MARIA SPEER, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed residents of Peters township, Washington county, is the widow of James Speer, a son of James Speer, whose father, Robert Speer, came from Adams county, Penn., at a very early date, and first located in Washington county, but soon after moved with his family to New Concord, Mus- kingum Co., Ohio, where he died.

James Speer, son of Robert, was born in Adams county, Penn., and when quite young, came east of the mountains with his father, and spent the greater part of his boyhood days near New Con- cord, Ohio. In those days but few white settlers had penetrated the western forests of Ohio, and the Indians still held possession of the land. The Redmen of that vicinity were for the most part friendly to the " Palefaces," and often paid visits to the Speer family, on which occasions the squaws would invariably leave their papooses outsides tightly strapped to a board. In the forest wilds, surrounded by Indians and savage beasts, James Speer grew to manhood, and was married to Miss

James Sheer

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Catherine Latta. After their wedding the young couple moved to Washington county, Penn., and settled on the farm in Peters township, where they lived until his death, November 14, 1849. Six children were born of their union, viz. : Deborah, Robert, Thomas L., James, Jane and Nancy, all of whom are now deceased. James Speer, Sr., was a member of the Associate Reformed Church, of Cross Roads, and one of its organizers. In poli- tics he was a Whig.

James Speer, son of James and Catherine Speer, was born December 10, 1810, on the farm in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn., where his widow is yet living. He was trained in the usual duties of agriculture, and passed his youtlı on the place. On February 2, 1839, he married Miss Maria Calahan, who was born October 4, 1814, in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn., a daughter of the late Thomas Calahan, who was a son of Joseph Calahan, a native of Ireland. Her father was a carpenter. Her mother died when she was but five years of age, and she went to live with John Rankin, a farmer of Washington county, Penn., where she remained until her mar- riage. Of the union of James and Maria Speer were born eight children, viz .: Mary (Mrs. Will- iam Boon), Kate, Eliza J. (deceased), a son deceased in infancy, Adeline (wife of George Scott, of Des Moines, Iowa), Blanche (Mrs. James Emery, of Washington county), an infant daughter (deceased), Anna Margaret (widow of William Paden, has one son, Lloyd H., and is now living with her mother, Maria Speer). The home farm contains 127 acres of excellent land, on which a test oil well is being put down, oil having already been found in paying quantities; and they are still drilling with the ex- pectation of finding more of the valuable lubricant. Mr. Speer was a Republican, and a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of Mt. Prospect. He died April 29, 1878.

F RANK CRAVEN. This enterprising young business man has from early boyhood been identified with the interests of California, Penn. His elementary education was ob- tained in the public schools of this village, and he then attended the Southwestern State Nor- mal School, at California. After leaving school he was engaged in various pursuits near Cali- fornia, and served one year as mail clerk between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. He then entered the employ of Morgan & Dixon, and soon afterward purchased a general store in partnership with L. T. Clay- baugh. One year later Mr. Claybaugh sold his in- terest to John Dixon. Later Mr. Dixon retired and John S. Beazell purchased his interest; the firm is now Craven & Beazell, extensive. dealers in gro- ceries and general produce.

Frank Craven married Myrtilla, daughter of Jonathan West, October 17, 1878. This lady's father was a son of Thomas West, and grandson of Jonathan West. The latter was born in Ireland, and comingto America in youth, located permanent- ly on a farm in Washington county, Penn. He was an Old-line Democrat in politics, and in religion one of the founders of the "West" Protestant Epis- copal Church. His children were born as follows: Jonathan, Robert, Thomas, Edward, Mary (wife of Robert Gregg), Ann (Mrs. Morris) and Jane (Mrs. Howden). Thomas West, son of Jonathan, Sr., was born and reared in West Pike Run town- ship. In early life he was married to Margaret Hopkins, who bore him three children, namely : Thomas, Catherine and Jonathan. The father followed agricultural pursuits, and lived but a few years after his marriage. Jonathan West, son of Thomas, was born in February, 1827, in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., receiving his early education in the neighboring schools. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Melinda, daughter of Edward Gregg, who was born and reared in Washington county, Penn. Edward Gregg was married to Mary Maple, and their children were Mary J., wife of James Baker; Stephen; Melinda, wife of Jonathan West; Seth; Maria; John and Maple. Mr. Gregg was a pros- perous farmer and stock raiser. He voted with the Whig and Republican parties, and was a mem- ber of the Taylor M. E. Church, in which he offi- ciated as elder, class-leader, and Sunday-school superintendent. He and his wife were buried in the Taylor Church cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. West resided on a farm in West Pike Run township un- til 1861, when they moved to Virginia, where he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-second O. V. I. He was then sent to the army of the Potomac, and participated in numerous engagements. On July 2, 1863, he was captured at the battle of Gettys- burg, and was first taken to Belle Isle, thence to Andersonville, where he died the following June. The children of this soldier were born as follows: Mary E. (deceased), Margaret E. (wife of D. H. Lewis), Mary J. (married to Emerson Reed), Dora I. (wife of John S. Beazell), Myrtilla (married to Frank Craven) and Kate.

T HOMAS H. ACKLESON, an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Smith township, is a son of Thomas, and grandson of Thomas Ackleson, Sr. The last named was born, reared and married in Ireland, and coming to America soon afterward, located in the Chartiers Valley, Allegheny county, Penn., and reared the following children: Robert (born on the voyage across the ocean), John, James, Samuel, Thomas, Isabel and Mary, all of whom lived to an adult

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age. The father passed his life in agricultural pursuits, both he and his wife dying on the home farm.

Thomas Ackleson was born in 1800, on the home farm in Allegheny county. He received a limited education, then learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in connection with agri- culture almost to the close of his life. He married Letitia McConnell, daughter of George McConnell, a native of Ireland, who served in the war of the Revolution and in the war of 1812. She was born in Allegheny county in 1802. To her were born Mary Ann (who married Andrew Butler, who died two years after, leaving one daughter, Mary E., now Mrs. William Adams of Allegheny county. She next married Bingham McKnight, and to them one son was born-Alexander-now of Den- ver, Colo. He died in 1860), Sarah J. (unmarried, resides with her brother, Thomas H.), Isabel and Elizabeth (unmarried), Martha (deceased wife of John Woodburn), Thomas H. (of whom further mention is made), David McConnell (enlisted in Company I, First P. V. C., killed near Belle Plains) and Margaret (widow of George M. Pyle).

Mr. Ackleson followed farming in Allegheny county for some time after his marriage, then came to Washington county, locating on a farm near Hill's Station, Cecil township, and his last days were passed on a farm in Smith township. He was a Democrat before the war, afterward be- coming a Republican; in private life as well as in public, he won the esteem of all. In religious connection he was a member of the U. P. Church. He died in 1881, having been preceded by his wife in 1856.

Thomas H. Ackleson was born February 25, 1839, in Cecil township, this county, and in early life began to assist in the duties of the farm, being educated in the neighboring district schools. He married Margaret Scott December 25, 1867, who was born in 1846, daughter of Finley Scott, of Smith township, this county, and they have had the following children: David M. (deceased at the age of nine years) and Finley S., Thomas L., Ida M., Chessie E., Samuel S., Emma M., John H., Annie B., Lizzie and Jennie Viola, all living at home. Thomas H. and Margaret (Scott) Ackleson first settled on a farm near Bavington, Smith township, and for several years sold agri- cultural implements at Burgettstown, this county. Afterward selling out, he moved to a place near Bulger's Station, and shipped milk to Pittsburgh. In 1887 he moved upon the well-improved farm he now occupies, situated about one mile and a half northwest of Burgettstown, Smith township, where he is very extensively engaged in the shipping business, being the leading dairyman in the vicin- ity. He is decidedly practical and progressive in

his work, and has been president of the first creamery and cheese factory in Washington county, located at Bulger's Station, and has served as school director different terms, and other township offices. He has always been a leader in progressive movements, and identifies himself with everything tending to aid or improve his special work. He and his esteemed wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, and politically he is an adviser and counselor in the Republican party.

J ACOB B. PHILLIS. The Phillis family were among the earliest residents of Smith township, Washington county. On May 10, 1776, Joseph Phillis received the first gen- uine land title which was issued in Smith township. He was born in Ireland, about 1744, and was married in that country to Elizabeth Lit- tle. In 1775 he came to America, locating in this county, near the present site of McDonald village. He raised the first crop of corn in that part of the county, which crop yielded fifty bushels to the acre, then considered a very large average. Joseph Phillis was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and after its close located on a part of the Hoagland and Crawford tract in Smith township, which has since been in the possession of the Phillis family, a portion of the old farm being now owned by the widow of Andrew Phillis. Before the first crops were raised, the family came near starving, and driven to desperation they de- cided to watch a cow and see upon what kind of vegetation she subsisted. After observation they made "greens" the food of the family, and so managed to exist until the grain was ripened to replenish the empty larder. Indians were numer- ous and hostile in those early days, and wild ani- mals were plenty. The home of these early pioneers was known as the "Dunmore War tract," and under careful cultivation the wild land soon as- sumed an air of comfort and civilization, becoming in time a valuable piece of property. Joseph Phillis- died in 1830, at an advanced age, his wife having "gone before " in 1827, leaving the following chil- dren: John (who died in Guernsey county, Ohio, wasthe father of sixteen children), James (deceased in the lumber regions of Pennsylvania), Joseph (passed the latter years of his life in Columbiana county, Ohio), Charles (deceased in Ohio), Jacob. (mentioned farther on), William (deceased in youth), Thomas (passed his entire life in Smith ownship), Nancy (wife of David Alexander, a farmer of Smith township), Elizabeth (married to Thomas Cherry, of Mt. Pleasant township), Jane (wife of Joseph Walker) and Catharine (Mrs. Gilbert Hullick, of Smith township).

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Jacob Phillis was born April 8, 1792, and reared on the home farm in Smith township, receiving a subscription-school education. Ann B. Phillis, wife of Jacob Phillis, born July 13, 1798, was a daughter of Robert Bruce. She bore him children as follows: Andrew (deceased), Joseph (deceased farmer of Smith township), Elizabeth (deceased wife of William Hammond), Nancy (wife of Thomas Pyles, of Guernsey county, Ohio), John (deceased at Cairo, Ill.), Mary (wife of Ephraim Wallower, of Ohio, now living in Des Moines, Iowa), Mar- garet (deceased wife of William Vance, Elizabeth- town, Ky.), Jacob (deceased in early manhood), · Jane (deceased wife of Isaac James), and Ellen (deceased wife of Talbert Shipley). After his marriage Mr. Phillis made a permanent home on a part of the original farm, and successfully pur- sued agriculture. He died in 1847, and his widow passed away December 17, 1871.

Andrew Phillis, son of Jacob and Ann (Bruce) Phillis, was born February 5, 1818, on the old homestead in Smith township, where bis boyhood days were passed, receiving his education at the country schools. In 1857 he was united in mar- riage with Mary M. Leech, who was born in 1828, daughter of James Leech, Esq., of Smith township. This wife died August 1, 1864, having borne him two children: James P. (deceased at the age of four years), and Jacob B. (whose name opens this sketch). The mother was laid to rest in the United Presbyterian cemetery at Burgettstown. On August 28, 1867, Andrew Phillis married, for his second wife, Mary A. Logan, who was born March 6, 1834, in Hancock county, W. Va., daugh- ter of William Logan, a native of Ireland. The children born to the union of Andrew and Mary (Logan) Phillis were as follows: Margaret S., John L., Lizzie May, Annie M. and Ella J., all of whom are living at home. Andrew Phillis always resided on the home farm, where he died April 18, 1890. He was formerly a Whig, then united with the Republican party. In religion he was con- nected with the United Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, this county. He was a successful and respected farmer, and his widow and children have managed the place since his death.

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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 108

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