Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 111

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 111

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).

OHN LAWTON (deceased) was a successful. agriculturist and an energetic, useful citizen. His father, Joseph Lawton, was born in Rhode Island, and in early life was married to Mary Alma, of the same State, who bore him the following children: Amy (wife of William Ran- kin), Pardon, Samuel, Sarah, Peter, Joanna, Anna and John. In 1819 Joseph Lawton and his family came to Washington county, Penn., the journey- necessarily a tedious one, having to be made with Ox-teams-being accomplished in seven weeks. They settled on a farm in Cross Creek township, where Joseph Lawton died in 1839. In his polit- ical preferences he was an old-school Democrat.

John Lawton was born June 7, 1816, in Rhode Island, and was consequently three years of age when the family moved to Pennsylvania. On August 6, 1835, he married Margaret Miniken,

John Lawton

689

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

daughter of William Miniken, who came from England in 1803, settling in Pittsburgh; in 1805 he married Margaret Powell, and they had chil- dren as follows: Mary (Mrs. Barlow Folk), John, Nancy (deceased), William, Sarah (wife of Harvey Lawton), Hannah, William, Margaret (married to John Lawton) and Julia (wife of Joseph Maxwell). Mr. Miniken made his first home in the New World in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he resided several years, and then removed to Washington, this county, where he conducted an extensive bakery and con- fectionery. He was a leading politician in the ranks of the Whig party, and in religious connec- tion a zealous member of the Episcopal Church. He died in 1827, and in January, 1853, his wife was laid beside him.

John and Margaret (Miniken) Lawton passed the earlier portion of their married life in Butler county, Penn., afterward settling on the home place in Cross Creek township, this county, where they re- mained several years. They then moved to West Middletown, and some years later proceeded to Wisconsin, thence to Minnesota (residing there two years), finally returning to the home farm in Cross Creek township. Mr. Lawton was a successful farmer, and for forty years was a resident of Cross Creek township. Politically he was originally a Democrat, afterward becoming an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party. He died January 9, 1882, aged sixty-four years six months, and was laid to rest in Brownsville Cemetery, West Middletown, Penn. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church at Upper Buffalo, of which his widow is also a member.

M RS. ELIZABETH KING. William King, a son of Thomas, was born in Ireland and came with his father to America. He was married in this country to Margaret, a daughter of James McNall, a native of Ireland, and the following children were born to their union: James, born February 27, 1809; Thomas, born October 2, 1810; Eleanor, born Au- gust 25, 1812; William, born January 30, 1815; John, born December 6, 1817; Joseph, born Janu- ary 26, 1820; Andrew, born June 16, 1822; Hugh, born December 15, 1824; Wells, born April 13, 1828, and Margaret J., born October 25, 1830; all .of whom are now deceased except Andrew and Margaret J., and their children are scattered through different parts of the country.

William King was born January 30, 1815, in Washington county, Penn., and when eleven years of age came with the family to his present home in Robinson township. Though enjoying but lim- ited educational advantages, Mr. King possessed much intelligence and business capacity. In 1840 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hooper.

To them five children were born, namely: Mar- garet, Jane (Mrs. Robert Geary), Martha E. (de- ceased), William J. and Anna Zetta, all of whom are living on the home farm with their widowed mother. The father was a stanch member of the Democratic party, and in religious faith was a member and liberal supporter of the Robinson United Presbyterian Church. He died September 6, 1884, leaving to his family a double inheritance, an untarnished name being the first and most im- portant. By careful management he had accumu- lated a good property, leaving 269 acres of excel- lent land, underlaid with a six-foot vein of the best coal, which greatly increases the value of the property, now considered one of the best estates in Robinson township.

Hugh King, a brother of William, died while on the ship "Claremont," during her passage from New Orleans to Philadelphia. He was traveling for his health at that time. The following state- ment was sent home by the captain of the ship: "Hugh King died January 5, 1847, on board the bark 'Claremont,' on her passage from New Or- leans to Philadelphia, in Latitude 25 degrees 42 minutes North, Longitude 84 degrees 12 minutes West. He was a native of Robinson township, Washington Co., Penn. Capt. Edward Lamond, commander." The following lines by Anna L. Lear were written on the death of Hugh King:

Low in the deep we laid him down! Sweet is his sleep, and bright the crown The sea shall weave around his head, While pearl and amber deck his bed.

High in the sky the evening star, With pitying eye looked from afar- The tender moon, through the still night. Shed o'er the scene her lambent light.

His requiem the soft wind wailed As far from him our fleet ship sailed, While he, no more to wake or weep, Unheeding lay, low in the deep.

No marbled grace o'er him shall rise, No human trace tells where he lies. Yet He, whose hand holds all the waves, Forgets no lonely ocean graves.

MRS. ELIZABETH KING, a resident of Robinson township, is a daughter of William Hooper, who is a son of Philip Hooper, who was of German de- scent and a tanner by trade. Philip Hooper came to Allegheny county, Penn., when the forests were teeming with wild beasts and nomadic Indians, naturally jealous of the white man's encroachments on their soil. Mr. Hooper sunk vats for his tan- nery under the branches of sugar trees, as he could not afford to build a shed for them. He was mar- ried to Jane Hill, who bore him seven children: Philip, Alexander, Samuel, John, William, Eliza- beth and Nancy. William Hooper was born on the home place in Allegheny county, becoming famil- iar from boyhood with the hardships and dangers

690

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

incident to frontier life. He selected as his life companion Miss Jane Wright, whose father, James Wright, was born in Ireland, and, emigrating to this country, settled in Allegheny county, Penn. The Indians were often heard moving along the creek just below his cabin door, while the listener would wait breathlessly until the sound of their footsteps was lost in the distance, or if com- ing nearer still, then the terrified family would flee to a neighboring fort for refuge. To William and Jane (Wright) Hooper thirteen children were born, of whom the following lived to maturity: James, Philip, John, William, Elizabeth, Samuel, Jane and Archibald, of whom Elizabeth is the only one yet surviving. She was born November 5, 1815, on the old Hooper homestead in Allegheny county, Penn., where she grew to womanhood, as- sisting with the household duties. On December 28, 1840, she gave her hand in marriage to Will- iam King, a son of William, whose father, Thomas King, settled near Washington, this county, at an early day.

THOMAS ALEXANDER BLACK is the only male representative of an old Irish family, his grandfather, Thomas, having been the first of the family to settle in America.

Thomas Black (the grandfather) was born May 12, 1777, in Ireland, and when a young man was married in his native country to Margaret Hunter, who was born September 1, 1775. Before leaving Ireland, four children were born to this couple: William (a resident of Washington county, Iowa), born December 25, 1799; Samuel (living in Wash- ington county, Ohio), born March 8, 1801; Mary Ann (unmarried), born February 14, 1804; and James, born March 15, 1807. Thomas Black and his family came to America about 1809, locating in Washington county, Penn. In 1811 he settled on the home farm in Hanover township, upon which his grandson (Thomas A.) is now residing. Mr. Black amassed a valuable property, and passed away June 21, 1851, followed by his wife, May 29, 1855. They were buried in Paris cemetery. Both were consistent members of the Seceder Church. After coming to America the following children were added to their family: Marga- ret (first married to a Mr. Bell, now widow of a Mr. Mclaughlin, is living in Omaha, Neb.), born July 11, 1810; Grissey (unmarried), born March 22, 1813; Jane (wife of John McWhirter, Mercer county, Penn.), born in February, 1818. Of these children Margaret and Grissey are the only ones living.

James Black, son of Thomas, was born in Ire- land, and was but a child when his parents came to the farm in Hanover township, where his youth was passed. On March 18, 1844, he was married

to Charlotte McWhirter, a lady of Irish parentage, who was born January 21, 1819. After his mar- riage, James Black located on the old homestead,. and continued to follow farming during his life, with the exception of one year in which he was en - gaged in the milling business. He was a success- ful farmer and esteemed citizen. Politically he was a Whig, then a Republican, and in religious. faith both he and his wife were members of the U. P. Church. He died March 6, 1881, his wife hav- ing gone before him to the "Silent Land, " Octo- ber 24, 1867, and both are now buried in Paris cemetery. Their children were born as follows :: Samuel, born January 21, 1846, is now a U. P. minister of Tarentum, Allegheny Co., Penn. ;. Mary Jane, born August 10, 1847, deceased wife of Cyrus G. Arnold; Margaret, born September 13, 1849, was fatally burned and died November 2, 1853; Eliza Ann, born October 31, 1851, deceased wife of J. P. Lawther; Thomas Alexander, whose name opens this sketch; Margaret H., born Octo- ber 10, 1856, deceased wife of Lee Arnold; and Sarah E., Mrs. J. M. Herron, of Hanover town- ship, born March 6, 1859.

Thomas Alexander Black was born December 28, 1853, on the old farm in Hanover township,. which he now owns and resides upon. He at- tended the "Old McCausland School," and assist- ed with the farm duties. On July 4, 1881, he married Alice E. Cassidy, daughter of Hugh and Nancy (McCune) Cassidy, of Hanover township. Since his marriage Mr. Black has followed farm- ing on the old homestead, and in 1883 took an ex- tended tour through the West, visiting several of the growing States. He is an admirer of fine cat- tle, as the number of thoroughbred Holsteins to be found on his farm amply proves. In politics he- is a Republican, but upholds the principles of the Prohibitionists. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. They have one daughter, Beulah O., born January 6, 1883.

W ILLIAM B. LIBBEY, a dentist, born in Columbiana county, Ohio, is a son of Bennett and Agnes (Littell) Libbey, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Beaver, Penn. Mathias Libbey, grand- father of William B., was also a native of Vermont, where he died. He was the father of three sons and one daughter-Bennett, William, Haines and Alvira, all now deceased except Haines, who resides at Lynn, Mass.

Bennett Libbey was a machinist, who moved to Pittsburgh in youth, where he married Agnes Lit- tell, whose father emigrated from Ireland and set- tled in the southern part of Beaver county, where he married Mary Walker. The couple lived at Pittsburgh for a number of years, then moved to

C b

691

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Columbiana county, Ohio, where William B. Lib- bey was born; five years later, the family returned to Beaver county, Penn., where Bennett Libbey died December 19, 1856, aged fifty-two years. His widow, Agnes, died at Pittsburgh, November 15, 1888, in her eightieth year. Their children are: Alice, William B., John E. and James A., all residents of Pittsburgh except William B., who lives at Washington, Penn. Bennett Libbey was a Presbyterian in religious opinion. In 1854 or 1856 he abandoned the Democratic and united with the Republican party.

William B. Libbey was reared in Beaver county, Penn., his education being secured at the common schools of the neighborhood, and at Beaver acad- emy. For some years he was a traveling salesman for a wholesale house, but abandoning commercial life commenced the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. J. G. Templeton, Pittsburgh, Penn., attend- ing also the Dental College at Ann Arbor, Mich., and the Pennsylvania Dental College, where he graduated. In 1880 he came to Washington, and engaged in the active and successful practice of his profession. At Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Dr. Libbey was united in marriage, April 11, 1882, with Ade- laide, daughter of Charles and Phœbe (Lockwood) Sutton, of Fairfax C. H., Va., whose ances- tors were Quakers from Dutchess county, N. Y. Mr. Sutton had eight children-Mariana, Alice, Josephine, Adelaide, John and Charles (twin brothers), Jennie and Ella. To this union two children were born, Helen and Florence. The fam- ily residence in Washington is on the corner of Wade avenue and Wheeling street. In 1863 the Doctor enlisted in the one hundred days' service, and in 1864 re-enlisted, this time in Company H, Fifth P. V. A., was promoted second lieutenant of his company, with which he served until the close of the war, being mustered out June 30, 1865, at Vienna, Virginia.

OSEPH S. CULLEY. Among the prosper- ous agriculturists of Hanover township, there are few, if any, who have made more prac- tical application of scientific principles in their vocation than has this progressive citizen. He is a native of Washington county, Penn., and grandson of Levi Culley.

. Levi Cully was born about 1769, in Maryland, and there married Esther Smith, a Marylander, who was born about 1775. Levi was a farmer, who, about 1800, came to Washington county, Penn. The long journey was made in a large covered wagon drawn by four horses. When crossing the Susquehanna river, a singular experi- ence befell them. As the large covered wagon stood on the ferry-boat, a strong breeze was blowing, and the cover served to catch the wind, the force of

which drove the boat some distance out of its course, causing much trouble in securing a suitable place to land, since they were unable to reach the usual place. This wagon contained the father and mother, with their two children, Jesse and Joseph. They proceeded on their journey, sleeping on their wagon beside the road at night, and finally arriving in this county, located near Bulger Station, Smith township, where the father rented a farm. He was a tenant on different farms several years, and by energy and economy eventually accumu- lated a small sum, purchased 277 acres of John L. Proudfoot, partially lying in Hanover and Smith townships. Levi Culley was a cooper, following that trade in connection with his farm. He was a hard worker, and very successful in his business. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church. He died in 1818, and his widow, with the assistance of her sons, managed the estate which he left, until in 1840 she too was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Florence cemetery. Of their children, the following is a brief record: Jesse was born in Maryland, and when but a small boy came to Washington county, Penn., with his par- ents (he was married to Susan, daughter of Elder John Duncan, and settled on a farm in this county, where he died in his seventy-second year); Joseph, of whom a sketch follows; George was the first child born after the family settled here (he was married to Jane Fulton, and was a farmer; he died in Hanover township, aged seventy-two years); Robert was a cabinet maker by trade (his wife was Amanda McCond; they settled in Florence, this county, where he died August 21, 1848); Sinie never married (she died in early womanhood); Lydia was married to James Cubbison, a cabinet maker (they afterward settled on a farm in Guern- sey county, Ohio, and in 1844 moved to a place near Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where she died); Rebecca was the wife of William Cole, of Hanover town- ship, where she died; Levi learned the tailor's trade at Florence, afterward entered into a part- nership with Andrew Conn, at Mansfield, Ohio (he was married to Mary Ann Butterfoes, and is now living on a farm in Morrow county, Ohio); Helen married Robert G. Smith, a farmer of Hanover township, where she died; and John.

Joseph Culley, born in Maryland, was brought by his parents to Washington county, Penn., in infancy. He was reared on the farm, received a subscription-school education, and there learned the cooper's trade. When his father died, the management of the large farm was given to Joseph and an older brother, Jesse. In 1825 Joseph Culley married Martha Scott, who was born December 13, 1796, daughter of a pioneer, Joseph Scott. Three children were born to this marriage, namely: Maria, widow of John Armor, born June

692

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

21, 1826, is now living near Murdocksville, Han- over township; Elizabeth, deceased wife of James Anderson, of Beaver county, born December 21, 1829; and Joseph S., whose name opens this sketch. The parents passed their lives on a por- tion of the "Old Scott Tract," near Raccoon creek, in the eastern part of Hanover township. The father followed his trade, and being a very skillful workman could easily set up ten barrels a day, besides attending to the general duties of the farm. He was an old-time Whig, but united with the Republican party upon its organization. He possessed the spirit of industry, which seems to be a special characteristic of this family, and was an influential citizen. He died on the farm, and in 1882 was followed by Mrs. Culley. Both were conscientious members of the Cross Creek Presby- terian Church, and are buried side by side in the Florence cemetery.

Joseph S. Culley was born March 26, 1838, on the home farm in Hanover township, where his boyhood was passed in attending the old Coventry school, and receiving his initiation into the mysteries of agriculture. His tastes led him to the choice of a rural life, which he has continued to pursue on the old home place. On June 15, 1864, he married Sarah Donaldson. Miss Donaldson was born March 31, 1843, in Hanover township, and was a daughter of Richard and Mary (Bigger) Donaldson. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Culley, namely: Edward A., now studying for the Presbyterian ministry at the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, and is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, was born August 8, 1865; Annie M., deceased at the age of fourteen years, born September 9, 1867; George W., living on the home farm, born Feb- ruary 14, 1870; William C., at home, born June 5, 1873; Andrew D., born January 8, 1875; Sarah M., born October 31, 1878. In 1876 Mr. Culley erected his present residence, and to the old farm added an adjoining tract known as the "Richmond Farm." He now owns 300 acres of fine land. His wife died March 12, 1879, and was buried at Florence. On March 30, 1880, he married Carrie Buchanan, a native of Robinson township, and a daughter of John Buchanan. Joseph S. Culley is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, with which his first vote was cast. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Florence, of which he has been a trustee for several years.

A RTHUR A. POOLE, the popular jeweler of Washington, of English ancestry, was born in Bedford county, Penn., November 9, 1844. Denton Poole, his grandfather, emigrated from England to Maryland, where was born, in 1816, Samuel, the father of our subject.

Samuel Poole was a carpenter and builder. He married, in 1842, in Pennsylvania, Margaret Blankney, a native of Bedford county, and seven children were born to them, two of whom survive: Morgan, a resident of Braddock, Penn., and Arthur A. The parents lived in Allegany county, Md., until 1850, when they removed to Cumberland, Md., where the father died in 1877, and the mother in March, 1857, at the age of forty years.

Arthur A. Poole had the advantages of a good common-school education, after which he clerked in a shoe store in Cumberland, Md., until he enlisted in September, 1861, in Company H, Second Maryland Infantry, and served until the close of the war, chiefly in the valley of Virginia. After his discharge he learned the jewelry business with S. T. Little, in Cumberland, Md., and on finishing an apprenticeship, he worked as journey- man in various places. In 1875 he opened a jewelry store in Cumberland, Md., in partnership with P. J. Smith, the style of the firm being Smith & Poole; in 1878 he came to Washington, and opened a small store in the same line of trade, now one of the finest in the place. By industry and careful attention to business, Mr. Poole has met with well-merited success. To-day he is one of the leading business men of Washington. In October, 1871, our subject married Laura V., daughter of Capt. R. A. French, of Cumberland, Md. Five children were born to them: Arthur French (who graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in the class of 1891, and is now in his father's store), Edith V., Helen May, Her- bert C. and Marguerite. Mr. and Mrs. Poole are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington; in politics he is a Republican.

M RS. NANCY REED, widow of James Reed, is descended from that noble stock of Scotch-Presbyterians who, owing to religious persecutions, passed over from Scotland to the North of Ireland. She is a daughter of John and Orpha (Cornwell) Hays, both of Chartiers township.

* The family of Hay (or Hays as they generally spelled their name after making their new home in the North of Ireland) have prominent place in the history of Scot- land. It is said that about the year 980, in the reign of Kenneth III., the Danes having invaded Scotland, they were encountered by that king near Lancarty, in Perth- shire. The Scots at first gave way and fled through a narrow pass where they were stopped by a countryman of great strength and courage and his two sons, with no other weapons than the yokes of their plows. Upbraid- ing the fugitives for their cowardice, he succeeded in ral- lying them, and the battle being resumed, the Danes were defeated. After the victory was obtained, the old peasant, while lying on the ground, wounded and fatigued, cried, "Hay, Hay," which word became the

* Taken from the " Origin and signification of Scottish surnames" by Clifford Stanley Sims.

John Hays

695

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

suruame of his posterity, and the king, as a reward for his signal service, gave him as much land in the carse of Gowrie as a falcon should fly over before it settled; and a falcon being accordingly let off flew over an extent of ground six miles in length, after called Errol, and lighted on a stone, still called "falcon stone."

¿HAY, EARL OF KINNOUL. This noble family is a branch of the illustrious family of Errol, and is sprung from Sir William Hay, ancestor of the house of Leys, who was second son of Sir David, and brother-german of Sir Gil- bert Hay of Errol, who flourished in the reign of King Alexander III. From him was lineally desceuded Sir Edmund Hay of Melginch, who made a considerable figure in the reign of King James VI. He was father of Sir Peter, the father of Sir Patrick, who was in much es- timation with King James IV. George, his second son, being, by the care of his father, well brought up, was, for the improvement of his education, sent to France, where he spent some years under the tuition of the learned Ed- mund Hay, his uucle; soon after his return, being about twenty-one years of age, he was introduced to the court of King James VI. by his kiusman, James Hay, Viscount Dowcaster and earl of Carlisle, aud in a very short time raised to be one of the gentlemen of his majesty's bed- chamber, and had a gift of the Carthusian priory of Perth. He was by the same king preferred to very prom- inent positions, among them that of lord high chancellor of Scotland, in which post he was continued by Charles I., King of Great Britain (for iu the meautime the union of England and Scotland had been consummated), who advanced him to the dignity of Viscount Dupplin, and Earl of Kinnoul. The position of chancellor he held up to his death, which occurred December 16, 1634, a period of fourteen years. He married Margaret, daughter of Sir James Haliburton of Pitcur, and by her had issue Sir Peter, who died uumarried; George, his successor; and Lady Margaret.

George, second earl, was made captain of the yeomen of the guard to Charles I., and one of his privy council, but lost most of his estate in pursuit of his loyalty to the king.

William, son of George, third earl, died in 1677, and was succeeded by his second son.

George, fourth earl, who died in Hungary, 1687, with- out issue, and was succeeded by his brother.

William, fifth earl, who, dying a bachelor in 1709, the honor descended to Thomas Hay, of Dalhusy, near Perth, the next malc heir.

Which Thomas, sixth earl, was the brother and heir of George Hay, of Belhusy, son of Peter Hay, of the same place, third son of Sir Patrick Hay, of Melginch, aud brother of George, first earl of Kinuoul, and so succeed- ing, was elected one of the fifteeu peers of the third and fourth British parliaments. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Drummond, Viscount Strathallan. Their youngest son, Col. John Hay, of Cromlich, in 1715 followed the Pretender from Scotland, who gave him the title of Earl of Inveruess.

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 111

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