Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 113

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 113

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lowed the trade of a marble cutter. After remain- ing some time in that State, he came to Allegheny, Penn., where he died in 1858. His wife, Louisa, was the daughter of John Larcombe, also a native of England, who, before coming to America, mar- ried Mary Bird. They located at Burgettstown, Penn., but after a time moved to a permanent home at a place called Joseph's Mills, W. Va. Their children, eight in number, were born as fol- lows: Louisa (Mrs. Stacey), Charles, Martha, Jane, George, Levi, Virginia and Ann. The father was a stanch advocate of Democratic principles, and in religion was a member of the Protestant Epis- copal Church. He died at his home in 1879. The following named children were born to John and Louisa Stacey: George W., John W., Louisa and Deborah.

George W. Stacey, the subject of this sketch, was born October 15, 1849, at Allegheny, Penn., where he was reared and educated. At the age of eighteen years he began working for a mer- chant, with whom he remained three years; then he embarked in the trading business, which he followed seventeen years in different portions of Pennsylvania. In 1890 he opened a glassware and china store in Monongahela, which is now one of the largest and most complete establishments of the kind in the Monongahela Valley. Polit- ically he is an active Republican. He was married August 9, 1886, to Annie, daughter of John Freed, a resident of Beaver Falls, Penn., to whom one son was born.

H ENRY RIDER. Among those hardy fron- tiersmen whose energy and patient toil have made the dreary wilderness "to blossom as the rose," the ancestors of this gentleman were prominently associated. His grand- parents, Chrystopher and Mary Magdalene Rider, were early settlers of Fallowfield township, and of the children born to them was a son, named John.

John Rider was born in 1799, in Fallowfield township, this county. He attended the subscrip- tion schools in early life, and was afterward mar- ried in Washington county, to Hannah Budd, who who was born in Westmoreland county in 1800. They settled on a farm adjoining the home place in Fallowfield township, and children were born to them as follows: Joseph; Henry; Hannah, wife of John Carson of East Pike Run township, and five who are deceased. The father was a Whig and Republican, having served as justice of peace, also filling the office of constable for ten or fifteen years. He and his wife were members of the Dis- ciple Church, of which he was an elder. He died in 1882, aged eighty-three years, followed by the mother in 1891.

Henry Rider was born March 10, 1824, on the

farm in Fallowfield township. From boyhood he was trained to agricultural pursuits, which he has continued to follow. In early manhood he was married to Eliza, daughter of Solomon and Rebecca (Sheplar) Cooper, pioneers of this county, now de- ceased. The young couple settled on the home- stead in Fallowfield township, where his wife died, leaving four children, namely: John, Teagarden, Rebecca Ann, and Hannah (who is living in Fallow- field township). After the death of his first wife (June 5, 1859), Henry Rider was married Sep- tember 6, 1861, to Rebecca, daughter of Simon and Rebecca (Crawford) Wilson, pioneers of Fal- lowfield township, who have both been laid to rest. After his marriage, Mr. Rider bought 107 acres adjoining the homestead, and now owns 239 acres of well-cultivated land, where he carries on a gen- eral farming and stock raising business. He takes an interest in public questions, votes with the Re- publican party, has been prominently identified with educational progression, and has served as a member of the school board. In religious faith he is a member of the Disciple Church. Mrs. Rider died in 1880, leaving two children, Henry E., a widower (living on the home place), and Simon.

W ILLIAM BEALL is a representative of a family of Scottish pioneers, who were early settlers in Brooke (now Hancock) county, W. Va. The first ancestor who came to West Virginia was Philip Beall, who was born in Maryland, of Scotch parentage. In early life he came to Hancock county, W. Va., and took up a tomahawk claim of 600 acres. The family were often compelled to leave their cabin and flee for safety from the Indians, to a fort which the pioneers had united in erecting. After selecting his land, Mr. Beall began to clear ground to plant the amount of corn required by law in order to se- cure the tract. In the meantime their supplies were brought over the mountains from the East, and some years later their salt was all brought from the East. Philip Beall and his faithful wife lived to a ripe old age, and saw the wild country around them dotted first with cabins and then more substantial homes. Mr. Beall possessed great physical strength, and was of massive propor- tions, weighing over two hundred pounds. He died in 1805, and his wife survived him only a few years, when she was buried in "Three Spring" cemetery, Hancock Co., W. Va. Nine children were born to these pioneers, seven daughters and two sons, of whom William moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he died.

Philip Beall, youngest son of Philip, was born in 1793, in Hancock county, W. Va. He attended the rude schools of that time until the death of his father, when the care of the farm fell upon him

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and his brother William. The former was not yet thirteen years of age, but he went bravely to work, and, preparing the ground, the boys each planted ten acres of corn and oats, using the clumsy im- plements which were then provided. Philip re- mained on the home farm until after the death of his mother, when, the old place being sold, he lived for some time with a brother-in-law. In early manhood he was married to Mary Gibson, who was born in 1800 in Washington county, Penn., a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Campbell) Gib- son. The following children were born to them: Elizabeth (died in early girlhood), Mary Ann (de- ceased wife of John Carson, Stark county, Ohio), William (whose sketch follows), Rebecca (Mrs. James Morrison, of Paris, Penn.), James (living in Kansas), Melinda (an unmarried lady, of Salem, Ohio), Nancy (deceased) and Philip (of Salem, Ohio). The parents began married life in Han- over township, this county, and in 1827 came to the home farm, where the father passed the re- mainder of his active life. He was a popular citi- zen, and in politics was a lifelong Democrat, be- ing an enthusiastic supporter of his party. Al- though not a church member, Mr. Beall contrib- uted liberally to the U. P. Church at Paris, of which his wife was a member. He died October 24, 1860. His wife died September 12, 1849. They are buried in the Paris cemetery.

William Beall, son of Philip and Mary (Gibson) Beall, was born December 11, 1826, in Hanover township. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade at Frankfort, Penn., which he followed a year and a half. He then sustained an injury which necessitated his temporary absence from the anvil, and finally compelled him to aban- don the business. He returned to the farm, and followed rural pursuits until 1852; then joined in the California Argonauts, making the trip from St. Joseph, Mo., to Placerville (then "Hangtown "), Cal., in 104 days. He remained in California six. years and eight months, returning via Aspinwall, Panama City and New York, and resumed work on his father's farm. In the fall of 1860 he married Margaret Ann, born in 1836, in Smith township, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Reed) McCready. The following children were born to them: Mary L. (Mrs. Seward Walker, of Toronto, Ohio), Harry E. (a skilled railroad man in Nevada), James A. (a farmer of Hanover township), Addie L. (Mrs. Dr .. Mayo Patterson, of Greensburg, Penn. ), Laura V. (wife of Thomas MeWright, of Hanover township), Dessa L., William C. and Alvie J., all of whom are living at home. After his marriage William Beall located on a farm which he had previously purchased near Florence, Penn., and when the old homestead was sold in 1864, he purchased it, and took up his residence there. The old place has been greatly improved under his care, and is now

adorned by a fine residence. He cultivates small fruits, and was formerly interested in the wool bus- iness, but now devotes his principal attention to a dairy. In politics Mr. Beall is a lifelong Demo- crat, taking an active interest in his party. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presby- terian Church at Paris, and all the family are highly esteemed.

AMES BROWN TENAN. A record of the substantial citizens of Washington county would be incomplete were the names of this representative family of Smith township not included in the list. They were among the large number of pioneers who emigrated from Ireland to America during the eighteenth century.

James Tenan was born in 1758, in County Lon- donderry, Ireland, where he was educated. Soon after the close of the Revolution the young man crossed the ocean to America in a small sailing vessel, and in the course of time located in Penn- sylvania. He married Jane Brown, near the town of Octoraro, Lancaster county, where they re- mained until 1785, when they purchased and settled upon a small tract of land in Smith town- ship, this county, where the following named chil- dren were born: John, Robert, James, William, Mary and Moses. Mr. Tenan (who then spelled his name Tynan) united with the Democratic party. In religion he was an early member of the Associate Reformed Church. He died in 1840, having been preceded to the grave by his wife in 1836.

James Tenan, son of James and Jane (Brown) Tenan, was born in 1796, in Smith township, and received his education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood. In 1829 he was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of George M. Mccullough, a native of Lancaster county, Penn. Mr. McCullough grew to manhood there, and there married Agnes Gibson, to whom the following named children were born: Christina (Mrs. James Wilson), Agnes (wife of Thomas Mccullough), Susan, Jane (Mrs. Joseph McNall), Mary (wife of James Brown) and Margaret (Mrs. James Tenan). Mr. McCullough came to Washington county and settled on a 400-acre tract of land in Smith town- ship, where his life was passed. He brought a few slaves with him to Washington county, where they remained until they died. Politically he was a Federalist, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church at Florence, where both he and his wife were buried. James and Margaret (McCullough) Tenan passed their married life on the home place in Smith township, and to their union two sons were born, viz .: George McCul- lough and James Brown. The father was liberal in his political views, and voted with the Jackson-

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ian Democrats. In religious faith he was a mem- ber and liberal supporter of the Associate Re- formed Church until his death, which occurred April 1, 1859.

James Brown Tenan was born September 14, 1832, the day of the burning of New York City, in Smith township, where he received a common- school education. On June 5, 1860, he married Mary, daughter of Jonas Amspoker, of Smith township, and to this union one son, Douglas, was born (died at the age of three years). On March 21, 1864, the mother died, and for his second wife Mr. Tenan married, at Philadelphia, in October, 1876, Harriet E., daughter of William H. Bozman, of McConnellsville, Morgan Co., Ohio. Her par- ents are both deceased; the father died in Septem- ber, 1860, and the mother died at Athens, Ohio. In politics Mr. Tenan is an active Democrat, and with the exception of three years, spent at Athens, Ohio, has been a resident of Burgettstown ever since. He is a member and earnest supporter of the United Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, Mrs. Tenan being a member of the M. E. Church. On the farm in Smith township, which is situated two miles from Burgettstown, are two oil wells, with fair prospects for others. Mr. Tenan had (on his mother's side) two aunts (Mccullough by name), who lived to be over ninety years of age.

S AMUEL McCOY (deceased), a pioneer farm- er of Chartiers township, is a son of John and Lydia McCoy, who came to Pennsylva- nia about the time of the Revolution, and took out a patent of the land in Chartiers township, Washington county, where the widow of Samuel McCoy is now living. John and Lydia McCoy re- mained on the farm until their death, and reared the following children: Elizabeth, born Decem- ber 2, 1801; Agnes, born September 23, 1803; Nancy, born January 19, 1805; Robert (deceased September 19, 1819), born January 25, 1808; Neal (living in Washington county, Penn.), born Sep- tember 16, 1813; John (deceased October 24, 1889, in this county), born September 13, 1815; Samuel, born September 17, 1817; and Lydia (Mrs. William McWilliams of Canonsburg), born May 27, 1820.

Samuel McCoy, whose name opens this sketch, was born on the farm in Chartiers township, this county, remaining at home during his boyhood and receiving an education at the subscription schools of the vicinity. On March 3, 1859, he was married at Paris, Penn., to Isabelle Anderson, a native of Hancock county, Va., and daughter of Alexander and Anne (Anderson) Anderson, both of whom were also born in Hancock county. Alex- ander Anderson learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed, and in 1860 moved with his

family to Washington county, Penn., settling in Washington borough. He died a few years later, and his widow survived him many years. Their children were Isabelle (Mrs. Samuel McCoy), Sally (widow of Robert Andrews, living in Prosperity, this county), Nancy (Mrs. Joshua Hartman, resid- ing in Liverpool, Ohio, wife of John Arnold, both deceased), Elizabeth Hattie (living in Washing- ton), Minnie (deceased in November, 1889), Alfred (enlisted in Washington county in the war, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg), William (married), a blacksmith in Nebraska, and John, who died a few years ago.

Samuel McCoy passed his married life on the place where his widow is now residing, and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. Five children were born to his union with Isabelle Anderson, namely: Mary, born March 5, 1860; Lydia Ann, born March 19, 1862 (married on September 9, 1885, to Sam- uel Fee); Samuel (deceased October 8, 1866), born June 16, 1864; John, born February 24, 1867; and Elizabeth, born October 2, 1869. The father of this family died October 9, 1871, in Chartiers township, at the age of fifty-five years. During life he took an interest in political questions, vot- ing with the Democratic party, but preferred to spend the greater part of his time in home work. The old home farm, where Mrs. McCoy is now living has been in the possession of the family for more than a century, and is a valuable piece of property.

M RS. ELMIRA REDD is a daughter of John Conrad, and the widow of Thomas C. Redd, who was a son of Solomon Redd. The latter was born in Washington county, Penn., and there married to Mary, daughter of Squire Scott, also a native of this county. The children of Solomon and Mary Redd were as fol- lows: Thomas C. (deceased), Samuel, Sarah A. (wife of James Wygant), Margaret (married to Will- iam Dicky), Susan (wife of Dr. Riggs), John, Sol- omon and Parke (the last named being deceased). The father was a farmer, also a boatman on the Ohio and Monongahela rivers. In politics he voted with the Whig and Republican parties, and he was a member of the Baptist Church.

Thomas C. Redd was born April 12, 1822, on the home farm in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his education in the sub- scription schools of the neighborhood. He then worked on the farm, and also went on the river with his father to New Orleans. On September 25, 1851, he was united in marriage with Elmira Conrad, and the following children have been born to their union: Marion P., Josephine, Melissa E., John H., S. Ellsworth, William Henry, Marguer- ite and Charles F. The parents resided for twenty

Thomas @ Redd.

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years on a farm about two miles from Charleroi, then located near Cooper Mill, in Fallowfield township, and in 1881 came to the present home of the family in Charleroi. In March, 1890, Mr. Redd sold to the Alexander Land Company 116 acres, upon which site the eastern portion of Char- leroi is situated. Mr. Redd was a stanch sup. porter of the Republican party, and served in various local offices; in religious faith he was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died February, 7, 1892.

A LEXANDER W. POLLOCK, of the firm of Baker & Pollock, widely known as extensive dealers in lumber, Washington borough, is a native of the county, having been born April 21, 1839, in Peters township.

Alexander Pollock, grandfather of our subject, emigrated from his native County Derry, Ireland, to America, about the end of the last century. With him came one brother and one sister, the former of whom is now deceased; the latter mar- ried Robert Thompson, of this county, and her de- scendants are still living here. Alexander Pollock here married Martha Greives, and they had a nu- merous family. The grandfather died in Lawrence county, Penn., at the advanced age of eighty years; the grandmother passed away in the year 1810, leaving five children: John; Mrs. Sarah Brown, in Lawrence county; James; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Brown; and Alexander, in Lawrence county. Alexander Pollock was engaged during his lifetime in public works-canals, the Pennsyl- vania & Erie Railroad, etc.

James Pollock, father of Alexander W., was born in 1805 in Peters township. His first occupation was farming and teaming in his native township, and afterward, in addition to agriculture, he oper- ated a gristmill and carried on a general store. In 1834 he married Miss Jane, daughter of John Bu- chanan, of Cecil township, who came from Ireland to this county about the close of the last century, settling in this county; one grandson, John Bu- chanan, is now living in Cecil township. Mr. and Mrs. James Pollock lived on their farm in Peters township, where were born to them: Martha, who married David G. Moore, of this county, and is now deceased; John, deceased at the age of sixteen years; Alexander W .; Isabella, wife of W. T. Moore, of Cecil township, and Jane, who was married to M. P. Ross, and is now deceased. The mother died in 1845, at the age of thirty-seven years; the father was carried off by typhoid-pneumonia in 1862, being then in his fifty-eighth year. In the fall preceding his death he had been elected county treasurer, on the Republican ticket, and had been in office but about six weeks when death overtook 34

him; he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and in politics an active worker.

Alexander W. Pollock grew to manhood on the homestead in Peters township, attending the com- mon schools of the neighborhood. He assisted in farm work until September 12, 1861, when he en- listed in Company A, Eighty-fifth P. V. I. for three years' service. He was in the Peninsular Cam- paign and served in the engagement at Kingston, N. C., December 14, 1862, where he was struck by a bullet in the thigh, which so disabled him that for sixteen weeks he was unable to use crutches, and when at the end of that time he could move around with them, it was ten months before he was well enough to lay them aside. On May 28, 1863, he was honorably discharged and returned home. In 1864 Mr. Pollock married Miss Mary J., daugh- ter of Robert Moore, of Peters township, and the children born to them were: James, attending a law school at Buffalo, N. Y .; John, in the Theo- logical Seminary, at Allegheny; Robert (deceased), and Alexander and Mary, both at home. In 1866 Mr. Pollock and his family moved to the borough of Washington, he having been elected county treasurer, a position he held two years, after which, desiring to improve his education, he at- tended Washington and Jefferson College two and one-half years. He then spent one year and one- half as cashier in a bank at Washington, Penn. Find- ing his health failing about this time, Mr. Pollock be- took himself to the farm in Peters township, where for twelve years he followed agricultural pursuits, including droving, etc. When he went on the farm his weight was 135 pounds, with symptoms of consumption; now (1893) he tips the scales at 165 pounds, with a grand constitution and many years of life before him. In 1886 he returned to the borough and embarked in the general lumber bus- iness, including sash, door and builders' materials, in partnership with David B. Baker. Mr. Pollock is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and of W. F. Templeton Post, G. A. R., at Wash- ington.

G EORGE W. BLACK, wholesale and retail dealer in all kinds of tobacco, his factory being known as "No. 153," is a native of Washington, Penn., having been born March 26, 1842, in the house where he now lives. His grandfather, Daniel Black [Schwartz] came to this country from Wurtemberg, Germany, prior to the Revolution, and settled in Cumberland county, Penn. He died, at an advanced age, at Chambers- burg, Penn., whither he had moved in 1800. He was married in Germany, and had two sons-Daniel and George. Of these Daniel settled in Knox county, Ill., where his descendants are yet to be found, having the old family German name "Schwartz;" he died when aged over ninety years.

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George Black, the second son of Daniel, was born, in 1793, at Shippensburg, Penn., and was reared to agricultural pursuits from boyhood. He also learned milling, which he followed in connec- tion with farming, and drew many a load of flour to Baltimore and Philadelphia in his day. About the year 1820 he learned the tobacco and cigar business in Adamsburgh, Penn., and in 1823 came to Wash- ington, where he opened a business in that line, carrying on same until he retired in 1852. In 1856-57 he built the house in which A. B. Caldwell now lives, and there resided until his death, Jan- uary 30, 1862, he being then sixty-nine years of age. Mr. Black was no politician. For thirty or forty years he was a director of the First National Bank of Washington. He was the originator of the " Stoga " cigar, so called from the old Cone- stoga wagons that were used in freighting over the National pike. The wagoners requiring a cheap cigar, and "plenty of it" for the money, having more regard for quantity than quality, Mr. Black gratified their wants by introducing his far-famed "Stoga." He married, in 1832, Julia, daughter of Jacob Shaffer, one of the first watch and clock makers in the borough of Washington, and who also made the old-fashioned silverware, some of which is still in the possession of our subject. His store was opposite the " Auld House," in the old block corner now standing, and his residence was in Morgan's brick house. He came here from Lancaster county, Penn., and died in Washington in 1850, aged ninety-six years and four months. Mr. and Mrs. George Black had eight children, viz. : Jacob S., who went to California in 1860, and died there in 1889; Martha, now Mrs. A. J. Mont- gomery, living in Washington, Penn. ; George W., subject of sketch; Mary, widow of Elbridge Cra- craft, living in Washington, D. C., and four that died in childhood. The mother was called from earth July 19, 1865, at the age of fifty-six years.

George W. Black received his primary education at the common schools of his native town and later attended Washington and Jefferson College. After leaving school he assisted A. R. Waltz & Co. in the tobacco business, to which he ultimately suc- ceeded. In 1866 he was united in marriage, at Monongahela, with Myra B. Crall, of this county, and to them seven children were born: Samuel, in Washington; Martha, head nurse at present in a hospital, State of California; Maryetta, at home; William, a printer in Pittsburgh; Lucy and Myra Belle, at home, and George, who died in infancy. Mr. Black is Democratic in politics, and in his social connections is a member of the F. & A. M. The family for generations back have been Luther- ans. Our subject is popular as a whole-souled, genial, good-natured, sociable companion, a loyal and progressive citizen, and has hosts of friends.

The home in which he lives on South Main street was built in 1830 by his father, and is a substantial relic of the past.

D AVID S. FULTON. Few men are better known in Hanover township than is this gentleman, who is descended from an old and prominent Irish family, the first mem- ber of whom to set foot on American soil was John Fulton. This ancestor was born about the year 1768, in Ireland, where he received a good education, and came to America between 1790 and 1795. He landed in Philadelphia, Penn., remain- ing there for some time; and in 1795 was married to Jane Lockhard. She was born in 1769, and ·

resided with a brother David, who was a merchant of Philadelphia.

Soon after their marriage the young people moved to a farm in Maryland, where one son, James L., was born to them about 1796. They finally left Maryland, and crossing the mountains located on the home farm in Hanover township, then called Wimbleton, patented by William Campbell about 1796, and sold by Campbell to Morton, and by Morton to Fulton about 1802. Their cabin of logs stood intact for many years afterward, and some of the logs used in its con- struction are now utilized in a building on the farm of their grandson, David S. The children born to John and Jane Fulton after their arrival in Penn- sylvania were as follows: Nancy, married to David McNary, Muskingum county, Ohio; Jane, wife of George Culley, Hanover township; Phoebe, Mrs. James Bradley, of West Virginia; David, a farmer of Hanover township, this county; Martha, wife of David Hays, Smith township; Mary, Mrs. John Dunbar, of Jefferson county, Ohio, died in Wash- ington county, Penn., while visiting friends; Rob- ert, a farmer of Hanover township; and Sarah, widow of Col. Samuel McGill, of Cross Creek township. The father prospered after his location on the farm in Hanover township, year after year adding to his possessions, until he became an ex- tensive landowner. He was an ardent admirer of fine cattle, and took great pride in stock. When he first came to Hanover township, the con- veniences for keeping stock were very limited. He constructed a rude feed-mill by making a hole or mortar in a rock in which the grain was ground by hand with a wooden pestle. He was known as the best and most careful stockman in this town- ship. His cattle, when fat, were driven to Pitts- burgh, where a butcher, named Taggart, slaught- ered and sold the animals, holding the hide and tallow of each for his services and returning to Mr. Fulton the full price received for the meat. Mr. Fulton possessed an excellent judgment. Polit-

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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 113

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