Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 116

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 116

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J OHN C. MORGAN, the leading dry-goods merchant of Canonsburg, Penn., was born October 28, 1846, in Allegheny county, Penn. His father, James Morgan, was born on the same farm where his son John C. first saw the light of day. John C. Morgan remained on the home farm until about twenty years of age, when he went to Marshalltown, Iowa, and worked for a rail-

road company. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1881 came to Washington county, settling in Canonsburg, where he opened a dry-goods store, and has since remained in that business. In April, 1886, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Clara Wilson, and three children have blessed their union, namely: Edith and Edna (twins) and Clara.

Mr. Morgan is not an old resident of Washing- ton county, but since his first identification with the interests of Canonsburg has been a prominent leader in every movement for the general advance- ment and upbuilding of his adopted city. The beautiful store, which is now the pride of every citizen of Canonsburg, was at the time of Mr. Morgan's arrival a dilapidated and broken-down old structure. With characteristic energy and perseverance he remodeled and added to the origi- nal building until a complete transformation was effected. In 1891 he completed one of the finest four-story blocks within the limits of Washington county. Itis built of pressed brick, and has two fronts, nine store rooms, seven offices and two lodge rooms. When this building was in process of erection, this enterprising citizen saw the press- ing need of a public hall in Canonsburg, suitable for lectures and other entertainments, tending to educate and entertain the people, and to keep them abreast of the times. To think, with him, was to act, and in an incredibly short time after- ward his beautiful and commodious opera house was erected. This provides a seating capacity of 500, and is fully equipped with all necessary articles, being undoubtedly the superior of any similar hall in this county. Mr. Morgan keeps a full stock of goods which meet the wants of the' surrounding community. His store is both beau- tiful and expensive, fitted to be an ornament to any city. In the very prime of life, surrounded by friends and family, John C. Morgan is indeed a prosperous man, possessing wonderful business capacity, combined with untiring energy. He be- lieves in patronizing home industries, and to this end endeavors to supply his customers with a full line of modern goods at reasonable prices. It is almost needless to add that these endeavors have met with hearty approval and earnest co-operation from the citizens of Canonsburg, who appreciate the debt they owe to enterprising and public-spirited men like these. John C. Morgan is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, in the western part of Canonsburg, and in politics is a Republican.

HOMAS B. HIXON is a prominent farmer of North Strabane township. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, and came to the United States prior to the year 1790. He fought under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812, and then made a permanent

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home in Washington county, Penn., where he re- mained until his death, which occurred in 1847, his wife passing away in the same year. He was a man of quiet tastes and habits, never entering public or political life. He reared a family of six children, of whom James was the youngest son.

James Hixon, father of our subject, was born in 1790, on the farm adjoining the present home of his son Thomas B. He grew to manhood on the home place, and was then married to Jane Batey, who was born in 1809, and she bore him three chil- dren, namely: Thomas B., Mary and Lucy (wife of H. H. Raney, of Washington county). Mr. Hixon was a representative citizen of the county, and in religion he and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church. He died in 1881, on the farm where he was born, and his widow was laid beside him in 1889.

Thomas B. Hixon was born October 14, 1840, on the old home farm in North Strabane township, where he is now living. He passed his boyhood in attending to the school and farm duties. In the year 1861 he was married to Priscilla J. Horner, who was born in 1843, in North Strabane town- ship, daughter of Robert and Matilda Horner, early pioneers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hixon have had the following children: James H., Mary A. (wife of George Beebout, of Ohio), Nettie P. (married to Thomas Berry, a farmer of Missouri), Louis, Scott, Anna, Thomas, George, Howard, Charles and Ella. Mr. Hixon has owned and oper- ated a public gristmill, and also two portable saw- mills, for many years. He has a fine farm of 114 acres, which he manages with marked success. He is a Democrat, and has served the township in the capacity of assessor. four years, and as school director for three terms. He and his wife are devoted members of the U. P. Church.

R OBERT S. COOLEY was born September 16, 1843, in Hanover township, Beaver county, Penn. He was a son of Joseph, whose father, Robert, was born near Pitts- burgh, Penn. Robert Cooley was married to Jane Smith, who was born near Saw Mill run, in Allegheny county. He was a blacksmith by trade, and worked near Pittsburgh for some time, then moved to Hanover township, Beaver county, locat- ing about two and a half miles east of Frankfort. He worked at his trade there, and afterward turned his attention to farming, following that pursuit the remainder of his active life. His death occurred abont 1868, having been preceded by his wife in 1863, and both are now buried in Hopewell ceme- tery, Allegheny county. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph, Jane, Mary Ann, Robert, Francis, Nancy, Elizabeth, Mary, Marga- ret, Ellen and William (who died in infancy). The

children of this family now living are: Francis, residing near Abilene, Kans. ; Elizabeth, a maiden. lady of Beaver county; and Margaret (Mrs. Mc- Callister Dunlap), of Beaver county.

Joseph Cooley, son of Robert and Jane Cooley, was born in 1816, in Allegheny connty, where he. attended the rate schools. He then served a four years' apprenticeship as a carpenter, and worked at his trade in various places. In 1838 he was mar- ried to Matilda Anderson, who was born in 1818, and their children were born as follows: Mary Ann (Mrs. Samuel Kiefer, of Beaver county, Penn.), Elizabeth J. (wife of John Cool, of Allegheny county), Robert S. (whose sketch follows), Letitia E. (Mrs. Thomas), Joseph (a farmer of Beaver county), Matilda (wife of John Donnell, of Alle- gheny county) and Nancy (who died in infancy) .. After his marriage Joseph Cooley located on the. farm of his father, in Beaver county, and resided there the remainder of his life. In politics he was a Republican, taking an active interest in the suc- cess of his party, and in religion was formerly a member of the Presbyterian Church at Hopewell, in Allegheny county, afterward uniting with the Frankfort Presbyterian Church. He died in 1881.

Robert S. Cooley was born September 16, 1843, in Beaver county, passing his youth on the farm, and being educated in the common schools. On October 28, 1874, he was married to Jennie L. Gilleland, who was born in 1849, daughter of Will- iam Gilleland, of Beaver county. Robert S. and Jennie L. (Gilleland) Cooley have had six children, viz .: Mary E., William R., Harry A., Estella, a son deceased in infancy, and Robert C. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley began wedded life on the farm in. Hanover township, Washington county, where they yet reside. He has been engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising, and is numbered among the well-to-do and successful farmers of the commu- nity. He is ever ready to assist in any beneficial enterprise, and was among the first to aid in the establishment of a creamery, which was opened near his home some time since. In politics he is a Re- publican, and in religion he and his wife are mem- bers of the Frankfort Presbyterian Church, in which he is a member of the Session.

M RS. NARCISSA V. YANT is the widow of James H. Yant, and daughter of New- ton and Nancy (Cooper) Vanvoorhis. Isaac Vanvoorhis, a well-known farmer of Som- erset township, this county, is an uncle of Mrs. Yant.

James H. Yant was a son of Daniel, who was born in Chester county, Penn., his parents having emigrated from Germany to Pittsburgh. In 1825 Daniel Yant came to Washington county, Penn., and bought a good farm, to which he brought his.

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wife, Sarah Applegate, a native of Allegheny county, Penn. They were the parents of two chil- dren: Martha, widow of John Stoud, living in Allen township, and James H. The father died on the farm in September, 1867.

James H. Yant was born April 30, 1827, in Car- roll township, Washington Co., Penn., and received a subscription-school education. His youth was passed in assisting his parents, and he early evinced a strong inclination for mechanical pursuits. In November, 1852, he selected a life companion, in the person of Miss Narcissa Vanvoorhis, who bore him the following children: Clarence Linden, James Taylor, Lena May (all of whom are deceased); Daniel Newton, born December 13, 1857, is super- intendent of the iron mills at Allegheny City; Sam- uel Linton, living on a farm in Allegheny county, born August 26, 1863; Theodore Clinton, a carpen- ter, of Washington, Penn., born May 22, 1867; Nora Ethel, living at home, born August 24, 1874, and Harvey A., also at home, born January 20, 1879. Mr. Yant was a hard-working man and an excellent manager, having owned 135 acres of good land. When his health failed, the sons took charge of the place, which they have since con- ducted very successfully. Mr. Yant voted with the Republican party, and in religion associated with the Presbyterian Church. In business circles he possessed the thorough confidence of all, and "his word was ever considered as good as his bond." He died July 10, 1888, and was buried in the Van- voorhis cemetery at Pigeon Creek. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Yant has rented a por- tion of the farm, and resides in the handsome brick residence, which is located about two and a half miles from Monongahela City. She is a very pop- ular, agreeable lady, and a valued member of a large social circle.

G EORGE H. MILLER, M. D., one of the leading physicians of McDonald, in this county, was born near Claysville, Penn., April 23, 1846. He is a son of Christopher and Sarah J. Miller, who were married in

1840. To them were born nine children-six sons and three daughters. The sons are Leamon, Cal- vin, George H., Charles W., William and John; the girls are Mary Jane, Margaret (wife of John Holmes) and Frances E. (widow of Bruce Ramage). Of the boys, three are dead-Leamon, William and John.

Dr. Miller was born in Donegal township, this county. He received his elementary education at the common schools, at the Southwestern State Normal School, California, and the normal school at Millsboro, and after teaching four or five years in the different schools of the county commenced the study of medicine, in 1867, with Dr. John

Kelly, now of Washington, Penn. In the fall of 1870 he attended medical lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He then con- ducted a drug store at Burgettstown until the fall of 1872; again attended medical lectures at the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati (Ohio), from which he graduated in March, 1873, and commenced the practice of his profession at Clays- ville. After remaining there for eighteen months he moved to Midway, Penn., and after staying there some four years moved to Imperial, Alle- gheny Co., Penn., where he remained for eight years. He then moved to McDonald, his present location, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession, also conducting a drug store.

On May 30, 1872, the Doctor was united in marriage with Frances E. Woodburn, daughter of John and Margaret Woodburn, of Burgettstown, both of whom are still living-he at the age of eighty-two and his wife at the age of eighty-one. The following named children were born to this union: Lawrence E. (deceased), Anna M., Will- iam M., George F. and John Stanley. Dr. Mil- ler is an attendant of the United Presbyterian Church, and in political opinion is a prominent member of the Republican party; was one of the first members of McDonald council, and also one of the first members of its school board. He now enjoys a very lucrative practice, and is a popular physician.

W ILSON S. CAMPBELL. The great-great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch came from Scotland in the beginning of the sixteenth century, and settled in east- ern Pennsylvania or New Jersey, where he died. The great-grandfather of Wilson S. was married to - Hammond about 1775 (a native of eastern Pennsylvania), and shortly afterward they came further west, settling in the northern part of Washington county, Penn., near what is now Cross Creek village, at a timewhen the forests were abounding in wolves and other wild beasts. They had nine children: Gracie, John, James, William, David, Charles, George H., Betsey and Polly, all of whom lived to be married, and scat- tered. Gracie, John, James, William and David moved to Belmont county, Ohio; the other four married and remained in Pennsylvania. Gracie married Benjamin Bay; John married Betsey Lyle; James married Peggy Smith; William married Smith; David married Ann Ray; Charles married Easter Mason; George H. married Eliza- beth Ray; Betsey married William Ray; Polly mar- ried William Fulton. George H. and Charles re- mained on the old homestead, and died there at advanced ages.

George H. Campbell, grandfather of subject,

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had eleven children: Jane, married to John Wil- son, of Noble county, Ohio; John, married to Eliza Moore, of Hickory, Penn. ; Mary, married to John Graham, of Knox county, Ohio; William, married to Elizabeth Nichols, of Greene county, Penn. ; Elizabeth, who died at the age of fifty-eight, un- married; Samuel S. (named for Dr. Scott, deceased, Mrs. President Harrison's father; was married three times: first time to a daughter of Dr. Wright, of Ashtabula, Ohio; second time, to Ann E. Wallace, of Washington, Penn .; third time, to Mary Law, of Harrison county, Ohio); George W. (the father of our subject); Esther I. (unmarried), living in Cadiz, Ohio. The others died when young. Mason Campbell, son of Charles, now lives on the old home place.

George W. Campbell was born in 1826, in Cross Creek township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits on the old home farm, attending in his boyhood the subscription schools of the vicinity. In 1855 he married Miss Charlotte, daughter of James and Margaret Wilson, of West Pike Run township. After marriage they located on the old farm in Cross Creek township, and there remained till October, 1867, when they moved to Midway, Robinson township, and two and one-half years later built the hotel in Midway, which they occu- pied and carried on till September, 3, 1885, at which date the father died very suddenly, aged fif- ty-nine years. The family remained at Midway, continuing the hotel business, until March, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Campbell were the par- ents of five children, as follows: Johnetta Jessie, who died at the age of ten months; Wilson S. (our subject); Graham S., living at McDonald, this coun- ty; Esther Elida, married to W. H. Baldwin, of Cadiz, Ohio, and Mary Velma, deceased at the age of nine months.

Wilson S. Campbell was born April 20, 1858, in Cross Creek township, Washington Co., Penn., on the homestead where he was reared to farm life, his education being received in the public schools of the neighborhood. He removed with his par- ents to Midway, and at the age of fifteen com- menced clerking in a general store in that town, in which he continued nine years. Then for six years he conducted a furniture establishment in the same town. On January 5, 1891, he was ap- pointed clerk of the commissioners of Washington county, and removed into the city of Washington, where he is now residing. Under President Ar- thur's administration he had been appointed post- master at Midway, and served in that office until the appointment of a Democratic successor under President Cleveland. On September 20, 1882, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Kate E., daughter of J. J. and Margaret Cleland, of Buffalo township, this county, and two children were born to them, James St. Clair and Flora

Elida. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington, and while at Midway he was a member of the Ses- sion, of Raccoon Presbyterian Church. In politics he has always been a straight Republican.

E ADWARD P. CHERRY. This well-known and successful gentleman can boast a prouder lineage than lord or lady of royal birth, for his ancestors were among the first rulers of the New World, and martyrs for the future generation, freely giving their lives that "the children" might have happier homes and the God giving liberties which were denied our fathers. Shall the memory of these ancestors, our royal peerage, sink into oblivion while we enjoy the priceless liberties for which our fathers toiled, suffered and died? Small wonder that we are eager to obtain and record every incident of those noble lives, hoping to thus rear a monument for our loved and honored ones, which will live in the hearts of our children when we, too, "are gathered to our fathers." Among the earliest of early pioneers the name of Cherry takes a prominent position.

Thomas and Mary Cherry were born near Bristol, England, and emigrated to America in 1770, first settling in Frederick county, Md. In 1774 they moved to Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., where he erected a log cabin. He was a spy in the Revolutionary war, and one morning was found lying dead by the spring near the cabin, scalped by the Indians; his son John was also killed by the Indians the following year. In 1774 Fort Cherry was built on the home farm, contain- ing three log buildings, one twenty-five feet square, and the smaller ones arranged in a triangular manner. This was used some years as the resi- dence of the Cherry, McCarty and Rankin families.

Edward Cherry was born in July, 1776, on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, where his boyhood was passed amid the dangers of pioneer life, trebled by the horrors of the Revolution. On March 4, 1802, he was united in marriage with Rebecca Perrin, who was born in 1781, in New Jersey, and bore him children, of whom the following is recorded: William P., born in December, 1803, was reared on the farm, receiving a meager subscription-school education, but by close application became an expert mathematician (he was several times offered the chair as professor of mathematics, but would not accept it, preferring to remain on the old farmn; he was actively interested in politics; he died April 10, 1890); Eleanor, born March 10, 1805, on January 20, 1825, was married to Thomas Stewart, a farmer, and resided in Allegheny county, Penn. (she passed away February 5, 1872); Nancy, born

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in November, 1806, on March 12, 1835, gave her hand in marriage to Matthew Rankin (they settled in Mt. Pleasant township, where she died Decem- ber 5, 1855; her husband married again and died at Burgettstown June 13, 1880); Aaron, born August 29, 1808, on May 19, 1834, was united in marriage with Margaret Benward, first settling in Mt. Pleasant township, thence moving to Woos- ter, Ohio, and afterward returning to Mt. Pleasant township where they lived twenty years on the farm, then went to Uhrichsville, Ohio, where he died September 17, 1875; Maria L., born in November, 1810, was never married, and died August 12, 1886; Rebecca, born in Decem- ber, 1812, passed her life' on the home farm and died October 8, 1881; Rachel, born in December, 1814, was married on October 8, 1840, to James Stewart (they settled in Allegheny county, Penn., where she died); Sarah, born in 1817, lived with her brother, Edward P., until her death, which occurred in December, 1891; Edward P., born May 19, 1819, whose sketch is given below; Eliza Jane, born in 1821, was married October 8, 1850, to William Cherry, Guernsey county, Ohio (they first settled on the home farm, and in 1875 moved to near Waco, McLennan Co., Tex., where they now reside).

The father of this large family was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in politics was a stanch ad- herent of the Whig party. He was a man of sterling moral worth and true piety, but a member of no church. Mrs. Cherry was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Candor, this county. He died July 1, 1854, in his seventy-eighth year, on the farm where his whole life had been passed.

Edward P. Cherry was born on the old farm in Mt. Pleasant township, on Cherry's run, in Cherry valley, which is yet his home. He was educated in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, and on September 26, 1854, was married to Mary Jane Lawton, a native of Cross Creek township, this county. She is a granddaughter of Joseph and Mary (Alway) Lawton, natives of Rhode Is- land, who came to this county in 1824, and settled in Cross Creek township, where he died in 1839, his wife passing away in 1841. She is a daughter of Pardon Lawton, who was born, in 1798, in Rhode Island, and in 1824 he and his parents came with a six-ox team over the mountains to Washington county, Penn., settling in Cross Creek township. In 1826 he was married to Tabitha Vincent, daughter of Alexander and Jane Vincent, natives of Maryland, who moved to Washington county, Penn., settling in Hopewell township, and the young people settled permanently in Cross Creek township. He was an active politician of the Whig party. Mrs. Lawton was a member of the Buffalo Presbyterian Church, and both she and her husband were conscientious Christians.

He died January 27, 1876, and was followed by his wife October 25, 1884. Their children were born as follows: Joseph (living in West Middle- town, Penn., married to Mary Louisa Quest); Rosanna (married to Samuel Davidson, Hopewell township); Mary Jane, born April 18, 1830 (mar- ried to Edward P. Cherry); Sarah (living in Hope- well township, wife of George Leggett); Peter (liv- ing in Cressna Park, Penn., married to Mary McCoy); Alexander (living in West Middletown); Charles (residing in Washington, Penn., married to Sarah Guiney); John (enlisted in 1861, at West. Middletown, in the Forty-second P. V. I., serving till the end of the war, when he went to Monmouth; he was married to Matilda Brownlee, and died in September, 1878); James (living in West Middle- town, this county); Thomas Vincent (a resident of West Middletown) and Margaret Elizabeth (also living in West Middletown).

Mr. Cherry owns a good farm containing 103 acres, part of which he rents and uses as a pasture. It has been in the possession of the Cherry family since 1774, and many improvements have been made, a good house being erected in 1884. Mr. Cherry is fond of hunting and is a skillful marks- man. Politically he has long been an active Re- publican, having voted for General Harrison, and served his party in various township offices. He and his wife are members of the U. P. Church at Hickory, this county. [Since the above was writ- ten, Mr. Edward P. Cherry died at his home in Mt. Pleasant township, December 23, 1892, in his seventy-fourth year.

THE FARLEY FAMILY. The oldest mem- ber of the family of this name, of whom there is any record, was Joseph Farley, a farmer by occupation, a native of County Armagh, Ireland, who there married Sarah Carr, a resident of the same county, and reared the following children: Joseph, William, Robert, James, Samuel, John and Rebecca (Mrs. John Kennedy). Mr. Farley was a member of the Pres- byterian Church, of which Rev. James Harvey was the pastor.

Joseph Farley was born in 1779, in County Ar- magh, Ireland, and received his education in the schools of that country. In early manhood he was married to Nancy Lindsey, a resident of the same neighborhood, and the children born to them in Ireland were: John, Mary (Mrs. Samuel Palmer), James, William, Rebecca and Samuel. In 1824 Mr. Farley and his family embarked at Warrens- point, Ireland, for America, and after a voyage of five weeks and three days landed at Quebec, Can- ada, in which city they remained eight weeks, and thence traveling slowly by boats and carriages, ar- rived at Pittsburgh with but $15 with which to.

James Farley

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begin a new life. They pushed bravely on, how- ever, and finally reached Washington county, Penn., where Mr. Farley rented a farm in Char- tiers township. Here he remained four years, and then moved to South Strabane township, where he lived five years, at the end of which time he re- turned to Chartiers township, where he resided nineteen years, afterward purchasing a farm in South Strabane township, to which he soon added the place now occupied by the family, and hither he moved. After settling in Washington county, two daughters were born to them: Sarah and Nancy J. Mr. Farley was another example of what suc- cess might be achieved by patient industry, for from small beginnings he became a prosperous farmer and stock raiser. In politics he was a lead- ing Democrat, and in religious faith he was a member of and liberal contributor toward the United Presbyterian Church at Cross Roads, in Chartiers township. In June, 1857, he was laid to rest by the side of his wife, who had preceded him to the grave in November, 1856.

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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 116

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