Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 118

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 118

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

M H. BORLAND, a leading stock raiser and prominent agriculturist of Cecil town- ship, is a son of Cornelius Borland. His grandfather, Matthew Borland, was born in County Down, Ireland, and about 1790, while in early manhood, immigrated to America, first locating in Allegheny county, Penn. He married Margaret Connor, a native of upper St. Clair township, where the young people began their married life. In 1829 they moved to South Fayette township, Allegheny county, where their lives were ended. He was an active participant in the Whisky Insurrection. Politically he was a Democrat and afterward a Whig, and in religion was a member of the Associate Reformed Presby- terian Church. He died in 1842, his wife in 1837.

Cornelius Borland was born June 10, 1806, on the home place in Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny county. In June, 1836, he married Rebecca Kelso, who was born in 1816, in South Fayette township, Allgeheny Co., Penn. The young people first located on the old homestead, afterward moved to North Fayette township, and in April, 1846, bought 204 acres of land in Cecil township, upon which they settled. This tract was originally patented by Edward Cheese, who disposed of his right to Mrs. Kerr, who sold it to Arthur Long, who afterward sold it to Dr. Riddile, and Mr. Borland finally purchased it from the heirs of the last-named owner. To Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Borland the following children were born: M. H., Martha M. (wife of David Reed, of Smith township), Margaret C. (Mrs. Vincent McBride, of Canton township), Mary E. (wife of James A. Little, of Cecil town- ship), Agnes R. (wife of Andrew R. Paxton, of Savannah, Ohio), Andrew C. (who married Amanda R. Stevenson, is living on the old homestead), and John K. (also living on the home farm). The father was a colonel in the State militia for seven years, and was actively interested in the political questions of Allegheny county. He and his wife were formerly members of the Associate Reformed Church at Robinson's Run, afterward uniting with the U. P. Church at Venice, this county. He died in 1872, aged sixty-seven years. His widow is yet residing on the old home farm.

M. H. Borland was born August 27, 1837, in Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny Co., Penn. When nine years of age he came with his parents to Cecil township, Washington county, and there received a district-school education. On July 6, 1875, Mr. Borland was united in marriage with Mattie Miller, a native of Canonsburg, this county, a daughter of Reed and Martha (Fergus) Miller, natives of Washington county, and residents of Canonsburg. The father was born in 1817 and died in 1873; the mother died in 1851.

After marriage, our subject and his wife settled on the farm of 157 acres where they are now liv-

ing, and which is situated on Miller's run. Mr. Borland has made many improvements, and has erected a pleasant new residence and other build- ings. The proprietors of the Ridgeway Bishop. Coal Company have bought twenty acres of Mr. Borland's farm, which already has railroad facili- ties, making it easy of access to Pittsburgh. In August, 1862, Mr. Borland enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-third P. V. I., for a term of nine months, and was assigned to the army of the Potomac, taking part in the battles of Fred- ericksburg and Chancellorsville. He received an honorable discharge in May, 1863, at Harrisburg, Penn., and returned to his farm in Cecil town- ship. In politics he votes with the Republican party; he has been justice of the peace several. years; has served in various other positions, and was secretary of the school board for ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Borland are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Venice, this county. They have six children: John M., Agnes R., Matthew H., Anna M., Ida M. and Rose E.

J OHN G. PAXTON, an enterprising and suc- cessful citizen of Chartiers township, is ex- tensively engaged in the dairy business, together with farming and stock raising. He represents an early pioneer family, being a son of Thomas Paxton, whose father, John Paxton, was born in York county, Penn. John Paxton came to. Washington county in 1782, and was married to Martha Paxton, a native of York county, who crossed the mountains on horseback, coming to this county when but a child. She afterward re- turned to York county, and carried salt from there. to Washington county on horseback. After their marriage the young couple settled in Chartiers township, where both died, leaving several chil- dren to perpetuate their memory, viz .: Eliza, Thomas, John and Samuel, all dead but Samuel.

Thomas Paxton was born in 1804, on the home .. place in Chartiers township, and in 1833 was united in marriage with Jane Mills, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, where the wedding took place. Her parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, and natives of Ohio, the pioneers of the family having settled in that State in an early day, and there their descendants are yet living. They made a permanent home in Chartiers township, this county, and reared the following children: John G., George- Mills (deceased at the age of twenty-six years), Samuel (married, and a farmer of Boone county, Iowa), Mattie (deceased in 1884, second wife of H. O. Mcknight), Isaac N. (married and living in Chartiers township), Nancy (Mrs. Thomas McEwen, of Chartiers township), Mary (deceased in her twenty-third year), Thomas (married and living on the old homestead) and Minnie (wife of William

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Zeh, living near Monongahela City). Of these chil- dren, George Mills was educated at Jefferson Col- tege, Canonsburg, and afterward took a theological course at the United Presbyterian College, Alle- gheny City. He then filled part of an appointment at Rochester, N. Y., under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery, but soon after his return home was taken ill and died. Mr. Paxton followed farming in this county, and in politics was a Whig, afterward uniting with the Republican party. He was a member and trustee of the Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church. He died in 1887, on the old homestead.

John G. Paxton was born August 18, 1836, on the home farm in Chartiers township, where he was reared and educated. On January 1, 1863, he was united in marriage with Ann Knox Miller, a native of Mt. Pleasant township, and daughter of John and Margaret Miller. They were natives of this county, and of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the grand- parents of Mrs. Paxton having emigrated from Ireland, and patented a claim which is yet in the possession of the family. John Miller was a farmer, and in religious faith was first a member of the Seceder Church at Hickory, this county, then united with the United Presbyterian Church at Cross Roads. He died many years ago, and was followed by his wife in 1872, both being very old at the time of their death.

In April, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. Paxton settled on the farm where they are now living, which he has improved with a good residence and barns. The farm contains 128 acres of well-cultivated land. In 1876 he began dealing in stock, having been the first to introduce Holstein cattle into Washington county, Penn. He also dealt in Merino sheep, breeding some fine Black-Top. He milks an av- erage of twenty cows, shipping forty gallons of milk per day, and has been in the dairy business since 1873. He has raised registered Yorkshire swine, having taken premiums at Detroit (Mich.) and other places. Mrs. Paxton died February 22, 1872, leaving four children, viz .: George Grant (living in Chartiers township, and married to Mary McNary, daughter of J. C. McNary, of Chartiers township), James, Lillie and John Graham (editor of the Kent Courier, at Kent, Ohio, employing five or six men). In 1873 Mr. Paxton was married to Ellen, daughter of William and Martha (Mitchell) .Cameron, natives of South Strabane township, this

county. The father was a farmer and died in 1874, having been preceded by the mother to the grave. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pax- ton, viz .: William, Jennie A., Emma and Eva (deceased in infancy); the last two were twins. In politics Mr. Paxton votes the Republican ticket, and has frequently held township offices. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Houstonville, and he has been president

of the board of trustees until quite recently. He ranks among the progressive men and farmers of his county.

A LEXANDER BORLAND is a native of Washington county, Penn., and son of An- drew Borland, who was born in Washington county. In 1824 he was united in marriage. with Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Mc- Clure, and eleven children were born to their mar- riage, namely : Alexander, Mary, Rebecca, Margaret A., Elizabeth, Sarah, Catherine, Andrew, Martha, Rachel and James. Of this family, Rebecca, Catherine, Martha and Rachel are now deceased. The father always followed farming on the old place, with the exception of about six years, and died in 1860. The mother passed away April 10, 1889.

Alexander Borland, eldest son of Andrew and Elizabeth Borland, was born December 10, 1825, on the farm in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn., where he grew to manhood. On December 4, 1849, he was married to Margaret Jane, daugh- ter of James and - Agnes Crawford, who were the parents of nine children, namely: William (de- ceased), Sarah, Andrew (living on the old homestead in Peters township), Tamar, Mary Ann, Agnes, Elizabeth, Margaret Jane (Mrs. Borland) and Priscilla; of whom Andrew and Margaret are the only ones yet living.

To the union of Alexander and Margaret Jane (Crawford) Borland the following children have been born: James Crawford, Elizabeth McClure (Mrs. Caldwell), Andrew Alexander, Mary Agnes, and Elmer Ellsworth (deceased). In 1876 Alex- ander Borland purchased his present home of 110 acres in North Strabane township, all under culti- vation. In politics he votes with the Democratic party, and has held various positions of trust in North Strabane township. He is an elder in the U. P. Church.

D ANIEL SWICKARD, a prosperous shoe merchant of Monongahela, born November 26, 1816, in Somerset township, is a son of John and grandson of Martin Swickard who was born and reared in eastern Pennsylvania.

Martin Swickard came to this county among the earliest settlers, and locating in a log cabin in Somerset township, assisted in clearing up and im- proving the land. He was twice married. To the first union were born the following children: Mat- thias, Daniel, Samuel, John, Lucy and Sarah. Mr. Swickard always followed farming, and in 1805. went to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he remained until his death. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Lutheran Church.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

John Swickard was born in 1783, in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his youth on the home place. When a young man he married Mary, daughter of John Smith. They con- tinued to reside on the home place, where children were born as follows: Catherine, John, Samuel, Daniel, Mary, Barbara, Susan and Elizabeth. The father was a lifelong agriculturist, and a noted hunter and sportsman; in politics he voted with the Democratic party. The clothing for his family was made from wool carded by hand and woven by his wife, who died in 1860 and was buried in the Lutheran cemetery, where her husband was buried January 9, 1877. The were both members of the Lutheran Church.

Daniel Swickard was educated in the subscrip- tion schools of Nottingham township, his text books being limited to the Testament and United States Speller. In 1840 he was married to Harriet, daughter of Abram Leyda, a native of Nottingham township, who has borne him the following chil- dren: John, married to Malissa Beatty, living in Colorado; Mary E., wife of Daniel Berry; Hester A., married to Harrison Leyda; Daniel, deceased; James L., married to Maria Woodward, of Monon- gahela, living at Meadville, Penn .; Alex. Y., mar- ried to May C. Coulter, of Venango, Penn .; and David M., married to Carrie E. Van Kirk, of Am- well, now living at Monongahela. Mr. and Mrs. Swickard resided on the home place for twenty years after their marriage, or until he purchased the Leyda Mill in Nottingham township. Conducting that enterprise for thirteen years, he continued to own the home place. In 1865 he opened a grocery store in Monongahela City, but five years after- ward sold out, purchasing a furniture and undertak- ing establishment which he kept for thirteen years. At the expiration of that time he opened the shoe store where he is now carrying on a profitable busi- ness. He is a representative citizen, a stanch sup- orter of the Democratic party, and has served in nu- merous capacities; in 1855 he was elected county commissioner, which office he held three years. In religion he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Swickard died in 1872, and Mr. Swickard again married, in 1874, M. L. McCurdy, of Allegheny county, Penn., daughter of Daniel McCurdy.

H ENRY COOK, miner, is a well-known resi- dent of Carroll township, and was born February 29, 1836, and reared in " Old England." His father, George Cook, was a laborer in the old country, and was there married to Annie Humphreys, descended from an old and prominent English family. After his marriage George Cook went to Australia, his family remaining in England. He died in the

latter place when about twenty-seven years of age, leaving a widow and two sons, James and Henry, the elder of whom was accidentally killed with a hay-knife. The mother is yet living in her native land, and some years ago was married to Richard Cottle, to whom she has borne several children.

Henry Cook remained in England until five years of age, when, after the death of his father, the family left his birthplace and came to Wales. The mother there supported herself and children for one year by binding shoes, and Henry entered the coal mines, where he remained until nineteen years of age. He then returned to Worcester- shire, England, and was married October 26, 1857, to Mary Ann, daughter of Thomas Hampton, and some years later moved to Yorkshire, finally emi, grating to America in 1863. He first located at Monongahela, Penn., and then sent for his wife, who has borne him the following children: Henry W., George, Samuel (residing at Monongahela), Mary Ann (living in Illinois), Lucy (living at home), Anna, Jane, Elizabeth, Maggie, and Amelia (deceased). Mr. Cook has carefully saved his earnings, which he has invested in a tract of land at Riverview, near Monongahela, having also erected a neat little home near that city. One of his half-brothers is now living in America. In politics he is a stanch member of the Republican party, and holds an honorable place in the esteem of his neighbors, who recognize his sterling worth as a man and citizen.

HOMAS WRIGHT, who in his lifetime was one of the best-known and most highly re- spected prosperous agriculturists of Buffalo township, was a native of the same, born February 27, 1810.

His paternal grandfather, William Wright, a na- tive of Ireland, followed the trade of weaver in County Monaghan, in that country. He was there twice married, and had the following named chil- dren: William, Thomas, Robert, John and Samuel. In 1785 he came to America, and after a short sojourn in Chester county, Penn., settled in Buffalo township, this county, where he continued to follow his trade. Here he and his wife died. He was a member of the Associate Church, and in politics was a Whig.

Samuel Wright, father of subject, was born in Ireland in 1782, and when a young lad came with the rest of the family to America. In Buffalo township, this county, he commenced farming on a place which was then entirely wild, but which he and his family, by dint of hard labor, in course of time reduced to a condition of fertility. In about the year 1804 he was married to Rachel, daughter of Thomas Hill, of Donegal township, but a na- tive of Ireland, and their children were Mary

Thomas Wright

Ing.hy J.R. Rice & Sont Photos

Mrs Sarah Wright

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

(Mrs. Thomas Carson), William, Thomas, Robert, Samuel and John, all now deceased except Robert. After the death of the mother of these children, which occurred February 8, 1817, Mr. Wright married Mary Howe, who bore him three children: James, Ann (Mrs. Samuel Graham) and Rachel, all deceased. The father died January 24, 1849, in his sixty-eighth year, the mother December 5, 1841.

Thomas Wright, whose name opens this bio- graphical memoir, was educated at the subscrip- tion schools of the neighborhood of his birthplace, and early in life commenced farming. On De- cember 13, 1844, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of John Carson, a native of eastern Pennsylvania, where his father James was also born. The latter was there married to Mary Hill, a native of Ire- land, who bore him children as follows: John, Isaac, James, Adam, Mattie (wife of Hugh Mehol- lin), Betsy (wife of David Carson), Ann (wife of Archibald Stewart), and Jane (wife of William Brownlee). Mr. Carson was a farmer, and came to Buffalo township, this county, in an early day," when Indians and wild animals were yet numerous. The family were all members of the Seceder Church. John Carson, son of the above, and father of Mrs. Sarah Wright, in early manhood married Sarah Hill, who bore him the following named children: May, Rebecca, Rachel, Martha, Adam, Jane (wife of James Howe) and Sarah (wife of Thomas Wright). The father died in 1840, the mother in 1855. They were members of the Se- ceder Church at South Buffalo, of which he was an elder and liberal supporter, and in politics he was a lifelong Whig.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wright continued to reside on the home farm, where were born to them three children: Rachel (who died at the age .of twenty-four years), and two that died in infancy. Mr. Wright was called from earth May 31, 1881, and his widow is now calmly awaiting the final summons. He was a member and liberal sup- porter (as is his widow) of South Buffalo United Presbyterian Church; politically he was first a Whig, and after, on the formation of the party, a stanch Republican to the day of his death. Mr. Wright was a thoroughly representative, self-made man, and has left to posterity the heritage of a good name.

EORGE DORSEY ranks among the success -. ful agriculturists and prominent citizens of East Pike Run township, and is a member of an old and highly respected family. His grandfather, Joseph Dorsey, was born near Ellicott's Mills, Md., and in 1782 moved to Wash- ington county, Penn., where he purchased 1,500 acres of land, two miles from West Brownsville,

Penn. He erected a log cabin upon this tract, and resided there until 1787, then built a large stone house, which is yet standing on the old farm, in a good state of preservation. He was the father of the following children: Mrs. Dr. Wilson, of Steubenville, Ohio; Nancy, Mrs. John De Bois, of Ohio; Clarissa, Mrs. West, and Betsey, Mrs. Daniel Workman, both of whom died in Ohio; Matilda, Mrs. William Blair, who died in Ken- tucky; Edward G., who married Matilda Bra- shears; John D., who died in Cincinnati, and James.

James Dorsey, father of subject, was born in 1790, on the home farm in Washington county, Penn. In early manhood he married Elizabeth Elder, a native of Maryland, who was born February 4, 1800. She came to Pennsylvania when a child with her widowed mother-Mrs. Mary Elder, who died at the age of eighty-three in Washington county, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey passed their lives on the old homestead (of which he owned 500 acres), where two sons were born to their marriage, viz .: James (who died in 1883, in Alle- gheny county) and George. Mr. Dorsey was actively identified with the Whig party. He died in 1852, and his wife passed away January 27, 1883, having been connected with the M. E. Church for over sixty years.

George Dorsey was born November 11, 1833, in East Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., and has given his attention wholly to the vocation of agriculture. On June 1, 1854, he selected a life companion in the person of Martha Phillips, a native of Washington county, Penn., who was born August 8, 1836. Her father, Solomon Phil- lips, was born December 23, 1793, in this county, and on May 23, 1835, married Maria Garrett, who was born September 19, 1812, and they were the parents of five children, viz .: Martha (Mrs. Dor- sey), Jonathan, Rebecca (Mrs. Joseph P. Craw- ford, Madison county, Iowa), William (deceased) and Ruth (deceased). Mr. Phillips followed teaching for many years, and then took up farm- ing. He voted with the. Whig party. He died in 1848, followed by his wife in 1883. He was a Quaker in religious faith, his wife a member of the M. E. Church. George and Martha (Phillips) Dorsey reared the following children: Elizabeth (Mrs. W. S. Grimes), Cassius A. (who married Hen- rietta, daughter of John and Marjory Watkins, of East Bethlehem township), Charles I. (who mar- ried Anna Watkins), William, Anna, John, Ells- worth, and two who died in infancy. Three of these children are now living: Elizabeth, Cassius A. and Charles I. Mr. Dorsey is a prominent worker in the Republican party, and he has served in various local offices; and in religious faith he is a member of the Taylor M. E. Church, having been trustee, steward and Sabbath-school

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superintendent for several years. He owns 315 acres of good land on the National pike, where he has erected a handsome two-story brick residence, and a large frame barn.

D EMAS L. HILL. This gentleman enjoys the distinction of standing among the fore- most of the prosperous farmers of West Bethlehem township.

His grandfather, Joseph Hill, was born in Mary- land in 1770. He was educated in the rate schools of the day, and became an exceptionally well-read man. At the age of eighteen he married Mary Jamison, and to them were born: John, David, Mrs. Nancy Jamison, Joseph, James J., Mrs. Nancy Haviland, Margaret, Thomas and Eli. Mr. Hill began life upon the farm adjoining that of D. L. Hill on the north. He was originally a Whig, later a Republican, and was always an active poli- tician. He and his family were members of the regular Baptist Church. Mrs. Hill died in 1835, her husband following her to the grave in 1852.

James J. Hill was born November 10, 1804, on the old home farm, and his younger days were spent at school, where he proved himself a good scholar and an eager reader. In 1826 he married Cathe- rine Lyda, daughter of Benjamin Lyda, of Somer- set township, and they had born to them the following children: Julia A., Mrs. Catherine Mc- Ilvane, George L., Benjamin L., Sarah, Demas L., Mary (deceased) and David (deceased). James J. Hill lived upon the home farm one year, and then moved to West Pike Run township, remaining there upon a farm of 100 acres, six years, thence moved to Pigeon creek, and lived there three years. He afterward came to Somerset township, where he resided twenty-one years, both farms being in this township. On March 26, 1860, he came to the place where his son and daughter now live, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying Octo- ber 9, 1881. . Mr. Hill was an active Republican, one of the " wheel horses " of the party, and served as inspector and auditor of his township. Mrs. Hill, who was a member of the Lutheran Church, died in May, 1884.

Demas L. Hill was born January 8, 1844, in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his education in the common schools. He assisted his father some time after attaining his majority; has always followed farming, and has been very successful. He is giving especial atten- tion to sheep raising, and has some very fine breeds on his farm, which consists of eighty-seven acres. Mr. Hill was married November 12, 1876, to Melissa, daughter of Robert Latta, and they have five children: Orpha, Ulysses Grant, Alexander Leslie, Huber and Edgar. He is a Republican, though not an active politician, his time being all

given to his private affairs. He occupies the farm together with his sisters Julia A. and Sarah, who have always lived at home. Julia A. is a member of the Regular Baptist Church.

E ILI TOMBAUGH, an energetic farmer of Somerset township, is a son of Matthias Tombaugh, who was born December 26, 1792, in Ohio, and in early life was united in marriage with Rachel Sphon, who was born April 2, 1807, in this county, and they reared the following children: Solomon (living in Washing- ton, Penn.), John (a farmer of West Bethlehem township, this county), George (an agriculturist of Gage county, Neb.), Eli (whose name opens this sketch), Isaac (living on the home farm) and Jacob (farming in Livingston county, Ill.) (twins), Adam (a grain dealer in Mulberry Grove, Ill.), Levina (who was married to Jacob Swagler, and died February 25, 1860), Mary (wife of A. J. Hil- debrand, died August 10, 1877), and Matthias. (who was drowned in the Illinois river in attempt- ing to rescue a friend from the same fate). The father of this family died May 21, 1864. He was a member of the German Baptist Church, and in politics was a Republican. The mother died at the old homestead, May 17, 1892. at the advanced age of eighty five years, a member of the German Baptist Church.

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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 118

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