Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 119

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 119

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Eli Tombaugh was born May 26, 1838, and was- educated in the country schools near the home farm in Somerset township, this county. He en- listed in the Civil war in 1864. and after serving three months under Capt. H. H. Templeton, was honorably discharged. He then returned to rural occupations, and on February 21, 1865, was united in marriage with Rebecca Wise, who was born in 1836, a daughter of Joseph and Permelia (Bar- nard) Wise, who were the parents of the following children: Solomon, Morgan, Mary, Elizabeth, Re- becca (Mrs. Eli Tombaugh), Maria, Barbara, Jo- seph and Emily (deceased). Both parents are. dead. The father was a Democrat in politics.

Mr. and Mrs. Eli Tombaugh had five children, namely: Joseph Allen, born January 7, 1866; Percy Matthias, born August 15, 1867; Walter Scott, born December 24. 1869; Eli Edwin, born April 14, 1873; and Cora Josephine, born January 23, 1876. The mother was a member of the Bap- tist Church. She died March 6, 1880, and on April 21, 1887, Mr. Tombaugh was married to. Sarah Smith, who was born January 4, 1850, a daughter of Israel and Hannah Smith. Mr. Tom- baugh owns 204 acres of excellent farm land, which is kept in a good state of cultivation. He takes an active interest in public matters, and votes the Republican ticket.

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J OSEPH SMITH is a son of Ralph Smith, whose father, also named Ralph, emigrated from England many years ago, and locat- ed permanently in Washington county, Penn. His son, Ralph, was born in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and was a slave until twenty- eight years of age. When a young man he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth H. (Shiveley) Hazelbaker, a widow, who bore him four children, viz .: Henry (deceased), Joseph, James (living in West Pike Run township) and Louisa (deceased). Mrs. Smith was also the mother of four children by her first marriage, namely: Daniel, Abraham, Jacob and Polly, all of whom are now deceased. The mother of these children died in 1850 and was interred in the Quaker cemetery in East Bethlehem township; in 1858 she was followed by her husband, who was buried in the Baptist cemetery at Washington.

Joseph Smith was born August 20, 1806, in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and had no opportunity to secure a literary training, being obliged to give his whole time to farm work. In early life he was united in mar- riage with Mary Brown, who was born in 1815, in Washington county, Penn. Their children were born as follows: Matilda, wife of Jacob Simons, a Baptist minister of Monongahela City; Joseph, deceased; Henry, a resident of West Bethlehem township; Simeon, a farmer of West Bethlehem township; William, deceased; John; James; Mary, wife of Howard Wallace; Margaret; and George, deceased. James now residing in East Beth- lehem township, was married to Jennie Maxwell, who died May 2, 1892, leaving three children: Mabel, Hazel and Eli. She was a member of the African M. E. Church. The father of these chil- dren is well known in West Pike Run township as an honest, industrious citizen. He began life as a farm laborer, pushing coal boats during the fall and winter, and by strict economy at length saved enough to purchase 194 acres of good land. He devotes most of his time to the care of this place. Mrs. Smith died in 1880, a member of the M. E. Church; Mr. Smith is associated with the U. P. Church, and in politics he is a Republican.

R OBERT H. HILL, one of the many highly esteemed farmer citizens of East Bethle- hem township, is a grandson of Stephen Hill, an early settler of that township, who married a Miss Welsh, and had by her the following named children: George, John W., William, Robert, Stephen, Elenor, Mary, Margaret and Nancy. Of this family, William and Robert are living, the former in the borough of Washington, the latter in West Bethlehem township.

John W. Hill, father of Robert H., was born in 1800 in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., and was reared to agricultural pursuits, his education being received at the subscription school of the vicinity, held in an old log cabin, and the copy book used by him is now in the possession of our subject. In 1825 he married Susan Hawkins, who was born in 1808, a daughter of William and Nancy Hawkins, and for a few years the young couple continued to reside in West Bethlehem township. In 1832 Mr. Hill bought a farm in East Bethlehem (where his son, Robert H., now resides), and here successfully carried on farming the rest of his life; he died April 21, 1857, thirty- one years after his marriage, and his widow sur- vived him thirty-one years, dying in Beallsville, Penn., October 6, 1887. The children born to them were: William, in East Bethlehem township; Robert H .; George; John, deceased; Joseph, in Beallsville; Stephen, living with Robert H .; Mary Ann, married to Mr. Bishop, of Claysville, Penn. ; Sarah Ellen, wife of Christopher Horton, in Cen- treville, Penn .; Eliza Jane, Mrs. Thomas Sargent, in Beallsville; Margaret E. (Mrs. Enloe), in Clays- ville, Penn., and two that died in infancy. The father was a Republican during the later years of his life, in former years a Whig; socially he was a F. & A. M., in church matters a Methodist.

Robert H. Hill was born July 12, 1832, on the farm now owned by him in East Bethlehem town - ship, and was there reared to the occupation of his forefathers, his school training being restricted to a few months' attendance, in winter time, at the subscription schools of the vicinity. In 1867 he married Caroline Keys, who was born in 1836, a daughter of Abram Keys, of East Bethlehem town- ship, and by this union there has been born one child, Cora May. Like his father before him, Mr. Hill is a Republican in politics, and in church con- nection a Methodist. His fertile and well-kept farm comprises 100 acres of prime land, devoted to general farming inclusive of stock raising, the breeding of sheep being a specialty with him. His comfortable and elegant residence is well situated, and provided with all modern improvements.

M RS. DELILA KEYS, widow of Parker Keys, was born January 8, 1838, on a. farm in Greene county, Penn. She is a daughter of John Goodwin, a native of York, Penn., who came to Greene county when a young man. He followed farming and weaving, and was married to Sarah Gordon, who bore him the following children: Jackson, Daniel, William. Seth, John, Elizabeth (widow of Sylvester Rush), Mrs. Jane Webster, Mrs. Mary Richey, Mrs. Sarah Shuver, Lucinda (deceased) and Delila. Of this family all except our subject are

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residents of Greene county, Penn. Delila Good- win was united in marriage, in 1855, to Parker Keys, son of Enoch Keys.

Parker Keys was born in 1826, on the farm in East Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., which is now owned by his heirs. He received a common-school education, and learned agricultural pursuits, which he followed, farming all his life. He and his wife were the parents of six children. He was a Democrat in his political preferences, but voted independently when the occasion in his opinion required it. He died February 4, 1891, at the age of sixty-five years, since which time his widow and children have resided on the home farm, consisting of ninety-four acres of valuable land. She and all her children are devout members of the Baptist Church.

AMES A. MOUNTS, one of the leading representative farmers of Franklin township, of which he is a native, was born January 14, 1845, a son of Richard R. and Margaret (Johnson) Mounts. Our subject was educated at the schools of the district, the attendance being limited to a few weeks during the winter season, and the remainder of the year occupied in assist- ing on his father's farm, and learning the practi- cal lessons of agricultural labor. From earliest life he has been accustomed to hard work, and he is now the owner of some 280 acres of prime land in an excellent state of cultivation. In 1870 Mr. Mounts married Martha, daughter of J. W. Chambers, and of this union the following named children were born: Margaret (Mrs. Brook Ander- son), Harriet (Mrs. Mike Buckley), Jennie, Nellie and John W. The inother was called from earth January 27, 1891, deeply lamented by all who knew her. In political life Mr. Mounts has always been an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and in Church matters a liberal and earnest supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Buffalo.

AMES CASSIDY, a leading citizen and re- tired farmer of Burgettstown, was born June 6, 1825, in Jefferson township, Washington county, and is of Irish parentage.

John Cassidy (father of subject) was born in 1792, in County Donegal, Ireland, where his boy- hood was passed. In early life he crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, the voyage occupying eleven weeks and two days. He landed at Phila- delphia, and for a few years was employed in a powder-mill there. The young pioneer then pro- ceeded on foot to Westmoreland county, Penn., afterward revisited Philadelphia, and again walked to Westmoreland county, where he was married to

Jane, daughter of James Osburn. In 1816 the young couple settled on a farm in Jefferson town- ship, this county, near the Virginia line, and re- sided there a few years, thence moving to the wild tract which has now been transformed by cultiva- tion into a pleasant and comfortable home. In this wild country, surrounded by savage beasts, and yet more savage men, their children were born and reared as follows: Margaret (wife of Charles Scott.), William (deceased), Ann (married to Rob- ert M. Smith), James (whose name opens this sketch), Robert, Mary J. (Mrs. Charles Scott), Catherine E. (married to Frances Magee), and Martha E. (wife of John Gillespie). Mr. Cassidy made several journeys to Philadelphia on horse- back, bringing back salt to his home. They raised

their own flax, and made their clothing from that plant and from wool. Grain was cut with a sickle, threshed by tramping of horses, and cleaned by a sheet and "fanning." Politically John Cassidy was a Whig and Republican, and in religion an earnest, active member of the Protestant Methodist Church. He died in 1870, and was buried at Bethel Church in Jefferson township, this county.

James Cassidy remained on the home farm in Jefferson township, during his boyhood, and was an irregular student at the school which was held in a rude log cabin near his home. On January 31, 1856, he was united in marriage with Maria, daughter of Hugh Cosgrove, and granddaughter of Michael Cosgrove, who was born in Ireland, and after coming to America was married to Annie Campbell, a native of Maryland, who bore him four children: William, Margaret, Hugh and Hannah. The parents of this family settled in Maryland after their marriage, and the father fol- lowed farming. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Society of Friends. Hugh Cosgrove was born April 2, 1784, in the State of Maryland, passing his youth on the home farm, and also teaching school. He was married to Priscilla Jones, who was born March 15, 1789, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Maryland, and she bore him the following children: Eliza A. (wife of Rev. Jacob Comstock), William, Thomas, Amelia (Mrs. Isaac Everett), Catherine, Maria (married to James Cassidy) and Hannah (wife of William Thompson). Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove passed the first years of their married life in Mary- land, but finally decided to leave their native State. The journey was made in a two-horse wagon, which contained the emigrants and their entire stock of worldly goods. They purchased and located upon a farm in Jefferson township, Washington county, Penn., where the remainder of their lives was passed. Mr. Cosgrove accumu- lated a good property after locating in Pennsylva- nia. He was a Democrat, serving his township as school director, and in religion supported the

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Methodist Church. Mrs. Priscilla Cosgrove died January 17, 1847, and Hugh Cosgrove on March 4, 1854. Both are buried in the Eldersville cemetery.

James and Maria (Cosgrove) Cassidy resided on the home place in Jefferson township about seven years after their marriage. They then moved to Monroe township, Carroll Co., Ohio, remaining there five years, thence returning to Washington county, Penn., located in Independence township. Four and one-half years later Mr. Cassidy bought a farm in Cross Creek township, and in 1891 they moved to their present home in Burgettstown. The following children have been born to their marriage: Vista (deceased), Robert C. (married to Jennie M., daughter of George W. Osburn, and has one daughter, Ora), William J. (married to Fannie, daughter of Rev. Tuttle, and has one son Herschel), and Oliver J. Politically Mr. Cassidy was originally a Whig, uniting with the Repub- lican party at the date of its organization, and has served his township as director; he is especially interested in educational matters. In religious faith he is a member and liberal supporter of the Methodist Church.

A NDREW PROVINES has passed his eighty- seventh birthday, and is now as hale and hearty as many a man of twenty years his junior. He is a son of William Provines, whose father, John, was born and reared among the hills of Scotland, where he was married and whence a few years later he moved to Ireland. William, the son of John Provines, was born in Scotland, and came with the family to Ireland when a boy. He was there reared to agricultural pursuits, and was married to Rebecca Hemphill, a native of Ireland. William Provines remained in Ireland about ten years after his marriage, where his eldest five children were born: Mary, Samuel, Andrew, John and Robert. At the end of that time,' the family came to America, locating in Washington county, where children were born as follows: Margaret, James, Sarah, Jane and Re- becca.

Andrew Provines, the third child of William and Rebecca (Hemphill) Provines, was born August 11, 1805, in County Tyrone, Ireland, being seven years of age when his parents emigrated to Amer- ica. They embarked in a sailing vessel named " William S. Bradford," and landed in New York, thence proceeding to the home farm in Washing- ton county, of which our subject still owns a por- tion. Here Andrew grew to manhood and assisted in the general duties of a farm. At the age of eighteen years he began to work for neighboring farmers at a salary of $8. per month. He con- tinued in this employment several years, then went

to Washington, where he was employed to haul freight to Philadelphia and other points east of the mountains. Since then he has been engaged in various occupations, of late years having passed the greater part of his time upon the farm, but is now living a retired life with his brother-in-law, Robert Stewart, having never married. In politics Mr. Provines is a stanch Democrat, and has never missed but one election since he came of age. He has voted in the States of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

R OBERT STEWART. Of the prosperous: and highly esteemed citizens of Jefferson township, none are more universally es- teemed or more widely known than the gentleman whose name introduces this ar- ticle. The Stewart family trace their lineage back through the generations to one Lord Stewart, a na- tive of Scotland, who afterward settled in County Tyrone, Ireland, at a place known as Foggy Hill.

James Stewart, a descendant of the old Scottish nobleman just mentioned, was married to Elizabeth. Hemphill, and with his family sailed from Ireland for America on the ship "Doras." A long and tedious voyage followed, during which the vessel was boarded by a British man-of-war, and all the- able-bodied men of the " Doras," as was custom- ary in time of war, were impressed into the navy. Among those who were thus obliged to render un- willing service to the English Government was a son of James Stewart, named Robert, a youth of eighteen years. He was taken on board a British man-of-war, where he remained several months, finally obtaining his release through the efforts of his father, who persuaded a young lady to claim him as her husband. The ruse succeeded, and the young man was liberated, after which he came on to America, and first located in Philadelphia, whence after a year he joined the family in Smith town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., whither they had preceded him. In course of time he moved to Mt. Pleasant township, where his father died. Here he was soon after married to Miss Ann McGough, also a native of Ireland, and though history is silent concerning the identity of the self-sacrificing young lady who freed young Robert from im- prisonment, yet romance would fain hope that she and his chosen bride were one. However, there is no foundation for the supposition, and historians. are expected to confine their statements to known facts. After marriage Robert and Ann (McGough) Stewart went to Jefferson township, and they reared a family of six children, named John, Eliz- abeth (Mrs. Kidd), Sarah, Robert, James and Andrew. The father was a Democrat, and a mem- ber of the U. P. Church.

Robert Stewart was born May 21, 1824, on the-

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home farm in Jefferson township, this county, where he passed his youth in attending school and assisting with the general farm duties. He married Miss Sarah Jane Elliott, who bore him three chil- dren: John Elliott (born March 13, 1853), James (born November 25, 1855), and Robert (born Feb- ruary 26, 1858). The mother died September 25, 1858, and for his second wife Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Eliza Orr, of Irish descent, who died soon afterward, and June 17, 1864, he wedded, for his third wife, Miss Rebecca H., daughter of William Provines, who came from Ire- land and settled in Jefferson township, this county. Robert Stewart is a popular and prosperous citizen. In political opinions he has always voted the Dem- ocratic ticket, being a counselor and adviser of that party, and in religious faith he gives a hearty sup- port to the U. P. Church, of which his wife is a member.

B ERNARD C. JACKMAN. This well-known gentleman is a representative of a pioneer family of Washington county. His grand- parents, William and Elizabeth (Conley) Jackman, were born in County Cavan, Ireland, and emigrated in 1789. They settled on a large tract of land in East Pike Run township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., where the following children were born and reared: Bernard, William, Mary, Eliza, Joshua, John, Margaret, Nancy, and four who died in infancy.

John Jackman, son of William and Elizabeth Jackman, was born on the farm in East Pike Run township, this county, and received a subscription- school education. In early life he was married to Phœbe Taylor, daughter of William and Phœbe (Kirkwood) Taylor. Her parents were of Scotch- Irish descent, and after coming to Pennsylvania bought 160 acres on the National pike, between Beallsville and Brownsville, Penn. Mr. Taylor then conducted a tavern for several years, and also built the first M. E. Church in that locality, which is yet known by his name. The children of this family were born as follows: Edward, Sophia, William, Isaac (who died in his one-hundredth year), Phebe, George, Joshua, Ann, John, and others who died in infancy. The parents both died on the old place, and were buried in the cemetery of the Taylor M. E. Church. To the union of John and Phebe (Taylor) Jackman eight children were born, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Wesley H. Taylor, a resident of Carroll county, Ohio; Bernard C., whose name opens this sketch; Mary A., Edwin, Caroline, and three who died in infancy. The father was a farmer, and for a num- ber of years served as local preacher at the Taylor M. E. Church, with which his wife was also iden- tified. He also erected the first log school-house

in the neighborhood, serving for many years as school director, and doing all in his power to pro- mote the educational and religious interests of the community. He was actively identified with the Whig party, and was one of the most influential men of his neighborhood. He died in 1861, fol- lowed by Mrs. Jackman in 1878.

Bernard C. Jackman was born August 26, 1824, in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn. He attended the public schools, and in 1852 was united in marriage with Ruth Lilley, who was born in 1829, in East Pike Run township. She is a daughter of Ellis and Elizabeth (Phillips) Lilley, who were pioneer settlers of this county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lilley were Solo- mon, residing in Alliance, Ohio; Ruth, wife of Bernard C. Jackman; Elizabeth, a resident of Ohio; Thomas, deceased; Phebe, living in Ohio, and Alica, deceased. Both parents were members of the Quaker Church. The father died in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Jackman reside on the old home- stead, consisting of 132 acres of land, upon which good buildings and other improvements have been erected. He votes with the Republican party, and has been school director for several years. They are the parents of three children, namely: Phebe E. (deceased), Hattie M. (wife of John F. Colvin, a farmer of East Pike Run township), and Wilbur S., a teacher in the Cook County Normal School at Chicago.

As already stated, Mr. Jackman's grandparents were natives of Cavan, Ireland, with the exception of the grandmother, Phœbe (Hardman) Taylor, who was born in the Scottish Highlands, and came to Ireland with her parents (Moxruder Hardman and wife) to escape the Cromwellian atrocities. Mrs. Hardman, nee Miss Kirkwood, became owner of 1,000 acres of land near Dublin. Phoebe Hard- man married William Taylor. He was born in 1754, and emigrated in 1789. The ages of the grandparents are as follows: William Jackman, eighty-eight years; Elizabeth Conley, his wife, eighty-five years; William Jackman, eighty-six years, and Phœbe Hardman, his wife, ninety-six years. Away back in 1831 William Jackman pro- vided whisky for his harvesters. One of the men tasted it too freely, returned to his cabin and whipped his wife. On Mr. Jackman learning of this he emptied the whisky on the ground and in- troduced temperance in the harvest field, being the pioneer of the cause in this section of the State.

M ATTHEW R. WELCH. In the foremost rank of the honored and prosperous citi- zens of Smith township is the name of this gentleman gladly welcomed. His father was Matthew Welch, who was born in County Down, Ireland.

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Matthew Welch (the father) was educated in his native country, and, at the age of twenty-four years, crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, the voyage occupying eight weeks. He landed in New York, proceeding thence to Lancaster county, Penn. After residing in that county for about four years in 1797 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of William Reed. The young couple resided in Lancaster county three years af- ter their marriage, and in 1802 moved to Wash- ington county, Penn., the journey being made in an emigrant wagon containing their household goods and provisions, drawn by four horses. They were three weeks on the road, and finally settled until spring on a small place in Smith township, this county. They bought a place two miles distant, and immediately began to make im- provements upon it, afterward raising a large amount of stock. In politics Matthew Welch was a Whig, and in religion a member of the Seceder Church, at Burgettstown, to which he gave a hearty support. He died in 1851, and in 1873 his widow was laid beside him in the United Presby- terian cemetery at Burgettstown. The children born to this marriage were: Isabella (wife of William Galbraith), Mary (married to William Campbell), Jane (wife of James McNary), Nancy (Mrs. Mark Stephenson), Elizabeth (wife of Robert Mc Burney), Margaret (Mrs. Thomas McCorkle), Rachel (married to R. K. Scott), Julia A. (wife of James Vincent), Hannah (married to Matthew Welch), and Matthew R. Of this family Mrs. Robert McBurney, Mrs. Thomas McCorkle, Mrs. James Vincent, Mrs. Matthew Welch and Matthew R. Welch are yet living.

Matthew R. Welch was born December 19, 1826, on the home farm, in Smith township, where his boyhood was passed in working on the farm and attending school three months each year. The schoolhouse was built of logs and furnished with slab seats and writing desks, an ordinary quill pen being used for the practice. On October 17, 1850, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John and granddaughter of John White. John White, the grandfather, was born and reared in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was married to Ann Bonar. They made a permanent home in Chartiers township, near Cook's Station, where he purchased a large tract of land. Their children were James, Nancy (wife of Alexander McElroy), Ann (married to John Anderson), Mary (Mrs. John McCall), Sarah (wife of William Stewart), Will- iam, John, Ebenezer, Samuel, Jane, David, Mat- thew, and Margaret, who married John Malone. The father was a Whig. He was a member of the Associate Reformed 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 119

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