Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 12

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 12

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Alex K. Craig, of whom this sketch more espe- cially treats, received his primary education at home, which was followed by a course of study at Science Hill School. At the age of seventeen he commenced teaching, and continued same, during the winter seasons, until the year 1884. He was not only an apt scholar but also a skillful precept- or. He held a life certificate from the State of Pennsylvania, and was closely connected with all educational movements in Washington county, be- ing one of its leading educators. For three years he was engaged in general mercantile business in Claysville, after which he engaged exclusively in farming and teaching.

On March 12, 1850, he was united in marriage with Sarah F., daughter of William McLain, and the following is a brief record of the children born to them: Hannah M. was married to Albert Sprowls; John E. was educated at Washington and Jefferson College, graduated in 1877, then studied law in Keokuk, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in 1879 (he is a Democrat, and was elected a member of the State Legislature of the State of Iowa, in 1885, serving two terms; in 1889 he was elected mayor of Keokuk, and re-elected in 1891; he married Euphemia S., daughter of Moses Coulter, of Allegheny county, and they have one child, Moses C.); Mary Evelyn, who died in 1858; Eliza J., who married James McKeown, and died in 1884; William H. (who was educated at Washington and Jefferson College, graduated

in 1887, and married Anna Ralston, to whom one child, William H., was born; the father died in 1891); Addison A. was educated at Washington and Jefferson College, and in 1887 was appointed professor of mathematics in the public schools of Keokuk, Iowa; Thomas B. was educated at the common schools, graduated in 1889 from the State Normal School at Edinboro, Penn., studied law with his brother, John E., and was admitted to the Iowa bar in May, 1892. The entire family are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which, from 1857, Mr. Alex K. Craig was an elder. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school for fifteen years, and a member of the choir for half a century. Politically he was always a Democrat, and was active in the party. He filled with dis- tinguished ability various offices in his township, and in 1886 was elected a justice of the peace. He was nominated by his party a number of times for county offices, each time running ahead of his party ticket, but he held no public office except school director and justice of the peace. In 1890 he was nominated without solicitation, as a Democrat for a seat in the Fifty-second Congress, from the Twenty-fourth District of Pennsylvania, receiving, according to the official count, 21,585 againt 21, 708 votes for Andrew Stewart, Republican; 995 for Edward Campbell, Prohibitionist. This Districttwo years earlier had elected J. W. Ray, Republican; by 4,438 majority. For one week after elec- tion it had been conceded that Mr. Craig had been elected, and when it was officially announced other wise he decided to contest; his contest for a seat was successful, and he was seated a member of the Fifty second Congress, February 26, 1892, by a vote of 132 to 57. In this last office of public trust he served his constituents with great care and fidelity until the middle of June, when he was obliged to go home on account of sickness. All efforts to remove his disease of jaundice proved of no avail, and he died July 29, 1892. The remark of Congressman M. N. Johnson, Republican, of North Dakota, to a press reporter shows in what esteem he was held by his associates in Congress. Mr. Johnson said: "Mr. Craig, whom I knew personally, was a man of rare honesty and of sound n sense. The Democrats lose a good man in him." His very largely attended funeral shows in what high regard and esteem he was held by his fellow. citizens at home. The following fitting tribute is given to his memory by the Washington Journal:

In the death of Alexander K. Craig is sustained the loss of a citizen whose life and work adds largely to the already long list of those who have made illustrious the history of Washington county. He was one of whom it has always been said: He is a good man. Nowhere has this oftener been said, than within the radius of his direct personal influence. His home recognized in him the industrious toiling provider of its comforts and ad-

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vantages, an affectionate husband, a wise and tender father. His neighborhood knew him as a friend in time of need, a counselor in trouble, a genial companion in all social relations. His church had in him a vigilant, prayer- ful and consistent member, a workman whose interest never flagged, a watchman always to be found at the post of duty. Intelligent, honest, strong in his convictions, and untiring in his efforts, his home, his neighborhood and his church are all the better for his having lived. In his death they have sustained a loss, which the tender sympathy of friends and the healing influence of time may mitigate, but can never restore. In person strong and self-reliant, in deportment, genial and courteous, in business, npright and honorable, Mr. Craig brought to bear upon all his relations to the times and community in which he lived, an influence that was widespread and always for good. An intelligent man, a reader, he was always well versed in the knowledge of current events and affairs of the day, whether from an educational, po- litical or religious standpoint. And while his rugged character and strong self-reliance required him to adhere with tenacity to those views which his judgment and in- vestigation led him to adopt, his sincerity was undoubted; his integrity unquestioned. Holding the warmest place in the hearts of those who knew him best, whether at the home fireside, in the circle of friendship, or within the sacred precincts of Sunday-school and church, his life and character have been a tower of strength, and his memory shall be a benediction to those who loved him so well. As has been said of another good man and true, whose loss is still fresh in the minds of many friends, may with equal truth be written of Alexander K. Craig:

" O! iron nerve to true occasion true, O! follow at length, that tower of strength That stood fonr square To all the winds that blew."

Fired by the spirit of true patriotism. Mr. Craig enlisted, during the War of the Rebellion, in Com- pany H, Eighty-seventh P. V. I., serving under Captain Buford; he was sent to Petersburgh. Va., and there remained in active service until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Washington, D. C., in July, 1865.

M cBURNEY FAMILY. It is said that "Great men have short biographies," and though in the present instance, if never before, that sentence is peculiarly applicable, we regret the necessity which compels ns to abbreviate the record of this family. whose lives have been an honor not only to this township and county. but to the many States throughout the country where their lot is cast. No family can boast of truer nobility or more prominent ancestry than those who bear the Mc- Burney name. The present generation are very numerous, and have been widely separated, but on August 13, 1891, a re-union was held at Midway, Penn., at the instigation of Mr. J. R. McBurney. to whom we are indebted for an accurate history of these early pioneers.

The long ancestral line begins with the name of James McBurney, born in 1740, in Ballynahinch, County Down, Ireland. Little is known of his

early life save that he learned and followed the vocation of a merchant tailor, and in 1762 was united in marriage with Jeanett Milligan, who bore him two children: John and Elizabeth, born about 1764, the exact dates being unknown, and they might have been twins. The little family em- barked for America in the fall of 1783, on the first ves- sel which sailed thence on a peaceful errand after the close of the Revolution. Mr. McBurney was a prominent man in public affairs, having received a commission from Thomas Mifflin, governor of Pennsylvania, to act as justice of the peace in Cecil township, Washington county, the term for which he was appointed being "so long as you shall behave yourself well." On these conditions he filled that position till 1815, and this fact might well lead the modern politicians to wonder how long they would fill political offices to-day if the same terms were required. Ah well! times-and politics-have changed since the good old days of our forefathers! James McBurney was a remark- ably conscientious and upright man. He acted as a member of the Session in the Associate Reformed Church, at Robinson's Run, being one of the first ruling elders of that body. He first located one mile southeast of McDonald, in 1814 moving to a farm not far from Midway, this county, where he died, August 11. 1820, at the patriarchal age of eighty years, and rests in the old graveyard.

John McBurney, a son of this honored pioneer couple, was born in County Down, Ireland, and at the age of fourteen years joined an Orange com- pany, of which he becamethecaptain when eighteen years of age. In 1783 he immigrated to America. where in 1793 he was married to Sarah Hunter. She was born in 1774, near Chambersburgh, and walked across the mountains from Chambersburgh with her parents, when but ten years of age. her mother and the baby alone being allowed the Inx - ury of a horseback ride. In early life she joined the Chartiers Associate Reformed Church, of which Rev. Anderson was then pastor. Though met by heavy obstacles and bearing many burdens of care, she was uniformly cheerful and affectionate. After marriage, John McBurney and his wife settled in this county, where children were born, of whom the following is a brief record: Jennie, born May 23. 1794, was married September 20. 1814. to Andrew Donaldson, who was elected as ruling elder of the Associate Reformed Church in 1833, and died in 1843, followed by his widow July 8, 1866 (they had ten children, from whom 107 de- scendants have sprung, eighty-seven of them vet living); James (of whom further mention is made) was born May 27, 1797; Esther, born September 10. 1799, was married February 3, 1826. to Rich- ard Donaldson, who was born December 30. 1799. and they first settled on a farm near Bavington, Penn., remaining there a number of years, after-

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ward moving to Burgettstown, where the remainder of their lives was passed (Mr. Donaldson was or- dained an elder in 1833, in the United Presbyte- rian Church of Robinson township. He died Au- gust 7, 1873, and September 30, 1874, his wife was laid by his side. They have had thirty two de- scendants, twenty-one of whom are yet living); John (of whom special mention is made further on) was born June 29, 1802; Eliza, born June 10, 1805, was first married in 1844, to Maj. James Harper, to whom she bore two children (Maj. Harper died in 1854. He was an elder of the United Presby- terian Church of Frankfort, and resided at Har- per's Mills. Mrs. Harper was afterward married to Andrew Miller, Esq. She died January 3, 1879; her husband is yet living. They have had seven- teen descendants, fourteen of whomn are now liv- ing); Robert, born September 25, 1808, was mar- ried February 1, 1834, to Eliza Welsh, nine descendants having been the result of this union (Robert McBurney was a ruling elder in the U. P. Church of Centre, and also served his township in a political capacity, having been justice of the peace. He died June 1, 1875); Sarah, born April 7, 1811, on May 31, 1835, became the wife of James McCalmont, who settled on a farm near Candor, Penn. (he was an elder in the U. P. Church of Burgettstown, also at Centre. He died in 1890, leaving thirty-two descendants, of whom . three are deceased); David, born December 23, 1813, was married February 3, 1833, to Eliza Jane Lyle, and the young couple settled on a farm near Scroggsfield, Carroll Co., Ohio, where he served as an elder in the U. P. Church (he died October 27, 1878, his posterity having numbered fourteen, of whom four are deceased. His widow is yet living on the old home place); and Samuel, born December 21, 1816, has been twice married, and is the only living representative of this nu- merous pioneer family (on November 4, 1840, he married Sarah Jane George, and settled near the Conotton, in Ohio. She bore him twelve children. After the death of this wife he was mar- ried in 1869 to Mrs. Mary E. (McCauslin) George, and to them three children have been born. Sam- uel McBurney has had twelve grandchildren, now having fifteen living descendants. In 1853 he was elected ruling elder of the North Union U. P. Church).

James McBurney, son of John and Saralı (Hunter) McBurney, grew to manhood on the bome farm (which he purchased), and there passed his entire life, afterward bequeathing the property to a son. On March 29, 1827, . he married Jane Acheson, who bore him four children: John R., Margaret (Mrs. James Moore), Sarah (wife of Jo- seph Wallace) and Matthew (deceased). This wife died October 21, 1835, and on November 3, 1841, James McBurney was united in marriage with

Catherine (Lindsey) Watson. She died Septem- ber 10, 1870, at the age of seventy-two years. The offspring of this ancestor have numbered twenty- eight, four being deceased. James McBurney died January 15, 1872. He was a Whig in politics.

JOHN R. McBURNEY, son of James and Jane (Acheson) McBurney, was born June 12, 1831, re- ceiving his early education on the home farm. On October 13, 1859, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth R., daughter of George Robb, and the children who have come to bless their home are as follows: James H. (of Canonsburg, this county); George R., who attended the Ingleside Academy, then Geneva College, finally graduating, in 1889, at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Sem- inary, Allegheny, Penn., and having since filled vari- ous pulpits in the bounds of the Covenanter Church, is now placed, as settled pastor, over the Hickory Grove congregation near Avery, Iowa; Catherine W., a graduate of Geneva College, now teaching in an Indian mission school (Cache Creek) in the Indian Territory; Jennie G., deceased; Matthew R .; Jennie G .; and Wilbur J. After his marriage John R. McBurney settled permanently on the home place. He is a progressive and enter- prising citizen, a worthy representative of the honored name he bears. In religious faith he is a stanch member of the Covenanter Church, and, according to the faith of that body, refuses to take an active part in political contests. The grounds of this position may be briefly stated as follows: God, who is the source of all authority, both civil and ecclesiastical, appointed our Lord Jesus Christ to be king of nations, and has given in His Word law to govern nations as well as the Church and individuals. Nations are under obligations to ac- knowledge Christ as Mediatorial King, and to take the Bible as the standard on which to decide all moral issues. This nation refuses to make ac- knowledgment in its official document-the Con- stitution-of its true relation to its rightful Sov- ereign. and is therefore in an attitude of rebellion against the King of Kings. To be identified in the administration of the affairs of government is to become "particeps criminis" in this sin. Hence Covenanters refuse to take part in the ad- ministration of this Government until this religious defect of the Constitution is removed. And their attitude to the Government in this respect is one of practical protest. It will be observed that from the earliest ancestor to the third generation of this family, the men all served as elders in their respective churches, with but one exception (James McBurney, who also was elected but declined to serve), while all of the daughters married men who served in the same capacity. Trades, professions and missionaries are largely represented and, though not especially eminent in political or public life, they have ever been among the most useful, honored

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and prominent citizens of their community and church. The lineal descendants of the McBurney family, omitting those connected by marriage, number (as near as can be ascertained) 321 persons.

John McBurney, son of John and Sarah (Hun- ter) McBurney, was born on the home farm in Robinson township, this county, where his boyhood was passed. On February 7, 1828, he was united in marriage with Jennie Keys, who was born in 1804, in Smith township. The young people set- tled on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and many years afterward moved to Hickory. They were members of the U. P. Church at Mt. Pleasant, in which he was ordained an elder January 24, 1861. He died April 8, 1883, being followed by his faith- ful consort September 26, 1884. He was first a Democrat, then a Republican and radical Aboli- tionist. The children of this family were as fol- lows: Jane (wife of R. R. Thompson, Chartiers township), John (living in Mt. Pleasant township), Sarah (widow of Robert Jeffrey, living in Canons- burg), James (residing in Hickory, this county), Martha (married to James McIlvaine, of Mt. Pleasant township), Ezra (of whom a sketch follows), William A. (a widower, living in Canonsburg, Penn.), and three deceased. Of the thirty-two descendants of this family, twenty-five are living.

EZRA MCBURNEY, son of John and Jennie (Keys) McBurney, was born April 2, 1844, on the old place in Cherry Valley, Mt. Pleasant township, where he is yet living, his education being secured at the neighboring schools. On April 18, 1872, he was united in marriage with Letitia A., daugh- ter of Andrew Russell, who was born in Chartiers township, and in early life was married to Jane Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Russell resided in Mt. Pleasant township until a short time before the husband's death, when they moved to Houston- ville, Penn., where the mother is yet living. The father died in 1891. After their marriage, Ezra and Letitia McBurney settled on the farm contain- ing 137 acres of well-cultivated land, and he raises a fine grade of stock. Mr. McBurney served a term in the Union army; he votes the Republican ticket, served as a member and treas- urer of the school board, and in church relations he and his wife are members of the U. P. Church at Hickory. Their union has been blessed with five children, namely: Jennie D., born August 14, 1874; Mary L., born January 11, 1876; a son born September 20, 1877, died when eight days old; Mattie L., born May 3, 1879; and Maggie B., born May 20, 1881, died September 17, 1881.

HESTER B. ABERCROMBIE, teller of the First National Bank, Claysville, and one of the leading business men of the borough, is a native of Washington county, born in Done- gal township, near West Alexander, August 16, 1829.

James Abercrombie, his grandfather, also a native of this State, for a time followed farming in eastern Pennsylvania, whence in an early day he came to Washington county, settling on a farm in Donegal township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was married to a lady of eastern Pennsylvania, who bore him children as follows: William, Thomas, James, John, Margaret (Mrs. John Crusen), Nancy (Mrs. William Wadde) and Isabella, all living to over fifty years of age. The parents were members and active supporters of the Covenanter Church, and in politics Mr. Aber crombie was a loyal Democrat.

Thomas Abercrombie, father of subject, was born in eastern Pennsylvania in 1800, and there re- ceived his education at the subscription schools of his locality. At the age of twenty-five he married Catherine, daughter of Robert Barr, of Washing- ton county, but a native of Ireland, having come to America at an early age. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, he enlisted in the army of patriots, and served his adopted country as a drummer boy, coming out of the struggle un- wounded. He also served in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Lundy's Lane, where he suffered severly from cold, and at one time had to take shelter in a hog-pen. Before the war last spoken of, Mr. Barr had settled in Donegal township, this county, while the Redman was still endeavoring to protect his native soil from the rude grasp of the Caucasian invader. On one oc- casion he helped to rescue a woman and her child from the Indians. bringing them to a blockhouse situated west of Claysville. Mr. Barr lived to the patriarchal age of one hundred and one years, and died respected by all. Politically he was a Demo- crat. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Aber- crombie resided near West Alexander, in Donegal township, until 1843, when they moved to a farm near Claysville, and in October, 1856, they took their departure for Mercer county, Ill., where the mother died in 1867, the father in 1868. He was first a Whig, then an Abolitionist, and finally a Republican: in matters of religion he was a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. The children born to this highly respected couple were Jane, Chester B., Henry, and Joseph and Anna (twins). Of these, Henry enlisted during the Civil war in the Eighty-second Ill. V. I., was promoted to a lieu- tenancy, and was killed at the battle of Stone River.

Chester B. Abercrombie passed his early life on the home farm in Donegal township, receiving his education at the schools of the neighborhood, which was supplemented by home reading and quiet study; and he early evinced those business qualifications, marked characteristics of his life, which have elevated him to his present prominent and responsible position. Mr. Abercrombie, after

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leaving school, first commenced to learn the trade of a cabinet maker, at Waynesburg, Greene Co .. Penn., with James Grenier, with whom he re- mained two years and then came to Claysville, where he followed the same business one year, at the end of which time he entered the employ of L. C. Truesdell, working for him about four years, following which he was with R. S. Brownlee a short time. In 1857 he entered into partnership with T. C. Noble, in general merchandising, con- tinuing in same four years, when they took in as a partner M. L. Stillwagen, the business being car- ried on under the style of T. C. Noble & Co., until 1874, when Mr. Noble retired, and the firm then became Abercrombie & Stillwagen. Iu 1876 Mr. Abercrombie sold out and engaged in the grain business. He was also agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Claysville from 1867 to 1885. In 1890 he entered the employ of the First National Bank of Claysville, of which he is now teller. On May 22, 1862, Mr. Abercrombie was united in marriage with Mary J., daughter of Thomas Henderson, of Washington county, and two children were born to them, Kate and Blanche, the latter of whom died December 1, 1889. They both received their elementary education in the schools of Claysville, and afterward at the Wash- ington (Penn.) Ladies' Seminary, under the principalship of Miss Nancy Sherrard. Their mother departed this life April 19, 1874. . Mr. Abercrombie and his daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, in which he has been trustee, for several years. In his political preferences he has at all times been a Republican, belonging to the party from the time of its or- ganization.

R EV. GEORGE A. WENZEL, D. D., pastor of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Washington. is a native of Bavaria, Ger. many, born January 11, 1816, in the town of Dittlofsrod. in the circle of Unter- Franken, a son of Daniel and Anna Maria Wenzel. While a youth he came to America, and on land- ing proceeded at once to western Pennsylvania, where for a time he worked at whatever employ- ment suggested itself.

His inclinations to study being strong, and be- ing possessed of a proper ambition. he entered Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, where he became a close student of science aud philosophy, in pref- erence to classics and mathematics. He took special interest in metaphysics, besides other branches, including music. His urbanity of man- ner, frankness of character, and innate modesty while at college, made him a favorite with both the president, Dr. Brown, and the students. He was one of the most prominent members of the

Philo Literary Society, a ready and close reasoner and an impressive speaker, enunciating the Eng- lish language with a fluency and accuracy truly surprising for a foreigner. In 1840 he graduated, and immediately entered upon the study of the- ology in connection with the Lutheran Church. In 1843 he was licensed to preach, and though but yet a young man, his services were in constant demand, the best churches of the Lutheran de- nomination being open to him. In 1844 he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel, since when he has occupied pulpits in Northampton, Mont- gomery, Warren and Lehigh counties, also in the cities of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washing- ton, Penn., and for the past ten years has been pastor of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Washington. Some years since he received the well-merited degree of D. D. On June 28, 1844, Mr. Wenzel was united in marriage with Miss R. B. McAffee, of Canonsburg, Penn. There are no children. The Doctor, though busily occupied in ministerial work, has found time to give lessons in German, to write for the religious press and to trans- late a number of German books into English. He enjoys the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends, endeared to them by his Christian walk in life.

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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 12

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