Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 120

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 120

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John White was born in 1786, near Canonsburg, Chartiers township, and in early life began to haul goods over the mountains, having carried

ammunition for the Government during the war of 1812. In 1814 he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John May, of Cecil township, this county, who bore him the following children: Ann (Mrs. John Scott), Phoebe (wife of John Far- rar), Julia, Jane, John, James, Mary (wife of Mat- thew R. Welch), Nancy (married to John Reed), Alexander and Samuel. Of these children, Julia, Jane, John and Alexander are deceased. In 1814 Mr. and Mrs. White located on Raccoon creek, in Smith township. Selling out in 1850, they bought a farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where they resided eight months. Thence they moved to Belmont county, Ohio, and lived there two years, finally returning to Canonsburg, where he died. Politically Mr. White was a Whig and Republican, and held many township offices. In church re- lations he was a member and elder of the Asso- ciate Reformed Church.

Matthew R. and Mary (White) Welch first set- tled on the home place, in Smith township, but in 1889 moved to Burgettstown, where they are yet living. Five children have been born to them: Elizabeth M. (wife of M. L. Cook), Anna M. (Mrs. J. L. Malcolm), John W. (married to M. A. Daugh- erty), Jennie (Mrs. Robert Russell) and Julia B. (wife of J. C. Morrow). Mr. Welch has been a Republican in politics, and has held various town- ship offices; he has ever been especially interested in the progress of educational matters. He is a member of the U. P. Church, and of the Session; formerly he was a member of the Associate Church of Burgettstown.

R OBERT D. WYLIE, a well-known repre- sentative, native- born citizen of South Stra- bane township, is descended from rugged Scotch ancestry, of whom the first to come to this country were three brothers-two settling in eastern Pennsylvania, the third, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, taking up his abode in the western part of the State.

David Wylie, father of Robert D., was born, in 1799, near Wheeling, W. Va., where he was reared and educated. When a young man he came to this county, and for a time made his home in the borough of Washington, with Hugh Wylie, his uncle, at that time a leading citizen of the county. Hugh Wylie was postmaster at Washington, his nephew, David, being his assistant, and served during three administrations, the office during that period being important as a distributing one for Pittsburgh and all points west. t. In 1828 David Wylie married Eunice, daughter of David Hanna, of Columbiana county, Ohio, and they then settled on the place where David Wylie passed the re- mainder of his days. By this union there was

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one child, Eunice H. (Mrs. E. M. Mansley), de- ceased. This wife dying, Mr. Wylie married, June 1, 1831, for his second helpmate, Harriet Belle, daughter of Gen. Robert Simison, of Colum- biana county, Ohio, who had been a Revolution- ary soldier under Washington, and was afterward sent west, during the latter's administration, to survey the State of Ohio, at which time he took up a large tract of land in what is now Columbiana county. He commanded, as brigadier-general, a division of the army detailed to keep the Indians in check, and, while on a forced march, was seized with a fever from which he died. He was a native of Cumberland county, Penn., where he married Margaret Sanderson. They had seven children as follows: Elizabeth( who became the wife of Robert Leonard, of Hancock county, Ohio); Jane (wife of William Blanchard, of Lawrence county, Penn.); Margaret (wife of Robert Filson, in Columbiana county, Ohio); Martha (wife of James Scott, in Jackson county, Iowa); Ann, unmarried; Harriet Belle (wife of David Wylie) and Samuel S. By this marriage Mr. Wylie had a family of ten chil- dren, of whom the following is a brief record: Tappan W. died March 1, 1871; Hugh H. died in 1834; Simison R., living at home; Edmund B., in Jackson county, Iowa; Robert D., our subject, of whom special mention is made further on; William S., Catherine I. and James S. (triplets), all de- ceased; Rev. Samuel S. and David Austin. Of these, Tappan W. attended Washington College three years, and married Nancy, daughter of Ebenezer McLean, of Washington county, Penn. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving in the army of the Potomac; he was killed in 1871 by the explosion of a boiler; Simison R. attended Washington College two years, after which he engaged in farm- ing on the home farm in South Strabane township, where he still resides; he is still unmarried. Ed- mund B. attended Washington College two years and was married, in 1869, to Lizzie McConnell, a native of Beaver county, Penn., and their children are Robert B., Clyde K., Scott and Harry B. Edmund B. enlisted in August, 1862, and served throughout the entire war with Sherman, being at his post of duty without intermission. Since 1865 he has resided in Jackson county, Iowa, where he owns and manages a large and profitable farm. Samuel S. graduated from Washington and Jeffer- son College in 1866, studied theology for two years at the Western Theological Seminary, Alle- gheny, Penn., and one year in Edinburgh, Scot- land (he settled at Middle Springs, Cumberland Co., Penn., as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at that place, in 1872, where he now resides, hav- ing had but one charge in the ministry. While a student at college he enlisted in Knapp's Batteryand served his country in guarding Washington, D. C., for six months. On November 9, 1873, he was mar-

ried to Jane M. McCune, of Cumberland county, Penn., and his children are Hattie M., Eva and Sam- uel S.). David Wylie, the father of this family, died April 13, 1879, the mother August 25, 1883. Mr. Wylie commenced with 100 acres of wild land, which he vastly improved and greatly added to. In politics he was a Whig, afterward a Republican, and was one of the leading men in his party; in religion he was a member for many years of the Presbyterian Church in Chartiers township.

Robert D. Wylie, whose name opens this sketch, was born August 23, 1840, on the farm where he now resides, and in the same house, and was here reared. His primary education was received in the schools of the district. In 1857 he entered Washington (Penn.) Union School, attending that school for two years. In 1859 he was enrolled in the senior prep. class of Washington College, and went without interruption until he grad- uated in September, 1863, being graded fifth in his class. Soon after graduation he undertook to fill the different positions of tutor of ancient languages and professor pro tem. of mathematics in the same institution. In 1868 he gave up teach- ing as a profession. During that year he was entered as a law student in Washington bar, read- ing with Alex. Wilson; but owing to continued ill health, at the urgent solicitation of his parents he reluctantly gave up a profession and concluded to try farming. Since 1869 he has been actively engaged in farming on the farm where he now resides. On June 14, 1882, he was married to Margaret E. Walker, youngest daughter of Jona- than Walker, of Butler county, Penn. They have two living children: Walker M. and Leila M. McK. Wylie. R. D. Wylie is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and Mrs. Wylie is a member of the Lutheran church.

R OBERT WRIGHT, a representative native- born citizen of the county, is one of the most prominent and influential agricultur- ists of Buffalo township, standing well with his neighbors, respected far and wide for his many good qualities of head and heart; one who has prospered in those things that make even the humblest life well worth living.

Mr. Wright was born March 8, 1812, in Buffalo township, where he received his education at the subscription-schools of his boyhood days, which was supplemented by considerable home study and close reading. His paternal grandfather, William Wright, a native of Ireland, followed the trade of weaver in County Monaghan, in that country. He was there twice married, and had the following named children: William, Thomas, Robert, John and Samuel. In 1785 he came to America, and after a short sojourn in Chester county, Penn., set-

Robert Wright

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tled 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. About 1804 he was married to Rachel, daughter of Thomas Hill, of Donegal township, but a native of Ireland, and their children were Mary (Mrs. Thomas Carson), William, Thomas, Robert, Sam- uel and John, all 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 de- ceased). The father died January 24, 1849, in his sixty-eighth year; the mother December 5, 1841.

Robert Wright, whose name opens this sketch, in 1847 married Susanna, daughter of Samuel Neely, and one child, Robert N. (now a prosper- ous farmer in Donegal township), was born to them. The mother died in 1850, and June 18, 1857, Mr. Wright married Margaret L., daughter of Robert McNeal, of Claysville, this county, by which union there are two children: Mary (wife of Isaac Grimes) and John S., born October 14, 1865, now conducting the home farm (he was married September 30, 1890, to Miss Lou B. Crawford). After his first marriage, Robert Wright continued to live for some thirty years on the home place, the dwelling being an old log cabin, and then erected his present commodious residence, which is well situated, and admirably equipped with all modern improvements. The farm he cleared up and im- proved with his own hands. He and his worthy wife were originally connected with the Associate Church, but of late years they have been members of the United Presbyterian Church at South Buf- falo, he being one of its most influential support- ers, and a trustee of same. Mr. Wright has al- ways taken an active part in politics, first as a Whig, then as a member of the Liberty party, and of late years as a Republican; and while taking an active interest in all movements for the good of the country, he has invariably avoided public pre- ferments. By hard, honest work, judicious econ- omy and sound judgment, he has secured a com- petence, being now one of the most extensive and prosperous farmers in his section. [Since the above was written, Mr. Wright died December 27, 1892.

Robert McNeal, father of Mrs. Wright, was born February 3, 1789, aud learned the trade of blacksmith. His parents came from Scotland at

an early day, settling near Pittsburgh, Penn. Robert McNeal married Polly Long, and to them was born one child: Jane L. On January 4, 1825, he married Isabella Bonar, a native of Donegal township, Washington county, born December 26, 1797, and to them were born the following chil- dren: John H., who died May 3, 1859; James B., who enlisted in the war of 1861-65, and died in hospital September 4, 1864, from the effects of a wound received in the battle of Jonesborough; Nelson R., who served through the Civil war, and now resides in Donegal township; Margaret L. (Mrs. Robert Wright); Sarah F., deceased at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. McNeal located in Claysville, Penn., where he followed his trade many years. He died November 28, 1863, his wife having preceded him across the River July 8, 1855.

T HOMAS STOCKTON is a representative of one of the oldest families of Franklin town- ship. Thomas Stockton, the ancestor of the family in Pennsylvania, was a native of Vir- ginia, and at an early age came to Cham- bersburgh, Franklin Co., Penn. He was for many years a member and elder in the Presbyterian Church. He died May 31, 1795, aged eighty-six years, of whooping-cough, at the house of his son-in-law, William Waddell, in Mercersburgh, Penn. (William Waddell was a brother of Rev. James Waddell, of Virginia, whose daughter, Jeanette, was married to Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D.). Mr. Stock- ton reared the following children: Thomas, John, David, Robert, Elizabeth (Mrs. Waddell), Isabella (Mrs. Neilson), Mary (Mrs. Bard), and Margaret. (Mrs. Johnston).

Robert Stockton was born October 19, 1737, in eastern Pennsylvania, near Chambersburgh, and on December 22, 1761, he was married to Mary Mc- Kennie. Mr. Stockton served in the Revolution- ary war, taking part in the battles of Trenton and Monmouth. He moved to Washington county in 1782, and in the following July purchased a farm of Peter Jolly, which was named in the survey "Beaver Dam." It is situated three and a half miles west of Washington borough, in Franklin township, and is still in the possession of the fam- ily. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Mckennie) Stock- ton were born the following children: Thomas, Col. Robert, Margaret (wife of Col. John Cotton, of Meadville, Penn.), Frances (Mrs. Charles Stewart), Jane (wife of Rev. John Brice), John (married to Margaret McCombs), Rev. Joseph (married to Esther Clark) and Elizabeth (wife of Rev. James Cun- ningham, of Ohio). Col. John Cotton and Col. Robert Stockton were both elders of the Presbyte- rian Church at Meadville, Penn.

Thomas Stockton inherited the old Stockton

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place together with his brother John, who after- ward died, when Thomas purchased the remainder of the farm. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Graham, and the children born to them were as follows: Robert, Thomas, John, Mary and Sarah. Mr. Stockton was a Whig in politics, and in relig- ious belief was for many years a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, in which he was an elder.

Robert Stockton, son of Thomas and Sarah (Gra- ham) Stockton, passed his youth on the home farm, and was united in marriage with Rebecca, daughter of John and Sarah Wilson. To their union were born children as follows: Thomas V., John Wilson, Emma O'Ella (Mrs. C. C. Cozad) and Maggie (Mrs. A. R. Gayhort). Mr. Stockton was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church at Washington. In politics he was a Whig and Republican. He died in October, 1864, aged sixty- seven years.

Thomas V. Stockton, son of Robert and Rebecca (Wilson) Stockton, is unmarried, and has managed the home farm since the death of his father. He is an enterprising young citizen of Franklin town- ship, and a member of the Republican party.

Dr. John Wilson Stockton graduated in the sci- entific department of Washington and Jefferson College in 1868; he graduated from the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1877. He was married August 8, 1890, to Romayne Wade . Mckown, of Allegheny county. He is located at present at Washington, Penn., where he is engaged in the practice of his chosen profession.

D ANIEL B. MOWRY was born November 17, 1827, in Allegheny county, Penn., near Pittsburgh. His father, also named Daniel, was born in 1783, and was married to Jane, daughter of William Wylie, of Washington county, ·of the lineage of David Wylie, being a full cousin, and the children born to this union were Margaret, wife of Edward Wood, now living in Philadelphia; William, who was killed in Custer's raid at Little Big Horn; John, a physician, who graduated from Philadelphia Medical College; Peter, deceased; Daniel B .; Robert G .; George W., deceased. Daniel Mowry, Sr., the father of these children, died in 1862; the mother, Jane Mowry, in 1874. In politics he was an Old-line Whig, and in religion a member of the Covenanter Church. Mr. Mowry was a life resident of Pittsburgh, Penn., where he was for a time clerk of the courts, and, afterward, tipstaff.

Daniel B. Mowry, the subject of this biograph- ical memoir, though born in Pittsburgh, lived with his grandfather Wylie during most of his minority, following the vocation of farming. . He was united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of Major

William Wilson, and the children born to them were William W., a major in the Pennsylvania Militia, and a resident of Washington, this county; John died in infancy; Charles E., in Pittsburgh; Lottie (Mrs. Herbert Wilson, of Nebraska); Harry; Mary A. and Sarah, of Washington county. The mother passed from earth August 27, 1890. In 1861, during the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Mowry enlisted in Company A, One Hundredth P. V. I., better known as the Round Heads, and served throughout the entire struggle. In politics he is a stanch Republican, by occupation a farmer.

S T. JACKMAN is of Teutonic ancestry, his grandparents, William and Barbara (Shively) Jackman, having been natives of the country of the Rhine. They emigrated from Ger- many before their marriage, which ceremony took place in a fort on the Monongahela river, in West- moreland county, Penn. In 1788 William Jack- man took out a patent for 368 acres of land called "Hobson's choice," in Washington county. He paid the Indians, for their right, $15, a gun, and a blanket. He made a permanent home on this tract, where seven children were born to him, all now deceased. The parents were members of the Baptist Church.

Simeon Jackman, son of William and Barbara (Shively) Jackman, was born, in 1795, in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and there attended the subscription schools. In 1819 he was married to Mary Dunlevy, who was born in 1800, in East Pike Run township, and the young couple settled permanently on 100 acres of the original tract (above mentioned) in Allen township. He afterward bought 100 acres from his brother Cyrus, paying him $10 per acre. The following children were born to them: one deceased in infancy; Jo- seph Wilson, of Henry county, Ill .; Anthony D., a resident of El Dorado, Butler Co., Kans .; Me- lissa, wife of George Morton, a Presbyterian min- ister of Indiana county, Penn .; Elizabeth, wife of James Wilson, of McLean county, Ill .; Mary, mar- ried to John Steele, of Fayette county, Penn. Harriet, wife of George Hill, of McLean county, Ill .; William H., living in Wayne county, Ohio; S. T., whose name opens this sketch; Isaac K., living in Los Angeles, Cal., and Sarah D., wife of Will- iam Dunlevy, of Butler county, Kans. Of these children Mary, William H., S. T., and Isaac K. are yet living. The father was a Republican, and served for many years as justice of the peace; was also captain in the State Militia. He died in 1881, having been preceded by his wife in 1873. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.

S. T. Jackman, the only living representative of his family in Washington county, was born Octo- ber 23, 1835, in Allen township, Washington Co.,

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Penn. He received his earlier education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, and then took tlie sophomore year at Washington College. In 1862 he enlisted at Pittsburgh, Penn., in Com- pany F, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, for three years or during the war, and was afterward promoted to the rank of first lieutenant of Com- pany E, in the same regiment. He served in the battles of Gettysburg, Wilderness, also in the Shen- andoah Valley and the Seven Days' fight before Richmond. In 1865 he received an honorable dis- charge at Cumberland, Md., and returned to the home farm in Allen township, Washington county. On May 20, 1868, he was married to Florence J., daughter of Azariah and Sarah A. (Murphy) Crow, pioneers of Washington county, now living in How- ell county, Mo.

Mr. Jackman yet owns ninety-five acres of the original patent. In politics he votes with the Re- publican party, and served as a member of the school board, assessor and road commissioner of Allen township. Since the Howe cemetery has been established Mr. Jackman has served as treas- urer and trustee, and is also a trustee of the Eben- ezer M. E. Church, of which he and his wife are members. Their children have been born as fol- lows: Nora Elsie, wife of William Steele, a grocer of West Belle Vernon; Leslie T. ; H. Roscoe; Ruby C .; Mary S .; A. Parker; J. Riley (deceased at the age of six years) and Morton Hanson (deceased when seventeen months old). In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Jackman moved to their present home in West Belle Vernon.

R OBERT C. HOLMES, a successful and well-known farmer of Cross Creek town- ship, is a son of James Holmes, whose father died in Ireland, the land of his birth.

James Holmes emigrated from his native coun- try in 1837, and remained in New York two years after landing on American soil. He then lived four years in Westmoreland county, Penn., after- ward renting a place in Cross Creek township, Washington Co., Penn., and purchasing the home farm just before the Civil war. His wife was for- . merly a Miss Margaret Thompson, to whom he was wedded in 1836. Children were born to their union as follows: Jane, Thomas, John, James, Robert C., William, Thompson B. and Joseph D., all of whom were born after the parents had set- tled in America. The father followed general farming and sheep raising, owning a good fertile farm of 144 acres. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party, to whose interest he was ever keenly active, supporting its principles with en- thusiastic ardor, and holding various offices of honor and trust in Cross Creek township, which he

filled to the satisfaction of all. In religious faith he was an active member of the United Presbyte- rian Church at West Middletown, Penn., to which he gave a hearty and liberal support. He died in 1869. Of the children born to James and Mar- garet (Thompson) Holmes, William was married to Miss Emma Neely, a native of Donegal town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., and the following children have blessed their union: Robert, Jane M., Grover C., Joseph, James and Mary, all of whom are living with their parents on the old home farm.

Robert C. Holmes, the fourth or fifth child of James and Margaret Holmes, was born in 1844. His boyhood and youth were passed in the arduous duties of farm life, and attending the district schools of the neighborhood. When his father died, Robert took entire charge of the business, which he is now managing with marked success, and caring for his aged mother, who lives with her son, awaiting the summons which will unite her again with those loved ones who have "passed over the river home."

Mrs. Margaret (Thompson) Holmes was born in Ireland in 1819. In 1840 her parents came to the United States and settled in Chartiers township, Washington county, following their children. Mrs. Holmes was the first of the Thompson fam- ily to emigrate, the other children followed her example, and the parents ultimately decided to set- tle in the New World. Of the eight children who came hither, five are living. The mother of Mrs. Holmes died in Cross Creek township in 1879, aged eighty-seven years.

J HOMAS A. HINDMAN, a highly esteemed and prosperous citizen of Cross Creek vil- lage, Washington Co., Penn., is a son of William Hindman, and grandson of Samuel

Hindman. The latter was born near Can- . onsburg, in Chartiers township, this county, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he fol- lowed through life. When a young man he left Washington county and made a permanent home in Brooke county, W. Va. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Catherine Davis, a native of east- ern Ohio, and nine children were born to their union, namely: Polly, William, Rebecca, Eliza, Samuel, James, Margaret Ann (Mrs. Barber, of Knox county, Ohio), Harriet (Mrs. Murchland, of Colliers Station) and Evan D. (also living at Col- liers Station).

William Hindman (the second child of Samuel and Catherine Hindman) was born in 1812, in Brooke county, W. Va., growing to manhood on the home farm. He received a common-school education, which was supplemented by the reading of good books. He was married to Elizabeth Mc-

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Cullough, a lady of Scotch-Irish descent, and the following children were born to them: Andrew (a blacksmith living near Colliers Station, this county), Catherine (deceased in childhood), Samuel (farming in this county), Thomas A. (subject of this sketch), Charles (died when quite young), Jane (living in Dennison, Ohio), Mary (also a resi- dent of Dennison, Ohio), Eliza (deceased), Evan (a farmer of Cross Creek township, Va.), an unnamed infant (deceased), Rebecca, William (died when eight years of age), and George, all living near Colliers Station. The father of this family pos- sessed a remarkable memory, and was consid- ered one of the most intelligent men of the com- munity. He was a man of generous impulses and warm sympathies, never allowing any person to leave his door hungry, or refusing aid to worthy objects of charity.

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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 120

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