Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 121

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 121

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Thomas A. Hindman was born January 23, 1840, in Brooke county, W. Va., where he worked on the farm during his boyhood. At the age of eighteen years he learned the blacksmith's trade with his brother Andrew, then worked as a journeyman, traveling over several States, and finally, in 1865, settled in Cross Creek village, this county, where he opened a blacksmith shop. In 1868 he sold out, and returning to Brooke county, W. Va., worked two years for his brother Andrew. At the end of that time he returned to Cross Creek village, and purchasing his old shop, has since remained in the place. On November 8, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Stephenson, daughter of Mark Stephenson, of Smith township, this county. Three children have been born to their union: Della May, Audley Oliver and Nettie Pearl. Della M. and Audley O. have attended the Cross Creek Academy for several years, the latter now being a student of the Northwestern University at Ada, Ohio. Mr. Hindman began life with no assistance from home, and by industry and perseverance is now one of the best and most successful workmen, owning one of the finest black- smith shops in Washington county. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church of Cross Creek village.

AMES H. BARKLEY, a well-known stock raiser of Nottingham township, is a native of the same. His father, James N. Barkley, was born in 1814, in this county, and when yet a boy learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- lowed for one year, then bought the home farm, containing fifty-seven acres in Nottingham town- ship. On October 25, 1837, he was united in marriage with Sarah Caster, who was born in 1816, in Allegheny county, Penn., and their children were born as follows: Robert, James, Thomas, Frank,

Catherine (wife of L. Culbertson), Caroline (mar- ried to William Hamilton) and Maggie (Mrs. F. Irwin). The father died in 1886; the mother is. yet living.

James H. Barkley was born May 12, 1850, in Washington county, where his youth was passed. He worked in a sawmill for three years for Maj. James Gaston, and on March 10, 1880, made choice- of a life companion in the person of Patience B. Hamilton, a native of this county, and daughter of James R. Hamilton. The latter was born in 1818, in Peters township, Washington county, and received a classical education. During his earlier years he followed the profession of school-teaching, and be- ing solely dependent upon his daily earnings for a livelihood, he was obliged to practice strict econ- omy. In 1846 James R. Hamilton was married . to Miss Patience Morrison, a native of this county, and having managed to save a small amount of his salary, the young man bought a little farm in Not- tingham township, this county, upon which he and his bride began their wedded life. They were poor in worldly goods, but rich in the possession of health and love. Fortune soon began to smile on the brave young couple, who met her frowns with such cheery faces, and as years passed on children came to brighten the little home as fol- lows: Patience B. (Mrs. Barkley), William H. L., Charles James Reed, John H. G., Joseph G. P., Elizabeth Ann, Margaret Elnora and Mary Jane. Of these the three latter are deceased. At the time of his death, James R. Hamilton owned 300 acres of land.

James H. and Patience B. (Hamilton) Barkley have had five children, namely: Reed, Lee (de- ceased), Earl, Mary and Ralph. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Barkley settled on the home. place, where they have since resided, and upon which he raises a variety of good stock. Politically he is a firm believer in the principles advanced by the Republican party, and in religion he and his- family are all members of the Methodist Church.

P ATRICK RODGERS. Prominent among the most respected and the wealthiest citizens of Donegal township is found this well- known retired agriculturist.

He is a son of Francis Rodgers, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, who when a young man came to America, and to Washington county, Penn., making a settlement in Donegal township, about one mile northwest of where is now Coon Island postoffice, and where Franklin Rodgers, his grandson, is at present living. Here he hewed for himself a home out of the unbroken primeval forest, and naturally then began to look around him for a suitable helpmate. Her he was fort-

Patrick Rodgers

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unate to find in the person of Elizabeth Hupp, a member of one of the oldest families of the county and first settlers of Donegal township. To their marriage were born children as follows: John, who was a farmer in Washington county, and died at the age of forty-five years; Patrick, the subject of this memoir; Rosanna, wife of Joseph Cox; Nancy, wife of Samnel Cox; Isabel, married to Jacob Stoolfire; Margaret, wife of Thomas Davis; Mary, married to George Linville; Sarah, wife of Isaac Deeds; and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Davis, all now deceased except Patrick. The parents died on the old home farm, the father in 1829, and the mother in 18 -. When Francis Rodgers came to America he was but a poor boy, and his success in life was due to the characteristic thrift, energy and good management of himself and his faithful wife. In his political life Mr. Rodgers was a lifelong Democrat, a useful, reliable man in his party.

Patrick Rodgers was born in February, 1808, in Donegal township, this county, where, on his father's farm, he was well trained to the manifold duties pertaining to agricultural pursuits, while his edu- cation was secured at the subscription schools of his day. At the early age of sixteen the care of a large farm fell on him, thus putting an end to liis opportunities of attending school any longer; but the manner in which his extensive and trying dnties were performed gave evidence of ideas far beyond his years, and promises of a brilliant future before him in his state of life.

Mr. Rodgers has been twice married, first time to Harriet, a daughter of Jerry Linville, of Done- gal township, to which union there were born chil- dren as follows: Johnson, who died at the age of twenty-eight years, and Franklin, a farmer in Don- egal township. The mother of these children dying in 1846, Mr. Rodgers afterward married Jane, daughter of Robert and Eleanor (Mitchell) Me- haffey, of Donegal township, and she bore him the following named children: Elizabeth, now the wife of J. O. Scott, of Washington, Penn .; Mary, at home with her parents, and Emma, now the wife of Avery Counselman, of Brooke county, W. Va. After his first marriage Mr. Rodgers con- tinued on the home farm, engaged in general agriculture and stock raising, until 1870, when he removed to the old Cracraft farm, situated near Dunsfort, in Donegal township, on Buffalo creek, where he has since resided, now several years retired, the farm being operated by others. This property he had purchased some years before. In his political affiliations Mr. Rodgers is a stanch Republican, formerly a Whig, and has held nu- merous township offices pressed upon him by appre- ciative friends. In religious sentiment he is a member of and liberal contributor toward the Dutch Fork Disciple Church.

R OBERT M. PATTERSON is a prominent citizen of Cross Creek township, and a son of Samuel, whose father was Gen. Thomas Patterson. Thomas Patterson was of Irish descent, his grandfather having been born in Ireland in 1708, and immigrating to America in 1728, settled in Pennsylvania, where his son Will- iam was born in 1733. William was first married to Rosanna Scott, and reared a family of five chil- dren, among whom was Thomas. His first wife died in 1769, and in April of the following year William was married to Elizabeth Brown, who bore him ten children.

Gen. Thomas Patterson, the grandfather of our subject, was born October 1, 1764, in Lancaster county, Penn., and came to Washington county with his parents, at the age of fifteen years. In 1795 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Finley, of Westmoreland county, Penn. Of the twelve children born to their union the following lived to an adult age: William, James, Samuel, Mary, Jolin, Thomas, Finley, Elizabeth, Moses and Rosanna. Gen. Patterson was a wealthy ag- riculturist, and actively interested in politics, hav- ing represented Washington county in the United States Congress for several years. He passed away November 17, 1841.

Samuel Patterson was born March 27, 1800, in what is now known as the " Mill Property " in Cross Creek township, this county. He was reared on the home farm, and, when a young man, took charge of the mill for a few years. In 1825 he came to the place now occupied by Robert M. Patterson, and passed the rest of his life in agricultural pur- suits, making a specialty of raising fine-wooled sheep. He was married to Miss Anna McClave, daughter of the late Stewart McClave, who emi- grated from Ireland at an early day and settled in the northern part of Jefferson county, Ohio, where his descendants are yet living. Samuel and Anna (McClave) Patterson were the parents of the follow- ing children: Thomas, Lydia, Eliza, Stewart, Rob- ert M., Eleanor, Mary A., Harriet, Julia, Emily, Franklin (the latter three being deceased in in- fancy), Rosanna, Silas C. and Adeline (deceased at the age of nine years).

Robert M. Patterson was born June 19, 1829, in the house where he is now living, which was erected by his great-grandfather in 1794. It is a stone structure with massive walls, two and a half feet through; the interior being divided by board partitions into several rooms which are finished in the best manner known to the workmen of those days. In this house Robert M. Patterson grew to manhood, obtaining his knowledge of farming from the instruction of his father. On October 15, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Ann McClave, daughter of Samuel McClave. She has

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borne him children as follows; Annie Luella, Rachel Ellen, Charles L., Frank M., Mary E., Robbie (deceased in infancy), Willie (also deceased in infancy) and Harvey (deceased when three years of age). Robert M. Patterson is a most successful farmer, and has devoted his principal attention to raising sheep. He owns 245 acres of land in Cross Creek township, which he keeps in excellent con- dition and well filled with good stock, now having some of the most valuable fine-wooled sheep within the limits of Washington county. He usu- ally keeps from three to four hundred sheep. In politics Mr. Patterson votes with the Democratic party, but is very liberal in his views. He is much interested in educational matters, having be- queathed to his children that invaluable gift-a collegiate education. In church relationship, he is a member of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, giving to that Society a most liberal support.

R OBERT SUTHERLAND, a venerable and honored representative of one of the oldest and most highly esteemed families of Wash- ington county, is a native of the same, born May 20, 1815, in West Finley town- ship. John Sutherland, his great-grandfather, was a native of Scotland, a son of George Suther- land, a farmer in that country. John Sutherland, grandfather of Robert, was also born in Scotland, and was there married twice, having by his first wife one child, Barbara, and by his second wife (Mrs. Gordon Sutherland) one child born in Scot- land, by name George. After coming to America he married Margaret Morrow, and had the follow- ing children: John, Polly, Daniel, Alexander, David and Rebecca (Mrs. Donnelly). In 1772 he came with his wife, son George and one daughter, Barbara, to this country, and on arrival bound himself to a planter in Maryland, near Bladens- burgh, working for him four years in order to pay his and his family's passage out. His occupation there was overseer of slaves, about three hundred in number, and he was never known to strike or abuse any of them; on the contrary, he treated them with uniform kindness. At the termination of the four years Mr. Sutherland came to Washing- ton county, Penn., with his family, the journey across the mountains being made in wagons. They made a settlement first in Chartiers township, and then in 1800 moved to West Finley township, where they remained until the death of the head of the family, which occurred in 1826; his wife sur- vived him ten years, dying in 1836, and they now rest side by side in West Alexander cemetery. They were members of the " Three Ridges" Pres- byterian Church, now known as the West Alexan- der Church, and in politics he was an Old-line

Whig. The farm on which they settled covered 106 acres, nearly all wild land, which has since- been from time to time improved by the family; it. is now occupied by Joseph Sutherland, the great- great-grandson of the pioneer settler.

George Sutherland, father of subject, was born in the "land o' cakes" in 1769, and when three years of age was brought by his parents to this. country, as already related. He was a purely home-taught, self-made man. In Washington county he was married to Charlotte, daughter of Alexander McCoy, who came with his family from Scotland to this country about the same time as the Sutherlands. In 1784 he settled on a farm in West Finley township, and there passed the rest of his life. The names of his children are Nancy, Jane, Charlotte and Alexander. Mr. McCoy was one of the first elders of the " Three Ridges " Pres- byterian Church. The McCoys were living here in August, 1789, when nine members of the Mac- intosh family were killed by the Indians just out- side the blockhouse. A girl of fourteen years escaped, and the Sutherlands were the first to hear her cries and rescue her. After marriage George Sutherland and his wife settled on a farm in West Finley township, and here carried on agriculture up to the day of their death. The children born to them were John, Alexander, Eleanor, Isaac, William, Daniel, Christiana, Robert, and one that died in infancy. The mother departed this life. October 14, 1840, the father September 12, 1848, and both are buried in West Alexander cemetery. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a leading elder, and in politics he was a Whig.

Robert Sutherland, of whom this sketch more particularly treats, attended the subscription schools of the locality of his birth, and was early trained to the arduous duties of farm life, which has been his vocation from boyhood. Mr. Suther- land has been thrice married; first time May 2, 1839, to Jane, daughter of John and Polly (Tem- pleton) Lucas, and the children born to this union were Mary E. (wife of Rev. John B. Dawson), Lydia M. (deceased), who married R. J. Mckeown (deceased), Martha J. (Mrs. David G. Roney), John (deceased), James, Julia (deceased), and Lulu E. V. (wife of James McCleary). The mother of this family died in 1872, and in 1878 Mr. Suth- erland wedded Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph Law- son) who survived her marriage but five months, and in 1881 our subject took, for his third partner in life, Anna, daughter of John Taylor. After his first marriage Mr. Sutherland settled on a farm in West Finley township, and successfully followed agricultural pursuits until 1874, when he retired from active labor and moved to the borough of West Alexander, where he has since resided. He- is a typical self-made man, and has always been

an R

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an enterprising loyal citizen. He has been a Republican since the organization of that party, prior to which he was a Whig and a strong anti- slavery man, a "conductor on the underground railroad," having frequently aided in securing the escape of hound-hunted slaves to the free soil of Canada.

R ICHARD RAWLINS THOMAS, a repre- sentative citizen of Morris township, is a son of Rev. John Thomas, who was a native of Wales, born in the year 1800, near Swan- sea, in Glamorganshire. John Thomas' father died when he was but a small boy, and his widowed mother, inspired by a desire to give her two sons the best possible chance, immigrated to America in 1819. Landing at Philadelphia, they at once proceeded to Indiana county, Penn., where they located, and the support of the mother fell upon the two sons. John, the father of our sub- ject, had learned the trade of a weaver in his native country, which served him well in this new country. He became an expert, and was enabled to make it pay him well. At the same time he oc- cupied his leisure time in obtaining an education and in fitting himself for the ministry. Having progressed sufficiently to prepare himself for teach- ing, he afterward taught school at various places, among the others, at Morgantown, West Va. He then began preaching, to which he devoted himself the remainder of his life. Among the different places at which he preached were Mt. Herman, Beulah, Bethlehem, Ruff Creek and other places in that section. On October 27, 1824, Rev. Mr. Thomas married Jane Roberts, daughter of William Roberts, who was a native of Wales, and a wealthy merchant and prominent man of Cam- bria county, Penn. For a short time they lived in Indiana county, where Mr. Thomas owned a farm. Later they removed to Fayette county, near George's creek, and afterward to Turkey Foot, Westmoreland county. Here he remained some time, when he removed to Monongalia county, West Virginia.

To the union of John Thomas and Jane Rob- .erts, children were born as follows: William R., December 14, 1825; Elizabeth, October 6, 1827; Mary Jane, March 20, 1829; John P., January 15, 1832; James Estep, March 11, 1834; Richard Rawlins, January 14, 1837; Harriet Eliza, October 10, 1839; Anna A. Judson, June 29, 1842; and Shadrach and Martha (twins), December 7, 1843. Mary, wife of James Vandyke, now resides at Cal- ifornia, Penn. ; John P. and William R. live in Indiana county, and are prominent coal operators; Anna A. Judson Thomas died March 12, 1843; James E. was a member of the Twelfth Regiment, P. V. I. during the late war, and died in the service

March 21, 1862; Harriet, wife of William McCol- lum, resides near Amity, Penn .; Shadrach and Martha were twins; Shadrach, a successful truck gardener, lives near Pittsburgh; Martha was mar- ried to Boyd Emery, of Amwell township, and died in March, 1875; Elizabeth died June 3, 1829.

Richard Rawlins Thomas was born January 14, 1837, in Fayette county, Penn., near George's creek. He received only a common-school educa- tion, and made his home with his parents until he was thirteen years of age, when he left home to battle with the world on his own account, using his own language-" with only one extra shirt, a straw hat and no shoes." For twelve years he made his home with Lemuel N. John, of Monon- galia county, W. Va., when he returned home to assist in the erection of a house for his father, and took a piece of uncleared land lying in Morris township, Washington county, near the Greene county line. After a few years he removed with his parents to the southeast corner of Morris town- ship. On June 2, 1868, the father died; he was an arduous worker and a liberal Christian man, and gave his family every comfort his moderate salary would allow. The wife and mother died December 15, 1870. On June 6, 1869, Richard R. Thomas married Sarah H. Lindley, born May 31, 1849, a daughter of Milton Lindley and Eliza. B. Blachly. To this union there have been born two children: Lindley Whitfield, born September 23, 1872, and Mabel Genevieve, born March 29, 1887. Mr. Thomas has been successful as a farmer and stock breeder, as the condition of his- farm and the uniform high grade of his stock attest. In politics he formerly was a Republican, but is now an active Prohibitionist. He is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at West Union, Penn., and his wife is identified with the Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church at Pros- perity.

OHN H. HILL, a prominent citizen of Clays- ville, is a native of West Bethlehem town- ship, this county, born October 8, 1838, on the home farm. His ancestors were natives of the Emerald Isle, one family of whom, con- cluding to seek their fortunes in the New World, emigrated hither. They settled in Washington county, Penn., and took a "tomahawk right " of 600 acres, which has since been in the possession of their descendants, James (the father of subject) now owning a portion of the original tract. They built their log cabin home near the site of the present commodious family residence. The Indians were numerous, and these early pioneers had many skirmishes with their copper-colored neighbors. An Indian lay in ambush for some time at a cer- tain spring, and took every opportunity to seize

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the unsuspecting pioneer who chanced to come near, but he was finally killed. Of the children in this family little is known, but one son was born while the parents were crossing the ocean to America. This son grew to manhood, married and settled on the home farm in West Bethlehem township, and reared a family of children, three of whom were Joseph, John and William. The father was a Federalist in politics, and in religion was a member of the Baptist Church.

John Hill (grandfather of subject) was born November 10, 1785, in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his youth on the home farm. He was united in marriage with Nancy Sargeant, who was born December 25, 1789, and they had four children, namely: Jane, Sarah (Mrs. Joseph Grable), William and James S. Mr. Hill was a Whig in politics. In religious connection he was a member of the Baptist Church, and one of the founders of that Society in Wash- ington county.

James S. Hill was born June 13, 1811, on the home farm in West Bethlehem township, this county, where he received his early education. On July 24, 1834, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Yohe, of German descent, and the fol- lowing children were born to their union: Nancy (Mrs. Solomon Addleman), John H., Thomas T. and William H. Politically Mr. Hill was formerly a Whig, and since the formation of the Repub- lican party has been actively connected with it.

John H. Hill passed his early years on the home farm, and received a common-school education. On June 16, 1859, he was married to Elizabeth Wygandt, of Carroll township, this county, and they have had four children, namely: Frank (mar- ried to Artie Enlow), Ella J. (Mrs. Jacob Shoe- maker), Nannie (deceased wife of E. Shivers, died May 14, 1890), and Albert G. Mrs. Elizabeth Hill died August 31, 1875, and on January 6, 1876, Mr. Hill was married to Sarah McElwee, daughter of John McElwee, whose father, Samuel McElwee, was born November 25, 1791, in Lancaster county, Penn., and on January 10, 1811, was united in marriage with Ruth Ann Edwards, who was born January 8, 1793, and she bore him children as follows: John, Samuel and Lavina (Mrs. Robert Simmons). Mr. McElwee was a Methodist Episco- pal minister, and traveled on the Philadelphia Conference, following his calling throughout life. In political opinion he was a Whig.

John McElwee passed his early youth in Chester county, Penn., and when a young man came to Washington county, where he drove stage on the National pike until the Hempfield (now the B. & O.) R. R., was established, when he served as a rail- road agent until 1879. On February 28, 1840, he was married to Susan, daughter of Walter No- ble, of Bradford county, Penn., and the young

people made a permanent home in Claysville, this county. Their children are Sarah (Mrs. John H. Hill), Ruth A. (deceased) and Celia J. (deceased). Mr. McElwee was formerly a Whig, and after the organization of the party became a Republican. He was an active and enterprising citizen. He and his family were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. McElwee died January 29, 1880, and was fol- lowed by his wife November 3, 1884.

In March, 1862, Mr. Hill enlisted in Company B, Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, known as the "Ringgold Cavalry." He was sent to the army of the Potomac, and appointed first clerk to Gen. Emery, of the regular army. He was afterward ap- pointed chief clerk in the muster office, which posi- tion he filled until the close of the war. After his return home, Mr. Hill located in Valley Inn, then went to Kammerer, thence to Monongahela City, where he remained seven years, during which time he was elected high constable over three other aspirants for that office, receiving all the votes cast except thirty-six. Afterward he was engaged in the general commission business at Wheeling, W. Va. In 1884 he came to his present home in Claysville, Washington county, and engaged in the grocery business. In 1889, he was appointed postmaster at Claysville, and abandoned the gro- cery. Mr. Hill is a charter member of Patterson Jobes Post, G. A. R., at Claysville, and is now serving his third term as post commander. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for twenty- three years, and is now D. D. G. P. of Washing- ton county. He was also a charter member of the A. O. U. W. of Monongahela City, Penn., and is now a member of the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania, also a representative to the Grand Encampment of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R.

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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 121

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