Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 122

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 122

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W ILLIAM SNODGRASS WHITE, retired agriculturist, is one of the highly respected citizens of Washington county. His grandfather, William White, came at an early date to this county, and was mar-

ried here. He died in 1822, in Canonsburg, and his wife followed him in 1827. They had three children: one son, John, and two daughters.

John White, father of our subject, grew to man- hood in Canonsburg, and after attending the elementary schools of his native town, entered Jefferson College, where he graduated in 1804. He next began studying law at Steubenville, where he was admitted to the bar. Later he returned to Washington county, where he married Agnes Park, daughter of John Park, of Cecil township; he took up his residence in Washington, and acted as prothonotary one year. Abandoning the law about this time, he commenced the study of medicine at

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Thompsonville, Peters township, under the tuition of Dr. Robert Thompson. He resided in Cecil township, and taught school while he studied medicine. After taking his diploma, he commenced the practice of his new profession, and in Novem- ber, 1815, located about one and one-half miles east of Hickory, where he practiced. In the following April he moved to Hickory, where he continued to follow his profession up to the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1853, he being then sixty- seven years of age. His wife followed him to the grave August 19, 1866, in her seventy-seventh year. In religion they were Presbyterians, and in politics he was a Whig.

William Snodgrass White was born December 12, 1812, in Cecil township, Washington county, and was three years old when his parents moved to Hickory. He received his education in the common schools and an academy. From 1835 to 1841 he conducted a general store in Hickory, and then moved on a farm on which he remained until the spring of 1872, at which time he came to Canonsburg. On March 31, 1839, he married Miss Jane, daughter of Archibald Stewart, of Chartiers township, and of this union were born the follow- ing children: John Stewart (who died in April, 1880; he had served in the war of the Rebellion), Agnes Ann (widow of John M. Miller, who died in May, 1888), Margaret Jane (Mrs. R. H. Black, of Canonsburg), W. Vance (of Canonsburg), Rebecca Jane (who died in 1845), Archibald Park (who died April 19, 1859, at the age of twelve years), Jenette (living with her father), Howard (in Ohio) and Matilda K. D. (living at home). Mrs. White died at Canonsburg, August 21, 1881, at the age of sixty years. In 1856 Mr. White was a member of the old Know-Nothing party, but since the formation of the Republican party he enrolled under their banner. He has frequently declined to accept positions of honor and trust. The position of associate judge was offered him, but even that he found it necessary for various canses to refuse. For forty years he has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. His farm, containing 300 acres, lies about half a mile north of Hickory, and in addition he has ninety acres on which there is a coal mine, located near Hickory. Mr. White has retired from active life, and his home is cared for by his dutiful and affectionate daughters. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors were of Scotch-Presbyterian descent, from the North of Ireland.

W ILLIAM M. HUTCHISON, a prominent citizen of West Finley township, is a son of Thomas, whose father, James Hutch- ison, emigrated from Scotland in 1785, and settled in Washington county, Penn., .on a portion of the farm now owned by William

M. Hutchison. He erected a home in the wilder- ness, but was obliged to leave it, as the Indians were hostile and very numerous. Five years later he returned to his pioneer home, bringing with him a bride, Mrs. Elizabeth Scott, nee Miss Elizabeth Law. They began married life on the farm where they passed their remaining days. The following children were born to them: Matthew, born July 5, 1792; Margaret, born August 5, 1794; Eliza- beth, born October 3, 1796; Thomas, born Janu- ary 28, 1799; Catherine, born June 27, 1801, and Nancy, born July 20, 1803. Of these children, Margaret, Thomas and Nancy lived to be over four- score years of age.

Thomas Hutchison passed his earlier years on his father's farm in East Finley township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., and assisted in the agricultural duties. In the year 1824 he was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth McClelland, after which event he bought out the heirs of the home place, and settled upon it. To the above union were born children as follows: Jane, born November 20, 1825; James, born June 7, 1828; William M., born December 17, 1830; Margaret L., born May 19, 1836; Mary E., born April 30, 1840; and Cath- erine, born April 2, 1843. The mother of these children died March 30, 1844, and Mr. Hutchison remained single for three years, caring for his fam- ily as best he could. In the year 1847, he was married to Isabella McMillian. In 1875 Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison moved to Independence township, this county, where he died November 24, 1884; his widow is still residing on the place. Mr. Hutchison was an elder in the U. P. Church at Dog- wood Grove for over forty years.

William M. Hutchison was born on a part of the farm in East Finley township, Washington Co., Penn. Hestill resides on part of the farm in West Finley township and passed his youth at home. On March 26, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah G. Gilmore, and began married life in his present home. They have had four children: John G., born February 17, 1858, an attorney at Emporia, Kans., who married Lelia A. McKee, December 11, 1884, to whom a son, Curtis McKee, was born November 12, 1890; Thomas A., born September 9, 1859, married Zillah E. Giles, Sep- tember 27, 1888, to whom two sons were born -- William Henry, September 12, 1889, and Giles Virgil, September 14, 1891; James A., born De- cember 6, 1861. married Ada V. Sutherland, to whom one son, Harry Sutherland, was born June 30, 1892, and Eva May Hutchison, born September 8, 1864. Mrs. Sarah (Gilmore) Hutchison died March 14, 1890. Mr. Hutchison started in life with no financial assistance, and the additional dis- advantage of poor health. But his strong will and invincible determination overcame even these for- midable obstacles. He now has a good farm of 125

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acres, upon which are comfortable dwellings, and he has given to all of his children that invaluable inheritance-a good education. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Claysville, this county; his son John is an elder of a United Presbyterian Church in Kansas, and another son, James, is an elder of the same church in Dogwood Grove, East Finley township, this county. In politics, Mr. Hutchison was formerly a Whig, and since the organization of the party, has been a Republican. He has held several important town- ship offices, and is highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

J OHN NELSON EALY, one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of East Finley town- ship, was born in Cross Creek township, April 27, 1841, a son of John and Eleanor (Sprowls) Ealy, both natives of the same township. John Ealy, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Schuylkill county, Penn., where he married and reared a family of children, some of whom and his wife he brought with him when he moved to Washington county. He settled here, near where is now East Finley postoffice, not far from the headwaters of Wheeling creek, in East Finley township, and here died, as did also his wife. Their eldest son, George, was born in 1773, in Schuylkill county, Penn., and came to Washing- ton county with his parents, as above related. His boyhood days were passed upon his father's farm and in attending, during a few months in winter time, the subscription schools of his district; but perhaps the most lasting of his lessons were those of practical experience in industry, economy and perseverance, which have all along been marked traits in the character of the Ealy family in Wash- ington county. George Ealy was a farmer all his days. He was married to Christina Ealy, who was born in 1786, and to this union were born the follow- ing named children: John, Polly, Henry, George, Michael, Martin, Mary and Christina, of whom but two survive, viz .: Michael, living in Highland county, Ohio, and Christina (widow of Silas Sprowls), in East Finley township, this county. The father of these children died June 19, 1869, the mother hav- ing passed away in 1849.

John Ealy, father of subject, was born in East Finley township, in 1803, and at the schools of the neighborhood secured a somewhat limited educa- tion, the better part of his time being occupied in work on his father's farm. In 1834 he was mar- ried to Eleanor, daughter of John Sprowls, of East Finley township, and she bore him children as follows: Nancy, Jane, John N., Lewis, David, George W. and Silas, all of whom attained adult age, but there are only two now living: John N.

and George W. The father was called from earth November 4, 1857, the mother September 9, 1886 ..

John N. Ealy received a substantial common- school education, learned agriculture of his father, at whose death he came into possession of the home. place, and has since resided there, engaged in general agriculture, including the breeding of blooded stock. The farm is situated about half a mile south of East Finley postoffice, and is highly improved. Mr. Ealy is a member of the United: Brethren Church, of which he has served as trustee; in politics he is a lifelong Republican ;. and one of the advisers and counsellors of his. party. He has never married.

George W. Ealy, the other surviving son of John Ealy, was born July 8, 1847, in Cross Creek township, this county, and received a good com- mon-school education. He came to East Finley township when young, learned farming under his father's preceptorship, and his entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. On December 17, 1872, he was married to L. V. Carroll, daugh- . ter of William and Elizabeth (Seeman) Carroll, of Irish ancestry, and the children of this union are. Mary E., born October 26, 1873; William Haz- lett, born August 3, 1876, and John Hamilton; born August 14, 1880, all living at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Ealy are members of the United Brethren Church at Fair- mount, and in politics he is a stanch Republican.

D AVID SUMNY. The family, of which the subject of this memoir is a prominent mem- ber, have long been residents of Pennsyl- vania. Isaac Sumny, father of David, first saw the light July 5, 1776, the day after the old Liberty Bell had proclaimed the birth of our infant nation. He was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., and in 1798 was united in marriage with Mary Turney (who was also born in 1776), and nine children were born to their union, of whom three sons are yet living. The father followed the potters' trade all his life.

David Sumny, the fifth son of Isaac and Mary (Turney) Sumny, was born June 6, 1808, in West- moreland county, Penn., and learned the potters' trade of his father, following that business for thirty years. In 1830 he plighted vows at the marriage altar with Nancy Hand, a native of this county, who was born in -1808. Eleven children have blessed this union, all of whom are living in their native State, the family home circle having never yet been broken by the touch of the Silent Messenger. The children are as follows: Williamson, Julia A. (wife of Isaac Wolf), Maria (Mrs. J. Galt), Elizabeth (Mrs. Devre), Mrs. Mary Young, John T. (served three years in the war, and returned home uninjured), David H. (in the service three-

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years, having escaped any injury), Isaac, Daniel, Benjamin F. and Nancy Isabelle (Mrs. Gilmore). These children are all married, and, with but one exception, are living in Washington county. The sons are farmers, and are all engaged in that voca- tion in connection with the various trades which they have mastered. Some years ago the father abandoned his trade and bought a small farm in Nottingham township, this county, consisting of forty acres, which is kept in an excellent state of cultivation. He has always been a worker in the Democratic party, having cast a vote for Gen. Jackson. He has served the township as school director. Mr. Sumny and his entire family, with a few exceptions, are members of the Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAMSON SUMNY, son of David and Nancy (Hand) Sumny, was born April 29, 1827, on the old place in this county, there receiving his early education. On April 16, 1850, he selected, as a life partner, Miss Sarah Swickard, also a native of this county, and they have had five children, two of whom are yet living, namely: John S., who married Melissa Sprowls, of this county, and Ann Eliza, wife of William Lusk, residing in this coun- ty. Mr. Sumny has followed the carpenter's trade since 1845, also being a millwright, and owns twenty acres of land in this county. He has filled various offices in Nottingham township, and in Church re- lation is connected with the Methodist denomina- tion. Two of his brothers were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion: David and John T. They enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fortieth Reg- iment P. V. I., participating in the battle of Gettys- burg and all other engagements under Gen, Hancock. They both remained until the close of the war, when, John's health failing, he returned home, and afterward went West, becoming a pioneer settler.

On September 28, 1892, a reunion of the eleven children, husbands and wives, was held at the old homestead, numbering twenty-one. There were present thirty-one grandchildren and twenty great- grandchildren, numbering seventy-two present. Of the whole connection, there are living ninety-two children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

M RS. SARAH E. GILLESPIE, a represent- ative of one of the best and most pop- ular families of Washington county, is a daughter of John Gillespie, whose father (also named John) emigrated with his fam- ily from Ireland at an early date, and settled in Jefferson township, Washington Co., Penn. The wife of this John Gillespie was formerly Mary Derrickson, and six children were born to their union, namely : William, Nathaniel, John, Mary, Sally and Elizabeth, all deceased excepting Eliza and John.

John Gillespie (father of subject) was born, in the year 1810, in Washington county, and passed his early life on the home farm in Jefferson town- ship. In 1838 he was married to Nancy Leggett, a native of Washington county, and they settled. on the old homestead, where the following children were born to them: Mary Ann (deceased), Sarah E. Wesley, and Hester (deceased).

Sarah E. Gillespie (the subject proper of our sketch) was born May 1, 1842, in Jefferson town- ship, this county, and assisted in the household duties of the home. At the age of eighteen years she entered Pleasant Hill Seminary, which she attended fifteen months, and was then married to W. J. Gillespie, her second cousin and son of Will- iam M. K. Gillespie. Their children were James. W., John, Charles O., Nannie M., Minnie O., Venie B., Winifred and Ella Nora. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie moved to his father's farm, and tenderly cared for the old gentleman until his death. Mr. Gillespie then took charge of the farm, and bought out the interest of the other heirs. In politics he was a stanch Repub- lican, but being of a retiring disposition would accept no political office, preferring to devote his time to personal business. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bethel. Since Mr. Gillespie's death, his widow has kept the children together, all of whom live on the old homestead. The farm consists of 284 acres of highly cultivated and fertile land, well stocked with all necessary articles.

M RS. ELIZABETH GARDNER, an esti- mable and respected lady of Jefferson township, is a daughter of John and grandchild of Caleb Merriman, who were natives of the State of Maryland. She was born October 8, 1831, in what is now West Virginia, and assisted her mother in the household duties of the farm in her early youth. She was united in marriage March 15, 1855, with David Gard- ner, who was born January 29, 1827, in the house where Mrs. Gardner is now living. It was then known as a public tavern, and was kept by David's father, who came from Maryland in 1814,. and on February 10, 1820, was married to Nancy Donovan. His father then erected the tavern for the accommodation of travelers going from Pitts- burgh to Steubenville, and also engaged in farm- ing. To David and Nancy (Donovan) Gardner fourteen children were born, of whom but ten lived to maturity, namely: Eliza, John, David, James, George M., William, Rachel, Ann, Martin and Mary. Mr. Gardner died September 9, 1845.

David Gardner was born on the home farm which came into his possession after the death of his father. He lived at home during his early

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manhood, and after his marriage to Miss Merriman continued to reside on the home place, where the following children were born: Laura A., born December 15, 1855; George S., born September 25, 1857; Howard, born March 25, 1860; Nancy K., born March 18, 1862; Henry, born July 11, 1864; John, born September 28, 1866; David F., born Jannary 11, 1869; Chapline B., born Feb- ruary 12, 1871; and Thomas P., born April 26, 1873. Mr. Gardner was an industrious man, a good neighbor and an enterprising citizen. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Dis- ciple Church; in politics he was an ardent Demo- crat, and served many years as justice of the peace. He died May 15, 1878, and was buried in the cemetery at Eldersville. He gave all his children a good education, and at the time of his death owned a good farm of 184 acres.

R INGLAND. The Emerald Isle has con- tributed largely to the intellect, and, conse- quently, the social and material develop- ment, of America. Many of the brightest minds and most successful business men which the United States has produced have emigrated from, or were descendants of natives of Ireland. Among the latter will be found the name of Ringland. The following is copied from a letter written by Col. Thomas Ringland at Grand- view, Ill., in 1860:

As respects the Ringland branch, there is a tradition in . our family that our common ancestor came to Ireland from Hanover, in the army of King William III., in the latter part of the seventeenth century, previous to the fa- mons battle of the Boyne, in which William was victo- rious. After the war our ancestor settled in the North of Ireland, and all of the name of Ringland that I ever knew sprung from that ancestor. My grandfather, whose name was George, died when my father was an infant, and my grandmother again married another Hngh Ringland, and after the death of the latter she lived with my father un- til her death. My father, William Ringland, had one brother and one sister, both older than himself, and both living when we left the country in 1795. My mother, Prudence (Bailie), was born of an old and respectable Scotch-Irish Presbyterian family. Both her parents were members of the Presbyterian Church, in the parish of Bellee, County Down, Ireland, and was herself a inember of the Presbyterian Church for some years before her death, February 6, 1824, at her home in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., aged sixty-three years.

William Ringland and wife, formerly Prudence Bailie, parents of the above-named Thomas Ring- land, with six children-George, Margaret, Mary, Thomas, William (first James and first Nancy having died in infancy in Ireland) and second James-emigrated from Ireland to America, and settled in the summer of 1795 in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., on the middle fork of Ten-Mile creek. After their arrival in America they had children: second Nancy, Catharine,

Robert (who died an infant), Eliza and Jane, in all thirteen children. William Ringland, Sr., died September 9, 1827.

George Ringland, first son of William, had four children: Thomas, Margaret, Rebecca and Ma- tilda. Thomas settled in Natchez, Miss., became wealthy, and died many years ago. Margaret married Harvey Bane, whose family are very much scattered. Rebecca married William McKenna, a merchant of Hillsboro, Washington Co., Penn. ; had one son, George R .; lost sight of. Matilda married Cephas Bane, lived in Streator, Ill., and both died there a few years ago, leaving a consid- erable family.

Thomas Ringland, second son of William, mar- ried Anna McCollum in 1813; had six sons: Will- iam, John Newton, Samuel, George, Benjamin Anderson and Alexander Hamilton, and three daughters: Mary, Nancy and Anna. Of these William married Christian Bane in 1836; had four daughters: Elizabeth, Anna Eliza, Clarissa and Emily; died in 1843. Of these Elizabeth married Col. W. A. Lowe, colonel of the Seventy-ninth Illi- nois Regiment, who died at Newman, Ill., in 1869; had one son, George W. Lowe, who is single in Kansas, Ill. Anna Eliza died in infancy. Clar- issa married Henry Chambers, of Coles county, Ill., has several children. Emily married Thomas Lawhead, and lives near Kansas, Ill .; no children living. Nancy Ringland, daughter of Thomas, died at Kansas, Ill., in February, 1884. Dr. George Ringland, son of Thomas, married Mar- garet Rea, of Greene county, Penn. ; has had three sons and three daughters: John Thomas, William Franklin, Rea Crawford, Hannah, Mary and Mar- garet. Of these John Thomas died in his six- teenth year, at Kansas, Ill .; William Franklin, a Presbyterian minister, has had charge at Pana, Ill., and Hastings, Neb .; is president of Hastings (Neb.) College; in 1881 married Anna C. McCorkle, at Crawfordsville, Ind .; has three sons: Paul

Franklin, George Lyle and William. Rea C. married Josephine Hampshire, of Decatur, Ill., where he now lives; has had three sons, one living. Hannah married John Skinner, at Newman, Ill., and died soon after. Mary and Margaret, single. live at home with their mother at Kansas, Ill. Dr. George Ringland died at Kansas, Ill., in 1891.

. John Newton Ringland married Patty Clark; had one child, and both mother and child died; he afterward married Jane Weir, and had three sons and one daughter: E. Bernard, Adam Weir, Thomas and Annie Mary. Of these, Dr. E. B. Ringland has a water-cure establishment at Ham- ilton, Ill., opposite Keokuk, Iowa; has been mar- ried three times; child by second wife living. Rev. Adam Weir Ringland, Presbyterian minister, has had charges at Dubuque, Iowa, Tuscola and Beu- lah, Ill., and Duluth, Minn .; has recently been

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called to the presidency of a theological school in same State; was married to Lena Patten, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1873; has young son and daughter living. Thomas married Anna Nixon, lives in Iowa and has some children. Annie Mary is unmarried, living at Hamilton, Ill., with Dr. E. B. and his mother. John Newton Ringland died in Lee county, Iowa, in 1851.

Samuel Ringland, son of Thomas, died unmar- ried at Dudley, Ill., November 8, 1874. Benjamin Anderson Ringland, son of Thomas, is living at Oakland, Ill. ; married Mary Smith, of Grandview, Ill., has four sons and four daughters. Alexander Hamilton Ringland, son of Thomas, is living in Chicago, Ill., married to Ellen Wallace; have three children living: Allie, Ralph and Bertha. Anna Ringland, daughter of Thomas, married Stephen Post, of Washington county, Penn .; had two sons, one living, Hamilton B. Post, married to Miss Lindley, and they have two sons. Mary Ringland, daughter of Thomas, married Jacob Braden in 1838; she died in 1846; had one son, James, and three daughters; Elizabeth Ann, Martha and Isabel. Of these, Elizabeth Ann died in infancy. Martha married a Mr. Bergen, and had two sons and one daughter, her husband hav- ing died, she married J. B. Weir, of Washington county, Penn., in 1886, and they live in Washing- ton, Penn. Isabel married James S. Hewitt, of Dudley, Ill., has two sons and one daughter. Jacob Braden died at Dudley, Ill., February 4, 1893, aged eighty-one years.

Col. Thomas Ringland, son of William, came to America with his father and family in 1795, and settled in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., where he continued to reside until 1857, when he moved to Grandview, Edgar Co., Ill. During the war of 1812 the Colonel volunteered his services as a private soldier, and was afterward promoted to major for gallant conduct, and re- ceived an honorable discharge. By a life of up- rightness the Colonel so endeared himself to the people of his adopted county, that in 1825 he was nominated and elected to a seat in the House of Representatives, and again in 1826 and 1827; and such was the fidelity and ability with which he discharged the duties of the office, that in 1828 he was elected to the Senate from the District then composed of the counties of Washington and Greene, and was re-elected and served with the entire approbation of the people until 1834. As an evidence of the high appreciation of his worth and integrity, his brother senators elected him to the honorable and responsible position of Speaker of that body, the duties of which he discharged with a courtesy and impartiality unsurpassed. In politics Col. Ringland was all his life an earnest, unswerving Democrat. He sustained the pure patriot, gallant soldier and eminent statesman,

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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 122

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