Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 125

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 125

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WISHART STEVENSON NOBLE, youngest son of Robert and Rachel (McKean) Noble, was born July 20, 1854, in Buffalo township, this county, on the old home farm. His boyhood was passed in attending the common schools in winter time, and in assisting in the work of the farm during the summer months. Until the age of twenty-two he remained at the parental home, and then, having married, moved to his present farm in the same township, where he has since been engaged ingen- eral farming and stock raising (with the exception of one year he was engaged in the hardware busi- ness, in Finleyville, this county), and in all his enterprises he has been eminently successful. On August 17, 1876, Mr. Noble was married to Flora · Bebout, who bore him children as follows: Jennie Bell, born March 25, 1878; Daztmease Burnell, born September 6, 1880; Susie B., born June 24, 1888, and Edna, born June 9, 1891, all yet living. Mrs. Noble and other members of the family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Noble is a Democrat, and has filled with much credit several offices of trust in his township.

Hammel a crible

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

J OHN S. NOBLE is a grandson of William Noble, who was born in Woodside, Scotland, and there received a superior education. In the year 1805, William Noble immigrated to America, abandoning a large estate to seek a fortune in the New World. After arriving in the United States, he finally settled in Lancaster county, Penn., on a tract of land. He married Elizabeth Howe, and had a family. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in that contest gave his life for his adopted country.

William C., a son of William and Elizabeth (Howe) Noble, was born in America, May 2, 1789, and in early manhood was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of John Scott, an early settler of Washington county. The following children were born to them: John S., born November 22, 1833; Elizabeth, born March 30, 1836; Wlliam H., born July 19, 1837; and James S. (deceased), born March 11, 1839. The father died April 20, 1859.

John S. Noble (the subject of this sketch) was born on the old homestead in Buffalo township, and received a good education in the common schools. When the Civil war broke out, he enlisted in Com- pany B, First West Virginia Cavalry, Capt. Forbes commanding. He was taken sick while in the service, and lost his health. Mr. Noble has been a Republican in his political preferences. A sister now makes her home with him. She is a devout Christian lady, and has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Claysville, this coun- ty, since she was twenty-two years of age.

M RS. MARTHA MEHAFFEY, widow of Mitchell Mehaffey, was born June 20, 1818, in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., and is a daughter of Charles McRoberts, Jr., who was also a na- tive of Buffalo township. Charles McRoberts, Sr., his father, was born in Scotland, and there married Mary Herron, shortly after which they emigrated to America, making a settlement in Washington county, Penn., where he patented a large tract of land. At this early period of the county's history, Indians and wild animals roamed the forests where are now peaceful valleys and fertile farms. Here this sturdy Scotch pioneer set to work and cleared a portion of the land, whereon he erected a saw and grist mill, which, despite the incursions and menaces of the Redmen, he conducted for many years. He departed for the "Better Land" in 1785, leaving a widow and seven children: James, William, John, Samuel, Charles, Charlotte and Mary, all now deceased

Of this family, Charles, the father of the sub- ject proper of these lines, was born June 1, 1773, in Buffalo township, where he received his educa- tion in the primitive schools of the period. In

early manhood he taught for several years in the schools of Taylorstown and also several terms near Claysville. At the age of about forty years he married Mary, daughter of William Donaldson, a resident of Pennsylvania, east of the mountains, and the children born to this union were twin daughters-Martha (Mrs. Mehaffey) and Elizabeth (Mrs. Grimes, mother of A. J. and W. C. Grimes, farmers in Buffalo township). The father died May 29, 1857, aged eighty-four years, and the mother on October 1, 1855, aged seventy-nine years. They were honored and respected citizens, and devout Christians, members of the North Buf- falo United Presbyterian Church.

Martha McRoberts was born June 20, 1818. She passed her girlhood on her father's farm, and re- ceived her education at the subscription schools of the neighborhood. On January 24, 1839, she was united in wedlock with Mitchell Mehaffey, of Donegal township, Washington county. His par- ents were natives of Ireland, who had emigrated to this country and made a settlement in Wash- ington county, Penn., in an early day, where he was born December 29, 1814. To this union were born children as follows: Ellen (Mrs. McGuffin), died August 3, 1891; Samuel, residing in Washington, Penn., and Robert, John, Charles Madison, Will- iam A., Mary J. and Martha, all yet living on the old homestead. Mr. Mehaffey departed this life April 22, 1884. He was a sincere Christian and a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church; in politics he was a prominent Democrat, and had filled with much credit many offices of trust and responsibility in his township. Mrs. Martha Me- haffey is a lady of much intelligence and refine- ment, and possessed of remarkable memory for one of her years. She is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, as are the entire family; and she is now calmly awaiting with Christian resig- nation the summons that shall call her to the River of Life. Her sons are highly respected citizens, and thoroughly practical farmers and stock raisers.

W ILBERT ENGLE is a son-in-law of Henry Moninger, who was born in Ha- gerstown, Md., in 1790, and coming to Washington county at the age of twenty years, finally located near the Lutheran settlement on the place now known as the "Mike Moninger " farm, which he afterward bought. Henry Mon- inger's education was received in the subscription schools of his day, and he was considered a well- informed man, one possessed of an unusual amount of good judgment. He was united in marriage with a Miss Hess, of Amity, this county, and the · following named children blessed their union: John, born 1810; George, 1812; Mary, 1814;

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Henry, 1816; Andrew J., 1818; Susanna, 1820; Jacob, 1822; Catherine 1825; Sarah, 1827; and Elizabeth, 1832; one child died in infancy. The children of his second marriage, with Miss Sarah Hughes, of Washington county, were Robert M., born in 1844, died young; James A., in 1848, and Emma C., in 1850. One child died in in- fancy unnamed. Mr. Moninger was engaged in buying and selling land, farming and stock drov- ing. He was remarkably energetic and perse- vering, as was evinced in the fact that when seventy-five years of age he moved with his family to Brooke county, W. Va., and there pur- chased 600 acres of land, upon which he died in 1864. He was originally a Whig, and afterward a Republican, and though always willing to give any possible aid to his party, was no office seeker. In religious connection he was an honored member of the Disciple Church at Lone Pine.

Mrs. Emma C. (Moninger) Engle was born in Chartiers township, and remained with the family in West Virginia and Washington county, Penn. She attended school at Washington, Lone Pine and at Pleasant Hill Seminary. She prepared for the vocation of a teacher, but having met with an accident in 1868 was compelled to abandon that profession. Like her sister, Elizabeth, who was a graduate of Olome Institute, Canonsburg, Mrs. Engle was a close student and is an excellent scholar. In April, 1891, she became the wife of Wilbert Engle, a prominent young citizen of Lone Pine, Amwell township. Wilbert Engle was born in Washington county, where he has always re- sided. He is a son of William and Catherine Engle, and was educated in the common schools. Mrs. Engle is an eager reader of current literature, for from 1868 to 1888, during the period of her lameness, she read many of the standard works and much of all that was good in modern publica- tions. Mr. Engle farms during the summer and mines coal during the winter. Both are devout members of the Church of Christ at Lone Pine. Mrs. Engle and her brother James are the only representatives of this large family, who have re- sided at home within the period covered by her memory, and both are living at Lone Pine.

W ILLIAM M. PHILIPS is a son of Jo- siah, whose father, David, was the leading pioneer preacher of Peters township. Rev. David Philips was born in 1742, in Wales, and emigrating many years ago, first settled in Chester county, Penn., where he was married to Miss Mary Thomas. The young couple then came to Washington county and took up 400 acres of land on the boundary line of Wash- ington and Allegheny counties, for which a patent . was secured March 4, 1786. Prior to locating in

Peters township David Philips had been a captain in the Revolutionary war, and in religious connec- tion was a member of the Great Valley Baptist Church. After settling in Washington county he - served forty years as pastor of the Peters Creek Baptist Church, the land upon which the church is now standing having formerly been a portion of his property. The following children were born to this couple: Mary, Benjamin, John, Joseph, Joseph 2d, Thomas, Josiah, David, David 2d, Mar- tha and Rachel (twins), Sarah and Isaac. During the Civil war a full company of the descendants of Rev. David Philips took an active part in the con- test, and nearly one thousand of his descendants are yet living.

Josiah Philips, son of David and Mary (Thomas) Philips, was born April 14, 1776, in Chester county, Penn., and in 1779 came with his parents to the old homestead near Library, Washington county. He grew to manhood on the old place, and was wedded to Sarah Bell, who bore him the following children: David, Mary, John, Joseph, Isaac, Robert, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy and Josiah. The mother died, and for his second wife Josiah Philips married Mary, daughter of John and Jane Boyer, and widow of Richard Blackmore. They had four children, namely: Margaret, Rich- ard (deceased), William M. and James B.

William M. Philips, whose name introduces this biography, was born April 11, 1826, on the home- stead in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn. He remained on the farm during boyhood, and in early life learned the cabinetmaker's trade, follow- ing that business for the five years following 1853. On August 18, 1853, he married Miss Mary E. Riggs, of Peters township, who was born June 3, 1835. To them were born the following children: Edward B., Lloyd S., Hettie L., Anna C., Norman W., Roland J. and Harry W. The farm, which he has occupied since 1858, contains sixty-five well- cultivated acres, all improvements having been made by the present owner. He has always voted with the Republican or Prohibition party, and in religious faith is a member (with all his family) of and deacon in the Christian Church. Mrs. Mary E. Philips died July 17, 1892.

Edward Riggs was a man "ever foremost of his comrades " in all matters of social, religious, edu- cational and political reform. A stanch advocate of Abolition in its most unpopular days, with Edward Campbell and Edward Anderson-the "Three Edwards"-comprised for many years the whole of the Abolition party in Peters township. He was one of the leading spirits in formning the Peters Creek Christian Church. He was born July 2, 1802, married Hettie Newmeyer, of Fay- ette county, Penn., January 1, 1826, and to them eleven children were born, of whom the late Mrs. Philips was one.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

AMES THEODORE DAY. Among the early settlers of Washington county, who helped to reclaim its fertile lands from the dense primeval forests, was Luther Day. He was descended from a hardy English family, who, in early colonial days had settled in New Jersey. Locating in Morris township about 1787, he mar- ried Mary Van Kirk, and reared a family of seven children, as follows: William V., Daniel, Priscilla, Lavina, Arvida, Maria and Artemus; of whom Daniel, Priscilla and Arvida are still living, being residents of Morris township. Luther Day devoted his whole life to farming and was success- ful. He died in 1874. His eldest son, William V. Day, was born July 12, 1812, and on Decem- ber 5, 1834, was married to Sarah Patterson, a native of Morris township, born November 17, 1812. To them were born seven children: Alanson R., born October, 1835, married Lydia M. Cort, and at present resides in Carroll township, Washington county; James Theodore, whose sketch follows; Almus L., born May 2, 1840, and died February 28, 1845; Sarah L., born December 9, 1842, married Joseph Andrew, and resides in Boulder county, Colo .; Mary E., born August 1, 1845, was married September 21, 1873, to Oresta Vail, and died April 2, 1880; William Howard, born February 19, 1848, was married September 10, 1876, to Mary E. Rowley, of Texas, where they now reside; Ida P., born February 28, 1854, mar- ried October 13, 1875, to W. J. Fleniken, now de- ceased. The father died May 2, 1883, and the mother in 1887. Luther Day was a great reader- possessed a wonderful memory, and was a ready speaker. His height was five feet and ten inches, and his weight 170 pounds.

James Theodore Day, born March 7, 1837, was reared on his father's farm, and trained to a good practical knowledge of farm work. His early mental training was received in the neighborhood schools, from which he obtained an ordinary busi- ness education. In beginning business life, he started as a farmer, in which he has since success- fully continued. He entered the Federal army August 12, 1861, as a member of the Twenty- Second Cavalry Regiment, of Pennsylvania Volun- teers. He rendered gallant service until Septem- ber, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability, resulting from a serious wound received in making a charge near Moore- field, W. Va. One year later he returned to his home in Washington county, and on May 24, 1866, was married to Elizabeth Horton, a daughter of Thomas Horton, of East Bethlehem township. To them five children have been born, viz. : Maria S., born July 9, 1869; Annie M., born October 19, 1871; Lizzie Bell, born June 15, 1874; Margaret Elnora, born May 2, 1880, and died January 9, 1882; Mabel Ida, born November 17, 1881. The

daughters that have attained a requisite age are teaching school, and preparing themselves for a high class of educational work. Mr. Day gives his exclusive attention to the management of his excellent farm, located at the west end of Sparta, and which has in turn been owned by grandfather, father and son. In politics Mr. Day is a Repub- lican. Both he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Old Concord.

M RS. MARTHA STILLWAGEN is a daugh- ter of Joseph Miller, whose father, Chris- topher Miller, emigrated from Germany to this country and settled on Dutch Fork creek, Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., where his son Joseph was born (supposed in 1804) and reared. Joseph Miller passed his early years on the home farm, and was afterward united in marriage with Miss Sally Cellars. of Washington county, Penn. He settled on a farm near Claysville, this county, and followed agricult- ural pursuits all his life. The following children were born to them: Valentine, John, Thomas, Mary, Martha, Joseph, Cellars, James, and an unnamed infant. Mr. Miller was a generous, kind-hearted man, and enjoyed a deserved popularity among his neighbors. He was a stanch member of the Whig party, but not an active politician.

Martha Miller was born April 19, 1830, and was the fifth child in the order of birth. She was reared on the home farm, and assisted with the household duties until her marriage to Charles Stillwagen (who was born January 19, 1819), which event occurred on February 14, 1850. The young couple began their married life in Donegal town- ship, Washington county, and afterward re- moved to the present home of the family in West Finley township. Fifteen children have been born to them (but ten of whom are now living), viz. : George J., Andrew J., Charles, Mary E., Martha J., Annie, Vanissie, Joseph, Michael, Clarissa, " Caroline, Eliza B., Thomas, John and William. Mr. Stillwagen was a stanch Democrat, and held several important offices. He was always indus- trious, and owned over two hundred acres of fine land at the time of his death, which occurred De- cember 4, 1886. In religion he was a member of the Catholic Church.

SAAC HODGENS, a progressive and popular young farmer citizen of Buffalo township, is a native of the same, born March 27, 1858, on the farm where he yet resides. He is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Wilson) Hodgens, the latter of whom was a daughter of William Wilson, late of Buffalo township.

Thomas Hodgens was a native of the same town-

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

ship, whither his parents had come in an early day, and here he was born June 29, 1826, and reared to the many and varied arduous duties of farm life. His winter months were to a considerable extent devoted to attending the neighboring subscription schools, and improving what he may there have learned by study at home, acquiring in course of time, by earnest application to his books, a good, useful education. While yet a young man, Mr. Hodgens was married to Margaret Wilson, who was born in Taylorstown, January 5, 1829, and the young couple then took up their residence on the farm now occupied by R. W. Crothers, from which, after a few years, they moved to the place that is at present the home of our subject and his brother. This farm was totally unimproved, and was brought to its present state of cultivation by the assiduous labor, industry and perseverance of Thomas Hodg- ens, the buildings thereon having been erected by him and his family. The children born to Thomas and Margaret (Wilson) Hodgens were: William and Ella (both deceased), James W., Isaac and Clara. On May 8, 1862, the father passed from earth, and was followed to the grave by the mother April 13, 1869. They were constant attendants and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, and enterprising citizens, earning a reputation of which the family are justly proud. Mr. Hodgens was a stanch and loyal Democrat, and, although rarely accepting political prefer- ment, was ever a zealous worker for the party's cause.

Isaac Hodgens received his education at the common schools of the district, and was reared in the practical lessons of farm life-lessons more val- uable to him in his sphere of life than all the classic lore of Athens and Rome. On October 27, 1881, he was married to Caroline V., daughter of Abraham and Margaret (Wright) Hair, of Done- gal township, and the children born to this union are Harry and William. The family attend the services of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville; in politics Mr. Hodgens is an active Democrat, and has served his township in various positions of trust and responsibility, now holding the office of school director. He is a well-known and valuable citizen, prominent in all undertakings conducive to the prosperity of the township and county.

W ILLIAM A. GABBY, an enterprising citi- zen of Washington borough, comes of Scottish ancestry. His grandfather, James Gabby, emigrated from Scotland with two brothers, John and William, to Maryland, thence moving to Washington county in the year 1787, and, locating on the farm in Franklin township which is now the home of his heirs, became one of the pioneer settlers of this county. He was united

in marriage with Miss Jean Gabby, who bore him children as follows: William, Joseph, Mary, Ann, Jane, Margaret and Emma.

Washington county was then almost an unbroken wilderness, inhabited principally by fierce savages, who often wreaked their fury on the daring pioneers who presumed to invade their domain. One night they attacked the house of Mr. Gabby and burned it to the ground, the family, who had barely time to escape with their lives, saving nothing but a. Bible and a rifle. James Gabby was originally a Federalist, and then a Whig. In religious faith he was a member of the Covenanter Church.

William Gabby (father of subject) was born September 14, 1803, on the home farm in Franklin township, this county, and in 1829 was married to. Margaret, daughter of John and Mary McClellan. The following children were born to this union: Mary (Mrs. James G. Allison), James F., Margaret. A. (Mrs. Jonathan Allison) and Jane (Mrs. Ezra Cavey) (twins), William A., Frank M. and Ellen (twins), Hugh A., Robert R., John and Joseph. After his marriage Mr. Gabby settled on the farm where his son (William A.) now resides, and re- mained there thirty-three years; then removed to another part of the farm, now owned by J. P. Sayers, where he died May 21, 1883. He was an ardent member of the early Republican party. In religious faith he united in youth with the U. P. Church, and formerly attended the churches both at North and South Buffalo. He was one of the organizers of that denomination at Washington borough, and served as one of the first elders in the church, filling that position until his death.

William A. Gabby was born January 8, 1840, on the old home farm in Franklin township, and there passed his early life, attending school and Washing- ton College. He then entered the war of the Re- bellion, enlisting August 28, 1861, in Company A, One Hundredth P. V. I., and was sent to South Carolina under T. W. Sherman, against Beaufort Island, and under Burnside to Kentucky and Ten- nessee; thence marching under Grant he took part in the siege of Knoxville. Mr. Gabby then reen- listed December 28, 1863, for three years more, - and was sent to the army of the Potomac. During the war he took part in the following engagements: Fort Wagner, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, evacuation of Jackson, siege of Knoxville, Wilder -- ness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and the mine explosion which occurred there. During one battle a bullet struck Mr. Gab- by's canteen, but he escaped any injury, and was one of the participants in the grand review at Washington. He was discharged from the service July 26, 1865.

On November 22, 1870, Mr. Gabby was united in marriage with Edith, daughter of Henry H. and

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Phœbe (Mintor) Wilson, of Washington county, Penn., and, locating on the farm which is yet his home, reared the following named children: Harry W., John, Helen, Mary and Margaret. Mr. Gabby is a leading citizen, noted for his industry and enter- prise. In politics he is a Republican; in religion he has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Washington for many years.

W ILSON and JOSEPH ARNOLD, members of the prosperous and well-known firm of Arnold Bros., stock dealers in Chartiers township, are sons of John and Elizabeth (McMillen) Arnold, and are representatives of one of the earliest and most prominent pioneer fami- lies of Washington county.

Henry Arnold, a native of Germany, immigrated to America prior to the Revolution, and settled in eastern Pennsylvania, taking an active part in the conflict. After the close of the war he was mar- ried to Sarah Taylor, and moved upon a farm in Washington county, Penn., where his life was passed. He died at the age of ninety-nine years, and was buried with the honors of war, his aged wife surviving him about two years.

John Arnold, son of the pioneer Henry Arnold, was born, in 1790, in Washington county, Penn., and received his education at the so-called sub- scription schools of the day, in the meantime be- ing reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1815 he married Elizabeth McMillen, who was born Sep- tember 15, 1797, in eastern Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of Robert and Sarah McMillen, who were of Scotch-Irish descent and settled in Chartiers township in 1803. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold settled on a farm in Chartiers township, where he died in 1842. He was a member of the Associate Reformed Church at Cross Roads, and in politics affiliated with the Whig party. Mrs. Arnold passed away in May, 1879, leaving a large family of children, of whom the following is a brief record: Levi, born in 1816, was married in 1837 to Miss Jane Donaldson, of Canonsburg, this county, and ten children were born to them, five of whom are yet living, namely: Mary (wife of Dr. Clark, of Pittsburgh, Penn.), John (married to a Miss Smith, of Canonsburg), Ettie, Simon and Sadie, the latter four living in Canonsburg (the father died in 1880, and his widow is yet living). Simon, born in Sep- tember, 1817, was married in 1861, to Josephine McMillen, of Cambridge, Ohio (he entered the serv- ice in 1862 in the One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., and was killed July 2, 1863, at the battle of Gettys- burg; his wife died a few weeks before). Robert, born April 21, 1820, was married, about 1845, to Rachel Morrow, a native of this county (he was a blacksmith, also conducted a grocery in Washing- ton and Pittsburgh; he died in this county, April

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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 125

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