Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 128

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 128

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His grandfather, Robert Neely, was born in Ireland, where he learned the trade of weaver. He married Susan Rutherford, a native of his own county, and together they immigrated to the United States, coming to Lancaster county, Penn., where he engaged at farming and worked at his trade. Here for some years they remained, and then, in 1800, removed to this county, taking up their resi- dence in Canton township, on the farm now occu- pied by the David McClay family, whence after a time they moved to Buffalo township, and finally settled on a farm, their first home being a log cabin, where they passed the rest of their busy and hon- orable lives. The children born to them were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Andrew Herron), Samuel, Mary (Mrs. John Jamison), and John. The father died in 1804, the mother ten years later. They were members of the North Buffalo Church (Seceders), of which Mr. Neely was one of the organizers, and in politics he was a Federalist.

Samuel Neely, father of subject, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1793, where his early boyhood was passed, and when seven years old he was brought by his parents to this county, where he received his school training. At the age of twenty-three he married Sarah, daughter of Na- thaniel McDowell, and the young couple resided on the Neely homestead, in Buffalo township, until 1843, in which year our subject purchased the farm now occupied by James Noble, and moved thereon. Here he died in 1862, the father of nine children: Susanna (Mrs. Robert Wright), Nathaniel (our subject), Robert, John, Samuel, James and

Nathaniel Neely

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

David, all of whom are deceased, the latter dying of measles; Sarah J. (Mrs. David McConahey), and Leman. Politically Samuel Neely was a Whig, taking an active interest in the party's affairs. At an early age he united with the North Buffalo (Seceders) Church, of which he was an elder for years, and assisted materially in the erec- tion of the present church building.

Nathaniel Neely, whose name opens this sketch, was born in Buffalo township, Washington . Co., Penn., July 16, 1822, and being the eldest boy in his father's family had a large share of farm work to perform. His education was received at the subscription schools of the locality, but being quick and apt he learned more in the practical school of life, and to-day he is recognized as one of the best-informed men in the township. On December 5, 1850, Mr. Neely was united in mar- riage with Mary C., daughter of James Irwin, of Canton township, this county, and their children are Susan (wife of James McCabe), James L., and Nannie (wife of Martin Rolston). The mother of these children dying September 7, 1862, in her thirty sixth year, Mr. Neely, for his second wife, married, October 4, 1864, Rose W., daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Way) Graham, of Buffalo township, by which union there is one child, Vena M. Samuel Graham was an early pioneer of Buf- falo township, coming there from Ireland about the year 1800. He died March 23, 1850, in his eight- ieth year; his wife passing from earth November 17, 1869, in her seventy-fifth year.

The family are members of the U. P. Church at Taylorstown. Mr. Neely having been one of the members that helped to organize the church; he was elected one of the elders, in which he served for some time and then resigned. He has given liberally of his means toward the support of churches. Politically he was originally a Whig, and since the formation of the party he has been a solid Republican. He has served as assessor of his township with marked ability and characteristic prudence. Mr. Neely is a typical self-made man, enterprising and prosperous, and a leading, up- right citizen, descended from an old honored fam- ily. His highly improved and well-kept farm now comprises 200 acres of prime land.

D ONALDSON, JACOB M. and ROBERT S. Among the leading families of Washington county, none are more worthy of prominent mention in the pages of this Biographical Record than that of the gentlemen whose names open this sketch.

Jacob Donaldson, their grandfather, was born in 1763, in Ireland, and came to America in early manhood, locating in Washington county, Penn. He married a Miss Mckinney, and first settled on

a farm in Hopewell township, thence moving to the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, which is yet owned by his descendants. He was a member of the Se- ceder Church at Hickory, this county, afterward uniting with the U. P. Society. In April, 1850, he moved to the village of Hickory, where he died in August of the same year, having been long pre- ceded by his wife, who had borne him the follow- ing children: William (who settled in Somerset township, this county, where he died), James (who settled in Hopewell township, and died in Clays- ville), Richard (a tailor, of Hickory, who afterward bought a farm and was killed by a falling limb while on his way home from Noblestown), Andrew (who resided in Mt. Pleasant township, where he died), Isaac (of whom further mention is made), Margaret (who died in Hickory), and Mary (de- ceased wife of James Ackleson, of Hanover town- ship).

Isaac Donaldson was born July 4, 1805, in Hope- well township, this county, where his boyhood was passed. On January 31, 1828, he was united in marriage with Sarah Maxwell, who was born Feb- ruary 18, 1808, in Hopewell township. The young couple resided on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township several years (the farm where William Donaldson now lives), and about 1838 moved to the farm now owned by their son Jacob M., where the remainder of their lives was passed. The father was a prom- inent farmer, and in politics voted the Democratic ticket, giving that party his cordial and hearty support. In church relations he was formerly a member of the Seceder Church at North Buffalo, later transferred his membership to the United Presbyterian Church, of West Middletown, and afterward united with the Associate Reformed Church at Patterson's Mills. He died November 13, 1882, and was followed by his wife August 19, 1883, in her seventy-fifth year. They were buried in the cemetery at North Buffalo, and left three children, all now living, to mourn their loss, viz. : Jacob M., Robert S. and Hannah J. (wife of David Davidson, Hopewell township).

JACOB M. DONALDSON was born June 5, 1829, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and was reared and educated on the farm adjoining his present home. In 1862 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth Pry, a native of Cross Creek township, who was reared in Hopewell township, a daughter of John and Hester Ann (Forester) Pry. Mr. Pry was born August 10, 1811, in the "Old Dominion," and in early manhood came to Wash- ington county, Penn., and settled in Hopewell township, where, in June, 1838, he married Hester Ann Forester, born June 2, 1817, in Maryland. She was a daughter of George William and Eliza- beth (Clark) Forester, natives of Maryland, of English descent, who moved to Washington county, Penn., about 1817, settling in Buffalo village,

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Hopewell township. Mr. Forester was a school teacher, which profession he followed for many years, and in religion was a member of the Old Presbyterian Church. He died in Mt. Pleasant township, having been preceded by his wife many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Pry located on a farm in Cross Creek township, and in 1853 moved to Hopewell township, thence to Canton township, and finally settled in Burgettstown, Smith township. He died April 12, 1882, his wife having died October 7, 1868. Their children were as follows: J. Conrad (a soldier in the Civil war, who afterward married Minnie Aiken, at Prairie du Sac, Wis., and lives in Montecito, Cal.), Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. Donaldson), George William (deceased in infancy), James D. (enlisted at Washington and served till the close of the war; he married Mary Bigelow, and lives in Minnesota), John Henry (who died May 8, 1885, was married to Mary Boley, of Allegheny), Samuel Clark (married to Emma Root, of Minnesota, lives in Prairie du Sac, Wis.) and Catherine Rowena (deceased December 11, 1885, in Burgettstown, Penn., wife of Edward B. Evans).

Nine children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob M. Donaldson, viz .: Ina Hester (who was married in 1880 to Dr. McClure, of Alpha, Greene Co., Ohio, and has five children: Roy Don- aldson, Robert Templeton, Carl Ralston, James Albert and Mary Etta); Willard Brady (who was married September 11, 1888, to Jennie F. Jack- son, a native of Mt. Pleasant township; he grad- uated from the Western Pennsylvania Medical College with the class of '89, and located at Mid- way, this county, where he is now successfully fol- lowing his profession as physician and surgeon. They have had two children; one deceased at the age of six months, and Mary L.); Leoline (who was married June 5, 1890, to Rev. D. T. McCal- mont, a U. P. minister of Butler county, Penn., and has one child, Howard Donaldson); Minnie Etta; Edmund I .; John P .; James C .; Robert Lester and Percy J. M.

Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson since their marriage have lived on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, containing 230 acres of good land, a portion of the old homestead. Politically he is an enthusiastic Democrat; is actively interested in educational matters, and has been a member of the school board. He and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church at Mt. Prospect.

ROBERT S. DONALDSON was born June 16, 1831, on the home place in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, where he was reared to manhood, and received an education in the district schools. On May 14, 1857, he was united in marriage with Ra- chel V. Walker, daughter of John Norris and Ann (Vance) Walker, of Cross Creek township, and na- tives of Jefferson and Smith townships, respect-

ively. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Walker settled in Cross Creek township, this county, where he died in February, 1882, aged seventy-six, having been preceded by his wife in 1870. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek village.

Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson began wedded life on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, where he is yet living. Mrs. Donaldson died May 26, 1871. She was the mother of six children, viz. : Frank W., who was married November 8, 1883, to Annie, daughter of James Taggart, and has three chil- dren: Earl, Mabel V. and James T .; Flora M., who was married in November, 1880, to James M. Dinsmore, and has four children: Grace W., Mary J., Robert Edwin and William Lloyd; Anna V., who was married December 25, 1884, to Dr. Hugh Hanna, a graduate of Jefferson Medical In- stitute, class of '92, and has two children: Eva and Hugh; Sarah M., who was married in October, 1887, to John M. Thompson, a farmer of Buffalo township, this county; Charley I. (at home); and Harry N., a dentist of Bellevue, Ohio.

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Donaldson was married June 25, 1873, to Hettie J. Byers, a native of Donegal township, this county, and daughter of Thomas Byers. Her grandfather, Thomas Byers, was born September 7, 1757, in Ireland, and came to this country in early life. On September 18, 1783, he was united in marriage with Margaret Shannon, of Scotch descent, and settled on a farm in Finley township. The chil- dren of this couple were as follows: Samuel, born July 10, 1784 (lived in Ohio); John, born July 22, 1786 (a physician of Piqua, Ohio); Sarah, born March 25, 1788 (wife of Dr. Wiley, of Ripley, Ohio); Thomas, who enlisted in the war of 1812; Jane, born April 3, 1792 (wife of David Stewart, of Ohio county, W. Va.); Margaret, born Febru- ary 7, 1794 (Mrs. John McDonald, of Donegal township); Ann, born June 20, 1797 (wife of An- drew Yates, of Ohio county, W. Va.); James, born June 20, 1799 (lived in Noble county, Ohio); Nancy, born February 21, 1802 (married to John Brice, of Belmont county, Ohio); Rachel, born June 22, 1804 (Mrs. Hugh Wilson, of Ohio); and William, born March 13, 1809 (resided in Butler county, Penn.).

Thomas Byers, father of Mrs. Donaldson, was. born April 22, 1790, in East Finley township, this county, where his boyhood was passed. On April 12, 1813, he was married to Margaret Hamilton, who was born May 9, 1794, in Canton township, this county. After marriage the young people re- sided in Donegal township till 1851, when they moved to Washington, where Mr. Byers died Sep- tember 8, 1863. He lost a limb in early life, but the sad accident made him none the less a useful and energetic citizen. He was an ardent advocate-

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of temperance, and held many township offices. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was superintendent of the Sabbath- school for years. They were the parents of the following children: R. H. (a Presbyterian minis- ter of Houston, Tex. ), Thomas (who died Decem- ber 25, 1870, an attorney of Fairfield, Iowa), Mary R. (wife of James Todd, of Ohio county. W. Va.), Margaret S. (deceased October 11, 1887, married to Benjamin Oldham, of Dallas, W. Va.), John C. (an attorney of Stockton, Cal.), Samuel (deceased February 22, 1872, in Marshall county, Ill.), Alex- ander R. (a physician and surgeon of Pike county, Ind.), Hettie J. (Mrs. Robert S. Donaldson) and Sarah J. (deceased April 11, 1852).

Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson have continued to re- side on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, upon which he has made many improvements; in 1860 he erected a comfortable brick residence, and has also put up other buildings. The farm contains 235 acres of good land, which is cultivated to the highest degree. Mr. Donaldson votes the Demo- cratic ticket, and in religions faith he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Buf- falo, of which he is a trustee.

C ALVIN L. MILLER, a prominent and suc- cessful farmer of Donegal township, is of Irish descent. The first member of the family to locate in Washington county was Christopher Miller, who was born and married east of the Alleghany mountains. In 1782 he and his family made the perilous journey across the mount- ains, and entered Washington county, locating about three miles north of Claysville, near the headwaters of Buck run. Here he secured a "tomahawk claim " of 400 acres, upon which he erected his cabin home, and began to clear the forest. The Indians were still troublesome, and made frequent raids through that part of the country, and for defense against their common foe, Christopher Miller, to- getlier with his few and distant neighbors, erected a blockhouse, to which they were several times compelled to flee for safety. Mr. Miller was a pioneer of Donegal township, and passed the re- mainder of his life in that neighborhood. He was twice married, but the names of his wives are un- known. His children were William, John, Chris- topher, Jacob, Sarah, Mary and Margaret, all of whom passed their lives in Washington county. The four sons located on portions of the 400 acre tract, which land was equally divided among them.

John Miller was born in 1780, east of the Alle- ghany mountains, and when yet a child came with his parents to Washington county. In 1802 he was married to Margaret Guy, who was born March 15, 1776, near Fredericktown, Md., and

afterward came to Washington county with her parents, John and Elizabeth Guy. To the union of John and Margaret (Guy) Miller were born the following children: William, born July 17, 1803 (lived and died in Washington county); John, born January 1, 1805 (deceased in Washington county); Elizabeth, born January 11, 1807 (died unmarried in Washington county); Susanna, born February 23, 1809 (deceased wife of William Mc- Kay, of Washington, Penn.); Christopher (father of our subject), and George B., born December 10, 1812 (deceased in Washington county). Mr. Miller's share of the original 400 acres which his father had owned was 100 acres. He lived and farmed upon this tract until his death, which oc- curred July 8, 1814. His sons then carried on the farm, upon which his widow continued to reside until her death, which took place May 26, 1847.

Christopher Miller, now a hale and hearty old gentleman, of Donegal township, was born Feb- ruary 14, 1811, and passed his boyhood days on the home farm with his widowed mother. He was obliged to assist with the farm work, and was thus deprived of a good education, but managed by close application to make the most of his meager op- portunities. On May 21, 1840, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Knight (who was born No- vember 21, 1823), daughter of Charles Knight, of Washington county, and their children were as fol- lows: Leamon (deceased), born February 16, 1841; Calvin L. (subject of this sketch); Mary J., born July 19, 1844 (unmarried, and living at home); George H., born April 23, 1846 (a physician at McDonald, Penn.); Charles W., born March 15, 1848 (living near Coon Island, Penn.); Margaret C., born September 12, 1849 (Mrs. John Holmes, of Donegal township); Frances E. , born February 18, 1851 (widow of Bruce Ramage, residing with her father); William B. (deceased), born August 28, 1854; and John B. (deceased), born September 1, 1857. After his marriage Mr. Miller located on a part of the "tomahawk claim," which was first secured by his grandfather, and is his present home. He has always been a farmer, and although now well advanced in years has never been sick but once in his life, and that was in early youth. In political life he was formerly a Whig, and when the party was formed, became a Republican. His wife died in 1884, and his daughter has lived with him since that time.

Calvin L. Miller was born August 18, 1843, in Donegal township, this county, on the headwaters of Buck run. He attended the common schools, and worked on his father's farm until twenty years of age, when he worked one season for Adam Car- son, and having pleased his employer by his energy and steady habits, he remained with Mr. Carson eight years. In 1873 he was married to Margaret Taylor (who was born December 29, 1853), daugh-

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ter of Thomas and Susan (Darlington) Taylor, of West Finley township, this county, and they had five children: Christopher W., Carrie E., Jessie Belle, John L. and George Lawrence. For some time after his marriage Mr. Miller resided on the "Graham Farm," located about two miles north of Claysville, this county. He then moved to West Finley township, and in 1886 located on his present home, situated about one mile north of Claysville, in Donegal township, on a part of the old Gourley farm. He has erected a fine house, barn and out- buildings, which have greatly enhanced the value of his property. Politically he has always been a Republican. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church at Windy Gap.

J OSEPH PATTERSON is a son of Richard Patterson, whose father, John Patterson, came in 1806 with his parents from Ireland and first settled in Delaware. Eight years later John Patterson came to Allegheny county, Penn. He was married to Miss Mary Miller, also a native of the Emerald Isle, who bore him eight children, viz. : Robert, James, Moses, Richard, three that died in infancy, and John, all now dead.

Richard Patterson was born March 2, 1800, in Ireland, and came to Allegheny county with his father. On June 21, 1832, he was married to Miss Mary Moss, who was born February 28, 1800, a daughter of John Moss, of Washington county, Penn. In 1834 Richard Patterson came to the home farm in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn. He was a member and elder of the Pres- byterian Church until 1854, when he joined the United Presbyterian Church, in which he shortly afterward served as elder. Four children were born to his first marriage: Elizabeth J., Joseph, John and James R. The mother of this family died in 1847, and in 1849 the father was married to Miss Margaret Ross, a daughter of George Ross, and she died in 1854. In 1857 he was united in marriage with Miss Jane McMurray, a daughter of James McMurray, of Allegheny county, Penn., and to this union were born two children, viz. : Mary B. (who was married to R. M. Patterson, a promi- nent minister of Armstrong county, Penn.), and Richard M., who died in infancy. Richard Patter- son died April 17, 1891, having been preceded by his wife, Jane (McMurray) Patterson, September 9, 1888.

Joseph Patterson, son of Richard and Mary (Moss) Patterson, was born September 28, 1835, on the farm in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn., where he is now living. He was there reared to manhood and on May 15, 1862, was married to Miss Jane W. Douglass, daughter of Thomas Douglass, of Allegheny county, Penn.

To them have been born seven children, namely: Thomas J., Mary J., Alice M., Richard M., Caro- line, Edwin (deceased in infancy) and James W. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson came immediately to the home place, where they have since resided. He has been a stanch Republican, and has held the office of school director. He is a member and has been a trustee of the United Presbyterian Church of Peters Creek. The Pat- terson family have 144 acres of excellent land in their possession.

S ALEM FLACK. Among the early pioneers of Washington county was John Flack, who came from Lancaster, Penn., to Washington, where, in 1784, he purchased a town lot, be- ing one of the first lot owners in the town. In 1788 he removed to Buffalo township, and here he purchased a farm on which he erected the first frame house in that section of . the county. He married Jane Gault, a native of Canonsburg, Washington county, and to them were born chil- dren as follows: James, John, Samuel, David, and Mary. The mother of these children died on the homestead in Buffalo township December 14, 1823, in her sixty-third year.

John Flack was known among the early pioneers of Buffalo township, and after his location there, continued to reside on his farm until his death, which occurred in 1832. The homestead has ever since remained in the possession of the family, and there may be found members of the fifth gen- eration.

Samuel Flack, third child of John and Jane (Gault) Flack, was born April 12, 1791, on the old homestead in Buffalo township. During his early manhood he went to Ohio, and there . married Sarah Brown, by which .union there were four chil- dren, viz .: Salem, Mary Jane, Elizabeth A., and Luther B. (who graduated at Washington College, and died soon after graduating). They resided in Wayne county, Ohio, until 1827, in which year they removed to Washington county, Penn., set- tling on a farm in Buffalo township, where they resided during the remainder of their lives. Sam- uel Flack was a man of much force of character, and determination, and was prominent among his fellows in the pioneer days. During the Black Hawk war, in response to a call for troops, he vol- unteered his services, enlisting with a company at Taylorstown. They proceeded to Weirich's tavern, a well-known landmark of the early days, and there went into camp for the night. The follow- ing morning they received notice that they were not required, whereupon they reluctantly returned totheir homes. Samuel Flack was a quiet, unassum- ing man in his way, and while never seeking public position was always conspicuous by reason of the

Sabem Flack

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

active part he took in all public movements. He died in Buffalo township in 1856 in his sixty-sixth year, honored and respected by all. His widow survived him until 1873, when she, too, was called to a higher and better home.

Salem Flack, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born May 19, 1824, in Wayne county, Ohio, by the historic waters of the Killbuck. He was but three years of age when his parents re- moved to Buffalo township, this county, and set- tled near Taylorstown. Here our subject was reared to manhood, a part of his literary education being secured at the old log schoolhouse and part at the brick one, of the neighborhood, while his more practical training was received under the able pre- ceptorship of his father, on the home farm, lessons being there given that have been invaluable to him in his life work. On the death of his father Mr. Flack purchased the interests of the other heirs, and has since remained on the home farm, where he has continued to follow agricultural pursuits, including stock raising and other kindred interests.

In February, 1864, he was united in marriage with Margaret A., daughter of Aaron Farrar, and to them have been born the following named chil- dren: Samuel L. (assisting his father in the man- agement of the farm), Sarah Virginia (who died at the age of eighteen), John A. (married to Elizabeth Ashbrook), and Jennie A., both living at home with and assisting their parents. The entire fam- ily are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Flack is a stanch though not active Republican. His farm, which is one of the finest in the county, and is situated about four miles from the borough of Washington, contains 290 acres of choice land, whereon stand a handsome pleasant residence and commodious out-houses, all of which, together with the general surroundings, bespeak enterprise, judicious management, pros- perity and contentment.

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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 128

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