Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 129

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 129

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The Farrar family in Washington county are de- scended from James Farrar, who resided, at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, in Hunterdon county, N. J., where he and his eldest son, James, worked as blacksmiths for the American army dur- its operations in that State. Two sons, John and Peter, were soldiers in Washington's army, and were both killed at the battle of Long Island. In the year 1785 Andrew Farrar, with his wife Mar- garet (Moore), a lady of Scotch-Irish parentage, crossed the mountains to western Pennsylvania, and settled in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county, where he died November 5, 1832. He reared a family of seven sons and three daughters, the ninth child in the family being a son, Aaron, who became the father of Mrs. Flack. He mar- ried Jane Griffith, a native of Washington county, Penn., born in 1812. They purchased a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and resided thereon until

1845, when they came to Buffalo township, and purchased a farm from Robert Dinsmore, near Taylorstown, now owned by David Haggerty. They had resided there but a year, when death en- tered the home, calling the father and husband to his long home. He passed away January 6, 1846, in his thirty-sixth year, at peace with all the world, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Their union had been blessed with five children, as follows: Margaret A. (Mrs. Salem Flack); Jennie M., married, November 1, 1860, to Milton B. Curry, of Amwell township, Washington county; John G., married to Caroline Kerr, and resided in West Virginia until his death (he served in the war of the Rebellion, was with Sherman on his march to the sea, was taken prisoner, and paroled and ex- changed); Mary E. (Mrs. James Hodgens), and Harriet N. (who died at the age of two years). In 1848 Mrs. Jane Griffith Farrar was united in mar- riage with David Haggerty, and to them were born three daughters: Sarah Josephine (now Mrs. Sam- uel Thompson), Lettitia M. (married to Frank Moore), and Annie V. (at home with her father). The mother passed away July 4, 1872.

J HE FULTON FAMILY. John Fulton was born in May, 1810, in Philadelphia, Penn., and after receiving a limited education, learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed in Washington county, Penn. On January 12, 1832, he was married to Miss Hannah McMillan, who was born March 3, 1815, in this county, in the dwelling now occupied by James C. Fulton. Miss McMillan was a granddaughter of John McMillan, D. D., who settled on the same farm in 1775. Although beginning life as a poor boy, John Fulton, by dint of honest effort and careful economy, became a prosperous citizen. He pur- chased 160 acres in North Strabane township, this county, to which many improvements have since been made. He and his wife were devoted mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church at Canons- burg. He died October 18, 1869, followed Sep- tember 14, 1891, by his wife who had borne him nine children, viz. : Samuel (deceased), Joseph R., William, Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. Pry, now living in Brooke county, W. Va.), Thomas K., Robert D., John, Catherine Isabel (residing on the old home- stead with her brother R. D. Fulton) and James C.

Robert D. Fulton, son of John and Hannah Fulton, was born April 8, 1846, and reared on the old place in North Strabane township, this county, receiving a common-school education. On Novem- ber 23, 1881, he was married to Aggie M., daugh- ter of James and Rachel (Hamilton) Rath, and to this union were born a son and a daughter, namely : James R. and Maggie J. The mother died May 7, 1886. She was a member of the United Presby-

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terian Church, with which the father is also identi- fied. He is a member of the Democratic party, and is now serving as supervisor of roads in his district.

John Fulton, seventh child of John and Hannalı Fulton, was born April 29, 1849, on the old home- stead in North Strabane township. On October 11, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Sallie C. Crawford, who has borne him four chil- dren, namely : Chatham Crawford, Dora Martha, Samuel Reed and Alexander Clyde. Mr. Fulton is actively interested in the educational interests of the community, and is now serving as school trustee. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg.

James C. Fulton, youngest son of John and Hannah Fulton, was born February 8, 1857, on the old homestead in North Strabane township. He attended the country schools of the neighbor- hood, and has since remained upon his birthplace. On October 28, 1886, he was united in marriage with Etta V., daughter of Isaac and Isabel (Lewis) Walker. Three children have blessed this union, namely: Thomas C., Mabel H. and Elsie Anetta. Both parents are members of the United Pres- byterian Church at Canonsburg, and in polit- ical opinion the father is a Democrat. The old homestead contains 295 acres in North Strabane township; since the death of John Fulton it has been under the management of the three sons above mentioned, Robert D., John and James C.

C LINTON L. MILLER, a progressive citizen of Donegal township, is a son of William and a grandson of Frederick Miller. Little is known of the latter's parents save that they were of German birth, and among the earliest settlers of Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn. Theretheir son Frederick was born in an old blockhouse where the parents resided for safety from the Indians. Frederick Miller grew to man- hood amid the surroundings of pioneer life, and was married to Elizabeth Miller, also a member. of an old family, but no relation to her husband's people. Among the children born to their union was the father of our subject.

William Miller was born March 4, 1809, on the farm in Donegal township, this county, and passed his boyhood days on the home place, attend- ing the rude schools of the period. On January 1, 1852, he was united in marriage with Catherine Clemens, who was born November 19. 1824, daughter of Nicholas Clemens, of Donegal town- ship, and to their union were born the following children: Lehman (deceased in infancy), Clinton L., Luther G. (deceased in infancy), Ermina L. (Mrs. Joseph Miller, of Donegal township) and

Florence V. (Mrs. James Castner, of Independence township). After his marriage Mr. Miller located on the Dutch fork of Buffalo creek, about two and a half miles north of Coon Island, where he made a permanent home. He was a successful farmer, and in politics was a member of the Democratic party. He died in 1880, since which time his. widow has resided on the home farm, now man- aged by her son, Clinton L.

Clinton L. Miller was born December 16, 1854, on the home farm near Coon Island, where he is now living, which has remained in the possession of the Miller family since it was first patented. Clinton L. received a common-school education, and has always been a farmer, in which vocation. he is very successful. He is in a fair way to be- come one of the wealthiest men of Donegal town- ship. Politically he is a member of the Demo- cratic party.

HARLES H. BURIG, a prosperous and highly respected agriculturist of Donegal township, is a native of Germany. His. father, Charles W. Burig, was born in July, 1797, in the town of Brunswick, Germany, and attended the public schools of the place until four- teen years of age. He then learned the trade of miller, which he followed for forty years. In 1827 he was married to Fredericka Ide, who was born in 1807, also in Germany, and to their union were born four children: Sophia (widow of Frederick. Miller, living in Triadelphia, Ohio Co., W. Va.), Caroline (deceased wife of August Miller), Amelia (Mrs. Henry Snyder, of Moundsville, W. Va.) and Charles H. In 1848 Mr. Burig set sail from Bre- men for America, but as war was then raging between Prussia and Denmark, but few vessels were sailing from German ports, and the emigrants. were obliged to come over in an English packet. They were sixty days on the ocean, but finally landed safely in New York. Thence they went by boat up the Hudson river to Albany; by railroad to Buffalo, N. Y .; by Lake Erie steamer to Erie, Penn. ; from Erie to Beaver by canal, from Beaver down the Ohio river to Wheeling. Mr. Burig located on Peters run, in Ohio county, W. Va., where he followed milling and farming until 1860, when, on account of age and failing health, he retired. During the last years of his life Mr. Burig lived at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Miller, in Wheeling, W. Va., and there died in. 1875, having been preceded by his wife in 1866.

Charles H. Burig was born December 21, 1838,- at Furstenberg, Duchy of Brunswick, Germany, and came to America with his parents. He received his education at the common schools, at the same- time, in his boyhood and early youth, assisting his. father in the mill work, and the duties of the farm ..

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On September 4, 1862, he was united in marriage with Catherine Helfenbien, who was born February 27, 1843, in Marburg, Hessen Cassel, Germany, and was but six years of age when her parents immigrated to America, settling in Ohio county, W. Va. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Burig had the following children: William (a farmer of West Finley township), Amelia (Mrs. Armour J. Roney, of West Finley township), George (also of West Finley township), A. Elmer (living with his par- ents), Gertrude (Mrs. Albert Morrow, of Donegal township) and Charlton L. (living at home). After his marriage Mr. Burig farmed for some time in Ohio county, W. Va., and in 1865 settled in Done- gal township, Washington Co., Penn., locating on the old " De France farm," lying a short distance from the mouth of Dutch fork of Buffalo creek. He was engaged in milling for twenty years; but in 1885 he abandoned this business to devote his entire attention to farming. In political life Mr. Burig was a Democrat until 1880, when he united with the Republican party. He has recently erected an elegant residence which is equal to any in the vicinity.

AMES H. SUPLER. The Supler family are identified with the early settlement and im- provement of Washington county, and the first pioneer of that name, of whom there is any authentic record, was John Supler, the great- grandfather of our subject. He was born about 1757, in eastern Pennsylvania, and was there mar- ried to Rachel Kirk, who was born August 13, 1767. In company with his wife and a sister of Mr. Supler's, the young couple made the rough and tedious journey over the mountains. They finally located in Donegal township, about three miles southeast of West Alexander, where in the midst of an unbroken wilderness they erected their log cabin home. The following children were born to them: Susanna, born December 21, 1783; Rachel, born February 18, 1785; Margaret, born March 17, 1787; John, born January 25, 1790; Sarah, born May 6, 1792; Ann, born January 30, 1795; and Edward, born February 18, 1804; all of whom lived to an adult age, and are now deceased. The father of this family died June 14, 1835, after many years of toil and care, and the mother fol- lowed him August 28, 1850.

John Supler was born on the pioneer farm in Donegal township, this county, and shared all the hardships incident to pioneer life. In later years he was united in marriage with Margaret Sargent, a member of an old family of Washington county, and the children born to them were as follows: Thomas, John, Isaac, William, Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Margaret, Rachel, Mary and Jane. Of this family those now living are Rachel, Eliza-

beth, Sarah Ann and Isaac. Mr. Supler passed his life farming on the old home place, and died April 28, 1871. His widow died in 1881.

Thomas Supler was born February 23, 1814, on the farm in Donegal township, this county, and was the eldest son of his parents. He received a common-school education, and was trained to agri- cultural pursuits by his father. In 1838 he was married to Margaret Hill, who was born August 19, 1813, and their children were: Nancy Jane, born January 8, 1840; John H., born January 6, 1842; Joseph G., born November 4, 1843; Alexan- der D., born March 21, 1847; Henry H., born January 26, 1849; and James H., the only child now living. After his marriage Thomas Supler located in Greene county, Penn., where he re- mained some time, then moved near Beallsville, West Bethlehem township, Washington county. He afterward purchased and moved upon the old home farm of the Suplers in Donegal township, this county. In 1876 he moved to West Alexan- der, same township, where his wife died May 5, 1883, and October 20, 1884, he was united in mar- riage with Mrs. Caroline (Rogers) Mounts, widow of James Mounts. After his marriage to Caroline Mounts, Thomas Supler located in Claysville, April 1, 1885, where he died February 15, 1886. Polit- ically he was a Republican, and in religion was a member of the M. E. Church. His widow is still living.

James H. Supler was born March 18, 1850, near Beallsville, West Bethlehem township, this county, and came with his parents to Donegal township. He received a common-school education, and as- sisted his father in the farm work. On December 29, 1875, he was married to Elizabeth Bryans, who was born April 3, 1855, at Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada, daughter of William and Marga- ret (Bamford) Bryans. They have four children, namely: William H., Bessie M., Minnie M. and James W., all of whom are living with their par- ents. Mr. Supler located on the home farm, where he is now living, and which has been in the possession of the family four generations. He is engaged in general farming, and also operates a threshing machine in the summer season. Polit- ically he is a Republican, and he is an energetic and prosperous young man.

EORGE W. RITCHEY, a skillful black smith and well-known citizen of West Alex- ander, was born December 10, 1827, in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn. He is a son of John and grandson of George Ritchey, who was born and grew to manhood in Ireland. George Ritchey was married in his native country, and some time afterward came to

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America, locating in Buffalo township, Washing- ton county, near Taylorstown. They remained there several years, and then came to Donegal township, where Mr. Ritchey purchased the home farm. He had a family of twenty-one children. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious connection a member of the U. B. Church of Done- gal township.

John Ritchey was born in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., and there received his early education at the primitive subscription schools. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Fowler, a resident of Washington county, and their chil- dren were: Margaret J. (deceased wife of George Karnes), Elizabeth M. (first married to John Miller, now the wife of Thomas Phillips), George W. (our subject), David, William T. (deceased minister of the U. B. Church) and John. After his marriage Mr. Ritchey made his permanent home in Done- gal township. He was a public-spirited man, in- terested in all progressive movements, and an act- ive worker in the Democratic party; in relig- ion he was a member of the U. B. Church of Donegal township. He died in 1861, and was fol- lowed by his widow in 1866. The remains of both rest in the U. B. Church cemetery.

George W. Ritchey received his early education and passed his boyhood in Donegal township. At the age of eighteen years he was apprenticed to Lewis Hallom, of Washington borough, to learn the blacksmith's trade. He remained there two years, and then entered the employ of John Mor- row, with whom he worked four years, when he established a shop at Taylorstown. Mr. Ritchey conducted the blacksmith business at that place for eight and a half years, and then entered the employ of William McCoy, in West Alexander, re- maining with him until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, "Ringgold Cavalry," serving until the close of the struggle. After the war he worked at his trade in West Alexander until 1871, when he settled in Buffalo village, which was his home thirteen years, but finally came to West Alexander where he has since remained. On April 5, 1848, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of James Mitchell, of Bentleyville, Washington county, and their union has been blessed with the following children: Winfield S., Lena (Mrs. Robert Martin), Thomas, A. E., Mary (Mrs. George Tim- mons), William and Lester G. Of this family, Thomas, A. E. and William are deceased. Mr. Ritchey has always been a progressive man, and has taken an active part in the development of the community. Politically he is an earnest Repub- lican, and while residing in Hopewell township, served three terms as justice of the peace. He is a substantial member of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander.

EORGE BLACK. Chief among the well- known farmers and breeders of fine Black- Top Merino sheep ranks George Black, who resides on his farm adjoining Canonsburg.

James and Elizabeth (Horner) Black, grandparents of our subject, came from the Cum- berland Valley in company with William Horner, making the trip across the mountains in a wagon drawn by four horses. James Black owned a farm in Cumberland county, but was not satisfied with the settlement of his father's estate, and after sell- ing his farm moved to the wilds of Washington county, known at that time as "the backwoods." He first settled on the land in North Strabane township now owned by the Samuel McNary heirs; from there moved to Peters township, and for a time lived near Bethany Church on Miners run, Allegheny county, Penn. His wife died in Peters township, April 10, 1834, at the age of sixty years, and he passed away at the residence of his son-in- law, Daniel Hickman, in Peters township, Novem- ber 6, 1842, aged seventy-two. Both are buried in the Chartiers cemetery, North Strabane town- ship. The children born of their union were: Margaret S., born July 22, 1796 (she was married, in 1818, to James Hare, who bought a farm near Claysville, where they both died); Nancy, born March 1, 1798, and married, in 1825, to James Lyons (she and her husband died on their farm near Industry, Beaver Co., Penn.); Elizabeth, born May 31, 1800 (she married Thomas Cotner in 1826, and moved to Carroll county, Ohio); William, born June 22, 1802 (married Eleanor Manifold); Sallie, born in October, 1804 (married Daniel Hickman, and settled in Stark county, Ohio); Richard, born in December, 1806 (he married Jane Speer; he was a carpenter and resided in Allegheny City, where he died); Robert, born January 9, 1809 (first mar- ried Sadie Rankin, and afterward Elizabeth Mani- fold; he made his home on a farm near Beck's Mills, North Strabane township); James, born May 25, 1812 (married Nancy Gilmore, on March 27, 1841; he settled in Bridgeville, Allegheny Co., Penn.); and Rebecca, born February 14, 1816 (married March 2, 1843, to Robert Johnston). To each of these marriages were born children. Will- iam Horner, brother-in-law of James Black, owned three farms near Beck's Mills, in North Strabane township. He was a member of Chartiers Presby- terian Church, and died February 23, 1860, aged eighty-two.

William Black, father of subject, was born June 22, 1802, in Washington county, a son of James and Elizabeth (Horner) Black. He married Miss Eleanor Manifold, a native of York county, Penn., who came with her parents across the mount- ains when twelve years of age. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Black settled on the farm in

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North Strabane township now owned by our sub- ject, where they both died. William Black was a man of pure principle and of more than ordinary intelligence. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was an elder in the Chartiers Church for a number of years. Six sons and four daughters were born of their union, viz. : Margaret (wife of Rev. William Grimes, of Bel- mont county, Ohio), Ann (who died at the age of twelve years), Mary (wife of Rev. James S. Barr, of Sealkote, northern India, where he is a mission- ary of the United Presbyterian Church), Elizabeth (who married Joseph Willison of this county, now deceased), William (who married Mary Bebout, and resides in North Strabane township), Benja- min (who enlisted in the Fortieth Regiment, P. V. I., as a sergeant, and was killed at Gettysburg; he was unmarried), James L. (who enlisted in the Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers; he was admitted to the bar, located in Pittsburgh, and at present is an attorney at law in Lumpkin county, Ga.), George (our subject), Richard (who married Flora White, and lives on a farm in North Stra- bane township), and Robert (who married Margaret White, and owns a marble and granite yard in Canonsburg).

George Black was born December 3, 1843, in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., a son of William and Eleanor (Manifold) Black. He at- tended the common schools of Canonsburg, learned farming with his father, and upon the latter's death came into possession of the old homestead farm. This land was purchased of James Murray, who had bought it from the old Jefferson College trustees. On January 26, 1871, Mr. Black was married to Miss Jane E., a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Templeton) McNary, born on her father's farm. Mr. and Mrs. Black are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg, of which they are liberal supporters. Two sons and one daughter have blessed their marriage, viz .: Samuel O., Benjamin M. and Jeanette. In September, 1862, Mr. Black enlisted in the Eight- eenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was stationed at Hagerstown, Md., but after a few weeks his services were no longer needed, and he was sent home. Our subject is a representative and progressive farmer, unassuming, but practical and reliable. He is one of the few agriculturists who realize that successful farming requires more study, concentration of mind and executive ability than any profession. Mr. Black is one of the or- ganizers of the Black-Top Merino Sheep Breeders Association of Washington county, and was treas- urer of this association two years. Politically, he works with the Republican party. He enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him, and is universally considered an upright and honorable gentleman.

AMES C. MATTHEWS, farmer and under- taker, is a resident of North Strabane town- ship, of which he is a native, born July 20, 1843. James Matthews, his grandfather, was born February 17, 1785, in Ireland, and in a very early day immigrated to America, set- tling in Washington county, Penn., where he fol- lowed farming the rest of his life, dying February 18, 1853; in politics he was a typical old-school Democrat.

James Matthews, father of James C., was also a prominent agriculturist of Washington county, where he was born. He was here married, in 1836, to Sarah. Crawford, who was born February 6, 1815, by whom he had a family of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity, viz .: Nancy J., wife of Matthew Ross, a farmer of Washington county ; Tamar M., wife of John B. Milholland, of Pitts- burgh, Penn .; James C., subject of sketch; Eliza- beth, wife of William Caldwell, a farmer in Al- legheny county, Penn .; Leonard, a farmer, of Columbiana county, Ohio; Andrew, proprietor of grocery store, Canonsburg, Penn. ; Levi, proprietor of a furniture store at Beaver Falls, Penn. ; Sarah M., wife of J. H. McMurray, a farmer in Peters. township, this county; Chatham G., a grocery mer- chant in Allegheny county, Penn. ; and Martha A., now deceased. The father died December 30, 1885, the mother having some years preceded him to the grave. They were both active members of the United Presbyterian Church.

James C. Matthews was educated at the dis- trict schools of his native township, and was reared from boyhood to the Arcadian pursuits of the farm. On November 4, 1869, he was married to Miss Belle M. Thomas, a native of North Strabane township, born May 17, 1848, a daughter of Liver- ton and Mary A. (Glandon) Thomas, the former of whom was born in North Strabane township, May 12, 1808, the latter in Maryland, October 2, 1813, and moved with her parents to Harrison county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Liverton Thomas were mar- ried in 1834, in Ohio, and shortly afterward set- tled in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn. They reared a family of nine children, eight of whom are yet living, viz .: Edmund, a farmer in Saline county, Neb .; William, a farmer in Chase county, Neb .; James M., a merchant. in the village of Thomas, Washington Co., Penn. ; Rhoda L., wife of John Hodgens, in Des- Moines county, Iowa; Liverton G., a physician in Philadelphia, Penn .; Belle M., wife of James C. Matthews; A. J., a farmer of North Strabane township, and Ida M., wife of William Kittle, of Rush county, Kans. (Caleb F. died in infancy). The father of this family is at present living with his daughter, Mrs. John Hodgens, at Middletown, Des Moines Co., Iowa; he is a member of the. Presbyterian Church, and in politics a stanch

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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 129

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