Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 130

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 130

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Democrat; his wife passed away December 10, 1873.

To Mr. and Mrs. James C. Matthews have been born six children-three sons and three daughters -as follows: Thomas C., born August 12, 1870 (he is a mechanical draughtsman in Barberton, Ohio); James F., born September 10, 1873 (en- gaged in the photography business); Ernest W., born November 17, 1875; Sarah E. and Mary A. (twins), born July 27, 1880, and Lena M., born May 16, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews are members of the U. P. Church, in which he has been an elder for the past fifteen years, and is superintendent of the Sabbath-school of Mount Prospect Church. He is a solid Democrat in his political preferences, and February 15, 1892, was elected township assessor. In his farming opera- tions he has been eminently successful, and since 1875 has conducted an undertaking establishment in the village of Thomas.

RA M. BUTLER is of Welsh descent, his grand- father, Benjamin Butler, having been a native of Wales. The latter ancestor, a Quaker in religious faith, in 1776 accompanied his parents to America. The Butler family settled in Lancaster county, Penn., and there secured 1,000 acres of land, part of which was in Chester county .. Benjamin Butler was married in this country, and reared his family on the farm, but finally deciding to move to Ohio, sold the place, and purchased farms for the children. In 1805 sixteen persons began the journey to Ohio, with a two-horse team and carriage, arriving at Monongahela City on the evening of October 7, 1805. The following morn- ing Mr. Butler was suddenly stricken with apo- plexy and died that day. The other members of the family fell sick with malaria, which a quack doctor of the neighborhood pronounced yellow fever. These misfortunes compelled the family to remain in Washington county for some time, and they finally abandoned the idea of pro- ceeding farther. The mother resided with her son Ira R. until her death. She left the following children: Jonathan, a wagon and plow maker; Abner, a cabinet maker; Noble; Eunice; Isaac; Benjamin; Joel; Joseph and Ira R., of whom the younger sons were carpenters with the exception of Ira R.

Ira R. Butler was born November 15, 1792, in Lancaster county, Penn., and in 1805 came with the family to Washington county. After his ar- rival in this county he attended school for two years, then learned the saddlery business. His health failing, he abandoned this pursuit by the advice of a physician, and in 1814 engaged as cap- tain of a freight vessel on Lake Erie. He followed this vocation three years, then returned to Monon-

gahela City and became captain of "The Eagle," a passenger boat on the river, remaining in that position two years, at the end of which time he bought a farm near Monongahela City, meanwhile working in the boatyard for Robert Beebe. On June 4, 1822, Ira R. Butler was married to Mary A. Boyd, a resident of Washington county, and their children were as follows: Benjamin, William, Samuel M., Ira R., Eunice J. (wife of C. Z. Kœch- lin), Mary E. (married to Richard Pratt), Eliza- beth (wife of James Blythe), Emmeline (wife of Dr. R. S. H. Keys; she was the widow of Maj. S. B. Howe, of the First W. Va. Cavalry, who had served during the entire Civil war without receiv- ing a wound. On April 8, 1865, the night before the surrender of Lee, he was shot and killed by a rebel sharpshooter at Appomattox), Sarah (mar- ried to Charles Fry), and Ira M. In 1839 Mr. Butler sold his property, and in 1840 purchased the "John Stockdale farm," where he died July 18, 1884, his wife having gone before September 7, 1874. He was a leading member of both the Whig and Republican parties, and served for twenty-five years as justice of the peace. In re- ligion he was actively identified with the M. E. Church.

Ira M. Butler was born January 22, 1843, on the home farm in Carroll township, Washington Co., Penn. He received a common-school educa- tion, and on May 17, 1874, brought his bride, Nancy J. Frederick, to the home place. She is a native of West Pike Run township, this county, and daughter of Joseph Frederick. In 1880 the young couple moved to Elizabeth, Penn., where they resided until 1883, then returned to the home place and managed the farm until 1885. He afterward engaged in the livery business at Mo- nongahela City, which he continued to follow two and a half years, then worked on the railroad for two years. In 1889 he opened a feed store which he has since conducted. Politically he is a Repub- lican, but votes independently in local matters. He is a member of the M. E. Church.

A DAM AUGHENDOBLER was born August 14, 1823, near the city of Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany, where his parents passed their lives. His mother died when he was eleven years old, leaving one child. Adam Aughendobler remained at the home of his uncle after the death of his parents, and there learned the weaver's trade, also assisting on the farm. In 1852 he embarked on a vessel bound for America, and after a voyage of seven weeks landed at Balti- more, Md. He then came to Washington county, Penn., and worked on a farm for Major Millinger, also for James Stockdale. On May 4, 1853, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Lizzie Zeh, a

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lady of German parentage, and the widow of J. B. Zeh, by whom she had one child-John B. Zeh, born in Germany. She was married to Mr. Zeh in the Fatherland, where he died. She came to America in the same vessel as Adam Aughendobler, to whom she was married, as just related, and in 1865 they came to Monongahela, where the family have since resided. Mr. Augh- endobler is an active member of the Republican party, has served as councilman, and for twenty- eight years has been superintendent of the ceme- tery, which position he now holds. In religious faith he is identified with the Lutheran Church, which he has served as elder. To Mr. and Mrs. Aughen- dobler have been born the following children: Maria (Mrs. Levi Friend) and Bessie (Mrs. William Woodward), (twins), Jane (wife of James Dickey), Maggie (Mrs. Hoffman), Anna (wife of John Staib), George (deceased) and John L.

J OHN A. FRAZEE, who belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families of Amwell township, is a native of the same, born May 28, 1834. His grandfather, Col. David Frazee, was the son of David Frazee, who moved from New Jersey in about 1780, locat- ing in Amwell township, this county, where he died in June, 1789.

Col. David Frazee was born about 1782 in Am- well township, and afterward removedto West Beth- lehem township. The father dying when David was a boy of seven years, the family were soon sep- arated, and his early life was passed in West Beth- lehem, where he purchased what was afterward known as the " Frazee Homestead,"' on Brush run, a tributary of North Ten-Mile creek. He was married to Catherine Sutton, daughter of Andrew Sutton, and their children were David, Andrew and Sallie (who married Peter Miller), all now de- ceased. The father passed from earth in 1850. Col. Frazee was one of the leading men of the time, and was often asked to decide matters of difference by arbitration. At one time he and his son David owned 1,000 acres in the two townships -Amwell and West Bethlehem. In politics he was a Whig, and though by no means an office seeker, he worked earnestly for the interests of his party. He was a member and one of the founders of the Disciple Church at Lone Pine.

David Frazee, son of Col. David Frazee, was born in 1812, and came with his parents to West Bethlehem township. He received a limited edu- cation in the common schools, but became a well- read, intelligent man. He was united in marriage with Amy Cooper, of Amwell township, daughter of Moses and Christine Cooper, and to this union were born two children: Mrs. Sarah Curry and John A. Politically Mr. Frazee was first a Whig and afterward a Republican; in religious faith he

was an earnest member of the Disciple Church at Lone Pine, in which he was an elder for many years. Mrs. Frazee died in 1884, and was fol- lowed by her husband March 29, 1888, when in his seventy-sixth year.

John A. Frazee received his primary education at the common schools, attended Pleasant Valley Academy for two years, and also spent one term at Washington and Jefferson College. He remained at home until October 23, 1859, when he was united in marriage with Maria Woodruff, daughter of Joshua and Priscilla Woodruff, of Knox county, Ohio. Mrs. Frazee has the following brothers and sisters all living in Ohio: Mrs. Benjamin Bell, residing near Martinsburgh; Morgan, a resident of Licking county; Mrs. Amanda Murdick, living in Newark, and L. M. Woodruff, a resident of Utica. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Frazee were Calvin, born August 25, 1860; John Hamlin, born ‘ March 21, 1862 (died February 25, 1864); Mrs. Priscilla Paul, born January 20, 1864, residing in Washington; Allison J., born January 14, 1866; William W., born January 15, 1868; Eddie, born November 19, 1870 (deceased December 26, 1884); Ida M., born September 19, 1872; Olive, born August 17, 1874; Isa, born November 4, 1876; Odessa, born November 22, 1878; and Angeline, born September 24, 1880, deceased January 11, 1885. Mr. Frazee has been a very successful farm- er, and now owns 473 acres of as good land as can be found in his township. In politics he has always been a Republican, and he is much inter- ested in public matters. In religious faith he is a member of the Disciple Church at Lone Pine.

OHN W. FERGUSON, one of the wide-awake, enterprising and prosperous merchants of Smith township, is a representative of an old pioneer family who trace their genealogy from one John Ferguson, who was born July 5, 1766, in County Down, Ireland, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1793 the good ship "Wilmington " (commanded by Capt. James Jeff- ries, with John Magee as first mate) sailed for America. Among the passengers bound for the New World were John Ferguson and a neighbor family by the name of Warnock. They landed at Philadelphia, where the friends parted, the War- nocks remaining in that city, while young Fergu- son went further west. He invested his small savings in a peddler's pack, and with this meager provision for the future started on his lonely journey of exploration. But among the members of the Warnock family was a daughter Jane, born October 23, 1772, in County Down, Ireland, to whom he had plighted his troth, promising to return and claim his bride when success should reward his efforts. He journeyed along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, trading on the way. From

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Pittsburgh, Penn., he made a trip to New Orleans, walking.the entire distance on the return journey. He made various other expeditions, finally realiz- ing enough money to enable him to fulfill his long- cherished plans, and return to his love in Phila- delphia, who was patiently awaiting his arrival. In 1795 they were made one, and immediately went to Washington county, Penn., locating as tenants on part of a tract of 1,000 acres in Smith township, near the Hanover township line, which had been patented by Capt. Daniel Bavington. The young couple began life in their frontier home, enduring many inconveniences and dan- gers, and, as was then necessary, he was often obliged to cross the mountains to get salt and provisions. On one of these occasions the young wife was left alone in the cabin, and the wolves (which were at that time very numerous) sur- rounded it. Unable to keep them outside, the helpless woman fled to the garret, leaving the lower room to the mercy of the brutes, thus escap- ing with her life. Some years after this, John Ferguson purchased the land on which he resided, and later an adjoining tract, where the rest of his life was passed. He was a representative citizen, possessing good judgment; in politics he was a Democrat, and was often sought for advice on ques- tions of moment, while his wife was no less a val- ued member of the community. She was a famous nurse, being more successful with her patients than the majority of physicians, and both Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were members of the old Seceder Church. Their children were Elizabeth (wife of James Smith), born July 7, 1798, who died in 1871, in Beaver county, Penn .; Anne, born Decem- ber 17, 1801 (deceased in 1819); Mary, born Sep- tember 5, 1805 (was fatally burned in an accident, dying November 4, 1887, unmarried); and John, born December 14, 1807. The father died Feb- ruary 22, 1842, and November 24, 1850, the wife and mother passed away.

John Ferguson was born on the home farm in Smith township, near Bavington, being reared to agricultural pursuits, and receiving a country- school education. On October 23, 1851, he was married to Martha C. Kryster, who was born Jan- uary 25, 1825, in Stark county, Ohio, the cere- mony taking place at North Springfield, Summit Co., Ohio. She was a daughter of Isaac and Frances (Fraker) Kryster, the former a member of an aristocratic family of Philadelphia, Penn., the latter born near Greensburgh, Westmoreland Co., Penn. They were early settlers of Stark county, Ohio, and parents of seven sons and six daughters.

John and Martha C. (Kryster) Ferguson settled on the home farm in Smith township, and four children were born to them, viz .: Jennie A. (wife of William Beal, a farmer of Beaver county, Penn. ), Isaac C. (an agriculturist of Smith township),

John W. (whose name opens this sketch) and May F. (wife of F. B. Stewart). Mr. Ferguson was an eager reader, a practical scholar, and one of the most influential citizens of the community. In early life he gave some attention to dentistry, but never learned it as a profession. In politics he was a Democrat, and served as justice of the peace under the old constitution (which elected for life or good behavior), also serving two terms after the present laws were introduced, filling the position in all for twenty-one years. Being a very careful business man, he was often called on to transact important affairs for others, and among the estates which he settled were the Garrett Van Emman, the Calvert, the Free Crafford, the Samuel Clokey, the James Brimner, the Samuel Neil and the James Stephenson estates, and was also associated with Squire Pollock in settling up the extensive Baving- ton estate. He held various township offices, was school director for eighteen years, serving as presi- dent of the board, and acted as guardian for many children and minors. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were members of the U. P. Church at Burgettstown, of which he was an elder over thirty years, and was also a member of the building com- mittee when the second building was erected. His useful life closed January 31, 1882, and Mrs. Ferguson resided on the farm some time after his death, but afterward removed to Bavington, this county, where she is now living with her children, May and John W., enjoying the affection and re- spect of all who know her.

John W. Ferguson was born January 1, 1858, on the old place in Smith township, where he passed his youth working on the farm and attending the schools of the vicinity. He resided with his par- ents until twenty-eight years of age, then began clerking for John McBride, a merchant of Baving- ton, and two years later became a partner. In 1892 he purchased the entire business, which has virtually been under his control for several years, Mr. McBride having devoted his attention princi- pally to other interests. Mr. Ferguson is a pro- gressive and thoroughly competent merchant, and

enjoys a large custom. In politics he has for sev- eral years been a leading figure in the Democratic party, and has held various township offices with credit to himself. Of late he has been obliged to partially retire from political life, to meet the in- creasing pressure of his growing business. In re- ligion he is a member of the U. P. Church at Robinson.

AMES HODGENS. The family, of which this gentleman is a worthy member, is one of the earliest to make a settlement in Buffalo township, and one of the most highly re- spected and esteemed in the county.

Thomas Hodgens, grandfather of the subject

James Hodges

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proper of this biographical memoir, was a native of County Armagh, Ireland, whence, in the spring of 1807, he emigrated with his family to America. After a brief sojourn in Philadelphia they came to Washington, this county, and in the spring of 1808 Mr. Hodgens purchased a farm in Buffalo township, near the village of Taylorstown, on which they settled. Here Grandfather Hodgens ended his pioneer life, dying in 1821, at the age of sixty- five years, his wife following him to the grave sev- eral years later. In his native land Thomas Hod- gens has been, in religious faith, a strict Seceder, but after coming to this county, for reasons sound and just, no doubt, he associated himself with the Christian (or Disciple) Church, dying an earnest and devout member thereof, after having taken an active interest in the establishment and welfare of that Society in his township.

Of the four children comprising the family of Thomas Hodgens, a son, by name Isaac, was born in 1794, in County Armagh, Ireland, where he re- ceived an excellent educational training under the preceptorship of Alexander Campbell, who after- ward came to this country, and established, at Bethany, W. Va., an academy, now known as Bethany College, where Isaac Hodgens (who had immigrated with his parents) completed his edu- cation. During their voyage across the Atlantic, the vessel on which were the Hodgens family was boarded by a British man-of-war (probably for the purpose of impressing some of the able-bodied sailors of the merchant ship into the regular navy, as was the custom in those days in time of war -- for Great Britain was then at war with France), and by some means Isaac became separated from the rest of the family, and was carried off by the warship. Later, however, he was placed on board the American ship "Martha," and ultimately re- stored to his parents. In Buffalo township he passed the rest of his active life, engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and distinguished himself among his fellows as a man of unimpeachable character, a great reader, deep thinker and possessed of much knowledge. He was a zealous Democrat, and a personal friend of Andrew Jackson. So popular was he, and in such high esteem was he held by the community in which he lived, that he held every position of honor and trust in his township that could be conferred upon him by the people. He served as associate judge of the courts, also as county commissioner, and in the militia of his early times he took an active and conspicuous part, rising to the exalted rank of major-general.

In 1822 Isaac Hodgens married Isabella McCar- rell, daughter of Ludawick and Martha (Lemon) McCarrell, the former of whom came from Ireland to Washington county, Penn., in 1790, the latter being a native of the county; they were the parents of a large family. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. 39

Hodgens resided on the old homestead in Buffalo township till 1835, when they moved into Taylors- town; but after one year's residence there they pur- chased a farm (now occupied by R. W. Crothers) adjoining the village, and here they passed their declining years, the father dying February 24, 1860, the mother in June, 1872. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom five yet sur- vive, viz .: James, Martha (Mrs. Vance), Isaac (in Kansas City), William L. (a farmer in Iowa) and Robert A. (in Washington county, Pennsylvania).

James Hodgens, whose name opens this sketch, is the fourth child of Isaac and Isabella (McCar- rell) Hodgens, and was born September 19, 1829, on the old original homestead in Buffalo town- ship. His rudimentary education he received at the public schools of the neighborhood of his boy- hood home, afterward completing his literary training at Jefferson College; and in all his studies, from the child's primer up, he proved an apt and diligent scholar, remarkably quick and intelligent -such a one as the philosopher might have had in his mind's eye when he penned the immortal axiom: "The boy is father to the man." At college he found a favorite study in mathematics, in connec- tion with which he learned civil engineering, of which science he made himself master; and in after life he practiceds surveying, in connection with farming and stock raising, for forty years. Mr. Hodgens remained on the old homestead up to the time of his father's death, and then took charge of his present farm in the same township, comprising 250 acres of prime land. In addition to his home interests he owns property in Iowa and elsewhere. He is a prominent member and supporter of the U. P. Church at Taylorstown, and in his political preferences is an active and influential Democrat. He has served as justice of the peace and in other township offices of trust.

On December 24, 1863, James Hodgens was united in marriage with Mary E. Farrar, a native of Washington county, Penn., and a member of an old representative family, of whom special mention will presently be made. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hodgens, and of them six are yet living, viz .: Thomas Milton (cashier of the State Savings Bank, in Butte City, Mont.), Ella Maude, Isaac Walter, James Oscar, Albert McClees and Ralph. Morrow.

The FARRAR family in Washington county are descended from James Farrar, who at the com- mencement of the Revolutionary war resided in Hunterdon county, N. J., where he and his eldest son, James, did blacksmith's work for the Ameri- can army during its operations in that State. Two other sons-John and Peter-were soldiersin Waslı- ington's army, and were both killed at the battle of Long Island. In 1775 Andrew Farrar (an- other son of the original James Farrar), together

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with his wife, Margaret (Moore) Farrar, a lady of Irish parentage, crossed the Alleghany mountains into western Pennsylvania and settled in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, where he died November 5, 1832, the father of a large family- seven of them being sons, all of whom he reared to maturity.

Aaron Farrar, who was the eighth child, married Jane Griffith, a native of Washington county, born in 1812, and five children came by this union, to wit: Margaret A., Jennie M., John G. (deceased), Mary E. (Mrs. James Hodgens) and Harriet N. (deceased at the age of two years). Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Farrar resided in Mt. Pleasant township un- til 1845, and then moved to Buffalo township, where he purchased a farm near Taylorstown. A year after settling on this farm Mr. Farrar was summoned to his long home January 6, 1845, pass- ing away in the thirty-sixth year of his age, at peace with all the world. For years he had been a constant and earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, and his life was one of exemplary piety.

W ILLIAM S. LEE is a great-grandson of Robert Lee, a native of Ireland, who im- migrated to America, and settled in Cross Creek township, Washington Co., Penn. His son Hugh was the grandfather of our subject.

John Lee, father of William S., was born on the home farm in Cross Creek township, this county, and in early life was united in marriage with Mary Ann Walker, who bore him two daughters. He afterward married Jane Ann Scott, who was born October 3, 1817, near Washington, Penn. She was a daughter of Samuel Scott, whose father, Josiah Scott, a native of Scotland, came to this country, where he ended his days. He was mar- ried to Jane Noble, who bore him eight children: four sons-Samuel, John, Hugh and Alexander --- and four daughters. Samuel Scott was born about 1779, near Washington borough, and remained on the home farm during his boyhood. He was mar- ried to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of William Wiley, of this county, and the following children were born to them: William W., Josiah N., Jane Ann and Samuel G. (a prominent farmer of this county).

After his marriage to Jane Ann Scott, John Lee settled on the home farm in Cross Creek township, this county, where the following children were born, the names and dates of birth being given: William S., October 18, 1838; Eliza A., June 13, 1841; Mary M., March 25, 1843; Hannah J., March 20, 1846; John O., August 2, 1847; Samuel W., January 14, 1850; Hugh, December 25, 1851; Alice, January 26, 1853; Lucy, July 19, 1856. The father died April 23, 1856. He was a success-

ful business man, and owned 310 acres of land at the time of his death, which property is now in the possession of his heirs, who occupy it. He was one of the most active politicians in the Whig party; in religion he was a member of the Pres- byterian Church, holding the office of trustee, and working for the Master in many ways.

William S. Lee passed his early life on the home place. On December 31, 1863, he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Thomas P. Vance, whose father, William Vance, born in 1776, was reared in Washington county, where he received a necessarily limited education, as schools were few, and at best afforded but meager opportunities. He was first married to Rachel Patterson, a resident of Cross Creek town- ship, who bore him six children. She died, and a few years afterward he selected a second wife in the person of Hannah Patterson, a member of an old family of Cross Creek township, and to this union, also, there were born six children. William Vance always lived in Cross Creek township, and was one of the representative men of the day. He died in 1856. He was a Whig in politics, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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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 130

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