Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 135

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 135

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George Valentine received his primary education in the common school, which was supplemented with a course of study at Dr. McClusky's academy, in West Alexander, and an attendance for a short time at Washington College, Penn. He was a skillful and prosperous farmer, in addition to which he dealt in wool, grain and many kinds of produce as well as stock. In politics he was a Republican, a prominent leader in the party; was

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a member of the Presbyterian Church of West Alexander for many years. He was a liberal man, and a progressive citizen, a warm-hearted friend of education, and for years was a trustee of West Alexander Academy. He passed most of his life on the farm owned formerly by his father, after- ward by himself, dying November 5, 1881. As husband, father, friend, he was one of the most genial, loving and kind, always cheerful, with a smile for all; in tenderness almost feminine, but firm and unwavering in principle and convictions of duty. On October 7, 1852, Mr. Valentine mar- ried Louise Bayha, of Wheeling, W. Va., who bore him one son, Louis B., who still lives in the old homestead, and is in the mercantile business in West Alexander. On September 27, 1883, he married Laura B. Anderson, of West Alexander, and they are the parents of three bright boys: George A. , John B. and Charles T. The death of his first wife occurred on February 19, 1854, and March 16, 1859, Mr. Valentine married Anna B., daughter of Andrew Yates, a native of Ohio county, W. Va., a lifelong farmer. Mr. Yates married May 25, 1820, Anne Byers, of near Clays- ville, Penn., by whom he had the following chil- dren: Mary F. (wife of Thomas Ralston), Thomas, Byers T., William, Margaret S., one daughter deceased in infancy, Andrew and Anna B. (twins), and Jane S. These parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, and could trace their ancestry back for many generations as a strictly religious people, many of them office bearers in the Church. Mr. Yates held the office of ruling elder in the Presby- terian Church for the space of half a century, and was for years justice of the peace, under the old constitution of Virginia. He was born July 16, 1795, and died on the farm, where he had lived over fifty years, December 19, 1876, in the eighty- second year of his age; his widow was born June 25, 1797, and died August 27, 1887, in the ninety- first year of her age. The children all died young and unmarried, except the two daughters already named, and Byers T., who married Margaret Purcell, of West Liberty, W. Va. (she died March, 1889, and her husband February 16, 1892).

ANNA B., widow of George Valentine, was mar- ried February 18, 1892, to Rev. J. S. Gilmor, of Congers, N. Y., also a native of West Virginia, his childhood's home, and that of many of his relatives, being in the immediate vicinity of West Alexander, Pennsylvania.

OHN FLACK. The Flack family have for many years been identified with the inter- ests of Washington county. About 1800 one Robert Flack sailed from County Monaghan, Ireland, and on arriving in America first located in Chester county, Penn. He then moved

to Westmoreland county, same State, but in 1820 made a permanent location on the forks of Char- tiers creek, Peters township, Washington county. He was married in his native land to a native of County Monaghan, Ireland, Miss Mary Douglass, who bore him the following children: James, Alex- ander, Mary, John, Nancy, Robert, Jane, Margaret, Eliza and Sarah, all of whom are now deceased.

Alexander Flack, son of Robert Flack, was born about 1794, in County Monaghan, Ireland, and coming with his parents to America, was reared in Chester and Westmoreland counties. He began life as a teamster, and in 1835 opened a store at Bower Hill, Washington county. He conducted this business ten years, then bought the home farm in Peters township. When a young man he was married to Mary Porter, a native of this county, who died not long after their marriage. For his second wife Alexander Flack was married to Lillie Ann McAlister, of Peters township, a daughter of John McAlister, who, with his father, Archibald McAlister, emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland, about 1800, and settled first in Chester county, Penn., and in 1802 removed with his parents to Washington county. John McAlister was married to Isabelle McAllister, a resident of County Antrim, Ireland, who bore him seven children, namely: Archie, Nancy, Mary, Lillie Ann, John, Hannah, and James, all of whom are now deceased. Lillie Ann McAlister was reared to womanhood in Peters township. To the union of Alexander and Lillie Flack one son was born, John. The father was an active member of the Democratic party, and held nearly every office in Peters township. He died in 1857.

John Flack was born May 27, 1839, in Bower Hill, Washington county, Penn. He began a course at Jefferson College, but, being called home by the death of his father, took charge of the old place. On November 20, 1865, he was united in marriage with Hester B., daughter of Albert Hol- bert, a native of Franklin township, Washington county. She died in 1882, leaving the following children: Bertha A., John A., Florence W., William L., Minnie B., and Bessie L., the last-named of whom is now attending school at Bower Hill. On March 3, 1885, John Flack was united in marriage with Virginia M. Ruth, whose father, John Ruth, was a native of New Jersey, and learned the car- penter's trade. He was married to Miss Mar- garet Barr, of Washington county, Penn., who bore him one daughter, Virginia M. (Mrs. Flack). Mr. and Mrs. Ruth died at Bethany, W. Va., of cholera, and were buried in the same grave. The orphan daughter was reared to womanhood by Miss Jane Hardy, of Bower Hill, where she resided until her marriage to John Flack.

To the union of John and Virginia M. Flack four children have been born, namely: Walter H.,

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Wallace R., Allan M., and Margaret Lillian. After his first marriage Mr. Flack resided on a farm in this county until 1869, when he moved to Iowa. In 1871 he returned to the home farm, and in 1884 opened a store at Bower Hill, this county. Since 1886 he has lived on the farm which is now his home. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held various local offices. In religious faith he is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

W C. GRIMES is a son of William Grimes, whose father was born in eastern Penn- sylvania, and on attaining majority set- tled in Donegal township, Washington Gregg, county, where he married Miss Mary and reared a family of nine children. William Grimes was born in 1818, on the home farm in Donegal township, this county, and after- ward moved to Ohio, where he lived twenty years. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and settled on the farm in Buffalo township, which is now the home of his son Andrew. In 1843 William Grimes was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Charles McCroberts, of Washington county, Penn. They reared a family of nine children, as follows: Will- iam C., Mary (wife of Samuel Woodburn), J. Thomas, Lawson, Lizzie M., David A., Sallie J., Andrew J., and Nannie B. (wife of J. A. Lind- say), all living but Lizzie M. Mr. Grimes died in 1881.

W. C. Grimes was born February 22, 1844, on his father's farm in Ohio. He attended the com- mon schools, and when fourteen years of age re- turned to Pennsylvania with his father. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Sarah E., daughter of James Allison, of Irish descent. They have had the following children: Andrew J., Lizzie M., Nannie B., William C., Lena B., Sadie L., Ollie L., Alice H., an infant, and Birdella (the latter two of whom, with Nannie, are deceased). Mr. Grimes farms extensively, and is also engaged in stock raising. His farm consists of 165 acres of good land, lying on Buffalo creek, in the northern part of Buffalo township, this county. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, but not a politician. His wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Taylorstown, Washington county.

L EMAN CARSON, a prominent stock raiser and agriculturist of Buffalo township, of which he is a native, was born March 26, 1849, on the farm where he now resides, which is one of the most productive in the town- ship. Isaac Carson, his grandfather, was born and married in eastern Pennsylvania, whence he came to this county. He was one of the earliest settlers of Buffalo township, and a prosperous

farmer. His children were as follows: James, born April 17, 1798; Thomas, born September 30, 1800; Adam, born June 20, 1803; Mary (Mrs. William Bell), born February 14, 1806; Rebecca (Mrs. William Ely), born May 18, 1808; Ann (Mrs. William Wright), born April 15, 1810; Margaret (Mrs. Albough), born May 27, 1812; Isaac, born July 22, 1815; Samuel, born January 25, 1819, and Jane, born May 2, 1821. The parents of this family lie buried side by side in North Buffalo cemetery; they were members of the Seceder Church, and in politics he was a Democrat.

Thomas Carson, father of subject, was married in 1829 to Mary Wright, daughter of Samuel Wright. The children by this union are Rachel (Mrs. H. C. Noble), Isaac, Samuel W. and Leman. After his marriage Mr. Carson continued to reside on the home place, where he carried on farming and stock raising, and where he and his wife passed the remainder of their busy lives, the father dying January 15, 1865, and the mother January 5, 1886; they were consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Carson was an ardent Democrat.

Leman Carson received his education at the schools of his native township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits under the preceptorship of his father. On August 3, 1887, he was married to Maggie Gillespie, of Buffalo township, and one child, Willie, has blessed their union. Mr. Car- son is successfully engaged in general farming, in- cluding stock raising, and is well and favorably known in the community in which he lives. His political preferences are Democratic, and he is an active party man.

R OBERT E. WEIR was born May 10, 1850, in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., a grandson of James Weir, who located in Somerset township, this county, at an early day, and engaged in agricult- ure. He had the following family of children: Samuel, Joseph, Thomas (who died in 1863), Re- becca (Mrs. Robinson), Mary (Mrs. Roberts) and Lavina (Mrs. Marshall). In politics he was a Re- publican, and in religious belief he was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Col. Samuel Weir, son of James, was born April 3, 1800, in West Bethlehem township, Washington county, and made his home there many years, re- ceiving a common-school education. In 1825 he was united in marriage with Ellen Weir, of Som- erset township, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Weir, and the children born to this union were James, Thomas, Samuel, Joseph, Robert E., Nancy (deceased), Mary, Sarah Ellen, Martha and Susan. Mr. Weir carried on farming several years, and also operated the gristmill known as "Weir's

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Mills." He was a colonel in the milita for several years. Mr. Weir was a Republican since the for- mation of the party, and with his family was for many years a faithful and earnest member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Weir died in 1885, and on June 5, 1892, he too passed away, aged ninety-two years. He was buried in the cemetery of the Bap- tist Church at Pigeon Creek.

Robert E. Weir has passed his whole life on the old farm in West Bethlehem township, and in his boyhood received a limited education in the com- mon schools. On July 3, 1879, he was married to Elnora Kahl, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Kahl, of Amwell township, Washington county, whose children were George, Eliza (Mrs. Arnold), Catherine (Mrs. Simpson), Clara (Mrs. Bedillion), Flora (Mrs. Post), Sadie (Mrs. Horn), Ida (Mrs. Snee) and Elnora (Mrs. Weir). Immediately after his marriage Mr. Weir began business for himself, and first located on the Hazlett farm near "Pan- cake" or "Laboratory," in Amwell township, Washington county, where he remained three years, afterward residing on the National pike thirteen years. Since that time he has resided at his present home, which is brightened by a son and daughter-Ellsworth, born October 13, 1881, and Pearl, born November 23, 1883. Mr. Weir is one of the thrifty farmers and good business men of Amwell township, his well-cultivated farm com- prising 103 acres of excellent land. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican. Mrs. Weir is a member of the Christian Church at Lone Pine.

E B. BOYLE. Prominently identified with the enterprising and successful citizens of North Strabane township is the gentleman above named. He is a son of William Boyle, who was born in 1794, in Allegheny county, Penn,, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1823 he came to Washington county, and pur- chased the farm in North Strabane township now occupied by his son. When a young man William Boyle was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wel- ler, a native of Washington county, Penn., born in 1800, and eight sons were born to their union, namely: Daniel (deceased), Hugh (residing in Washington, Penn.), J. W. (living in Oklahoma), William (a citizen of Iowa), E. B. (whose name introduces this biography), Andrew Jackson (res- idence unknown), Benjamin Franklin (of Lawrence county, Penn.), and James G. (living in Pitts- burgh). The mother of this family died in 1861, followed by the father in 1865, and they were buried in the private cemetery on the old Weller homestead. Both were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church.

E. B. Boyle was born October 22, 1826, on the old farm in North Strabane township, Washington

Co., Penn., and received all the literary training which could be imparted by the pedagogue of the country school. On October 28, 1852, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Moses and Nancy Linn. To the union of E. B. and Elizabeth Boyle the following children have been born: Agnes J., Lizzie W., Clara B. (Mrs. R. J. Wallace, has one son, E. B. F.), Nettie G. (wife of Charles Wilkinson, Lawrence county, Penn., has two sons, Lawrence B. and Earnest), Anna (Mrs. E. G. Walker, has one son, Fred), William F., Blanche L., John Grant, H. A. and Mamie. Of this family the three eldest daughters have taught school, and all are regular attendants and ardent supporters of the Presbyterian Church. In political opinion Mr. Boyle votes according to the ability of the candidate, regardless of party preferences. During his father's lifetime, our sub- ject purchased one-half of the home farm, which contains 175 acres, and after the death of his father he purchased the remainder from his brothers, B. F. and A. J. Boyle. His principal attention is devoted to the general care of his farm and the breeding of Jersey cattle. The home place, on which he resides, is improved to the highest point of cultivation.

W ORK, MAJ. GEORGE T. and SAMUEL C. History may be properly regarded as the biography of a few earnest, toiling, self-reliant men, who were courageous enough to stand by their convictions, possessing the requisite patience and energy to reach the goal for which they were striving. The lives of such men are worthy of record, and the name of. Work is justly numbered among the progressive citizens of Washington county, who, overcoming all obstacles, have achieved a deserved success.

George Work was born and reared in County Londonderry, Ireland. He followed the occupa- tion of a weaver. On March 3, 1780, he was united in wedlock with Martha Dunlap, also a native of "Old Erin," and two children came to their union: Alexander, born February 11, 1781; and Jane, born May 9, 1783. A few years after their birth the father decided to seek a home in the New World, and on July 24, 1789, he and his family boarded the brig "Keziah," at London- derry, Ireland. After a stormy voyage of eight weeks, they landed at Wilmington, Del. (one child, a son, was born and died at sea). In 1795 they pushed farther westward in search of a cheap home, the long, tedious journey being made by wagon, the family finally arriving in Hopewell township, Washington Co., Penn. They located first on the Sam Davis farm, but soon afterward moved to the log cabin near Buffalo, and on May 24, 1802, they purchased the farm now known as

S. L. Work

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the Work farm. He became a successful farmer. Three children were born after they arrived in America: Mary, November 8, 1790; James, Sep- tember 12, 1792, and John D., November 14, 1794. The parents both died in this county, and their remains are lying in the Buffalo cemetery.

James Work was born in Wilmington, Del., and when three years old was brought by his parents to the farm in Hopewell township, this county, it being then a dense forest. He received a meager education in the subscription schools, and followed agricultural pursuits during his early youth. On February 7, 1822, he married Grizzilla, daughter of Robert Tweed, by his first wife, Elizabeth Wylie, daughter of Adam Wylie, and sister of Adam Wylie, M. D., and Andrew Wylie, D. D. By this union were born two children: Elizabeth Grizzilla, December 20, 1823 (who became the wife of Robert Denny, and died in Morrow county, Ohio), and George Tweed, born April 7, 1825. The mother of these children was called to her rest January 27, 1827, and July 3, 1828, James Work was married to Margaret Caldwell, a lady of Scotch descent, and the following children were the result of their union: Martha L., born June 1, 1829, died August 19, 1832; Agnes A., born November 17, 1831, wife of Robert S. Caldwell; Sarah J., born October 14, 1832, wife of William Denny, of Hervey county, Kans .; Mary B., born May 8, 1834, died August 14, 1834; Clarissa E., born November 8, 1835, died August 29, 1840; Samuel C., born July 16, 1838, married to Anna Donahey; Maria I., born August 11, 1840, married to William Morrow, October 1, 1889, and died January 8, 1892; Margaret Emma, born October 26, 1842, wife of Joseph Rankin; Sophia M. A., born March 6, 1846, wife of William Smiley. James Work, the father, died September 26, 1868; his second wife, Margaret (Caldwell), died in De- cember, 1885.

GEORGE TWEED WORK received a common-school education, and assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-six years of age, excepting two winters in which he taught school in Harrison county, Ohio, and also occasionally working at the carpenter's trade. He then engaged in the lumber business, putting up the first steam sawmill in the vicinity. Excepting during the war he followed that business until 1889, since when he has given his time to farming. On September 19, 1850, he married Catharine Denny, daughter of Robert Denny, of Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., and their children were James Alexander, born August 1, 1851; Lydia Jane, born January 13, 1854, died by drowning June 29, 1854; Mar- garet Eliza, born February 15, 1856; John Dun- lap, born August 17, 1858, died January 30, 1878; Grizzilla Mary, born February 13, 1861, became the wife of William Patterson May 11, 1882, and

died December 28, 1886, leaving two sons, George W. and John Vance Patterson; Emma K., born October 8, 1867; George Rankin, born October 7, 1870. Of these, James A, married Laura B. Logan January 28, 1880, and is now (1893) engaged in a lumber business in Sussex county, Virginia,

When the Civil war began, and soon after the firing of Fort Sumter, George T. Work, acting for a number of volunteers, offered a company of cavalry to Gov. Curtin, but was refused for reason that no cavalry were needed at that time. Soon after the first battle of Bull Run the same company elected W. W. McNulty captain, and again offer- ing their service were accepted and ordered into camp. On the way there Mr. Work was appointed orderly sergeant, and on the final organization of the company became second lieutenant; soon after, the captain having resigned to accept pro- motion, he became first lieutenant, and in Novem- ber following became captain. The company meanwhile being attached to the First P. V. C., by order of Maj. - Gen. Stoneman, chief of cavalry, army of the Potomac, as captain of Company I, First P. V. C., he commanded a squadron at the battle of Drainesville, and participated in other minor engagements; was under Gen. McDowell in his movement to the Rappahannock, until his regiment was ordered to join Gen. Fremont in the Shenandoah Valley, and was with his column in advance at Mt. Jackson, having participated in all the marches and skirmishes of his regiment up to that time. Here he was prostrated by malarial fever, and sent by Surgeon D. Stanton to Douglass Hospital, Washington City, June 5, 1862. Having, by advice of the hospital surgeon, tendered his resignation, he was discharged for disability July 25, 1862. On his way home he called on Gov. Curtin, and received authority to recruit two com- panies of cavalry, or more if he could get the men. As soon as able to ride, he began recruiting, and uniting his efforts with Capt. John Keys succeeded in enlisting two cavalry companies, besides send- ing many men to infantry and artillery regiments, and was again mustered into the U. S. cavalry service as captain of Company C, Ringgold Battal- ion, September 6, 1862. By the addition of other companies this battlion was raised to a full regi- ment in February, 1863, and Capt. Work was commissioned first major Twenty-second P. V. C., in which rank he served till the close of the war, participating in all the marches, scouts, and battles of the Shenandoah Valley campaign, until he was wounded near Harrisonburg, September 27, 1863. His immediate command was the extreme right of the line in each of the general movements of the Union forces in 1864, in the Valley. At his own request he was mustered out in July, 1865, by reason of close of the war, and

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in August following took an agency as superintend- ent of an oil company operating in West Virginia. This enterprise proved disastrous to the company, and especially to their agent, whose sanguine temperament led him to rashly put all he was worth, and more, into it. Much broken in health, he returned home, and again took up the business of lumbering and milling, which he diligently fol- lowed when able until 1876, when he received the Republican nomination for sheriff, and was elected, his term commencing January 1, 1877, and ending January 1, 1880. This term was noted for the serious disturbances among the mines of the Monongahela river, and on the Panhandle Rail- road. The sheriff's prompt action in arresting those charged with riot, and at the same time organizing such a posse comitatus as he thought necessary to preserve the peace and enforce his authority, had the desired affect; and what at times assumed most threatening proportions passed off without serious conflict, and the prompt (though mild) sentences imposed by the courts preserved Washington county from any serious trouble from that source since. For his conduct of this affair, the sheriff received the thanks of the best citizens regardless of party, also the compliments of Gov. Hoyt. But what gave him even more pleasure than this was the presentation to him by the miners and their friends of a very handsome cane, suitably in- scribed, and presented at a public meeting of the citizens of California and vicinity. This cane is still one of his most cherished possessions. The history of this affair demonstrates the possibility of a sheriff effectually quelling riot and preserving the peace, by the prompt use of the power given him by the laws, without using any military force other than the " power of the county," at all times subject to his control for that purpose. Although retired from the more arduous duties of agricult- ural life, Maj. Work yet supervises the cultivation of his large farm. He possesses some literary gifts, which he sometimes exercises in correspond- ence for various papers.

Maj. Work, now nearing the close of life, desires us to conclude this sketch by tendering to his many comrades of the G. A. R. and all others, his most sincere thanks for the many words and acts of kindness received at their hands, and asks their kind remembrance in the future.

SAMUEL C. WORK was born in Hopewell town- ship, on the same farm where he is now living, and received a common-school education. On August 13, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, First Penn- sylvania Cavalry, and being assigned to the army of the Potomac took part in most of the engage- ments participated in by that division of the army; was wounded August 14, 1864, six days after the expiration of his term of service, while in command of a squadron, and he received an honorable dis-

charge September 9, 1864. He then returned to Washington county, and on February 8, 1865, was united in marriage with Sarah A., daughter of W. R. Donahey, of Buffalo township, of whose family a sketch follows. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Work were as follows: James E., born June 16, 1866; William D., January 15, 1868; Luretta M., May 27, 1869; Harry A., March 16, 1871; Ora P., October 12, 18.72; Nellie A., March 2, 1875; Harvey B. S. R., April 25, 1879; Samuel C., May 10, 1881; George R., November 11, 1884; and John Calvin, November 24, 1886. Of these children, Harry A. died May 16, 1872, and James E., June 19, 1892, leaving a daughter, Mary Elvalena (he was married November 20, 1890, to Miss Mattie Stewart, of Canton township, daughter of William Stewart).

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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 135

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