Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 138

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 138

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The ladies of the Greer family have all been noted for their piety, and Miss Jane Greer (an aunt of our subject) was no exception to the rule. Having no family depending upon her she adopted the sick, suffering and distressed; wherever such were to be found, Miss Jane Greer appeared, nurs- ing the sick, comforting the distressed and serving her Master as best she could. Her labors were not for glory or gain, but "she saw her duty and performed it and counted it naught." Miss Jennie A. Morgan, like the other members of her family, is a devoted member of the Church, and none of the precepts and examples of the others have been lost on her. Though frail in form and an invalid during much of the time, her influence is felt in the community, and while prevented by her infirmity from following the philanthropic example of other members of her family to the same extent, she "hath done what she could," and none could do more. She is a member of the Grove United Presbyterian Church, and, following the rule long established in her family, contributes the tenth part of her income to the support of church work, in addition thereto responding liber- ally to appeals for other worthy projects. Miss Morgan resides in West Middletown, Penn., where she has a pleasant home, and is much esteemed.

OHN SPHAR. The Sphar family have been identified with the history of Washington county for many years. Mattern Sphar was born in Switzerland, and, in company with two brothers and one sister, emigrated to America at the age of seventeen years, about the year 1760. He first settled in Williamsburgh, Va., and on April 21, 1767, took the oath of allegiance under Queen Anne. He was there married to Margaret Shively, and in 1780 came to Washing- ton county, Penn., and purchased of one Colonel Cooke 200 acres, on the Monongahela river, in what is now Washington county. He took an active part in the Whiskey Insurrection, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died about the year 1822, leaving three children: John, Mattern (who moved to Adams county, Ohio, thence to Indiana), and Henry (lived in this county).

John Sphar was born in 1777, in Loudoun county, Va., and when but three years of age came

with his parents to Washington county, Penn. He received a subscription-school education in Allen township, and when a young man was married to Susanna Redd, a native of Washington county, and reared the following children: Mary, wife of John Shively, in Guernsey county, Ohio; Jacob, was first married to Susan Wood, who died, and he was then married to Charlotte Wilson; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Dunlevy; Daniel, married to Mary Speer, and lived in Kentucky; Ann, wife of Will- iam Spah, of Indiana; Barbara, wife of William Hollingshead; Mattern, married to Margaret Coyle, of Ohio; Sarah, widow of Joseph Beazell, in Allen township; Rachel, married to Robert Gailey, of Clarion county, Penn. ; John, married to Lucy Ann Scott, and Henry. Of this family three are living, Sarah, John and Henry. The father voted with the Whig and Republican parties, and served as supervisor of the township. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. He died in 1856, having been preceded by his wife in 1852.

John Sphar was born February 26, 1817, on the old place in Allen township, Washington county, Penn. In 1839 he was united in marriage with Lucy Ann Scott, a daughter of Parker and Sarah (Carson) Scott, all of whom were natives of Fal- lowfield township. Her parents had twelve daugh- ters, of whom Mrs. Sphar is the only one yet living. Mr. Sphar owns seventy-five acres of the old home- stead, where he has followed general farming. He cast a vote for William Henry Harrison, and since the organization of the Republican party has been an earnest supporter of that faction; he has served as a member of the school board and also as super -. visor. He is no less interested in religious than in political movements, having been licensed as an exhorter and class leader in the Ebenezer M. E. Church, with which his wife is also identified. The children of this influential family are as follows: Sarah, wife of William Rogers, of Fallowfield township; Parker S .; Henry, married to a Miss McElhaney, of Armstrong county, Penn. ; James, deceased in his twenty-sixth year; John E .; Ann, widow of Ephraim McKee; Gertrude, married to J. H. Redd, and Wesley, deceased at the age of nine- teen years.

J OHN M. BERRY, a leading and influential farmer and stock dealer of North Strabane township, is a native of Washington county, Penn., born January 14, 1839. He is a de- scendant of John Berry, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to America, settling in pioneer days in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, where in about the year 1796 he purchased 251 acres of land. Here he passed the remainder of his days. He left two sons-John and William Gilmore-of whom John remained on the original tract, and

yours truly John In Berry

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followed agricultural pursuits, in which he was re- markably successful.

William Gilmore Berry was born in Colerain town- ship, Lancaster Co., Penn., December 2, 1781. In the spring of 1795 or 1796 he came with his father, John Berry, to Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., and when able to do for himself he moved to Venice, Cecil township, where he purchased a farm and mill property, afterward buying and set- tling on a farm in North Strabane township. In 1804 he married Jane, daughter of Matthew Mc- Connell, and they had born to them eight children: John, Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, William, Prudence, Matthew and James. About 1850 Mr. Berry re- tired from active work and took up his residence in Canonsburg, where he died October 26, 1866; his wife died February 25, 1848, and they are both buried in the Canonsburg U. P. Church cemetery, they having been members of that church.

John Berry, son of William G. and Jane (Mc- Connell) Berry, was born August 1, 1805, near Venice, Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn. On December 1, 1829, he married Jane, daughter of John Eagleton, a native of Ireland, and to them were born six children: Jane (married to Ebenezer Carson), Rachel (married to Robert Herron), Will- iam, John M., David W. and Carson M. After marriage Mr. Berry resided for seventeen years on the Watson farm in Cecil township; then moved to and lived in Canonsburg for three years, after which he returned to Cecil township, remaining three years. He then, in 1853, came to North Strabane township, having purchased the "Am- sterdam " farm from the Pees brothers, where he passed the remainder of his life, with the excep- tion of five years he lived in the borough of Wash- ington. During the earlier period of his life he was a member of the Associate Reformed Church of Robinson's Run, then of Canonsburg, afterward joining the United Presbyterian Church, in which he was a member of the Session fifteen years, and after coming to North Strabane township he con- nected himself with the U. P. Church at Pigeon Creek. In his political preferences he was first a Whig, then a Republican with strong Abolition sentiments, and he held various offices of trust in his township. He died in June, 1881, and is interred in the U. P. cemetery of Pigeon Creek; his wife departed this life in January, 1844, and she is interred at Miller's Run.

John M. Berry, the subject proper of these lines, passed his youth in the township of his birth, at- tending the common schools of the district, and learning practical lessons in agriculture on the home farm. In 1853 he came to Northi Strabane township with his father where he has since resided, with the exception of the time he was serving his country in the Civil war. In August,

1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., and followed the fortunes of his regiment until the battle of Spottsylvania, where he was wounded in the left shoulder. They were fighting in what was called the "Bloody Angle," and our subject was one of the first, if not the first, to get inside the rebel redoubt; he was on the right of the foremost company which led that famous charge. The company numbered twenty- one men, and nearly half of them were killed or wounded. Mr. Berry, after spending, in all, six months in hospital, recovered from his wound and proceeded to Washington, D. C., where he re- mained on duty till the close of the war, being mustered out June 28, 1865. He then returned home and settled down to the vocation of peace on his farm in North Strabane township, where he carries on general agriculture and is extensively engaged in stock raising, but he is best known to the public as a successful breeder and exhibitor of "Black-Top Merino Sheep," for which he has a large sale all over the United States.

On December 22, 1870, Mr. Berry married Mary J., daughter of Samuel L. Weir, of Somerset town- ship, this county, and the children born to this union were Samuel C. (deceased), Minnie J., John L. W. and William E. Mr. and Mrs. Berry are prominent members of the U. P. Church at Pigeon Creek, in which he is an elder. In politics he is a Republican, and has faithfully served his township in various official capacities. In 1885 he was elected justice of the peace, and again elected in 1890, which office he fills with eminent ability. Mr. Berry has been successful and prosperous in his many business interests, and is the owner of a highly improved farm of 178 acres, well adapted to stock raising. In 1890 he erected one of the hand- somest and most commodious residences to be found in Washington county, finished throughout with natural woods, and equipped with all the latest improvements in plumbing, having hard and soft, hot and cold water in both first and second stories.

DAVID W. BERRY, son of John and Jane (Eagle- ton) Berry, and brother of John M., was born in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., in April 1841. He passed his youth in the township of his birth, and in 1853 moved with his father to North Strabane township. He attended the com- mon schools of the district, and afterward entered Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, where he pros- ecuted his studies with success until the close of the sophomore year, when, along with his brother, John M., he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I. He followed the fortunes of his regiment, participating in all of its battles up to that of Cold Harbor, where, on June 2, 1864, he was mortally wounded, dying in the hospital at

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Alexandria, Va., on July 4, 1864; his remains are interred in the cemetery of the U. P. Church at Pigeon Creek, Washington county, he having been a member of that Church.

· J OHN P. WOOD, in his lifetime one of the leading citizens of Burgettstown, came of English ancestry. His grandfather, Peter Wood, was born and reared in the mother country, where he married, and reared a large family. They crossed the ocean and settled in Philadelphia, Penn., where the grandfather en- gaged in the wholesale dry-goods business. Some time later the family moved to Bucks county, same State, where they resided several years. He was a Quaker prior to his marriage, but, having made choice of a Baptist wife, was on that account dismissed from the Society. He died in Philadel- phia.

Ingham Wood was born on the home farm in Bucks county, Penn., where his boyhood was passed. In early life he spent three years as an apprentice in the pottery business, continuing in that vocation the rest of his life. He was married in Lancaster county, Penn., to Catherine Hoffman, who bore him the following children: Ingham R. (who was a graduate at West Point, and a lieuten- ant at Fort Snelling, dying at Baton Rouge), Ann E. (Mrs. William B. Whitehill, of Salt Lake City, Utah), Margaret (wife of James Phillips, of St. Louis, Mo.), John P. (of whom special mention is made further on), William, Benjamin F., Har- riet (married to Dr. Donnan), and Jackson. In 1834 the father moved from Lancaster county, to Peoria, Ill., and thence proceeded to St. Louis, Mo. ; but his wife dying, he afterward returned to Lancaster county. He died at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

John P. Wood was born November 27, 1815, in Lancaster county, and passed his boyhood in the town of Lancaster. At the age of seventeen years he began to learn the pottery trade, serving a full apprenticeship with his father. When twenty-one years of age he came to Burgettstown, purchased a pottery establishment of Robert Brown, con- ducted that business for sixteen years, then sold out and bought the farm upon which he resided until March, 1877. On January 2, 1839, he was united in marriage with Esther M., daughter of Thomas Miller, and grandchild of Samuel Miller, the latter of whom was a native of Ireland, and was married in that country to Miss McNinch. They came to America, and resided in Cecil county, Md., until 1795, thence moving to Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., where he purchased a large tract of land. Both were members of the Seceder Church, and their chil- dren were Thomas, John, Samuel, Jane, Margaret, Mary and Sarah.

Thomas Miller was born July 15, 1788, in Cecil county, Md., where he grew to manhood, and on July 10, 1809, was united in marriage with Eliz- abeth, daughter of Richard Simpson. The young couple immediately moved to Washington county, making their unique bridal trip on horseback, and resided in Mt. Pleasant township until 1810, when they purchased a hotel in Burgettstown, Penn. Five children were born to their marriage, viz. : Anna M., Elizabeth, Samuel, John and Esther M. Mr. Miller was a drover in early life, buying and selling cattle, and driving them over the mountains to the eastern markets. He was captain in the militia during the war of 1812, and assisted in the defense at Lake Erie. He kept the first postoffice in Burgettstown, Penn. He was a member of the Seceder Church, and in politics voted the Demo- cratic ticket. He died September 3, 1819, his widow in 1871.

John P. Wood passed suddenly away, June 27, 1892, his death being unexpected to all. He was the architect of his own fortune, and was his own success. He took an active part in politics, voting the Democratic ticket, and at the time of his de- mise was serving his third term as justice of the peace. He was a member of the U. P. Church, and one of the building committee who superin- tended the erection of the present house of wor- ship in Burgettstown.

R OBERT MEHAFFEY (deceased) was an example of the success which may be won by frugality and industry, coupled with business sagacity. His father, Robert Me- haffey, was a native of Ireland, who emi- . grated, in early life, to America, where he was married to Eleanor Mitchell, of Scotch-Irish par- entage. Their children were: James, Joseph, Robert (the subject of this sketch), Mitchell, Jane, John and Eleanor.

Robert Mehaffey was born December 4, 1810, in Donegal township. His boyhood was passed near his birthplace. His education was limited to two or three months' attendance each year at a log schoolhouse provided with rude wooden benches, a puncheon floor, and in the absence of a door a sheet covered the vacancy. When Robert was thirteen years of age, their home was darkened by a sudden calamity. It was in the harvest-field, and the father had just completed a stack of hay, and was sliding to the ground, when a wooden fork which had been placed, prongs upward, against its side, penetrated his bowels. He was carried to the shade of a tree, and in a few hours the strong man, in the prime of life, was dead. The mother, left with seven children, the youngest but a little over one year old, on a small farm, man-

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aged not only to exist, but to live well, and there her children acquired those sterling principles and practical knowledge which formed the basis of most successful business lives.

As the years rolled on the family dispersed. James purchased and removed to a farm a few miles distant, where he resided until his death, March 16, 1858. Joseph, being of a more roving disposition than his brothers, " pitched his tent" southward, making his home near Vicksburg, Miss. After an absence of twenty-one years he returned, purchased land near the old homestead, and continued to reside there until his death, May 22, 1891. Mitchell and Jane married. The mother died in 1846; the sister, Eleanor, a few years later; and Robert and John were left alone on the home farm. They needed not the admonition which Joseph gave his brethren, "See that ye fall not out by the way," for in all their daily intercourse and business transactions they never had a dispute as to "which should be the greater." On June 22, 1858, Robert married Mary McCoy, daughter of Kenneth and Jane (Brownlee) McCoy. To them three children were born: Jennie E. (wife of Rev. W. R. Jamison, a U. P. minister of Frankfort, Beaver county), Jo- seph B. (one of the leading and progressive farmers of Independence township, living on the home farm of which he has charge) and Lizzie M. (residing with her mother and brother). In 1864, Mr. Mehaffey removed to Independence township, having purchased the "Jackson Spriggs" farm, situated two miles northeast of Dunsfort, where he resided the remainder of his life. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and in religion a valued member of the U. P. Church of Mt. Hope. At the time of his death, August 17, 1890, Mr. Mehaffey owned 864 acres of unusually good farm land, besides a comfortable income. Though he almost reached four-score years, yet the infirmities of age sat lightly upon him. His cheerful dispo- sition and equable temper made him seem younger than he was. Diffident and retiring in disposition, his many excellencies were more appreciated in the home circle, and by those who were his neighbors, than by the noisy world around.

OHN McCABE, who ranks among the oldest and most prosperous citizens of Peters town- ship, is a son of Joseph E. McCabe, whose father, William McCabe, born and reared in Ireland, came to the United States about 1783 and settled in North Strabane township, Washington Co. He followed carpentry, and erected many of the buildings in that locality. His eight children were James, William, Samuel, John, Robert, Joseph E., a daughter (name unknown), and Martha, all of whom have passed away, leaving

many descendants. He was an elder in the Hill Presbyterian Church.

Joseph E. McCabe, son of William, was born in February, 1790, in North Strabane township. His youth was passed in rural pursuits, and he then carried on a distillery for several years. When a young man, he married Margaret Fife, born in 1790, a daughter of Jolin Fife, a resident of Allegheny county, Penn., and to them the follow- ing children were born: Eliza, John, Willian, Isa- belle, Mary, Thompson and Lavinia. Of these Eliza and William are deceased, while the others are living in different parts of the United States. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Alle- gheny county, and carried on a distillery. After his children were born, the father abandoned the distillery business, and followed carpentry for some time. He finally settled on a farm, and in 1818 had one of the finest places in Allegheny county; but owing to a sudden financial depres- sion, he was eventually compelled to give up his home. He was a colonel in the State militia, and for almost half a century commanded a battalion in the county as well as in Pittsburgh. He was possessed of excellent business qualifications, was one of the best educated agriculturists then living in that locality, an excellent justice of the peace and one of the most capable militia officers of the State. He died February 5, 1870, his wife having preceded him to the grave, July 29, 1831. In church connection they were members of the Pres- byterian Church; in politics he was a Democrat.

John McCabe, the subject proper of this sketch, was born August 16, 1814, in Allegheny county, Penn., and at the age of seventeen years, began work by the month for neighboring farmers. On February 9, 1837, he married Sarah, daughter of Robert Thompson, of Peters township, and after their marriage the young couple remained in Alle- gheny county for two years, then removed to their present farm in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn., containing 225 acres of good land. Their children are Robert (a farmer, now living in Canonsburg), Joseph (an agriculturist, of Peters township), and Catharine and John (both deceased). Mrs. McCabe was laid to rest September 14, 1879, and since then her husband has continued to reside on the old place, keeping a family in the house to care for the property. He has made a specialty of sheep raising, and given much attention to general farming. Politically, Mr. McCabe is an enthusi- astic Democrat, and he served as supervisor of his township. In matters of religion he is a member of the Centre Presbyterian Church, which he has served as trustee. Though almost eighty years old, he retains much of the strength which marked his younger days, and can hitch up his horse and ride where he pleases, without the aid of hostler or driver.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

HE HESLEP FAMILY. Robert B. Hes- lep (deceased) was a grandson of Thomas Heslep, who was a prominent farmer of Coatsville, Chester Co., Penn. Desiring to own more land, and knowing of the grand resources which the Monongahela Valley afforded, he concluded to locate there. He brought with him his two sons, and purchased a tract of land on the Monongahela river in 1792. Remaining with his two sons a short time, he returned to his home in Chester county, and there died at a ripe old age. He served through the Revolution, and had acquired a good estate.

John Heslep, a son of Thomas, was born at Coatsville, in Chester county, and was among the early settlers of Washington county. Arriving at manhood he married Miss Polly Grant, an accom- plished and well-to-do farmer's daughter of New Jersey. The following children were born to this marriage: John D. Heslep, at one time a student of the Western University of Pittsburgh, afterward read law with Judge Hampden, of Pittsburgh, was admitted to the bar; he formed a law partnership with a Mr. Sliker, and the firm was known as "Sliker & Heslep," of Pittsburgh. He died, a bachelor, in 1878.

Thomas Heslep is a well-known school teacher of Washington county, and a member of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church.

George T. Heslep is a popular major in the State militia. He raised two sons who served through the Civil war, fighting for the grand old flag of the Union.

Robert B. Heslep, the youngest son, was born April 19, 1819, in Carroll township, and there passed the days of his boyhood. At eighteen years of age he was commissioned captain of a company in the State militia, and held that posi- tion up to 1849. On November 29, 1849, he mar- ried Miss Margaret, a daughter of Ezekial Job, an early Jersey settler and well-to-do farmer of Eliza- beth township, Allegheny Co., Penn., whose peo- ple were among the early explorers and active Revolutionary soldiers of this country. The chil- dren born to them are as follows: Thomas McK., a prominent member of the Good Templars, and among the leading workers for local option in Car- roll township in 1872; James Heslep, a farmer; U. Grant Heslep (deceased); W. R. Heslep, who entered the Sr. Prep. class of Washington and Jefferson College in September, 1887, and remained in that college for four terms. Not satisfied with the system of teaching, he removed to Waynesburg College in January, 1889, and graduated in the classical course with the class of 1891. He was a member of the Philomathean Literary Society of the college, and is now an honorary member. He was twice chosen a candi- date to represent the society as orator for the

Inter-State Oratorical Contest, but never served. He decided upon the law for a profession, and regis- tered with the well-known lawyer, John H. Mur- doch, of Washington, Penn., and is there pursuing his studies. Noah John Heslep was the youngest son of Robert B. Heslep. He died in January, 1892. He was a fair scholar, a natural genius in the mechanical line, and was highly respected and loved by the people and family. He was noted for his veracity and business integrity, as well as for his high moral character, but a kinder Father took him to His everlasting home at the age of twenty- one years; Harriet P. Heslep, the only daughter, is a member of the Webster M. E. Church, and remains with her aged mother, leading a useful and happy life. The one-hundredth anniversary of their location in Carroll township was cele- brated by the Heslep family in June, 1892. Mr. Heslep was an industrious, economical man, and accumulated a good property. Politically he voted with the Republican party, also taking an active interest in all religious work. He died October 2, 1872, and his widow is now residing on the home place, in the old house which was erected in 1801. The farm, which is now carried on by the sons, consists of 130 acres, and includes a lovely grove often used for picnic purposes, and is known as Heslep's Grove.

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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 138

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