Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 14

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 14

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J. R. McNary worked upon the farm in his boy- hood, attending the district schools, and later, the grammar school of Prof. S. F. Patterson (after- ward speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Repre- sentatives). In early life he began reporting for the county papers, and is now a well-known writer for the agricultural publications of the country. At his father's death he took charge of the home place, where he now resides, and is engaged in farming and stock raising. In November, 1875, J. R. McNary was married to Catharine W., daughter of Samuel J. Ghrist, of Burgettstown, and their union has been blessed with the follow- ing named children: Bessie J., Ethel R., Joseph V., S. Georgiana, Kate G. and Samuel James. Mr. McNary has always taken a leading part in public affairs, and early became interested in mat- ters political, having represented his district in county convention before being of age. He has filled the positions of auditor, school director, and member of the Union Agricultural Association; and at the age of twenty-five years was the Demo- cratic nominee for county auditor, securing a handsome endorsement, outside of his party, in his own district.

Owing to the misfortune of a loss of hearing, from an accidental cause, in November, 1886, Mr. McNary has retired from active public life, giving

his attention to stock raising, and to agricultural affairs. He enjoys the reputation of being an ex- tensive reader, a progressive farmer, the possessor of a retentive memory, and of being well informed upon the current issues of the day.

HE McNARY FAMILY. One of the early pioneer families of the county, and among the most numerous and influential, is the "McNary" family. Members of this ancient family are now found in many parts of the eastern, central, and northern townships of Wash- ington county; and descendants of which are lo- cated in all parts of the Union.

JAMES McNARY, the founder of the family, was born in Scotland about the year 1711. The tra- ditions of his family say he resided for some time in Ireland. It is not definitely known at what date he and his family emigrated to America, but his first known residence was in Lancaster county, Penn. In the year 1760 he removed to York county, Penn., where he purchased a tract of land in Chanceford township, and resided there for twenty-three years. In 1769 he was chosen elder in the Seceder Congregation of Guinston; and it is worthy of remark that all of his sons were elders in various congregations, and nearly all his de- scendants have been members of the same church, and of the U. P. Church, which has succeeded it. About the year 1783 he removed, with his young- est son, David, to Hanover township, Washington county, where he died in 1796, at the age of eighty- five years, and was buried in the Harmon's Creek (Seceder) graveyard near Paris (Washington coun- ty). His wife's name is not known, she having died prior to the war of the Revolution. He had four sons-John, James, Thomas and David-and a daughter-Jane (who married a Mr. Robinson, of York county). These four sons all came to Washington county, Penn., and founded families; and from these four branches of the family tree are descended all the numerous families who now bear the name, in Washington county, and descend- ants of whom are located in nearly every State.

JOHN McNARY, son of James, the founder of the family, resided upon part of the homestead in Chanceford township, York Co., Penn. In 1801 he bought a farm in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn .; and upon going back for his family was taken sick and died there the sanie year, and was buried at Guinston, Penn. After his death the family removed to the new farm in 1802 (the eldest son, James, had preceded the family in 1798. He married Margaret Reed, daughter of Col. Joseph Reed, of the Colonial army, and located in Cross Creek township, Wash- ington Co., Penn). In 1769 he was elected an elder in the Seceder Congregation of Guinston. He married Esther Boyle, and had thirteen chil-

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

dren, viz. : Betsy, married to William Douglass, York county; Mary, married to James McCoy; James, married to Margaret Reed, and located in Cross Creek township, in 1798; Margaret, married to James Martin; Malcolm, married to Miss Beatty; Esther, married to Thomas Ewing; Agnes, mar- ried to William Pollock; John, married to Jane Hill, and lived upon the farm in Strabane town- ship; Thomas, who died in infancy; Alexander, married to Margaret Pollock, and removed to Ohio; Thomas, who died in early life; Jane, married to James Marshall; Jennet, married to James Mc- Kibben. Numerous descendants of this son reside in the vicinity of Burgettstown and Canonsburg at the present time.

JAMES McNARY, son of James, of York county, removed to Washington county about the year 1780, and located in Chartiers township, near the County Home. He was ordained an elder in Char- tiers Seceder Congregation in April, 1811. He married Margaret Paxton, and had eight children. He died in February, 1815. Some of his descend- ants reside at Hickory, Mt. Pleasant township, and vicinity.

THOMAS MONARY, the third son of James, of Chanceford, York county, emigrated to Washing- ton county in December, 1782, purchasing a tract of 250 acres (the Sheriff McClelland farm) in Stra- bane township, for "375 pounds speshe, lawful money of Pennsylvania," where he lived the re- mainder of his life. He was ordained an elder in Chartiers Congregation some time prior to 1799. He died in 1820. His will provides for the free- dom of a servant, Jean Parkison, after the death of his wife, " Jennet." Thomas had five sons, viz. : James, David, Mathew, Joseph and Samuel. Mathew had no family; Samuel removed to Jeffer- son county, Ohio, and served four terms in the Legislature; was also associate judge and justice of the peace for many years. Of the other three sons, James located at Munntown, and David and Joseph near Canonsburg, Penn., where many de- scendants still reside.

DAVID McNARY, the youngest son, and founder of the fourth branch of the family, bought a farm in Hanover township, Washington county, October 25, 1783, containing 300 acres, for "75 pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania." He was accompanied to this place by his father James, the original founder of the McNary family, who resided with him until his death, in 1796. David married Esther Cow- den, and had six daughters and one son, William; was an elder in old Dr. Anderson's Harmons Creek Congregation. He was born in 1757; died 1817. Some of his (David's) descendants reside at Bur- gettstown, Penn., but his descendants, of the "family " name, are not numerous.

This "family," founded by James McNary of York county, Penn., is the largest of the name in

the United States. It is also altogether probable that the "McNary" family of Kentucky and the " McNairy" family of Tennessee are of a common origin, and founded by brothers of the progenitor of the Pennsylvania stock; as the descendants of each claim to have sprung from ancestors who emigrated from Lancaster county, Penn., in the latter half of the eighteenth century. Thus from James McNary, of York county, Penn. (who ended his days near Paris, Hanover township, Washington county), throughout the four branches founded by his sons, "John," "James," "Thomas,"' and " David," are descended all the different families of "McNarys" now residing in Washington county; and all of this "family name," whose histories are commemorated in this volume, trace directly, through three or more generations, to some one of the "four " sons of James McNary, the founder of the " McNary Family."

E N. DUNLAP. This gentleman is by birth a Virginian, born October 14, 1844, in Ohio county (now in West Virginia). His grandfather, William Dunlap, in an early day came from Westmoreland county, Penn., to Virginia, and settled on an unimproved farm of 137 acres, where he ended his days. He here married Ruth Murray, and their children were Samuel, Mason, William, James, Temperance, Kate, Ma- tilda, and Ruth A. William Dunlap was a prom- inent Whig in his day, and a zealous member of the Disciple Church.

Samuel Dunlap, father of E. N., first saw the light in Ohio county (W. Va.), April 5, 1807, his education being secured at the schools of the neighborhood. He received a thorough practical training in agricultural pursuits on his father's farm; also learned the coopering trade and carried on an extensive shop, which well fitted him for his life vocation. In 1841 he married Ruth E., daughter of Salathiel and Mary (Forman) Curtis, and to this union the following named children were born: Virginia (deceased), E. N., William M., Olivia, Cordelia, Eudora, Matilda, Frank (de- ceased) and John. In 1785 Salathiel Curtis was born in Ohio county, Va., whither his father had come after marriage, from eastern Virginia, being among the early settlers of that county. At that time that section of the country was wild and un- improved, prowling Indians and fierce animals being yet troublesome, and many a time had the settlers to flee to the nearest blockhouse or fort to escape the attacks of the " Redskins." Salathiel Curtis was one of a large family born to this old pioneer. He received as good an education as could be given at the subscription schools of the neighborhood, and when he was about nineteen years of age he entered Jefferson College, in this

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

county, where he was graduated. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar of what is now West Virginia, becoming a member of the circuit. For some years lie practiced his chosen profession at Wheeling, and then returned to the old home- stead farm, where he died. He had married Mary Forman, a native of West Liberty, Ohio Co., W. Va., and the children born to them were Joseph, James, Junius, Nancy (Mrs. Thomas Ray), and Ruth E. (Mrs. Samuel Dunlap). Salathiel Curtis in his political connection was first a Whig,. but afterward became a Democrat. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dunlap took up their resi- dence on a farm in the county of their birth, and there passed the rest of their days. In politics he was first a Whig, afterward a Republican. He died in 1881, his wife in March, 1879.

E. N. Dunlap, the subject proper of this bio- graphical memoir, received his primary education at the common schools of his native township, after which lie attended West Liberty (W. Va. ) Academy two sessions. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Twelfth Va. V. I., which, during the first year of his service was detailed to do " scout duty " in that State; was then sent to the Shenandoah Valley, and served throughout that campaign. In 1864 the regiment was transferred to the army of the Potomac, with which it was identified until the close of the war, and our subject was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House. In 1863 Mr. Dunlap was taken prisoner at Winchester, Va., under General Milroy, and confined in Libby Prison, from which he was trans- ferred to Belle Isle, where he was paroled and ex- changed (in October, same year). after which he rejoined his regiment. Thus it will be seen that he enlisted when he was but seventeen years old, and was discharged from the service before he was twenty-one, the date being June 29, 1865.

After his return home Mr. Dunlap was engaged in the nursery business until 1872, when he com- menced farming, continuing till 1876. In March, 1877, he moved to Coon Island, Washington county, where he opened a store for the sale of general merchandise which he carried on till 1890, when he sold out and took a position as traveling salesman, with the firm of Waterhouse Bros., wholesale gro- cers. In 1891 he was nominated and elected to the office of recorder of Washington county, which lie is filling with eminent credit to himself and the utmost satisfaction of his constituents. ("Coon Island " was the name of the postoffice, and " Vi- enna " the name of the railroad station. Mr. Dun- lap was postmaster nine years, and agent for the rail- road company thirteen years). He was a member of the school board of Donegal township, six years in succession. He moved to the borough of Wash- ington April 1, 1892.

On October 28, 1866, Mr. Dunlap was married

to Margaret, daughter of David Frazier, and chil- dren have been born to them as follows: Frank F. (a salesman), Hattie E., Margaret E., Chester O., E. Earl O. and Archie G. A stanch Republican, our subject has always taken an active interest in politics.

P ROF. W. J. MUSSER. One of the well- known and enterprising young business men of Washington, is the gentleman whose name opens this brief sketch. The energy with which he has entered upon his business career is an assurance of the success which ulti- mately comes to him who earnestly and intelligent- ly lays the foundation for any practical business, and prosecutes it with vigor.

As principal of the Washington Business Col- lege, Prof. Musser is proving to his friends that he has made no mistake in choosing his life's vo- cation; and although connected with the enter- prise but three short years, yet under his efficient management it has grown to be one of the impor- tant educational institutions of the county. Situ- ated in the business portion of the city, in the new De Normandie Block on South Main street, his spacious rooms are always open to visitors, wlio find them fully equipped for modern and useful in- struction, and the Professor himself an intelligent gentleman and genial companion. Prof. Musser is of German extraction, and was born June 18, 1870, in Beaver county, Penn., near Beaver Falls, where his father, James Musser, was born March 7, 1844, This James Musser is a son of John Musser (who was born in Beaver county, Penn., in 1812, and died there December 10, 1853), and Elizabeth (Londis) Musser (who died in Beaver county, De. cember 10, 1863). John 'Musser was a son of Henry Musser (who was born in March, 1789, at York, Penn., and died in 1873) and Elizabeth (Showalter) Musser (who was born in 1797). Mrs. Elizabeth (Londis) Musser was a daughter of Christie and Elizabeth Londis, who came to Beaver county from York county, Penn., in early times. James Musser was married July 4, 1868, to Miss Catherine Gallaher, a sister of the famous penman, Milton B. Gallaher, now deceased. Her fatlier, Harvey Gallaher, was born in Beaver coun- ty, Penn., June 6, 1802, and died May 13, 1883; her mother, Mary (Pander) Gallaher, was born September 13, 1812, and died March 24, 1880. The father of Harvey Gallaher was Lewis Galla- her, a native of Washington county, where he died; he was married to Jennie McGill, who was born in Washington county, and died in Beaver county, Penn. The family moved from Washington coun- ty to Beaver county in 1789, and settled on Camp Run, on a 200-acre tract of land. Mrs. Mary (Pander) Gallaher's father was born in Amsterdam,

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Holland, in 1791, and died in March, 1880; his wife was Rebecca Brooks, a native of Allegheny connty, Penn.

The subject proper of this biographical memoir attended the common schools in his native county, and afterward Grove City College, in Mercer county. He then entered one of the best business colleges in the country, where he graduated with the highest honors in penmanship, after which he taught for a time. He had early evinced a taste for this profession, and had from time to time taught school, commencing at the early age of six- teen years. In April, 1890, he gave up a school of 130 pupils, and came to Washington to take charge of the Business College in the capacity of principal. This institution has a very large at- tendance, and new departments are being added each year.

R EV. MATTHEW BROWN, D.D., LL.D. Among the most distinguished educators and most eminent divines in western Penn- sylvania was this revered gentleman, whose praises are still heard in our homes, schools, colleges and churches. To the long chain of respectable and pious ancestors he added a golden link. In the family history the luster of the fair record which is found on its pages was in- creased by the life of this great and good man, whom thousands honored as a minister, a teacher, a benefactor and a friend.

His paternal grandfather, who, though of Scot- tish descent, was a native of Ireland, came to this country in 1720 and settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, where he died, leaving five sons, all of whom were distinguished as devout and exem- plary Christians. One of these sons was named Matthew, and he was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in 1732 and resided some years in the vicinity of Carlisle, Penn., when he moved to White Deer Valley, Northumberland county, of which he was an early settler. He was a ruling elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and was distinguished for his integrity, talents, uprightness and wit. In the Revolution- ary war he took an active part, and was a member of the "Flying Camp." While in the army he died at the age of forty six years. He left eight children, the youngest of whom was Dr. Matthew Brown, who was born in 1776, two years before his father's death. Upon the demise of his father, young Matthew and his brother Thomas were adopted by their father's brother, Mr. William Brown, who was well known, and for many years exerted an extensive influence in both the religious and political world. As a commissioner of Dauphin county, in which for a long time he had resided, he assisted in laying out the town of Har-

risburg, now the capital of Pennsylvania. Being an intelligent, public-spirited man, he was elected to various positions of honor and trust, and served frequently in the Legislature of Pennsylvania. As a member of that body in 1776, he was the first man to propose the gradual emancipation of the slaves within the commonwealth, a measure which, though not then favorably received, was afterward adopted. He was also a member of the convention which formed the constitution of the State in 1790, and his name appears among the signers of that instrument. At one time he was sent as a commissioner to Ireland and Scotland on behalf of the Covenanters, to procure for them a supply of ministers, one of whom preached for some time in a church erected on his place.

While with this uncle, prominent alike in Church and State affairs, Dr. Brown received his early training and education. He then entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, where he was grad- uated in May, 1794, during the presidency of Dr. Nisbet. After his graduation he taught a classical school in Northumberland county, where he became intimately acquainted with the prominent men of the profession. About the year 1796 he began the study of theology, his instructors being Rev. James Snodgrass, Dr. Nisbet and Dr. John King, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Carlisle, on October 3, 1799. Two years after he accepted a call from the united congregations of Mifflin and Lost Creek, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Huntingdon. Having labored faith- fully here for several years, he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Washing- ton, Penn., of which he was installed the first pas- tor October 16, 1805. At the same time he was elected principal of Washington Academy, which during the next year, 1806, grew into a college, the charter of which he was the principal agent in procuring. Of this new institution, Washington College, he was elected the first president, Decem- ber 13, 1806, and as such served with remarkable success ten years, retaining at the same time his pastoral connection with the church. With un- ceasing diligence he performed his double duties as pastor and president, which taxed his faculties and powers to the utmost, but the result of his la- bors were soon manifested in the growing prosper- ity of the church and in the extended reputation of the college. Among those who were graduated while he was president, many rose to stations of eminence in the different professions, and some ac- quired considerable distinction in the political world. In December, 1816, he resigned the pres- idency of the college, but for six years he continued as pastor of the church to which he was bound by many solemn and tender ties. In the meantime his reputation as president of Washington College had attracted much attention, and turned toward

M. Brown grown

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him the eyes of many in different places. Among other invitations received by him was a call to the presidency of Centre College, at Danville, Ky., and the trustees of Dickinson College also desired him to fill a similar position. As pastor of the church in Washington he remained until 1822, when he resigned this charge, having accepted the presi- dency of Jefferson College, at Canonsburg.

At this period an incident occurred-an incident, perhaps, unprecedented in college history. It was the night before the college commencement day, and at a late hour, that the trustees of Jefferson College elected Dr. Brown to fill the presidential chair which had shortly before become vacant. For various reasons it was necessary that the pres- ident-elect should immediately enter upon the duties of his office. So, early the next morning, while he was yet in bed, a committee waited upon him, and, having urged him to accept the position, managed to have him brought, before breakfast, to Canonsburg, where he took the oath of office, and at 9 o'clock presided over the commencement ex- ercises, conferred the degrees upon the graduates, and then delivered his Baccalaureate address. Thus was the last Wednesday of September, 1822, a memorable day in Canonsburg, marking, as it does, the crisis and dawn of the true glory of Jef- ferson College. To the students and friends of this college the event was one of great joy, and was hailed as an omen of prosperity. It was an event from which untold blessings and benefits have de- scended, not only upon the college and its hun- dreds of students, but upon thousands of the hu- man race to whom through them Dr. Brown be- came, under God, by his pre-eminent capacities for government and instruction, and by his piety and prayers, a benefactor of the highest order to which humanity can attain.

Under the administration of Dr. Brown, a period of twenty-three years, the college advanced rapidly in its glorious career. Never was there, perhaps, a more popular or a more successful president. He was peculiarly gifted with quali- ties of head and heart that secured the respect and affection of the students, both while under his care and in after life. To him the pious students were warmly attached, and by the wildest and most reckless he was respected and .venerated. In him special eccentricities and the reaction of mirth and depression were joined with a vigorous intel- lect, clear judgment, quick discernment, good sense, ardent piety and untiring energy. In him opposites blended most remarkably. His nature, indeed, was marked by all those characteristics which make a great leader and commander. Being of a nervous temperament, and quick in thought and action, his impetuosity sometimes led hin into mistakes, but he always managed to get every - thing right again without losing the respect of 5

others or his own authority. He certainly was the most remarkable man, in his day, for the posses- sion of qualities apparently the most compatible, but strangely and happily balancing each other. Though an eccentric man, never was eccentricity more completely governed by good sense and sound judgment. His very personal and mental pecul- iarities contributed greatly to his usefulness, and the success of the college over which he so long and efficiently presided. While at times he was impulsive and variable in temper, he never lost his diguity, and the reigns of government never hung loosely in his hands. But whatever were his peculiarities and eccentricities, he was a man of God, whose personal piety was of the highest order. The religion of Christ was his meat and drink, in which he found all his springs of hope and power, light and rest. No matter from what book he was giving instruction, the students felt that they were sitting under a religious teacher. As evidence of this, of the 770 students who were graduated under him, 350 became ministers of the Gospel. Frequently, during his presidency, there were great revivals of religion, which were attrib- uted, under God, to his faithful, earnest preach- ing, and to his conversations and prayers with the students in their rooms. He was pre-eminently a man of prayer. Often would the students hear him in the arbor of his garden, in the summer nights, when he thought all human ears were closed, praying for hours, beginning his entreaties with sighs and tears, and ending his devotions with the song of triumph. The distinguishing trait in his Christian life was that it was a life of communion with God. Of him it might truly be said, " He prayed without ceasing." To the mem- bers of the family his wife would often say: "Mr. Brown spent the whole night in prayer." This was the secret of the wonderful outpouring of God's Spirit again and again upon the college. People are astonished at the multitudes of minis- ters and missionaries who have gone forth from Jefferson College. Here is the secret. There was a wrestling Jacob in the presidential chair who said to the God of Israel, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." The fact that he was a man who was constantly praying held the students in awe, and threw around him a sacred atmos- phere, and to his prayers is to be attributed much of his usefulness when alive, and his permanent influence when dead.

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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 14

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