Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 140

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 140

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1883, and was buried by the side of her husband in Prospect cemetery.

James A. Stephenson was born June 22, 1837, 'on the home farm in Smith township, which he now owns and occupies. He received a meager common-school education, afterward learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed some time, but has devoted the greater part of his life to agri- cultural pursuits with the exception of seven years passed at Candor, this county. He was formerly a well-known hunter, and to-day keeps, as a relic of the exciting adventures of boyhood, arifle-ball, with which, when but ten years of age, he killed his first fox. He also retains in his possession the old hoe which was used by the negro slave Fortune over a hundred years ago, when working for James Stephenson, the grandfather. Mr. Stephenson takes great delight in the preservation of old relics and curiosities, being assisted in the gratification of this taste by many contributions from friends. Although owning and residing upon a valuable farm, he has never taken an active part in the ag- ricultural work, which is done by his tenants or croppers or crofters. He invented a superior bee- hive, and can duplicate almost any article which he once examines. In politics his sympathy and in- fluence are given to the Democratic party, al- though he is not a strict partisan.

OHN WHERRY, JR., is one of the most widely-known and popular agriculturists of West Bethlehem township. His grandfather, John Wherry, was born in Somerset township, where his father had secured a patent for nearly 500 acres of land, in what was known as the "tomahawk improvement." Here his boy- hood was spent, and his education, which was very good for the time, was received in the old subscription school, a considerable distance from his home. After a long and successful career, he died about the beginning of the present century.

John W. Wherry, the father of our subject, was born in Somerset township. His education was like that of his father, but the schools were then public or "common." He married Catherine, a daughter of George Weaver, of West Pike Run township, after which they remained upon the farm about twelve years, then removed to West Bethlehem township. To them were born the fol- lowing named children: Amy, John, Jr., William, Elizabeth, Eleanor, George W., Eli, Mary and James; all of whom are living in Washington county, excepting Elizabeth, who died in 1887.

The subject of this sketch was born October 29, 1843, in Somerset township, and his boyhood was principally employed in assisting his father in the care of the farm. After the family removed to

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West Bethlehem township, he attended the school known as " Wherry's School-house," situated on his father's farm. In 1867 he married Elizabeth Bigler, daughter of Henry Bigler, of West Bethle- hem township, after which he moved to the farm he now owns, and where the following children have been born to them: Elizabeth, Mary, Will- iam, Ida and Charles, all of whom, with the ex- ception of Elizabeth, who died in 1877, are living at home with their parents. In 1890 Mr. Wherry built one of the finest houses in this section. When he took possession there was scarcely a building or fence upon the place, whereas it is now one of the best improved farms in West Bethlehem township. Its strong and neat board fences and elegant buildings bestow upon it an air of thrift and pros- perity. Mr. Wherry is a Republican, and although he is no office seeker has been elected to many positions of trust. He was a soldier in Company G, One Hundred and Tenth P. V. I., but escaped in battle, only to meet with injury thirty years later. In November, 1892, while hauling logs, he got his arm broken, which left it crooked and help- less for a time. He is a member of the Ten Mile Baptist Church (of which he is deacon), as are also his wife and children. Mrs. Wherry is a lady commanding the esteem and regard of all who know her. The entire family are intelligent and industrous citizens.

ORNELIUS WEYGANDT was born in Ger- many, whence so many of our strong intel- lectual people trace their ancestry. Phys-

ical and mental development go hand in hand in the country of the Rhine, making some of the grandest specimens of symmetrical humanity the world has ever seen. In early manhood Cor- nelius Weygandt left his native land and came to America, locating in the then wilderness of Penn- sylvania. Here was the pioneer cabin erected, the hardships of frontier life endured, and finally a little town arose destined to become a mighty city. Amid these early scenes Cornelius Weygandt passed the remainder of his life, becoming identi- tied with the history of the country. He lived to an advanced age, and reared a large family of children, among whom was a son who bore his father's name.

Cornelius Weygandt (2) was born in Northamp- ton county, Penn., and received a very limited education. During the earlier part of his life he learned and followed the cooper trade, afterward purchasing 300 acres of land in Carroll township, Washington Co., Penn. One hundred years ago he erected buildings on that part of the land which is now owned by the subject of this sketch, and there passed the remainder of his life. He married Barbara Stacker, who bore him many children, and

both parents died on the old home place many years ago.

Cornelius Weygandt (3) was born on the home- stead in Carroll township, and received a subscrip- tion school education. He always followed agri- cultural pursuits on the old home place, and in early life was married to Rosanna Bonniwitz, a na- tive of Fayette county, Penn. They had seven children, of whom but three are living. In poli- tics he voted with the Democratic party, and served as school director and auditor of the township. In religion he was a member of the Lutheran Church. He died in 1858, being followed by his wife five years later.

Cornelius Weygandt (4), the subject proper of this sketch, was born May 5, 1832, in the house where he is yet living on the ancestral acres in Carroll township. He attended the log cabin school of the neighborhood, and has passed his life on the old place, now owning 115 acres of land. In political opinion he is a Democrat, and in relig- ious faith a member of the Lutheran Church. He has never married, and though somewhat enfeebled by hard work, is yet a vigorous man for his age. His nephew Jesse has charge of the place.

R OBERT KNOX, who is prominently identi- fied with the insurance business in the bor- ough of Washington, is a native of the county, having been born in Buffalo town- ship, February 19, 1858.

John Knox, his grandfather, came from Ireland to this county about the year 1808, bringing with him his young wife, and settled on a farm in Buf- falo township, where they both died. Their eldest child was born on the Atlantic ocean while they were on their way to America, and is now living in Texas, at the age of nearly ninety years. The grandmother died some years before the grand- father, who passed away when eighty-four years old. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living, viz .: William, in Buffalo town- ship; John, in Claysville; Margaret, wife of George Smith, in Buffalo township; Thomas, in Kansas; and Jenny, relict of Dr. Milliken.

Robert Knox, Sr., was born in Buffalo township, and for many years was a tailor in Taylorstown. He purchased a farm in the township, which he carried on in connection with his trade. In 1845 he married Anne, daughter of James Irwin, of Canton township, and three children came to bless their home, viz .: John, now in Taylorstown; J. Irwin, living on the old farm; and Robert, our subject. The father was called to his long home in July, 1889, when seventy years of age. He was a stanch Democrat. In religion he was a member of the U. P. Church of North Buffalo.

Robert Knox, whose name opens this sketch,

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received his education at the common schools of his native township, and when a young man taught school during the winter months while he worked on the farm in summer time. For ten years he taught in Chartiers, Canton and Buffalo townships, and four terms in Taylorstown. In April, 1886, he opened out a general store, in partnership with his brother John, at Taylorstown, but sold out in March, 1891. In November, 1890, he came to Washington borough, where he has since been successfully engaged in the insurance business. He and his brother, J. Irwin, still retain control of the old farm property in Buffalo township, on which are located twenty-four oil wells. He mar- ried, January 17, 1889, Miss Ella B., daughter of James Wilson, of Taylorstown, and two children, named Robert James and Russel W., have come to brighten their home. Politically, Mr. Knox is a Democrat, and has served as assessor of Buffalo township, also as clerk of elections several times. In his religious connections he is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Washington.

OHN SLATER, manufacturer and wholesale dealer in cigars, is a prosperous and promi- nent citizen of Washington. He is a native of the borough, born June 11, 1858, a son of Theodore Slater, who was born January 22, 1821, in the city of Treves (Trier), Rhenish Prussia, and who, in the year 1846, came, in company with his brother, Matthias, to America, located at Pitts- burgh, Penn., and thence, some time later. pro- ceeded to Louisville, Ky. On July 19, 1847, the war with Mexico being in progress, he enlisted, although not yet an American citizen, in Company K (Capt. Gardner), First U. S. Infantry, and served under Gen. Winfield Scott during the re- mainder of the campaign, including the capture of the City of Mexico. On July 23, 1848, he was honorably discharged, and returned to Pittsburgh, whence, after a short time, he moved to Greene county, and embarked, in partnership with two of his brothers-in-law, in the manufacture of shoes, carrying on also a grocery and provision store.

Theodore Slater revisited his old home by the Rhine in 1851, where he married Miss Apolonia, daughter of Matthias Weis. Her father died in Germany in 1884, at the age of eighty-four years. In May, 1851, Mr. Slater returned with his bride, and finally settled in Washington, this county, where they made their first home on the corner of Main and Maiden streets, now the site of Acheson's grocery store. He commenced in the boot and shoe business on his own account. Later they lived where now stands G. W. Roberts' drug store. In 1866 they were burned out, losing everything, including their furniture and clothing. In the following year they moved to Main street, where

Mr. Slater established a trade in tobacco and the manufacture of cigars, etc., and here passed the remainder of his days, dying May 14, 1879, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was an ardent Demo- crat, but not ambitious for office, though he was nominated by his party for commissioner, and also assistant burgess, to which latter position he was duly elected. He was a member of the Catholic Church, and a strong supporter of educational measures. His widow is still living at the old home in Washington, the mother of four children: John, who died in childhood; Mary L., known as Sister Mary Xavier, of the Order of The Visitation in the convent at Mt. Chantel, near Wheeling, W. Va., of which she has been a member for some fourteen years; John, of whom special mention will be presently made; and Annie, who died at the age of nineteen years. Annie was an extensive reader, and possessed a fine intellect. Her power of memorizing was almost phenomenal. When in her eighteenth year, she participated in a prize literary contest in the East, the subject of her essay being: " What Catholics have done for America." She had the honor of carrying off the second prize, notwithstanding the fact that she had to contend against many older competitors; truly an honor of which the family feel justly proud.

John Slater received his rudimentary education at the common schools of Washington borough, which was supplemented by a two-year's course at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Westmoreland county. Returning to his home, he worked at his trade of cigar making under his father, at whose death he succeeded to the business, and has since continued to carry it on. The industry includes the general manufacture of several brands of cigars, and job- bing in all kinds of plug and smoking tobacco. Under Mr. Slater's management the business has become the most extensive of the kind in the county. The factory, which is in size 100x22 feet, two and three stories in height, gives employment to a large number of hands. On August 25, 1886, Mr. Slater was married to Regina, daughter of Michael Stillwagen, of Claysville. This marriage was blessed by three children, viz. : Jolin Joseph, Charles Francis and Edward Theodore. In politics Mr. Slater is an ardent Democrat, and in religion a consistent Catholic.

W ILLIAM McCREREY is one of the most successful business men, and deservedly popular citizens of Buffalo township. He was born June 30, 1838, in Marshall county, W. Va., and passed his boyhood in the usual uneventful manner of farmer boys. He afterward worked at the carpenter's trade. On De- cember 27, 1864, he was united in marriage with Kate, daughter of William Litle, of Buffalo town-

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ship, and the following children were born to them: Virginia Lee, Alexander H., William Litle, Emily, Mary Ann and Bessie Bell, all of whom are living at home. Mr. McCrerey began life with practi- cally nothing, his success being due solely to his own energy and management. When his father died, he inherited a portion of the estate, but. in- stead of using it himself, allowed a brother, Thomas (who had remained on the old homestead, and cared for the father in his declining years), to use and occupy the entire portion until sufficiently remunerated for his years of self-denial. When Mr. Litle (his father-in-law) died, William McCre- rey bought of the heirs the entire farm of 190 acres, which is now his home. It is a pleasant place, well-improved, and having an air of enter- prise, thrift and comfort surrounding it. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and has served five consecu- tive terms as school director. In addition to gen- eral farming, Mr. McCrerey is an extensive wool- grower, and breeder of Black-Top sheep, now own- ing nearly two hundred and fifty of that breed. He commands the respect and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. His wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Church, and is widely known for her good deeds.

HOMAS B. CRAIG was born in Buffalo township, this county, June 6, 1840. He came of a talented Scotch-Irish family, one of the most influential and successful in the county-a parentage that exercised no lit- tle influence in laying the foundation of modern government and religion. This has made Wash- ington county widely known, in State and Nation; has given her sons no little pride in saying "I hail from Washington county." His parents were Hugh and Hannah (Henderson) Craig. His father, though a farmer, was needed in official position, and served his township and county, and finally the State Legislature, to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.

Thomas B. Craig is the youngest of eight chil- dren, among whom were Rev. Dr. Hugh K. Craig, who ranked high in the pulpit, and was president for a time of Monongahela College. Hon. John H. Craig, another brother, distinguished himself for his scholarly attainments at college, and is widely known in Iowa as a platform orator. Hon. A. K. Craig, who served his party in Congress, and a sketch of whose life is found in this volume, was also a brother. Thomas B. Craig was raised on the old Craig farm near Claysville, where he im- bibed those principles that gave to his character the elements necessary for complete success. He always held his own with the brightest pupils at Science Hill School, among whom was the Hon.

S. J. McCarrel, now a member of the State Senate of Pennsylvania.

Scarcely having attained his majority, the Civil war broke out, and fired with zeal for the cause of right, as it appeared to him, enlisted in August, 1862, in Company B, "Ringgold Cavalry " Bat- talion, serving in it for some two years, at which time the battalion was reorganized into a regi- ment, known as the Twenty-second P. V. C. He served in Company C, of this regiment, until the close of the war. He was a member of the corps under General Sheridan in his " famous raid" in the Shenandoah Valley, and took part in the engage- ments, the most important of which were the bat- tles of Winchester (the scene of "Sheridan's Ride," immortalized by Buchanan), Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. After the war Mr. Craig en- tered into partnership with L. C. Truesdell in general mercantile business at Claysville, which continued for four years. He then embarked alone, conducting a general store in which he has since been very successful, and for many years has been recognized by the public as the leading merchant of Claysville. In 1871 Mr. Craig married Rachel, daughter of James Noble, of Buffalo township, one of the most successful farmers of the county. To them were born four children, James, who is as- sisting his father in the mercantile business; Homer, a student in Washington and Jefferson College, Mc Williams and Clarence, who are at- tending the public schools at Claysville.

Mr. Craig has always been a strong Democrat, and has taken an active interest in politics; and the Democratic party owes a great deal to his zeal and fidelity for its success, and especially for its late success, in having a Democratic representation in the Twenty-fourth Congressional District of Penn- sylvania, of which this county is a part. A late writer in speaking of Mr. Craig says: " Among the well-known and enterprising business men of Clays- ville, none occupy a more prominent position, or are more worthy of confidence and respect, than the subject of this sketch." Mr. Craig has been and is at present a member of the City Council, and has been frequently a member of the school board, besides holding other offices of trust. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church, the church of his boyhood, to which he has given his liberal support and work.

OSEPH REED. In the front ranks of pros- perous agriculturists and prominent citizens of Cecil township, we find the name of this gentleman. His great-great-grandparents were of Scotch-Irish parentage. His great- grandfather, David Reed, was born on the ocean when his parents and two brothers were coming to America in the early part of the eighteenth century,

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or about 1700 to 1715. One brother settled in Kentucky and one in Carolina. The father, mother and David settled in Lancaster county, Penn. David was married to Miss Caldwell, daughter of Capt. Caldwell, who commanded a company called "The Blue Hen's Chickens" dur- ing the Revolutionary war. Capt. Caldwell lived on an island in the Susquehanna river. The chil- dren of this union were, in the order of age: Mol- lie, married to Peter Clark; Nancy, married to James Clark (lived near Harrisburg, Penn. Peter and James Clark were not related); Jane, married to Matthew Atcheson, of Hickory, Penn. ; Rebecca, married to Humphrey Atcheson, brother of Mat- thew; Lydia, married to Samuel McBride, of Ma- honing county, Ohio; John, married to Anna Atcheson, sister of Matthew and Humphrey, and David, married to Margaret May.

(The grandparents of the subject of this sketch). Col. Crogan offered John and David very flattering inducements to come from Lancaster county and settle in what is now Mt. Pleasant township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., which were accepted by the two young men, who came here in 1777, and settled on what afterward proved to be "The Washington Land," in Mt. Pleasant township. In the autumn of 1777 David returned to Lancaster county, and married Miss Margaret May, daughter of Alex May, in the spring of 1778. They soon came to their new farm, where they lived for several years. On September 20, 1784, Gen. George Washington, then traveling through this section, came and dined with Mr. David Reed. During the day Gen. Washington claimed that he owned the title to the land on which Mr. Reed lived, which he afterward proved, and that Col. Crogan did not have a title to the property, and had unlawfully placed the Messrs. Reed and others thereon. Gen. Washing- ton would not allow the settlers any rights nor any compensation for the improvements. Finally he made the following offer, a transcript of which is taken from the journal of Gen. Washington, in Washington, D. C .:

September 20, 1784, dined at David Reed's, after which Mr. James Scott and Squire Reed began to enquire whether I would part with the land, and upon what terms; adding that, though they did not conceive they could be dispossessed, yet, to avoid contention, they would buy if my terms were moderate. I told them I had no inclination to sell; however, after hearing a great deal of their hard- ships, their religious principles which had brought them together as a society of Ceceders, and unwillingness to separate or remove, I told them I would make them a last offer, and this was-The whole tract at 25 shillings per acre. The money to be paid in three annual pay- ments with interest-or to become tenants upon leases of 999 years, at the annual rental of 10 pounds per C per an- num, etc.

The above goes on to say that the settlers decided to stand suit, and abide by the issue of the law. In the December term of court, 1784, ejectment 42

suits were entered, and as the rights of Gen. Wash- ington by the Virginia patents were well authenti- cated, the settlers did not make a claim of priority of title. The suit was decided against the settlers, who, of course, had to move elsewhere or become tenants of the land they had previously thought was their own. John Reed purchased another farm in Cecil township, now owned by Mrs. John Cubbage. He died there April 14, 1817, aged sev- enty-three years. David Reed, about the year 1788, also purchased 300 acres of land in Cecil town- ship from Thomas Waller, which had been taken up by him previous to 1780, for which he gave one horse, one pair blankets and 13 pounds sterling. A warrant of acceptance was issued to David Reed by the board of Property, March 2, 1790, and patent granted April 21, 1813. He moved to this farm after the contest for the Washington lands was decided against him, and lived there until he died, September 30, 1824, aged seventy-seven years, leaving his wife, who died November 19, 1840, aged eighty-two years. David in his young- er days underwent many hardships in clearing his property, and from the treachery of the Indians. He was a noted Indian fighter, and was at the In- dian massacre at Yellow creek, Ohio. But bright- er years were ahead of him, for financial prosperity finally crowned his efforts. He wasone of the elders in Chartiers Associate Reformed (now U. P.) Church at Canonsburg, Penn. They had five sons and one daughter. The older son, Alexander, was married to Martha Anderson; the second son, David, mar- ried Euphemia Paxton; Mary (" Polly") became the wife of George Murray; John, the third son, married Jane May, and lived in Mt. Pleasant town- ship; James, born April 10, 1793, married Jane Ann Allison (He was for many years a jeweler of Washington, Penn., but afterward moved to Pitts- burgh, and founded the present jewelry house of J. R. Reed & Co. He died June 5, 1878); Joseph, the youngest son, was born April 30, 1796, and al- ways lived on the homestead of his father.

On October 18, 1821, Joseph Reed (just men- tioned) was married to Elizabeth Alexander, who died May 1, 1822, without issue. For his second wife Mr. Reed married Anna, daughter of Rev. Daniel McLean, of Jamestown, Penn. Of this union there were four children: (1) Margaret, born Feb- ruary 20, 1825, died August 29, 1882, was married to Robert Henderson (They had four children: Anna, deceased; Mary Martha, who is the wife of William Grounds; Joseph Reed Henderson, who married Elizabeth Martin, and Mina, who became the wife of Linus Welsh). (2) Mary, born Novem- ber 13, 1826, died August 20, 1881, was the wife of John Nesbit, of Chartiers township. (3) David, born January 1, 1829, was twice married; his first wife was Vashti Elder (deceased), of West Virginia; to his second wife, Amelia Forbes, he

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had two children: Ernest and Ellis Anderson; David was a leading physician of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and died there March 21, 1869. (4) Jane Ann, born December 28, 1830, is the wife of John B. May, of Venice, Penn .; their two children died in infancy. Anna, the mother of these children, having died August 3, 1831, Mr. Reed was after- ward married to Martha Anderson, who was born October 2, 1816, a daughter of Matthew Anderson, of Chartiers township; she died October 2, 1882, about three years before Mr. Reed's decease. Eight children were born to them, as follows: (1) Elizabeth, born August 1, 1833, is the wife of David White, of Canonsburg, Penn. ; they had two children: Joseph Reed, and Elva (deceased). (2) John, born November 10, 1835; he was a minister in the U. P. Church, and died in Indiana, Septem- ber 21, 1863. (3) Matthew Anderson, born Janu- ary 26, 1838, resides in Allegheny, Penn. ; he was married in 1862 to Anna Mary, daughter of Henry Donnell, of Cecil township; their three children are Harry French, Clara Mary and Anna Martha. (4) Thomas Alexander, born March 20, 1840, mar- ried Martha Gladden; they now live in Pasadena, Cal. (5) Joseph, born April 30, 1843, married Ella C. Cubbage, daughter of John and Mary (Hutchison) Cubbage, who were natives of Alle- gheny county, Penn., and Guernsey county, Ohio, respectively; three children brighten this home, Lettie Myrtle, Joseph Houston and Ethel. (6) George Murray, born July 22, 1848, is a minister in the U. P. Church of Newville, Cumberland Co., Penn .; he married Lizzie Kinner, of New Wilming- ton, Penn., and four children have blessed their union; George Kinner, Gertrude, Chloe and Paul Mehard. (7) Julia A., born June 9, 1850, wife of Alonzo Hemphill, of Houstonville, Penn .; they have two children: Helen and John. (8) Campbell Ledlie, born June 29, 1853, was married to Annie D. Cowden, deceased; they had two daughters, Margaret Alberta and Martha Maud, also one son, Ralph Rockwood, deceased. Mr. Reed afterward married Jennie M. Patterson. They have one daughter, Katharine Pauline. He resides in Cecil township.

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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 140

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