Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 142

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 142

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

W ILLIAM B. WINTER, a young and prosperous farmer of Donegal township, is a native of the same, born February 1, 1854, on the farm of his father, David B. Winter. His great-grandfather, Chris- topher Winter, was born in Rhine-Pfalz, Germany, and immigrated to America, locating in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn. A log cabin home was soon erected in the wilderness, and he was united in marriage with Catherine Schaeffer, living near Washington, Penn. The Indians were then numerous and very hostile, and oftentimes compelled the adventurous pioneer to flee for life, while the savages ruthlessly burned or plundered the desolated homes. But, nothing daunted, these "pale-faced" heroes of the forest struggled on, and established their home in the face of innumer- able dangers and obstacles. Mr. and Mrs. Winter died on their pioneer farm, leaving their children to finish the work so bravely begun.

David Winter was born on the home farm in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., and worked on his father's farm, attending the sub- scription schools during the winter months. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Perry Mc- Coy, also of Donegal township, and the following children were born to them: David B., and Eliza- beth Margaret (deceased wife of Alexander Wyeth).

After his marriage Mr. Winter built a residence near that of his father, and farmed successfully. In politics he was a Democrat. He and his wife were buried near the scene of their labors.

David B. Winter was born November 1, 1823, in the old house, which is but a short distance from his present comfortable home. He passed his youth attending the common schools and assisting in the farm duties. In 1846 he was united in marriage with Mary Jane, daughter of William Bryson, of Donegal township, this county, and to them were born children as follows: Elizabeth, Hannah (deceased), David A., William B., Joseph, Nancy, Alice, Mary (deceased), and John F. (de- ceased in infancy). Mrs. Winter died, and in the year 1866 Mr. Winter was married to Sarah, daughter of William Milligan, of East Finley township, this county, and they have two children: George K. and Eudora, both of whom are residing with their parents. Some years after his marriage Mr. Winter removed from the home farm, and erected a handsome residence on an adjoining piece of land, which is his present home. He has always been a successful farmer, and in political life was, a Democrat until the year 1860, when he voted for Lincoln, and has since been an enthusi- astic worker in the Republican party. He con- tributes regularly to the Dutch Fork Baptist . Church, of which he and his wife are members.

William B. Winter worked on his father's farm and attended the common schools during his minority. On December 15, 1881, he was married to Barbara Clemens, who was born June 6, 1856, daughter of George and Margaret Jane (Crow) Clemens. They have had three children, namely: Elizabeth W. J., Selina C. and Ethel Mary W. During the first years of his married life Mr. Win- ter lived on some rented property, and followed farming. In 1886 he purchased a farm which ad- joins that of the birthplace of himself, his father and grandfather. Mr. Winter is a modern scien- tific farmer, and also gives considerable attention to wool growing. Politically he is a Democrat, and well informed in the current questions of the day. He and his wife are members of the U. B. Church, in which he is both steward and trustee.

A LEXANDER J. CULBERTSON, one of the leading dentists of Washington, was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., a son of Alexander and Amanda (Giffen) Culbert- son, natives of the same county. The father died in Greensburg, Penn., in March, 1871; the mother is yet living. The family are of Scotch- Irish extraction, and the grandfather, Alexander Culbertson, came to this country from the North of Ireland at an early day.

Alexander J. Culbertson, the subject proper of

894

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

these lines, passed his boyhood and youth in Greensburg, Penn., and there commenced the study of dentistry. In the spring of 1885 lie canie to Washington, this county, and having just grad- uated from Pennsylvania Dental College, in Phila- delphia, he opened out for the practice of his pro- fession in the building where he is now thoroughly established. In June, 1891, Dr. Culbertson mar- ried Etta M., daughter of Col. J. B. Ruple, and same year he finished his elegant home on Wade avenue, where they now reside. Dr. and Mrs. Culbertson are members of the first Presbyterian Church; in politics he is a Republican.

R OBERT C. OSBURN, a leading and emi- nently prosperous merchant of Eldersville, Penn., was born in 1842 in Robinson town- ship, this county. The pioneers of the family resided in Westmoreland county, same State. His grandfather, James Osburn, was born in Ireland, and married to a Miss Cutch- eon, of the same part of that country. Emigrat- ing to America, they, settling in Washington coun- ty, Penn., reared a large family. Some of their numerous descendants remained in Westmoreland county, while others settled in Johnstown, Penn., and among those who perished in the dreadful flood were Squire Fisher, his wife (a cousin of Robert C. Osburn) and six children. James Os- burn died in Westmoreland county.

James Osburn was born in Ireland, being nine years of age when his parents settled in Westmore- land county, Penn. He was reared on the farm, and continued to follow agriculture most of his life; also worked at the milling business for a time in Jefferson township, this county. In early man- hood he was married to Martha McKennett, of Robinson township, this county. Her father, Adam McKennett, was born in Ireland, and, immi- grating to America, first settled in Fayette county, Penn., thence coming to Cecil township, this county, locating on what is now called Miller's run. Remaining there but a short time, he finally bought a place in Robinson township, now known as the old Adam McKennett farm, occupied by his descendants. He was married to Rebecca John- ston. To James Osburn four children were born: One deceased in infancy, James J. (living in Rob- inson township), George W. (a resident of Bur- gettstown, Penn.), and Robert C. The father died in 1843, in his forty-second year, and his wife mourned her loss until the age of eighty-two years, when she was called to her rest, passing away in 1885.

Robert C. Osburn lived on the home place until eighteen years of age, and received a good com- mon-school and academic education. He then taught five terms of school, afterward taking a

course at Duff's Mercantile College, Pittsburgh, Penn. He graduated in 1864, after which he opened a general store in Eldersville, Penn. At that time goods were yet sold at war prices, and even a small store required a large amount of money. To illustrate the marked contrast between the prices then and those of the present day, we give a few examples: Prints now selling at 7 and 8 cents a yard, then brought from 45 to 50 cents; muslin now worth 8 or 9 cents a yard, then sold at 75 or 80 cents; all-wool flannel cost $1 per yard, which is now procured at about one-third of that price; kerosene was 80 cents a gallon; sugar 25 cents a pound, and coffee so expensive that rye, chicory, burnt crusts, etc., were used by everyone as a substitute.

In 1868 Robert C. Osburn was married to Mary, daughter of James P. Robertson, of Eldersville, Penn. She died in 1877, and he was afterward married to Hannah M., daughter of W. W. Knight, of Jefferson township, this county. This wife died in 1882, and Mr. Osburn's third choice was made in the person of Hattie M., daughter of Cy- rus McConnell, of Hanover township, this county. Mr. Osburn's business has steadily increased, and he is now the proprietor of a large store replete with a complete and varied stock of dry goods, gro- ceries and hardware. When he began business at Eldersville he was obliged to haul goods eight miles from Steubenville to his store; but no ob- stacles daunted his energetic spirit, and his life success has been made in the town where he had made so humble a beginning twenty-eight years ago. In 1871 the large and comfortable dwelling was erected which is now his home and place of business. In politics Mr. Osburn is a Republican, an active worker in the party, and has filled vari- ous township offices.

P RESSLY LEECH. Men of business ca- pacity and intellectual force need no formal introduction in a work of this character, for their names are indelibly printed in the minds and hearts of the surrounding com- munity, whose interests they are continually plan- ning to advance. In the foremost rank of the best citizens of this county, the name of Leech has ever been identified and interwoven with its earli- est history.

James Leech (the grandfather of subject) was born in County Down, Ireland, and there married Jane Reynolds. Three children were born to them: John, Thomas and William. Having de- cided to try life in the New World, the grand- father, in company with his family and a brother named Robert, sailed from Ireland in 1774. They landed at Philadelphia, where the brothers sepa- rated, Robert going south, eventually settling in .

Pressly Lech

897

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

South Carolina, while James and his family pushed farther west, first locating in Northampton county, Penn. In August, 1775, they came to Smith township, Washington county, and in the unbroken wilderness erected their one-room log cabin home, which compared very favorably with the houses of the other early settlers. With his firearms as constant companions, James Leech began the her- culean task of transforming the unsightly forest into a fertile farm. Eight years passed away' be- fore civilization had rendered the little home com- paratively safe from attacks of the Indians, and in the meantime the settlers were often forced to flee to the neighboring blockhouse for protection, which blockhouse stood on the old Leech farm. Un- daunted by the toil and privations of this life, James Leech found time and strength to take part in the national struggle of his adopted country. Her cause was his, her liberties dearer to his heart than life, and with the beginning of the Revolu- tion he enlisted in a company organized by Capt. Joseph Erwin, afterward incorporated under Col. Samuel Miles' Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment. This division finally became a part of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania, then of the Second Pennsylvania, and on January 1, 1778, having served his time, he was discharged from the service at Valley Forge. He was paid in "Continental money," which was worthless, and part of it is still in the possession of the family. He then returned to the farm in Washington county, where he died in De- cember, 1823, having been preceded by his wife in 1812. The children who were born after the family had settled in Pennsylvania were as follows: James, Robert, Samuel, Margaret (wife of John Cunningham) and Jane (unmarried), all of whom lived to an adult age.

James Leech, son of the old pioneer James, was born September 17, 1775, in Northampton county, Penn. His youth was passed on the home farm, and he received a subscription-school education. Early evincing a taste for mechanical work, he learned the trade of millwright. He bought a farm where the old fort stands, and had a saw and grist mill, to which latter wheat was brought on horseback. In 1803 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wishart, who was born in 1782, in Franklin county, Penn., and came with her parents to Washington county when thirteen years of age. James and Elizabeth Leech were the parents of the following children: James, Jane (wife of James McKeen, of Greene county, Penn., both deceased), Nancy (Mrs. James McGhee, of Tama county, Iowa, both deceased), John, Robert, David, Thomas, Elizabeth (living with her brother Joseph), Joseph P., Mary (wife of A. Phillis, of Smith township) and Pressly. Of these children there are yet liv- ing: Elizabeth, Joseph P. and Pressly. After his

marriage James Leech settled on a farm in Smith township. In 1812 he entered the war of that period, serving under Harrison throughout the campaign. In politics he was a Whig, first a Jackson man; but changed on the bank question, and took a very active part in the campaign pre- ceding the election of President Harrison. He was an enthusiastic admirer of his older leader, and did all in his power to secure the election of the sturdy, fearless veteran. In 1818 Mr. Leech was ap- pointed a justice of the peace, filling that office twen- ty-two years, during which time his rulings were invariably sustained by the higher courts. He and his wife were members of the Seceder Church and then of the Union Church, to which he contrib- uted liberally, having given the land for a church at Mt. Vernon before the project was abandoned, owing to disorganization. He was a ruling elder in the Seceder Church and of the Associate Union Church during his life. The old church stands. He was called to his long home June 27, 1852, and June 4, 1867, his wife was laid to rest beside him.

Pressly Leech (son of James and Elizabeth Leech) was born October 20, 1832, on the home farm in Smith township, where his boyhood was passed. His early education was received at the country schools, after which he was a student at Washington and Jefferson College for one year, being then obliged to leave school on account of an attack of inflammatory rheumatism. Return- ing to the farm, and upon regaining his health, he taught from 1854 to 1857 in Smith township, also followed agricultural pursuits. On January 8, 1857, he was united in marriage with Susan R. Marshall, who was born in 1835, in Queen Anne's county, Md., daughter of Stewart and Maria (Tittle) Marshall. Stewart Marshall was born in Cross Creek township, a son of William Marshall, who came from Ireland to America when twelve years old, and died in Cross Creek township. Stewart Marshall, who was a stone mason, was married in Baltimore to Maria Little, and by her had four children: Elizabeth, in Midway; Louisa, widow of John Robertson, of Cross Creek village; Susan R., Mrs. Pressly Leech, and Sarah, wife of John Barnes, living in Jefferson county, Iowa. Mr. Marshall died in Iowa, his wife in Maryland. Mrs. Leech spent her girlhood in Baltimore, and after coming to Pennsylvania taught school for a time in Cross Creek township prior to her marriage. The children of Pressly and Susan R. (Marshall) Leech are Lizzie Wishart (living at home), Susan L. (wife of William McIlvaine, of Mount Pleasant township), James P. (a farmer of Smith township, living on the old Grandfather Leech farm), Robert V. (deceased in youth), John C. (residing with his parents), Linda E. (a graduate of California

898

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

(Penn.) College, now teaching school in Mt. Pleasant township), J. Gibson and Ernest A. (liv- ing at home).

Mr. and Mrs. Leech began married life on the old Leech homestead, where they resided until 1867. He then purchased some land adjoining the old place, to which he has continued to add, now owning almost two hundred acres of choice land. A few years ago he erected one of the finest country residences in Smith township, including many conveniences which can be found in no other farm-house of the neighborhood. The dwelling is elegantly furnished and very commodious, while the barn-a substantial structure 40x60 feet, with wing 28x30 feet-was built in 1892, and is one of the finest in the township. In 1891 Mr. Leech erected an aermotor, which pumps water, shells corn, grinds chop feed for his own use, as well as thousands of bushels per annum for his neighbors. The first steam thresher used in the township was owned by a company of which Mr. Leech was a member. The first sewing machine (a " Wheeler & Wilson ") in the vicinity was owned by the fam- ily, and was a curiosity in its day. His farm is situated about five miles from Burgettstown, on what is called the " Contention tract," the Vance, Campbell and Stevenson families all at one time advancing claims to it, but which finally became the "Campbell farm."

In politics he was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the party became a Republican, but has always limited his political interests to the ballot, preferring to spend his time in other ways. He and his wife are members of the Mt. Pros- pect Presbyterian Church, of which he is a deacon.

J OHN GARDNER, SR., one of the pioneer settlers of this county, was born in 1757, and died September 10, 1821. He came from Wales to America about the middle of the eighteenth century, settling on the banks of the Potomac river, near Mt. Vernon, the home of Washington, and was familiar with the patriot. In his early days he came to Washington county (between 1770 and 1774), married Elizabeth Clark (in 1783), daughter of James Clark, and moved to the farm, then known as Greathouse Castle, where they both died. They were buried in Cross Creek graveyard, where a marble monument, eight feet high, marks their resting-place, and bears their names.

Elizabeth Clark, born in 1748, died October 1, 1853, was left by herself one day before her mar- riage, busy at her loom, while her father, James Clark, Alexander Leeper, a brother in-law Samuel Leeper, and others went to the Leeper farm to build some fence; and John Yeaman went to a garden, about one and one-half miles off, to get

some parsnips for dinner. The latter, on his re- turn, stopped at a spring to get a drink of water, and was sitting on a log resting, when the Indians rushed on him, and killed and scalped him. The same day, before they killed Yeaman, they came on James Robinson and his son, where they were fixing or preparing ground to plant potatoes. The boy got on the horse, but the father missed his jump and fell, and the Indians killed and scalped him. The boy made home in safety. The Indians came along where Miss Clark was weaving. She, seeing them, got up in the loft of the loom-shop, and covered herself with flax-tow. They came in and took some meat from the pot that was boiling on the fire, cut some of the web off the loom and left. She expected to be burnt alive, but they did not know she was there. When the men came for dinner, she told the tale, and they went to hunt up Yeaman, but found him as described. They started in pursuit of the Indians as soon as they could get help, and traced them to the Ohio river, near Mingo bottom, in time to see them climb the bank on the other side. Know- ing there was a large force at Mingo, they re- turned home, and next day they buried Mr. Yeaman near where he was killed, under a gum tree on the farm now owned by George Criss' heirs, one and one-half miles west of Eldersville, where there were several persons buried from 1770 to 1775. Those were the last deaths at the hands of the Indians in these parts. The whites had a fort on the Richard Wells farm; but had not been troubled much with Indians for some time, so were not on the lookout, and they had just come from the fort a short time before. The grant of land to John Greathouse, made by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, comprised 289 acres on Harmon run. It was surveyed March 7, 1775, and Septem- ber 15, 1784, and deeded to Greathouse July 7, 1786, with other lands amounting to 400 acres.

The children born to John and Elizabeth (Clark) Gardner were William, born August 7. 1784; Sarah, January 7, 1786; Margaret, July 26, 1785; Lydia, March 27, 1790; Rachel, November 25, 1792; John, October 2, 1794; James, May 29,1796; David, March 23, 1798; Samuel, May 15, 1801. All have passed away except James, who is living with his son, Levi, in Hancock county, W. Va., where he has seventeen oil-producing wells on his farm of 300 acres in the Turkey Foot oil region. David Gardner, born March 23, 1798, married Nancy Donovan in 1819, and to this union the fol- lowing named children were born: Eliza, born November 22, 1820 (married G. Swearingen); John, October 1, 1822 (married Parmelia Gardner, Au- gust 20, 1846); David (married Lizzie Merryman, of Brooke county); Thomas (died in youth); James (married Mary Sanders, of Brooke county, Va.); George (married Mrs. Lizzie Robinson, of Steuben-

899

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

ville, Ohio); Rezin (died in early youth); William (married Carity Hendricks, of Brooke county, Va.); Rachel (married Reason Walker, of Wash- ington county, Penn.): Anne (married W. B. Morrow, of Brooke county, Va., now of Selina, Kans.); Martin (married Lizzie Sanders, of this county); Mary (married D. F. Patterson, of Pat- terson's Mills, Penn., now a prominent lawyer of Pittsburgh, Penn.). Thomas Donovan, Sr., came from Baltimore, Md., with his family in 1812, and settled on the farm now occupied by his son, Thomas, now a man over ninety years old. The pioneer of the name in this county was born Sep- tember 10, 17 --. On August 3, 1787, he married Anne Cole, born November 7, 1765, and their children were Honor, born May 26, 1788, married Thomas Wheeler; John, born June 8, 1790, died January 5, 1834; Abram (1), born November 26, 1792, died November 26, 1795; Sarah, born March 11, 1795; Harriet, born March 17, 1797; Ellen, born March 11, 1799; Nancy, born December 16, 1800, married David Gardner in 1819; Thomas, born February 14, 1803; Abram (2), born May 3, 1805; Cornelius, born September 20, 1807; Ruth, born March 26, 1810; and Selina, born February 9, 1813. All are numbered with the dead, except Thomas Donovan, named above.

Samuel Gardner, born May 15, 1801, married Ruth Sharp, in 1826. Their children were Per- melia, born November 8, 1827; Clarissa, Novem- ber 17, 1829; Edward M., January 7, 1832; Jane, July 14, 1834; John F., December 27, 1836; Levi S., May 23, 1839; Samuel Scott, June 27, 1842; James H., April 13, 1845, and David Reeves, April 13, 1845. The father of this family died April 1, 1877, leaving to the heirs a tract of 600 acres con- nected with the home farm. John Gardner, born October 1, 1822, married Permelia Gardner, August 20, 1846. She is the eldest daughter of Samuel Gardner, named above. The children of this marriage are D. S. Gardner, born July 9, 1847; Edward Morgan, born June 16, 1849, died January 23, 1854; Thomas D., born October 14, 1850, died March 21, 1876; Marion F., born October 23, 1852; Emma, born April 29, 1855; Ruth Ella, born De- cember 7, 1858; Reason Walker, born November 19, 1861; Freeman Sharp, born September 14, 1864; Lucy Etta, born July 3, 1866; Nancy Cora Austa, born January 21, 1869, and Robert C., born November 12, 1872.

John Gardner, Sr., was a Presbyterian; Eliza- beth, his wife, united with the Disciple Church, founded by Alexander Campbell, of Bethany, Va., and commonly called Campbellites, now known as the Christian Church, and was a faithful member, and regular at all convenient meetings until she lost her sight. Being blind for many years, but very industrious, she was nearly always knitting, and could shape a very nice stocking, knowing

when she would drop a stitch. Their son, William, married Patty Wilcoxon, and settled near Lisbon, Ohio; afterward settled on a farm near Holliday's Cove, Va. Their children were John, Samuel, Robert, William, Betsy, Verlinda and Margaret. Sarah married Arch Freshwater, their children being John, Arch, William, David, Fanny and Betsy. Margaret married John Hindman, of Brooke county, Va., settled on a farm on the road from Washington (Penn.) to Steubenville (Ohio), but exchanged that for other land and mill prop- erty at Holliday's Cove, where they ended their days. Their children were Betty, John (represent- ative to Richmond, who was killed by the cars while walking on the track in sight of his house a few years ago), James, William, Samuel, Frank, Cyrus, Harriet, Margaret and Mary, nearly all devout Christians. Lydia married David Cham- bers, settled at Cadiz, Ohio, kept a hotel for many years, went on a farm and died, leaving John, David, Nancy and Rachel. Rachel married Robert Scott, settled and spent their days on a farm on the pike from Wellsburg, Va., to Washington, Penn., where they kept a tavern and store, and worked their large and fertile farm, which still belongs to their heirs, for many years. Both were very useful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were the means of building the Frank- lin meeting house. Their children were Eliza, married to Rezin Reeves, of Wellsburg, Va .; Per- melia, married to Rev. James Hopkins, and located at Sewickley, Penn. (Mr. Hopkins died a few years ago; he was a ruling elder for many years; his widow is still living); Katharine, married to Rev. Crea, and they lived on part of the home farm until their death; Mary, married Edward Hunter, and took the home house to live in, which is now occupied by their two children, Robert and Ella; Rachel, married to Rev. George Hudson (he and family own part of her father's farm, she being dead for many years); David, who went West while young; McKendry, Fletcher and Ella, living at Washington, D. C .; John, married to Eliza Reeves, of Brooke county, Va., and lived at Wells- burg many years, where he kept a store and tavern, and had an interest in a steamboat called "The Swan" (he ran coaches, and was a very useful man; he moved to a point opposite East Liverpool, Ohio, where he had a large tract of land, built a large house, established a ferry, and left a consider- ble fortune to his three children; he was justice of the peace for many years); James, married to Mary Sharp, and settled near Paris, Penn., on a beautiful farm, raised a large family, became rich, and is yet living (his wife died many years ago; his sons were good workers, as were also his two daughters); Eliza, married to Rev. James Campbell, who preached in the Paris church for many years, moved to near Cincinnati, Ohio, and died leaving

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 142

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