Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 146

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 146

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Samuel B. Barnard was born August 31, 1835, on the home farm, where he assisted his father in the management of liis estate until the Civil war began. . The farmer was then quickly transformed into a Union soldier, enlisting October 14, 1862. in Company E, of the "Ringgold Battalion." He was a gallant and efficient defender of the flag. taking part in many important engagements, and was eventually transferred to Company F, Twenty- second Pennsylvania Cavalry. On July 19, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. At the close of the war he returned to the home farm, which he has since conducted very successfully. On June 12, 1884, Mr. Barnard married Mary L. White, whose parents were early residents of Washington county, Penn. Of this union were born five children, viz .: Twin daughters, born June 15, 1885 (deceased); Samuel W., born June 20, 1886; Mary Eleanor, born February 3, 1888, and Charles L., born October 3, 1890 (deceased). The home farm contains 145 acres of valuable land, situated in the southern part of West Bethle- hem township. In politics Mr. Barnard is a Re- publican, and has filled various offices of trust sat- isfactorily to all concerned. He is honored as a man and as a citizen, and, having achieved pros- perity by honest effort, fully merits the reward he has won.

OHN McCLAY, one of the oldest living rep- resentatives of his family in America, was born in 1809, in Hopewell township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., a son of Samuel McClay, who was born in Ireland, and who, at the tender age of ten years, resolved to seek his fortune in the New World.

Embarking on a sailing vessel, Samuel com- menced his voyage to America, and after a stormy passage of many weeks landed at New York; thence proceeded to Pennsylvania, where he worked out his passage, as was the custom of the time. (The transportation companies would bind out their passengers until their wages had paid the expenses of the passage across the ocean.) When the youth had paid the debt in the manner we have described, he commenced life for himself, and settling in Chester county, in the Keystone State, began business upon the economical principles which have become the peculiar characteristics of his descendants. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Sarah Mcclellan, a resident of Chester county, whose family had at an early day come from Ireland to the shores of America. Mr. and Mrs. McClay remained in Chester county until they had accumulated a little wealth, and then re- moved to Washington county. where they pur- chased a small tract of land (110 acres), which they at once engaged in clearing and improving. Their children managed this part of the work, as the health of the father began to fail, and he had to occupy himself in the less arduous business of teaming and stock trading. The children of this pioneer family were Margaret (Mrs. Robert Dins- more), Elizabeth (Mrs. William Morrow), John, David, Robert, William and Sarah Jane. They were all members of the Covenanter Church, and so thoroughly were they imbued with the principles of their faith, that the impress of their zeal is still plainly seen in their descendants, who are nearly all ardent and conscientious workers in the church of their forefathers. Politically Mr. McClay was an enthusiastic Whig, and was very active in the interests of his party. After a useful life he passed from earth in the year 1838, followed by his wife in 1842. He left his family a comfort- able inlieritance. The influence of such men never dies, although they may spend but few years among us.

John McClay, the subject of this memoir, spent his earlier years in active work upon the home farm, receiving but a limited education, at the rate schools of the vicinity, the only text-books used being the " United States Speller," the " Western Calculator " and the Bible. The school-house was a log building, and the huge fireplace which extended across one end of the room was filled with logs which the older pupils cut from the forest

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trees. The clothing of the family was entirely home-made-the flax being first spun into linen, and then the fabric was dyed and made into gar- ments. On April 26, 1838, Mr. McClay was mar- ried to Jane, daughter of James Smith. She died, and September 15, 1841, our subject married Jane, daughter of Robert Welch. By this union there were born the following children: Sarah (Mrs. D. W. Morrison), who died August 6, 1892; William W., John H. and Robert H. In 1857 Mr. McClay married Sarah Taggart, who lived but fifteen months, and December 15, 1869, he married Margaret, daughter of James Brownlee, who was one of the earliest settlers of Washington county. She had no children.

Mr. McClay has been one of the most successful husbandmen in his township, securing by hard work and economy a comfortable competence, and is now, toward the close of a long and useful life, enjoying the fruits of his early toil. Mr. McClay had long been a member of the Covenanter Church, and remained with them until 1858, when he united with the U. P. Church, in which he has ever since been an active and zealous worker. Politically he was originally a Whig, later a Republican, and is now in the ranks of the Prohibition party. He has always favored progressiveness, and has done all in his power to advance the interests of his township.

(AMES TAGGART MARQUIS was born October 9, 1825, on the farm in Jefferson township, this county, which is now his home. His grandfather, John Marquis, was a native of Wales, and, coming to America, settled near Baltimore, Md., where he remained but a short time. He then came to Cross Creek town- ship, and located on the farm where he died. His wife was formerly Sarah Griffith, a native of Virginia, and they were the parents of nine chil- dren-six sons and three daughters-namely: Thomas, John, Mary, Sarah, Edward, Robert, James, Anne and William.

John Marquis (father of subject) was born January 10, 1784, and was trained from early youth to the duties of a pioneer farm. He en- listed in the war of 1812, remaining in the service till the close of the conflict. On November 16, 1816, he married Elizabeth Taggart, and they had a family of seven children, namely: Samuel F., M. D., Julia A., Margaret, James T .. John R., Sarah J. and William E., of whom are yet living. William E., in New Cumberland, W. Va., and James T .. subject of the present sketch.

James Taggart Marquis was early in life inducted into the mysteries of agricultural pursuits, which have always been his vocation. On January 31, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bucher, a school teacher, daughter of Abner

Bucher (who was also a school teacher in early life), and nine children have been born to them, namely: John A., Lizzie R. (wife of Rev. J. B. Lyle), Lawrence Verne, Julia Belle, Mary Lee, Lulu Pauline, Maggie Lenora (called by the tender Shepherd to His Bosom in infancy), James Tag- gart (triumphantly entered into rest March 28, 1890), and Nannie Archer. Mr. Marquis has always resided on the home farm, and is the owner of 100 acres of land. His children are all well educated, several of them having graduated: John A. is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Penn., also of the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Penn., now pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greensburg, Penn .; Lizzie R. and Mary both graduated from Blairsville Ladies' Seminary (subsequently Mary taught three years in this same institution); Lulu and Belle attended the Blairs- ville Seminary (Belle is now engaged in teaching in the High School Department of Brainerd In- stitute, Chester, S. C.). In religious connection the family are all members of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Marquis has been a ruling elder since his ordination, March 14, 1880.

[For historical sketch of the ancestry of Mr. Marquis see history of Marquises elsewhere in this work.

INLEY B. WINNETT, M. D. Washington county enjoys the reputation of having in her midst some of the most skillful physi- cians of the State, and not by any means the least of them is the gentleman whose name here appears. Dr. Winnett was born in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., August 10, 1848, a son of J. W. Winnett, whose wife was Mary Biddile, and they had four children: Finley B., Hiram (deceased), Margery (deceased wife of S. B. Weir), and Elizabeth (deceased wife of Dr. H. H. McDonough).

Finley B. Winnett received his rudimentary edu- cation at the academy at Hoges Summit, Penn. In 1867 he commenced to read medicine with Dr. David Shanor, of Beallsville, Penn. After two years he commenced a course of study in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, which was followed by a course at Long Island College, Brooklyn, N. Y., where he graduated in the class of 1870. The Doctor then commenced the practice of his profession at Scenery Hill, a town situated on the National pike, some twelve miles from the borough of Washington, this county. Here he remained eight years, when, his health having become im- paired, he moved to Nebraska, where he received the appointment of assistant surgeon for the U. P. P. R. R. Company, a position he held during his sojourn in that State; was also for some time pen-

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sion examining agent for the U. S. Government. In 1884 he was nominated for the Legislature to represent the counties of Cheyenne, Sioux and Keith, coming within seventeen votes of being elected. In 1875 Dr. Winnett received the "ad- cundem medicine degree" from Cleveland Med- ical College. In 1885 he returned to Washington county, to the vicinity of his former home, con- tinuing his practice until 1889, when he moved into the borough of Washington. He enjoys an enviable popularity as a successful physician and general practioner, his ride being a very extensive one, and his practice one of the largest in the county, all his old patients remaining with him. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and of the I. O. O. F., and vice-president of the U. S. Excelsior Building & Loan Association of Wash- ington.

In 1869 Dr. Winnett was married to Miss Isabel Scott, daughter of John D. Scott, of Somerset township, and two children were born to them: John Elmer (who attended college one year at Thiel and one at Washington), and Ray (attending Wash- ington and Jefferson College). John Elmer was for a short time at the head of his father's drug store, which he conducted with an abil- ity seldom attained by men of his age. But the grim monster, death, loves a shining mark, and after a slight exposure and cold, at first trivial or slight, it developed into tuberculosis. He was prescribed for by some of the best physicians of the East, and tried for a while the seashore. Finding no relief, he was taken to Colo- rado, and Manitou Springs, and from there to Mexico. Finding no panacea there, he was brought home to his father, where he lived only a few weeks. His classmates in both colleges de- plore his taking away. He was an honored mem- ber of the I. O. Heptasophs, who feel that a brother is gone. His parents feel the loss of a noble son more than mere words can express.

W ILLIAM GALBRAITH, an influential citi- zen of Carroll township, is a native of the fair "Green Island " which has given so lib- erally to America of its noblest product -the warm-hearted energetic sons and daughters of Erin. Robert Galbraith was born in 1774, in Ireland, where he was married to Elizabeth Alexan- der, and where the following children were born to them: Robert, William and Frances. In 1825 he and his family came to America, locating in Carroll township, Washington Co., Penn.

William Galbraith, the only living representa- tive of his family, was born July 14, 1810, in Ire- land, where he attended school and resided until fifteen years of age, when he came with his parents to America. His education was practically fin-

ished in the old country, as one day's experience in an American public school was all he afterward received. He learned the boat-building business, and was set to work at an early age to assist in paying off the debt on the home farm, consisting of 200 acres. He followed the boat business between the years 1827 and 1840, when the hard times of 1837 brought disaster upon that branch of indus- try. On April 29, 1835, he was united in marriage with Lucinda, daughter of Noah Fry. William and Lucinda Galbraith reared the following chil- dren: Robert, living in Allegheny county, served three years in the war of the Rebellion; William, who was also a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and served three years under Col. Hambright in the Seventy-ninth Regiment P. V. I., and was killed in an accident in Nevada in the silver mines; Noah, a farmer in Delaware county, Ohio; Emeline, de- ceased wife of Frank Williams, and Cornelius, a resident of Kentucky. The mother died in 1845, and for his second choice William Galbraith was married November 30, 1848, to Mary, daughter of William Hill. The children of this union were Samuel, an enterprising farmer; Elizabeth, de- ceased wife of Albert Wickerham; John, assisting on the home place; Alexander, a farmer of East Pike Run township; Mary Frances, wife of John P. Mosier, of North Strabane township, this county; Thomas, living on the old place; Stephen A. B. (deceased), who was a graduate in the class of 1886 at Washington and Jefferson College (died while attending the Medical College, Philadelphia, December 3, 1889) and Ethel, living at home. In 1829 Mr. Galbraith erected the large barn, which is a model of workmanship and convenience, and in 1866 he built the handsome brick residence which is his home. He is the inventor of the "steel bit," a carpenter's tool, and is a most enterprising citizen.

HE SAMPSON FAMILY, who are among the most influential and wealthy citizens of Carroll township, were formerly natives of Westmoreland county, Penn .. where Will- iam Sampson was born in 1765. He was married in that county to Mary Neal, who bore him four children. Some time after his marriage the family moved to Washington county, Penn., where the father died in 1815.

James Sampson, son of William and Mary, was born February 5, 1806, just above Webster, on the Monongahela river, in Westmoreland county, Penn., and in 1840 was married to Mary Grant, a native of Washington county. She bore him seven children, of whom are named William T., Harvey J., and John G. The mother died in 1888. James Sampson carried on a distillery in his early years in connection with farming, and he now owns 1,250 acres of land. He was president of the

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Bank of Monongahela City for ten years, and is one of the leading citizens of Washington county.

JOHN GRANT SAMPSON, a very prominent young farmer and wealthy stockman of Carroll township, was born February 6, 1852, on the old Sampson homestead in this county. He passed his youth on the old place, assisting with the usual duties of the farm, and on Christmas Day, 1879, linked his future with Mary V., daughter of John S. Will- iams, of Carroll township. To this union have been born five children, viz .: Mary Gertrude, Will- iam Howard, James Grant, Helen Marguerite, and Alice May Virginia. Mr. Sampson owns and occupies the old homestead containing 260 acres of fertile land, and is extensively engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. At one time he sold a herd of cattle worth $1,000 to a stranger, who never paid for them. He is a Republican in his political views, and in religious faith he is an earnest mem -* ber of the Methodist Church.

OSEPH B. DONALDSON is one of the rep- resentative business men of Canonsburg. He was born December 15, 1846, in Can- onsburg, forty six years ago, and has been behind the counter for over thirty years, twenty-four of which he has been in the drug business. In 1876 he opened a drug store in Canonsburg, and has the largest and most varied stock of drugs and fancy goods in the city.

He has been the architect of his own fortunes. Beginning with a small stock, his business has rapidly increased, his fine store now being crowded with novelties and the usual paraphernalia of a drug store doing a good business. On October 30, 1872, Mr. Donaldson was married to Miss Maria M. Adams, of Canonsburg, and they are the par- ents of the following children: Louis, Mary, Susie and Lawrence. In his political preferences Mr. Donaldson is a Democrat, and in religion he is a Presbyterian.

B OON FAMILY. This is one of the oldest in Washington county. Of the early family of Boons, John was born in Ireland, where he grew to manhood and married. The family came to America many years ago, and first settled in Dauphin county, Penn., where John Boon engaged in farming and distilling, most of the wheat being distilled, as produce brought no profit. He finally moved to Canonsburg, Penn., then to Chartiers township, where he died. Their chil- dren were as follows: Mary, Nancy, William, James, Jane, Elizabeth, John, Margaret and Joseph; of whom William, James and John were soldiers in the war of 1812. In politics Mr. Boon was a Whig, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church at Miller's Run.

William Boon was born and reared near Wil- mington, Del., and was there married to Margaret McHargue. They resided in Delaware some time after their marriage, then moved to Dauphin county, Penn., soon after crossing the mountains to Washington county, the journey occupying sev- eral days. They finally arrived in Chartiers town- ship, and Mr. Boon purchased the tract of land now owned by William Russell, which was cleared and cultivated by the Boon family. In 1824 they removed to Smith township, this county, and a few years later settled permanently on the farm in Ce- cil township, which is now the property of James Boon. William Boon won success by his own un- tiring efforts, and was prominently identified with the interests of the community, especially those re- lating to educational matters. In politics he was a Whig and Republican, and held nearly every local office; in religious faith he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His children were Levi, Alexander, Sarah, John, Margaret, William and James.

S. BLAYNEY. Among the prominent families of Washington county, the name of Blayney is identified as representing men of sterling worth, who lived lives of practical benefit to the community in which they resided.

The earliest representatives of this family in the United States, of whom there is any record, were Charles Blayney and his parents who emigrated from Ireland to this country, when Charles was seven years old. They settled in Ohio county, W. Va., where Charles passed the rest of his life. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and received his education at the subscription schools of the period. In early manhood he married Ann Potter, by which union were born children as follows: William, Vincent M. and Josiah. This wife dying in the spring of 1816, soon after the birth of her youngest son, Mr. Blayney, for his second help- meet, married Nancy Faris, of Ohio county, W. Va., and the children of this union were John, Elizabeth (wife of William Reed), Susanna (wife of John Valentine), Charles, Martha (wife of Rev. George McDonald), James, David, Adam, Rev. Henry and Rev. J. Mccluskey, all now living far apart; some near the Atlantic ocean, others on the golden shores of the Pacific. The father died June 11, 1860, the mother November 10, 1880.

Vincent M. Blayney, second son of Charles and Ann (Potter) Blayney, was born January 12, 1815, in Ohio county, W. Va. and was reared to mail- hood on the home farm, receiving at the same time a liberal education at the schools of his lo- cality. In 1840 he was married to Mrs. Dora (Smith) Blaney, to which union one child was born-J. S., the subject of this sketch. The

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mother died when J. S. was but a week old. The father afterward, August 27, 1844, married Mary D., daughter of Samuel Donahey, of Buffalo town- ship, and by this marriage there were five chil- dren, viz. : Anna J. (wife of Dr. D. S. Eagleson), Rev. Charles P., Samuel D. (ruling elder in the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church), William V. and Joseph C. Vincent M. Blayney was called from earth March 18, 1887. Politically he was a stanch Republican, and at various times held offices of trust in his township. He was a warm sup- porter of the Presbyterian Church, and a devout member. In his life vocation-general farming and stock raising-he made a well-merited success.

J. S. Blayney was born October 10, 1842, in Ohio county, W. Va. On the same day that his mother died, his grandmother lost an infant, and immediately took the motherless little one to her home. Our subject remained in the home of his grandmother three years, then went to live with his father. In February 1865, he entered Com- pany K, Sixty-first Regiment P. V. I., attached to the Sixth Army Corps, and took part in the battle of Petersburg and other engagements. When the war was ended he came home, and engaged in ag- ricultural duties. On December 31, 1868, Mr. Blayney was married to Nancy M. Caldwell, who was born March 13, 1841, in Washington county, a daughter of Robert Caldwell. No children have blessed their union, but two adopted little ones- James W. and Mary Oliver-have found parental love and tender care beneath their roof. Mr. Blayney owns one of the finest farms in Washing- ton county, which his father aided him to pur- chase. His luxurious home is elaborately fur- nished, and lighted and heated with gas, having every comfort and convenience. Politically he is an active Republican, and a valued member of the party; he has held nearly all the township offices. He is connected with the Buffalo Presbyterian Church, to which he gives a liberal support, both socially and financially. Mr. Blayney is one of the leading citizens and most prosperous farmers of Hopewell township.

S® AMUEL ADAMS, an energetic citizen of Union township, is a native of Allegheny county, Penn., born at Port Perry February 21, 1851. His family have long been resi- dents of that county, the grandfather, John Adams, having settled on the Allegheny river. The chil- dren of John Adams were born as follows: Alex- ander, Joseph, John, Samuel, Lewis, Mary, and an unnamed infant. Of this family Samuel is the only living member, and is residing on a farm near Wellsville, Ohio; John, Samuel and Lewis served in the war between the North and the South.

John Adams, son of John, was born in 1820, on the banks of the Allegheny river where his boy- hood was pased. On arriving at an age of matu- rity he was united in marriage with Ellen, daugh- ter of Aaron Tharp, a native of eastern Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Adams located near Port Perry, Allegheny Co., Penn., and he followed teaming in that locality; also worked on the railroad, and in digging coal. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Eva, Samuel, Mary, John, Ellen, James D., and Jennie.

Samuel Adams, whose name introduces this biography, was born at Port Perry, in Allegheny county. He was trained to hard manual labor from early youth, having worked in the mines during boyhood. He was the only support of the family while his father was in the army. In 1872 he bought a property in Port Perry, which he still owns. In 1874 he married Minerva, daughter of Benjamin Gilmore, a farmer of Allegheny county, and after marriage Mr. Adams continued working for five years; then attended the Southwestern State Nor- mal School, at California, Penn., afterward return- ing to Port Perry. He conducted a butcher busi- ness at the last mentioned place for about one year, and in 1884 moved to the farm in Washing- ton county, Penn., which contains 100 acres. In 1888 he purchased this place, and since that time has continued to reside upon it. He is a member and trustee of the Methodist Church; in politics he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has held various local offices in Allegheny county. Children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Adams as fol- lows: Elizabeth, born November 17, 1874, died March 3, 1875; Mary Ellen, deceased in infancy; James G. Blaine, born at Port Perry September 15, 1881, " and is a jewel in the home on the farm, being twelve years of age, and bright as a silver dollar."

E LIJAH T. TOWNSEND. The Townsend family, of which this gentleman is a member, are of English descent. Many years ago, three brothers, Elijah, John and Isaiah Townsend (cousins of Glen Townsend, of Quebec), left the shores of the mother country and sailed to America. They settled in Egg Harbor City, N. J., and Elijah there reared a family of children, among whom was one named Daniel.

Daniel Townsend was born August 14, 1747, in Egg Harbor City, N. J., where he grew to man- hood and engaged in the lumber business. In 1776 he entered the Revolutionary war, serving about two years, participating in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Monmouth. In 1779 he came to Washington county, Penn., bought 400 acres of land of Joshua Wright, and settled perma- nently on that tract. He was married to Lydia

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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 146

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