Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 150

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 150

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AMES JOHNSTON HOWE is a well-known citizen of Peters township. His ancestors came from Scotland many years ago and set- tled in eastern Pennsylvania, where James Howe was born and reared. James Howe learned the blacksmith's trade, and then settled on a farm near Washington, in Washington Co., Penn. He was married to Miss Margaret Clark. of this county, who bore him the following chil- dren: William, Mary, Ann, Jane, Thomas, James, Elizabeth, David, Nancy and Margaret, of whom James, Elizabeth, Nancy and Margaret are yet living. Mr. Howe followed his trade until 1822,. then came to the home farm in Peters township, this county, where he was also engaged in farm- ing. Prior to 1840 he was a Democrat, but after the Harrison campaign joined the Whig party, which was eventually merged into the Republican faction. He died in 1863.

William Howe, eldest son of James and Marga- ret Howe, was born October 29, 1816, in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn. He passed his youth in performing the usual duties of farm life. and also learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1847 he was united in marriage with Nancy, daughter of James Johnston, of Peters township, this county, and the young people located on a farm near the old place, where he worked at his trade, but afterward removed to Allegheny county, Penn., where they remained two years. In 1865 they re- turned to Washington county, and locating on the home place, he abandoned liis trade and devoted the remnant of his life to farming. He died Feb- rnary 7, 1872, leaving one son, James Johnston.

James Johnston Howe, son of William and Nancy Howe, was born on the home place, in Peters township, August 23, 1848. He attended the Canonsburg Academy for two terms, and when his father died left school to take charge of the home farm. On October 18, 1882, he married Elizabeth M., daughter of William H. Carpenter, a prominent farmer of Lawrence county, Penn. The home farm contains eighty-five acres of ex- cellent land, and when wool was selling at a higli price Mr. Howe made a specialty of sheep-raising. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and in re- ligion is a member and liberal supporter of the Greenside Avenue United Presbyterian Church, of Canonsburg.

H UGH HANNA, M. D., a retired physician of Washington county, now living on a farm in Chartiers township, is the son of Hugh and Dorothy Hanna, the former of whom was born in Ireland, and came to Washington county in an early day, settling in Ce- cil township. He was there married to Dorothy Whitely, a native of Peters township, this county, and the following children were born to their union: William (a wagon-maker in Monongahela City), Thomas (who went to California in an early day and was killed in 1866, while in Nevada), Frederick (a saddler and harness maker, deceased in Peters township when in the prime of man- hood), Eleanor (deceased wife of Samuel Smith, of Canonsburg), Nancy (married to James McLoney, of Odessa, West Bethlehem township, this county), James (farming in North Strabane township), Hugh, and Samuel (who died when about two years of age). The father of this family conducted a woolen mill on the "Craighead" farm in Cecil township for many years, and afterward devoted his time to agricultural work in Peters and Not- tingham townships, this county. He was an active worker in the Democratic party, and held, various offices of trust in said townships. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1842, he was a mem- ber of the U. P. Church at Peters Creek. His wife died in 1858, while residing in Nottingham town- ship.

Hugh Hanna, M. D., was born in Cecil town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., and received his ed- ucation in the district schools of Nottingham town- ship, and at an academy in Somerset township, taught by J. C. Messenger, the family having moved upon a farm in that vicinity. He began life as a school teacher in his native township, where he remained several terms, then taught one winter in Fallowfield township, and three winters in Peters township. He next taught three terms in Union township, at the end of which time he went to Allegheny county, remaining there one

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term. During this period of his life, the young man passed every leisure hour reading medicine, afterward attending one term of lectures at Ann Arbor (Mich. ) University. In 1869 he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduat- ing March 12, 1870, and then commenced the practice of medicine in Allegheny county, Penn. In the fall of 1871 he went to Canonsburg, this county, and November 1, 1876, was married to Lizzie A. Wallace, a native of that town, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Nancy (Arnold) Wallace. Thomas Wallace was a native of Washington county, Penn., and moved to Knox county, Ohio, where he died in 1865; his wife died in October, 1883, at Cambridge, Ohio.

Dr. Hanna remained in Canonsburg until 1878, when, after having been identified with the med- ical profession about eight years, he retired. to a farm in Chartiers township. This farm is a part of the Henderson homestead, and was in the pos- session of that family over one hundred years. Dr. Hanna first purchased 1012 acres, but has since added to it, and now owns 1312 acres of good pro- ductive land. He and his wife have three chil- dren: Howard Thomas, Leota May and Birdie Bell, the latter of whom has become a good reader and mathematician under the instruction of her father, never having attended school. Dr. Hanna raises a fine breed of stock on his farm. The place is within the coal belt near McConnell's Mill. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and at this writ- ing is a member of the school board. He started in life with but little, the success he has achieved being due to enterprise and industry. Mrs. Hanna is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Houstonville, this county.

EORGE KELSO. Among the early resi- dents of Cecil township were Benjamin and Mary (McCormick) Kelso, who settled in Allegheny county, Penn., about the year 1800. Benjamin Kelso served seven years and nine months in the Revolutionary war, and died from disease contracted while in the service.

Benjamin Kelso, a son of the pioneer couple above mentioned, was born in 1801, and reared in Alle- gheny county, Penn., where he received his edu- cation. In 1823 he was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of John Murdock, an early pio- neer of Allegheny county, who afterward moved to Ohio, dying there many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Kelso settled on the old homestead in Alle- gheny county, Penn., where he died in 1880, be- ing followed to the grave by his wife in 1888. They reared the following family of children: Re- becca (married in 1836 to Cornelius Borland, now living in Cecil township, this county), John (a res- ident of Allegheny county, Penn., married to Mary Hall), Mary (wife of Richard Gladden), George

(whose sketch follows), James (living in Pasadena, Cal.), Nancy (married to William Herron, of Noblestown), Margaret, Martha (wife of John P. McConnell), Benjamin (residing on the homestead in Allegheny county), Mark (living in North Stra- bane township), Samuel (residing in Xenia, Ohio) and Elizabeth. Of these are yet living Rebecca, George, James, Benjamin, Mark and Samuel. The father was a Whig and Republican in politics, and in religious faith he and his wife were formerly members of the Associate Reformed Church at Robinson's Run, afterward uniting with the U. P. Church at the same place.

George Kelso, son of Benjamin and Martha (Murdock) Kelso, was born April 28, 1822, in South Fayette township, Allegheny Co., Penn., attending the subscription schools of the day during his boyhood. He began farming on the old homestead, and June 1, 1852, was married to Sarah Jane Wallace, also a native of Allegheny county, daugh- ter of William and Elizabeth (Gilfilland) Wal- lace. The parents were natives of eastern Penn- sylvania, coming when children with their parents to Allegheny county, where they were married. They were both members of the United Presbyte- rian Church at Robinson's Run, and Mr. Wallace was for some years a member of the Session. He died in 1884, being followed by his wife a few years later. His son William lives at the old home.

George and Sarah Jane Kelso passed the first years of married life in Allegheny county, and in 1857 bought 178 acres in Cecil township, Wash- ington county. He has made many improvements on the place, and in 1881 erected a comfortable. house; in addition to general farming he raises a good grade of sheep. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and has served his township as inspector of elections and auditor. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Kelso are members of the U. P. Church at Venice. They have had children, five of whom are yet living, as follows: James, a teacher in North Strabane township, married to Lizzie McNary; William Wallace, married to Anna A., daughter of Rev. Anderson, and living on the home farm; Benjamin McCormick, married to Mary Miller, a resident of Pasadena, Cal .; George A., a farmer; and John, a bookkeeper, in Pittsburgh. Those deceased are Lizzie, who died in 1854, aged fifteen months; Maggie, who died in 1872, aged seven years; Sarah Bella, who died in 1876, aged fifteen years; and Mattie, deceased in 1880, aged twenty- one years.

OSIAH MELOY was born October 20, 1826, in Franklin (then Morris) township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., a son of Reese Meloy, whose father, William Meloy, was born in 1753, near Salem, Salem Co., N. J. William Meloy was there married to Lydia MeCray, who

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

was also a native of New Jersey, born in 1763, and in the year 1809 they started, in company with another family, to move to Ohio. While passing through Washington county, Penn., some of the family were taken ill, and they were obliged to stop at Coon Island, and the Meloy family became permanent residents of Pennsylvania. Mr. Meloy rented the "Hupp" farm in Washington county, and there passed the remainder of his life. His widow died in 1857.

Reese Meloy, a son of William Meloy, was born in 1796, near Salem, Salem Co., N. J., and coming to Pennsylvania with his parents grew to man- hood in Washington county. He worked for a time on different farms, and in 1824 was united in marriage with Jane Caldwell, who was born in 1805, near West Middletown, Penn., daughter of Samuel Caldwell. They had the following chil- dren: Cyrus A. (farming in Amwell township, this county); Josiah (subject of sketch); Angeline (de- ceased in infancy); Hester, Mary and Reese; of this family the three last named died after attaining adult age. After his marriage Mr. Meloy located in Franklin (then Morris) township, this county, and some time afterward came to Donegal town- ship, where he located on a farm about two miles west of Claysville. He continued to farm on this place until his death, which occurred May 23, 1860, his widow surviving him till February 2, 1889. Mr. Meloy began life with but little, but by hard work and good management succeeded in accumulating a considerable property. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and after the organiza- tion of the party, became a Republican.

Josiah Meloy, the second child in his father's family, came with his parents to Donegal town- ship, where he received his education, and was trained to farm work. On July 9, 1863, he was married to Jane, daughter of Isaac Sutherland, of West Finley township, Washington county, and their children are Reese G. and Anna M., both living with their parents. After his marriage Mr. Meloy settled on the farm which is his present home, and has successfully followed agricultural pursuits, devoting considerable attention to stock raising. Politically, he is a Republican.

D AVID WEAVER, one of the oldest repre- sentative citizens in Peters township, comes of Irish descent, and is a grandson of John W. Weaver, who is supposed to have been born in the Emerald Isle. He came from Chester county, Penn., in 1787, and first located in Lancaster county, then bought 160 acres of land near Canonsburg, in Chartiers town- ship, Washington county. He was a mason by trade, and followed that business until his death. His children were John, Sarah, Mary Jane, Nancy, Isaac, Thomas H., Dell, George and Joshua.

Thomas H. Weaver was born in 1796, in Lan- caster county, Penn., and in early life came with his father to Washington county. He worked on the home farm during his youth, and was married to Mary, daughter of James White, an early settler of Washington county. They began wedded life on a farm about two miles from Canonsburg, in North Strabane township, where children were born as follows: James, Isaac, Thomas, David, Jane, an infant son, an infant daughter, John, George, Mary, Moses and Elizabeth. Of this family James, Isaac, Thomas. David and Mary are yet living.

David Weaver, son of Thomas H.and Mary ( White) Weaver, was born July 27, 1818, in North Strabane township, and received his education in the sub- scription schools. On February 28, 1850, he was united in marriage with Clarissa M., daughter of the late Amos Enlow, a prominent farmer of this county, who spent about ten years in Illinois, which was then known as the " far west." In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Weaver moved to their present home in Peters township, where the following children were born and reared: Isaac P., Mary C., Ben- jamin F., George J., Thomas P. and Amos Enlow, of whom but two are yet living, Mary C. (Mrs. Robert Donaldson, of Canonsburg) and George J. (married to Viola Cook, of Minnesota, who is living with his father and managing the farm). The old place contains ninety-three acres of good land, and Mr. Weaver has conducted an extensive dairy business. . He also keeps about fifty hives of bees, which bring a good profit. In politics he is a "true-blue " Democrat, and has served in many township offices. In religious faith he is a member and liberal supporter of the United Pres- byterian Church at Canonsburg.

F RANK M. GABBY, one of the most pro- gressive citizens of Franklin township, was born March 6, 1842, in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his early life on the home farm. He attended the common schools of his vicinity, until about eighteen years of age, when his father needed his assist- ance in the duties of the farm. On December 21, 1870, Mr. Gabby was united in marriage with Saralı, daughter of Adam Weir, and their union has been blessed with one daughter, Jennie W. Mr. Gabby commenced married life on the farm of his father, and in 1881 moved to his present home in Franklin township, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. He has always taken an active interest in any progressive enterprise of his township, giving his most hearty co-operation to every worthy cause. Politically he is an ardent worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and in religion he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Washington.

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R OBERT D. HENRY. For more than a century the Henry family have been resi- dents of Washington county, more espe- cially that portion of it in and about Soutlı Strabane township. They are of Irish descent, Robert, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, having been born in the "Green Isle of Erin," where he married a countrywoman and reared a family of four sons- David, John, Nicholas and Joseph-and three daughters-Jennie, Margaret and Isabella. In 1783 they came to this country, finally settling near where is now the village of Claysville, this county, where the head of the fam- ily remained a short time, and then moved to South Strabane township, where he died.

Robert Henry, son of this pioneer, was married in early life to Ann, daughter of Nicholas Little, and by her had seven children: Joseph, Jane, Nicholas, Margaret, David, Isabella and John (all deceased). For many years Mr. Henry was en- gaged in trading, and among other ventures brought salt across the mountains with a train of saddle horses. He also followed agricultural pursuits with considerable success, having settled on the farm now occupied by our subject. He was a mem- ber of the Seceder Church of Pigeon Creek, and one of its early founders. He was a very prominent. man in all social organizations, and in politics he was an Old-line Whig.

Nicholas Henry, father of our subject, passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm, and early in life married Margaret, daughter of John Zed- iker, of the same township. The following chil- dren were born to this union: Robert D .; Mary, Mrs. Nathaniel White; Louis; Joseph, who died in 1854; and John. Of these, Louis enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., and was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness in May, 1864; he died May 24 following, his body being brought home and interred in Pigeon Creek U. P. Cemetery. The father of this family died April 24, 1838, and the mother on April 8, 1862. Mr. Henry early united with the Seceder Church, and, like his parents, gave it liis earnest and heartiest support; politically he was an Old-line Whig; socially he was an upright citizen, highly respected in the community.

Robert D. Henry was born July 31, 1820, on his present farm in South Strabane township, and at- tended the subscription schools of the neighbor- hood. He was one of the closest students of his time, and has since taken an active interest in edu- cational matters, continually advocating better school privileges and a more thorough system. On November, 16, 1876, he was married to Catherine, daughter of Andrew Borland, and one child, Rob- ert Howard (now deceased) was born to them; the mother died April 27, 1889. Mr. Henry has always lived on the old home place, which was

patented to Thomas Kerr. From earliest youth he has been a member of the U. P. Church at Pigeon Creek, of which he has served as trustee several years. In his political preferences he is a stanch Republican, and was, prior to the organization of his party, an Old-line Whig. He has held many offices of trust in his township, and for years served as justice of the peace; he also served one term as jury commissioner of the county, from 1876 to 1879, and is an enterprising and substantial citizen.

H ENRY T. BAILEY, a well-known citizen of Amwell township, is a son of Isaac Bailey, whose father came from Chester county, Penn., and located in Washington county. Isaac Bailey was united in marriage, November 20, 1841, with Agnes Garrett, and to them were born three children: Maria (now Mrs. H. H. Kinder), Henry T. and William G., the latter of whom died June 24, 1884; he lived on the old homestead.

Henry T. Bailey was born in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., where he re- mained until he was about thirty years of age. He obtained his earlier education in the common schools, afterward, in 1866, attending Iron City College. He then attended the Southwestern State Normal School, at California, Penn., for several terms. During the years 1875 and 1876 he attended the National School of Elocution, Philadelphia, from which he graduated December 10, 1876. He was a successful teacher in the common schools, and also in East Liverpool, Ohio, as well as at California, Penn., covering a period, in all, of eight years. On November 15, 1877, Mr. Bailey was married to Miss M. Emma Swart, of Amwell township, Washington county, and three children have come to brigliten their home: Inez A., born April 3, 1880; Lena S., born January 18, 1883, and Harry Hiram, born November 23, 1891. Since his marriage he has been engaged in farm- ing and stock raising. Mr. Bailey is Republican in politics, and in 1880 was appointed census enumerator for Amwell township; in 1884 he was elected county auditor, which office he held for three years. In religion he and his family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church at Amity.

W ILLIAM C. RAMSEY, a representative agriculturist of Franklin township, and one of the enterprising citizens of the county, is a native of the same, having been born in Amwell township March 5, 1843.

George Ramsey, grandfather of subject, mar- ried Mrs. Lydia Lloyd, daughter of Mordecai Chandler, of Chester county, Penn., a member of one of the leading families of that part of the

Dr. G. Ramsey

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Keystone State. Her grandfather came from England at an early day. Mrs. George Ramsey's first husband was a Mr. Lloyd, by whom she had five children-three sons and two daughters-of whom one son, Samuel, is yet living in Amwell town- hip, aged eighty-eight years. After Mr. Lloyd's death his widow was united in marriage with George Ramsey, and one child was born to them, Reuben, father of the subject of this sketch. Mrs. George Ramsey died, in 1872, at the home of her son in Amwell township, aged ninety-five years, and to the end was able to read ordinary print without the aid of glasses. In religious faith she was a member of the Society of Friends, and al- ways wore the habiliments peculiar to the sect. She was a close student of the Bible, and had the faculty of quoting off-hand from any portion of the Scriptures.

Reuben Ramsey was born in Washington, this county, near the corner of College and Maiden streets, and received his education in the schools of the county. He learned the trade of cooper, at which he worked for a time in the southeastern part of the county and near the river. When yet a young man he married Margaret, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Closser) Horn, and a native of Amwell township. After marriage the young couple made a settlement in Amwell township, where he con- tinned to follow his trade in connection with farm- ing. Five children were born to them, of whom the following is a brief record: William Calvin, the subject proper of this sketch, has special men- tion further on; Robert Hamilton was a member of Company A, P. V. C., and served to the close of the Civil war (he died of disease contracted while in the army, leaving a family now living in Indiana); George Washington died, in 1874, of lockjaw, leaving no family; Nicholas Murray is yet living on the home farm in Amwell town- ship; John Nelson, when a young man (in 1873) died in Amwell township, of scrofula. The parents both died in Amwell township, the father in 1882, the mother October 8, 1890. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and in religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Amity.

William C. Ramsey passed his boyhood on the home farm, and attended the common schools of the neighborhood, his primary education there being supplemented with instruction at an academy and a normal school. On August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I, served to the close of the war, and was dis- charged June 25, 1865, at Albany, N. Y. He participated in two battles-Chancellorsville and Gettysburg-at which latter he was struck by a minie-ball which fractured the bone between knee and instep. By reason of this he was confined to hospital ten months, and when he recovered was transferred to the Eleventh Veteran Corps, in 45

which he was made quartermaster-sergeant, prior to which he had been a color corporal. Returning to Washington county, he followed farming during the summer months, and taught school in the win- ter time, teaching, in all, seven terms, part of the time prior to his enlistment. In 1870 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, sheriff of the county, serving the term of three years with satis- faction to all. He resided in town during his shrievaltyship, and at the expiration of term pur- chased his present farm, situated about five miles from Washington, where his home has since been, and where he built a comfortable residence.

In 1863 Mr. Ramsey was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Levi and Cynthia Sower, of West Bethlehem township, this county, and five children have come to bless their home: Ulysses Bernard, Levi Harlan, Kate Flor- ence, Wilmetta Maud Estella and Lillie Blanche. Mr. Ramsey has held various township offices with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He and his wife are members of the East Buffalo Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder since 1885. When the Farmers and Me- chanics Bank was organized, he assisted in placing the stock, along with Dr. Roberts, and was chosen one of the directors. Mr. Ramsey is a self-made man in all respects, having, unaided, worked his way up from the bottom rung of the ladder of suc- cess; and beginning life a poor boy, with no capi- tal save brains and a willing pair of hands, assist- ed by an indomitable perseverance, he is now the owner of 225 acres of fair farm land. He is a man of firm convictions, having the courage in all contests of standing and fighting for what he deems to be right and for the good of his fellow- men.

UKE P. BEAZELL is a son of William Beazell, the oldest voter in Fallowfield township, who was born February 22, 1807, in Allegheny county, Penn., a son of Luke Beazell, whose mother was of Irish birth, and father a native of Germany. Luke Beazell was born in 1773, in Westmoreland county, Penn., and when a young man was married to Elizabeth English, also a native of Westmoreland county. Ten children were born to this union, of whom one son and three daughters are yet living, namely: William, Catherine (Mrs. Ails), Mary (Mrs. Smith), and Eliza (unmarried). Luke Beazell, who always followed farming, died in 1857.

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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 150

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