Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 152

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 152

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Samuel McFarland, a nephew of our subject, and son of William, was a missionary in Siam, and is now filling a position in the Educational De- partment of the Court of Siam.

Capt. Charles W. Bingham was an officer in the army in the war of 1812. He was born in Adams county, remaining there during his boyhood and early manhood, and was married to Margaret Ag- new, of Emmitsburg, Frederick Co., Md., who bore him children as follows: Sophia, William, Agnew, Albert, Martha, Margaret, James, Emma, Mary, and Charles Carrol. Of this family, all are dead but Margaret, Dr. James (of Clinton, Allegheny Co .. Penn.), Emma (wife of Dr. W. V. Riddile), and Mary. The father was a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Margaret Bingham, above mentioned, is the widow of Samuel McFarland, the subject of this sketch.

W ILLIAM PARCEL was born March 30, 1819, in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., and is a representative of an early pioneer family of the county, who were originally natives of New Jersey. His grandfather, John Parcel, was three times married, and by his first wife had six children-

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three sons and three daughters-all of whom went West with the exception of one daughter; by the second wife there were two children, Stephen and Phebe; by the third marriage there were no chil- dren. John Parcel died at the age of eighty-nine years, his last wife having preceded him to the grave some time.

Stephen Parcel, son of this old pioneer, was born in 1789 in Washington county. He learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in his earlier days at Point Industry, Morris township. Later he conducted a mercantile business at the same place, and during the latter years of his life gave his attention to farming. He was very success- ful in each of his vocations, and accumulated a con- siderable fortune. Early in life he married Miss Dorcas Ambler, of Belmont county, Ohio, daughter of William Ambler, and they became the parents of ten children. as follows: John and Sally, both deceased; Phobe, widow of John Gardner, of Bellefontaine, Ohio; William, the subject of this sketch; Stephen, Isaac and Dorcas, all three de- ceased; Elizabeth Jane, widow of Lewis Hoge, and now living at the old home (she has one son, James Lewis); and Samuel Ambler and Solomon Lee, both deceased. The father died July 4, 1844, the mother a year later, both at the age of fifty-four years. The Parcel family were at one time mem- bers of the Mount Herman Baptist Church, later of the Beulah Baptist Church. In his political preferences he was an Old-line Whig.

William Parcel received his education in the subscription school of the neighborhood, which was held in an old log dwelling. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and now owns and resides on the farm which was owned by both his father and grandfather, and which is a valuable property, located one mile south west of Sparta. \ With the ex- ception of twelve years devoted to general mer- chandising at Point Industry (now Sparta) Mr. Parcel has given his exclusive attention to farm- ing. Success has crowned his honest efforts, and he is now the possessor of a comfortable compe- tence. He has never married. His sister Eliza- beth Jane lost her husband some thirty-five years ago, and she has since lived with our subject. In 1871 Mr. Parcel was elected a justice of the peace on the Republican ticket, in a Democratic town- ship, which speaks volumes for his popularity, especially when it is considered that he was again nominated, though he declined re-election, In church connection he is a Baptist.

A NDERSON HOOTMAN, a well-read and in- telligent citizen of Amwell township, is a grandson of David Hootman. who was of German birth, and as a soldier in the pay of the British came to America during the Revolutionary war. No sooner did an opportunity

offer, however, than the brave young German de- serted from the British ranks and enlisted as a drummer boy with the patriots in their struggle for liberty. After the close of the war he re- mained in America, locating on a farm in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., where as a true patriot he resided from 1780 until his death, which occurred in 1859. The young soldier ap- preciated liberty so highly that he never drew any pay for his service in the cause of liberty. After settling on his farm he married, and had children as follows: sons-Henry, Jacob. John, David and Christopher; daughters-Mis. Miller, Mrs. Shaler and Mrs. Deeds. Mr. Hootman was a Democrat, and held several offices in the district in which he resided.

David Hootman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1793 in Donegal township, where he passed his youthful days. He attended the rate school in the neighborhood of his home, and became a well-informed and successful man. When about the age of seventeen years he learned the blacksmith's trade, and after serving an ap- prenticeship of four years he opened a shop on the Monongahela pike at the then well-known "Par- kinson House." In 1815 David Hootman was united in marriage with Nancy, daughter of Benjamin Parkinson, of Nottingham township, and she bore him nine children, viz .: sons-Benjamin, David, John, Christopher, William and Anderson; and daughters-Clarinda, Polly and Nancy. David Hootman began life with 62 cents, and at his death his estate was valued at $40,000. For years he was captain in the State militia, and at one time he was a candidate for the State Legislature, but, having been prominent in advocating the Jefferson doc- trine, he was defeated. He and his wife were for many years members of the Pigeon Creek Presby- terian Church.

Benjamin Parkinson, father of this Mrs. David Hootman. took a very active part in the Whiskey Rebellion. which rising was the cause of the re- peal of the excise law, a statute at that time too grievous and burdensome for the then West to bear. The document containing Parkinson's pardon, granted by George Washington. is still in the pos- session of the Hootman family.

Anderson Hootman, the subject proper of this brief memoir, was born on February 27, 1832, in Nottingham township, this county, and spent his early youth on the home farm, receiving his educa- tion in the common schools of his district, and re- maining under the parental roof until he was twenty-five years of age. In 1859 he was married to Emily Leysa, of Somerset township, and the names of the children born to this union are David A., Mary F., John E .. Lizzie B., Maximilian, Nancy K., William A., Franklin W., Osceola (de- ceased), O, Vern and Harry H. Some time after

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his marriage Anderson Hootman moved to Monon- gahela City, and engaged in mercantile business, but sickness in the family compelled him to close his store and return to the farm. Twenty-four years ago he came to his present home, where he has since remained industriously engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He has accumulated a comfort- able property on the Cumberland pike in Amwell township, and also owns one hundred acres in South Strabane township. Mr. Hootman has al- ways been a patriotic Democrat, and as a close ob- server of the financial issues of the country, is now in favor of a Third, or People's, party, in order to protect the mass of American industry, as he is of the opinion that the two great national parties have diverged too far from the cause his grand- father fought for. Mrs. Hootman and a portion of the family are members of Mt. Pleasant Pres- byterian Church.

D AVID MCCLURE is a grandson of James and Nancy (Crouch) McClure, who were born in Scotland, whence they emigrated to Pennsylvania in an early day. They settled on a farm in North Strabane township, Washington county, where thirteen children were born to them, and where the father died in 1854.

David McClure (father of our subject), a son of this pioneer couple, was born in the year 1802, in North Strabane township. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and in 1823 was married to Mary Cameron, who was born in 1802, a resident of the same neighborhood .- Eleven children were born to them, of whom the following are living: James, David, Samuel, Mary, Joseph, Belle (wife of William Hickson), Martha (Mrs. Robert Kerr), William and Robert. Mr. McClure was a prosper- ous and influential farmer. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party, and in religions con- nection both he and his wife were very active mem- bers of the old Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, with which they were connected many years. Mr. McClure died in 1876, having been preceded by his wife in 1834.

David McClure was born October 20, 1830, in North Strabane township, and was educated in the schools of the vicinity. On November 16, 1848, he was united in marriage with Nannie A. Thomas, who was born February 20, 1831, in North Strabane township, a daughter of Jonathan Thomas. Jonathan Thomas was born February 16, 1803, in Washington county, Penn., and in 1825 was united in marriage with Elizabetlı Cow- yer, also a native of this county, born November 9, 1806. Their family consisted of the following children: Elizabetlı, wife of G. G. Good (of Wash- ington county, Ark.), Phoebe Martha, Maggie, Lydia, Liverton and Nannie A., all now deceased

except Elizabeth, Liverton and Nannie A. Mr. Thomas was a prominent farmer and early settler of Washington county. In church connection he and his wife were devout members of the Centre Presbyterian Church. He died August 9, 1840, and was followed by his wife December 27, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are the parents of nine children, namely: Mary (wife of William Willett) ; Maggie (Mrs. J. Smith); John Boyd (married to Miss Jennie Dunn); William W. (married to Miss Elizabeth Dunn); Allie B. (wife of George Nelson); and Wheeler T., Sadie M., David R. and Jennie (all four residing with their parents). Mr. Mc- Clure has been prominently identified with the political history of North Strabane township. In his political preferences he is a Democrat. He has been auditor of the township three years, road- commissioner thirteen years, and is a liberal con- tributor to all worthy enterprises. In religious connection he and his estimable wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

RTHUR CAMPBELL. This gentleman, who stands among the first of the success- ful and representative business men of Smith township, is a descendant of an old and well-known family of pioneer settlers.

Arthur Campbell (his grandfather) was born and reared in County Donegal, Ireland, where he was married, after which he emigrated to America. The young people came to Pennsylvania and lo- cated permanently on a farm in Smith township, Washington county, situated about two miles west of Burgettstown, then a wild and uncultivated tract of land. The following children were born. to them: William (who moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he died), John (always lived on the home place), Robert (mentioned below), Arthur (married, and resided in Jefferson, then called Cross Creek, township), Joseph A. (a physician, who practiced in western Pennsylvania), Nancy (never married), Elizabeth (wife of James Gibson, of Hanover township), and Margaret (Mrs. Thomas Elder), all now deceased. Mr. Campbell accumu- lated a considerable property, and was a highly esteemed citizen. He died on the old homestead.

Robert Campbell was born on the home place in Smith township, this county; and in boyhood he assisted in the farm duties, and attended the sub- scription schools. In 1811 he was married to Jean, daughter of Ebenezer Smith, of Smith town- ship. this county, and she bore him children as follows: Eleanor, born November 27, 1812 (be- came the first wife of Squire John Proudfit, of Burgettstown); Arthur, born January 20, 1815; Elizabeth, born June 20, 1818; Ebenezer, born May 4, 1820; William, born December 2, 1822 (went to California, and has not been heard from

Arthur Campbell

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

for years); Martha, born December 25, 1824, mar- ried to John McGough; Margaret, born September 25, 1827, married to Samuel Wilson, of near Gordonsville, Va .; and James, born in 1829, died at the age of fourteen years. Of these children the only one yet living is Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell settled on a part of the old home farm where he became a very successful business man. Politically he was a member of the Democratic party. He died on the farm, and his widow, who survived him many years, passed her last days among her children.

Arthur Campbell received a limited education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood of his place of birth. On June 15, 1843, he was married to Eliza J. Proudfit, who was born Janu- ary 2, 1817, daughter of John P. Proudfit, an early settler of Smith township. Five children were born to their union, viz. : Jane E., at home; John L., a carpenter, living at home; Amanda M., at home, and who for the past two years has suf- fered from rheumatism so as to be unable to walk; Elizabeth C., deceased in infancy, and Robert J., married to Lulu Mayo (a daughter of Frank and Margaret Mayo, residents of Ohio), and living in the old house on his father's farm. To them were born three little girls: Mary A., Ida M. and Nellie P. On December 8, 1892, Mrs. Eliza J. Campbell died suddenly of paralysis, and she is buried in the cemetery at Burgettstown. Mr. Campbell re- mained on the old farm until he was twenty-seven years of age (at which time he married), and then moved to his present place, adjoining the old home where he was born. He is a very successful agri- culturist, and devotes some time to the raising of fine-bred stock. In politics he is a lifelong Dem- ocrat. His wife was a member of the U. P. Church at Burgettstown.

R OBERT M. CARRONS. Leslie Carrons, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a son of Daniel Carrons, who lived in County Down, Ireland, where he followed the vocation of farmer. He died there in the latter part of the eighteenth century, leaving Leslie, his only child, with little inheritance save a good education. which, however, proved a suffi- cient capital for this brave son of "Old Erin." In 1797 Leslie Carrons was married to Mary Cham- bers, daughter of James and Mary Chambers, and of this union were born: Daniel, James and Mary, before the parents decided to emigrate from Ire- land and seek a home in the New World. The journey was made in about 1803, and the little family came to Pennsylvania, locating first at Chambers' Mills, Washington county, afterward removing to Amity, Amwell township, where they remained some years. In 1801 Mr. Carrons pur-

chased the " Acheson " place of 164 acres, to which (a short time afterward) he added the "Stokley " tract of ninety acres, took possession, and there spent the remainder of his life in farming and con- ducting a distillery. After the family came to Pennsylvania three other children were born: Eliza (Mrs. Elkins), late of Iowa; Sarah, wife of Dr. James Stevens, of Washington county; and Robert, late of Henry county, Iowa. Mr. Car- rons was a self-made and public-spirited man, and was always consulted by his neighbors for advice upon any troublesome question; he was very suc- cessful in business. Politically he was an Orange- man in Ireland, and a Democrat in America. He was a charter member of the Episcopal Church at Washington, and assisted in building it up. He died in 1851, his wife in 1876, in her ninety-eighth year.

Robert Carrons, the father of our subject, was born in Amity, Amwell township, this county, October 12, 1812, and received in the common schools a fair education, which he afterward made the foundation of a broad and varied store of knowledge. In 1847 he moved to Henry county, Iowa, and began farming upon a half section of land, to which he added as opportunity offered, *until at the time of his death he owned nearly one thousand three hundred acres. On October 4, 1849, he was united in marriage with Jane Munce, daughter of Robert and Mary Munce, of South Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., and of this union three children were born: Leslie, born January 4, 1851; Mary, born May 30, 1853; Robert M., born November 2, 1854. Mr. Carrons was a conservative business man, who, unaided, gained enviable success. He was an enthusiastic Republican, yielding to no man in his loyalty to his party. He died in Iowa, December 7, 1883.

Robert M. Carrons was born in Henry county, Iowa, and after attending the common schools Until seventeen years of age, passed one year at an academy. When twenty-two years of age he came to Washington county, Penn., spending one win- ter there. In 1877 he again returned to Wash- ington county, and began business for himself. He had been deeded his Uncle Daniel's interest in the farm, and some years afterward he bought out the heirs of his Uncle James. On October 4, 1877, Mr. Carrons married Emma Chambers, daughter of George and Catherine Chambers, and they are the parents of two children: Frank Leslie, born October 1, 1878, and Kate Jane, born May 20, 1890. Our subject is radically independent in politics. He is now engaged in farming and stock raising; beginning with Black-top Merino sheep, he now breeds Ayrshire cattle, and has bought some high-priced stock, sparing no expense to se- cure the best. His first lot was purchased, in 1880, of Dr. Sturdevant, of Massachusetts, and he has

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now a herd of 100 head of this famous breed, said to be the largest herd of Ayrshires in the West, and the second largest in America.

OHN B. HAINER, one of the successful farm- ers of West Bethlehem township, is a son of G. H. Hainer, who was born in Germany, where he married Christina Loewer. They emigrated to this country and to Washington county, Penn., in 1832, bringing with them the fol- lowing children: John B., Mary, Henry, Chris- tina, Adam, Catherine and George; two other children-Elizabeth and Nicholas-were born in America. They are all living except Catherine. Nicholas and Adam are in the grocery business and live in New Castle, Penn .; Elizabeth is in Wheeling, W. Va .; Mary, George and Henry live in Ohio, and Christina is in Indiana.

John B. Hainer, son of the pioneer G. H., was born January 26, 1816, in Germany, and attended the schools of his native land, being under one in- structor seven years. At the expiration of that time he was released from further attendance through the aid of influential friends, although the German law requires eight years' schooling for ev- ery boy. He then came to America with his father, and when nineteen years of age assisted in the cultivation of a farm in South Strabane township. He married Elizabeth Lauterbauch, who had also come to America, her father settling in Washing- ton county. The following children have been born to them: Henry, John, George, Catherine, Adam, Jacob, Mary and Edward. Henry died at the age of twenty-eight years; the remainder are residents of Washington county.

Jacob Hainer was born in Canton township, this county, April 28, 1851. He now lives with his father. On October 17, 1874, he married Esther, daughter of Frederick Rasel, and they have the following family: George, Annie, Sadie, Norman. Flora and Nellie, all yet under the paternal roof. Mr. Hainer and his father, who resides with him, are both stanch Republicans, and in religion all the family are members of the Lutheran Church.

T HE ARCHER FAMILY. Samuel Archer was born in Scotland in 1745. He, with a number of others, left that country on ac- count of religious persecutions, and went to Ireland, where he married Miss Nancy Thompson, about 1768.

In 1770 he, together with many others, emigrated to America, arriving in the fall of that year in Bal- timore, at which place they separated, locating at different places. Mr. Archer seems to have had two brothers in the company who settled in sepa- rate localities. From different branches of the

Archer family have sprung some of the eminent men of this country, who have occupied prominent positions in the national councils, they having oc- cupied seats in Congress with credit to themselves and honor to their country. Mr. Archer, soon after landing in America, removed to Carlisle, Penn., and took a claim to a tract of land. While he was building a house on his land, which was some distance from the settlement, a heavy snow- storm filled the paths, and on his return in the even- ing he lost his way and remained in the woods all night; his feet were so badly frozen that amputa- tion above the ankles became necessary. His faith- ful dog laid down on his knees, which prevented his limbs from further freezing, and perhaps saved his life. He was confined to his house some two years before his limbs were healed. About eight years after this occurrence he removed from Car- lisle to Canonsburg, and about 1799 he removed to Brooke county, W. Va., to a farm lately owned by Samuel Hindman, now by Ross Wright, where he cultivated a nursery, being obliged to walk on his knees. His wife and two daughters died and were buried on that farm. Mr. Archer died about 1819, near Independence, Penn., and is buried in Mt. Hope Church cemetery.

Ebenezer Archer, son of Samuel Archer, was born about 1770, and came with his parents to Washington county, Penn., when young. In 1794 he married Miss Elizabeth Jordon, and removed to Brooke county, W. Va., in 1799, when he settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Roy Glass, his great-grandnephew, near the Eldersville road, about two miles east of Steubenville, Ohio. He died on that farm in 1814, and was buried in the Cross Creek United Presbyterian cemetery. Eben- ezer Archer was a very exemplary man, of great piety, and a ruling elder in the Associate (or Se- ceder) Church; a strong friend of peace and a good neighbor.

Samuel Archer, son of Ebenezer Archer, was born near Canonsburg, Penn., July 11, 1795, and came with his parents to Brooke county, W. Va., when about four years old. In March, 1821, he married Miss Mary Lee, by which marriage he reared a family of six children-five sons and one daughter-their names being: Elizabeth, William Lee, Ebenezer, David Thompson, James and Sam- uel. In 1831 he bought the George Atkison farm, situated one-half mile from the river, directly east of Steubenville, Ohio, where he long resided and filled positions of honor and trust in his neighbor- hood. After residing for a time at Washington and Burgettstown, Penn., and at the home of his son, William L .. he returned to the old homestead in Brooke county. W. Va., where he died at the home of his son James, August 14, 1887. at the advanced age of over ninety-two years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His first wife

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died May 1, 1851; his second wife, who was Mrs. Jane (Parkhill) McNary, of Jefferson county, Ohio, died in December, 1861.

WILLIAM LEE ARCHER. the principal subject of this sketch, was born in Brooke county, W. Va., April 15, 1824. When he grew to manhood he attended the academy in Holiday's Cove, W. Va., thus obtaining a liberal education. After assisting in conducting his father's business some years, his father settled him on one of the choicest farms in the neighborhood, where he now resides. After manfully, by his own exertion, freeing himself from debt, he rose to be one of the honored and success- ful business men of Jefferson township, and none more richly deserve the enviable ruputation that they have won, than this representative citizen. On October 16, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Louisa, daughter of James Whiting, of Torrington, Litchfield Co., Conn., a representative of that famous family of Whitings whose history is inseparable with the early history of that State. Miss Whiting. with her early re- ligious training and education, and New England culture and refinement, was eminently qualified to make their home what it is-a "model home."

As a result of their union children have been born as follows: Mary A., born September 2, 1861, died March 7, 1865; Lizzie J., born August 26, 1863, died January 27, 1865; Nannie Lee, born November 25, 1865, died June 6, 1877; Harriet B., born May 2, 1871, and Susan C., born April 26, 1874; the latter two have been educated at the best institutions of learning in the country. Mr. Archer and his family, true to the faith of their Scotch-Irish ancestry, are members and support- ers of the Presbyterian Church.

M ARY ANN GRABLE, an estimable lady of Bentleyville, is a representative of one of the old families of Washington county. She is a daughter of John Grable, a na- tive of the county, where his whole life was passed in farming. In early manhood Mr. Grable was united in marriage with Mary Carson, who was born September 8, 1796, and she bore him children, as follows: Julia A. (wife of John McCormick, of Washington county), Mary Ann (whose name opens this sketch). Julia A. (deceased), Jerome (also deceased) and Joel. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Grable settled in Fallowfield township, this county, where he died in 1822. Mrs. Grable was afterward married to Charles Farquhar, who was born August 6, 1800, and was by occupation a farmer and tanner. They passed their wedded life in Washington county, and here · Mr. Farquhar died in 1871, being followed by his wife in 1881, in her eighty-fifth year. She left four children by this marriage: Elizabeth (born

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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 152

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