Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 155

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 155

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).

Enoeh Wright was born March 10, 1776, on the home farm in Peters township, this eounty, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He was but a boy when his father was killed. He married Rachel James, and of their children but one grew to ma- turity, Joseph, who became the father of our sub- ject. Enoch Wright and his wife both died on the

Amos Patterson

979

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

old farm, he in 1846 at the age of seventy years. He was an active man, enjoying most robust health. For over thirty years he was a justice of the peace. He participated in the " Whiskey Insurrection" in 1794, opposing the rising, as he was in favor of paying the tax imposed, and firmly held to his po- sition, even in the face of threatening letters re- ceived by him, some of them conveying notice that his buildings would be burned did he not join the insurrectionists. He was by no means easily per- suaded, but finally he reluctantly united himself on the side of the Rebellion, and after the shooting of one man, he entered with zeal into it. He served as county commissioner, was director of the poor, and during his incumbency he superintended the building of the first poor house in the county. He was a member of the Baptist Society, and gave the lands and means for the building of a church. Being a strong antislavery man he had it inserted in the deed for this property that no slavery doc- trine or sentiments should be preached or discussed in this church. When the church divided he trans- ferred his membership, and deeded land and build- ing to the Methodist Society. His wife survived him nearly twenty years, and died at the age of ninety years.

Joseph Wright, father of subject, was born on the home farm in Peters township, August 4, 1794. He received a common-school education, which was supplemented by study at Canonsburg College, where he was at the point of graduating when failing health compelled him to leave. After this he became a local preacher in the M. E. Church, and every Sabbath he conducted Divine service up to the day of his death, which occurred in 1854. He was a close student, making it a rule to read six hours every day. In politics he was a Whig. On November 6, 1814, he married Catherine, daugh- ter of Colonel Thomas and Catherine (Hurd) Hop- kins. The Hopkinses came to the county at a very early day, and have since been prominently con- nected with it. Eleven children were born to this union, as follows: Darthula ( married Dr. James Miller, and died in Pittsburgh); Catherine (mar- ried Thomas Rankin, now of Nebraska; they first settled on a farm in this county ); Lucinda ( married John Storer, and died leaving one child); Joshua; Enoch (died in Iowa in 1891); Thomas Andrew (died at the age of five years); Joseph Thornton (died in Pittsburgh in 1871); Margaret Ann (mar- ried Dr. C. W. Townsend, lives in Peters town- ship, near Bower Hill); Mary Ellen (married Rev. John C. Brown, of the M. E. Church, lives in Iowa); Hopkins (who has been an invalid ever since he was five years of age); and Charity S. (wife of Dr. D. M. Anderson, living on part of the old home- stead). The mother of this family died in 1863. They were all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Joshua Wright, the subject of this memoir, was reared on the old farm, where he was born, then for a short time attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood, and afterward studied at an academy. The principal part of his education was received from his father, who commenced to teach him Hebrew before he was ten years of age, making him rise in the morning at four or five o'clock for the purpose of study. For a private tutor he had one Aaron Gammel, under whom he studied every day, without a vacation, for a year. On March 17, 1844, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Sarah C., daughter of Rev. John White, and sister to Judge J. W. F. White, of Pittsburgh. Her mother was a member of the James family. The following chil- dren were born to this union: John A., a Methodist Episcopal minister; Speranza Kate (widow of George Brown, now living at Findlay, Ohio); Jo- seph Enoch (a Methodist Episcopal minister); Elizabeth Ann (married to L. G. Linn, an attorney of Butler, Penn.); William Fletcher (an insurance agent of Buffalo, N. Y.); James Sauns ( who died at the age of fifteen years); Hallie Lucinda (wife of Everett Smith, an attorney of Ravenswood, W. Va.); Ada Blanche (wife of Joseph B. Spriggs, of Washington, Penn.); Frank Laurance (a dentist of Duluth, Minn.); and Robert J. (an attorney of Pittsburgh, Penn.). The mother of this family died in 1868, in Washington, at the age of about forty-two years, and in July, 1870, Mr. Wright married Mrs. Jane Dill (nee McFerran), a full cousin of the late Mrs. President Harrison, by whom there are no children. In 1870 he opened a bank, in partnership with Col. William Hopkins and Hon. James H. Hopkins, and continued in same until his retirement in 1885. For many years he has been a member of the M. E. Church. At this writing, March, 1893, there are nine children living, with five daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, twenty grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

R OBERT WARD is a son of Thomas, and grandson of Stephen Ward, a native of Maryland, of English descent, who passed his youth in that State. When a young man Stephen Ward came to Washington county, and settled on a farm near Bentleyville, where he worked 'Squire Bentley's farm on shares. While living in Maryland Stephen Ward was mar- ried to Hannah Thurston, who bore him five chil- dren, none of whom are living. In political opinion the father was a Democrat. He was thrown fromn a load of hay, the accident resulting in his death.

Thomas Ward, son of Stephen, was born on the farm near Bentleyville, and attended the log cabin subscription schools of the neighborhood. At the age of eighteen years he came to a farm in East Pike Run township, this county, remaining there

980

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

fifteen years. After locating on this place he mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of John Williams-the old wagoner on the Washington Pike. Seven chil- dren were born to their union, as follows: Mary, wife of Thomas Worley, living near Shireoaks, this county; Melinda, married to Daniel Linn, of Fayette county, Penn .; John, living at California, Penn .; Stephen; Robert; James, living at Califor- nia, Penn., and Thomas, a resident of Uniontown, Penn. Stephen is deceased. The father voted with the Republican party, and in religious faith was a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Ward died in 1846, and he was laid by her side May 18, 1891.

Robert Ward was born November 2, 1842, on a farm in East Bethlehem township. He married Anna Robinson, a native of East Pike Run town- ship, February 16, 1867. She was born March 23, 1842. They have had six children, namely: Aus- tin, Lizzie, Averel, John, Annie (deceased in in- fancy) and Pearl. Mr. Ward owns and resides upon eighty acres of good land, which is the fruit of his own industry. He casts his ballot with the Republican party. In church relations he is iden- tified with the Methodist Society. Austin, his oldest son, was married to Miss Laurie B. Pepper, No- vember 3, 1891. They have one child, Alonzo. Austin resides on a farm of forty acres in the same township.

A LEXANDER MCKINLEY, retired jeweler, Washington, is a native of the borough, born January 4, 1817, a son of Alexander, who was born in this county. Samuel Mc- Kinley, grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer in North Strabane township, where he bought land and passed the remainder of a very busy life. He married a daughter of Thomas Scott, who was the first prothonotary and the first repre- sentative in Congress from Washington county.

Samuel Mckinley had several children, of whom Samuel went to Ohio, and Alexander, the father of our subject, remained in his native county, where he learned the trade of mechanic, working chiefly at furniture making. He married Hettie, daughter of Abednego Jones, a tailor, whose trade was mostly among the Quakers, and who came from Philadelphia to Washington. He was in the for- mer city when the British captured it, and was arrested by them as a spy, but was released; he died in Washington. Alexander Mckinley died suddenly in middle life while at dinner; his widow survived him several years, passing away in Wash- ington. They were the parents of ten children, of whom three sons and four daughters were living at the time of their mother's death; now (1892) there are surviving one son, our subject, and one daugh- ter, Clara, widow of William Bryson, of Washing- ton.

Alexander Mckinley, whose name commences this sketch, received his education at the public schools in his native city, and afterward attended Washington and Jefferson College. He learned the jewelers' trade, and in 1840 opened a store for himself, continuing until 1886. On April 27, 1852, Mr. Mckinley was married to Margaret D. Hayes, of West Granby, Conn., who was visiting her brother when she met her future husband. She died in 1871, the mother of eight children: Frances E .; Thomas, in eastern Pennsylvania; Lucian, a physician in Ohio; Frank B .; Samuel, in Washing- ton; and Alexander, Ella and Alice, who died young, the latter preceding her mother to the grave. Mr. Mckinley's next marriage was on January 30, 1872, with Mrs. C. J. Dalbey, whose maiden name was Bailey, an English lady, a resi- dent of Wheeling, W. Va. Politically, our subject was first a Whig, and since the organization of the party has been a stanch Republican, standing firm in the ranks, and is now an uncompromising Pro- tectionist. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

F. B. McKinley, the third son of Alexander Mc- Kinley, was born April 26, 1860, in Washington, Penn., and attended the Union High School, after- ward studying Latin under the preceptorship of Rev. George P. Wilson. He commenced to learn the jewelry and watchmaking trade with his father, and continued with him until February, 1886, when Alexander McKinley retired. In March, 1886, he opened business on his own account. On Septem- ber 22, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Queen M., daughter of David F. Ross, of Wash- ington, and a member of one of the oldest families of the county. She is a graduate of the Union . High School, and of the Washington Female seminary. One child, Ethelynn May, has come to bless this happy union. Mr. Mckinley is a Re- publican, a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and a deacon of the Second Presby- terian Church of Washington. He is one of the most popular rising young business men in the borough, and has surrounded himself with hosts of friends.

AMES S. FORSYTHE, one of the well-to- do, progressive agriculturists of Washington county, is a native of the Keystone State, born in Fayette county December 2, 1845.

William Forsythe, his grandfather, moved, in 1775, to that county from Maryland, and " toma- hawked " a claim to a tract of wild land that is now a fertile farm, in the possession of some of his descendants. He died at the age of eighty-two years, the father of ten children. One of his sons, Eli Forsythe, married a Miss Jane McKee, a native of Ireland, and by her had ten children, of whom

981

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

William, born in Fayette county August 27, 1799, became the father of the subject of this sketch. William Forsythe, son of Eli and Jane (McKee) Forsythe, was reared in the old home, and for the most part followed agricultural pursuits throughout his long and busy life. At one time he shipped coal to the southern markets. In 1829 he married Jane, daughter of John Steele, and settled on " Snow Hill," where he died at the age of eighty years. His widow died three years after, when aged seventy-five. 'They were the parents of eight children, of whom the following is a brief record: John died in California in 1852; Eli died in 1890; Nancy married James S. Elliott and lives in Fayette county; Johnson died in 1891; Elizabeth is the wife of Isaac T. Crouch; Mary is the wife of L. S. Miller; James S. is the subject proper of this memoir; Ruth is married to Frank Hough, and lives in Fayette county.

James S. Forsythe was reared to farm life in his native county, his boyhood winter months being passed in the common schools of the district, and for a time in an academy, after which he took a commercial course at the Iron City Business Col- lege, Pittsburgh. He then returned home, and remained on the farm until the death of his parents. In 1879 he embarked in mercantile business at Redstone, Fayette county, which he carried on three years; then, in 1882, purchased a farm in Amwell township, this county, which he still con- ducts, and in connection with general farming deals considerably in live stock, making a specialty of Short-horn cattle. In 1890 he moved into the borough of Washington, where he now has his home, situated about one mile from the court- house. Mr. Forsythe married Miss Mary E. Mor- ton, daughter of George Morton, of Philadelphia, Penn., a native of Ireland, of Irish lineage, Octo- ber 4, 1876. By this union five children were born, viz .: Lilian S .; John Morton, who died Sep- tember 24, 1886; Jesse H., Raymond D. and Robert N. Politically, our subject is a Repub- lican, and has held various township offices. He is .a Presbyterian in church connection.

EORGE A. DOUGHERTY, M. D., one of the best known and most successful physicians of Washington county, was born in County Derry, Ireland, December 15, 1839, a son of Edward and Lillie (Allender) Dougherty, both natives of the " land of the shamrock."

The family came to America in 1840 and made their new home in Washington, this county. Our subject attended the common schools of the bor- ough, later attended Washington College, and then commenced reading medicine. In 1859 the family returned to the mother country, and our subject entered the University of Glasgow (Scotland),

where he passed through a full curriculum-four years, graduating with the class of 1864-'65. The buysar fee which he paid on entering the university was ten pounds sterling.

At the hospital he took a special course in medi- cine, and received from the university the degrees of M. D. and C. M. (Master in Surgery). The University of Glasgow is far famed as a seat of learning, and is one of the oldest institutions of the kind, having been founded in the year 1450. After finishing his course at the university the Doctor spent one year in a dispensary. In 1866 he returned to this country, and in the following year commenced the practice of his profession, in which he has since remained. On January 14, 1880, Dr. Dougherty was united in marriage with Rebecca M. Clokey, to whom two children were born: Anna Elizabeth, and a son who died in infancy. Dr. and Mrs. Dougherty are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Washington. He has a very extensive general practice, his ride being not only far and wide over the county, but even considerably beyond. The Doctor possesses a very complete and select library, and keeps abreast of the times.

W ILLIAM N. McCLAIN was born October 30, 1847, in Franklin township, Washing- ton Co., Penn. He is a grandson of John McClain, a native of Ireland who emi- grated to America about 1779 and located in this county. He was soon afterward married to Rachel Tucker, who bore him the following family: Sarah, Elizabeth, James, Simeon, John and William. In political life John McClain was one of the first adherents of the Whig party in Washington county. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His remains, with those of his wife, are interred near their pioneer home. Simeon McClain passed his youth in working on the home farm, and attending the common schools. In early manhood he was married to Jane, daughter of Isaac Carter, who bore him children as follows: John, Elizabeth (Mrs. H. K. Bell), William N. and Ellen (twins, the latter of whom is married to S. S. Bell), W. Ross, and Mary (Mrs. Holmes Andrews). Mr. McClain was the architect of his own fortune, and an industrious, enterprising man. He was formerly a Whig, afterward becoming an active member of the Republican party, although he would never accept any political office.

William N. McClain passed the days of his boy- hood on his father's farm,and received, in connection with a good grammar-school education, that prac- tical home training, which was no doubt the foun- dation of his subsequent successful business career. He is now one of the most progressive farmers of his section, and though residing in Washington

982

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Penn., supervises the work of his tenants, doing a large share of the same himself. He has several times held township office, faithfully dis- charging the duties thereof, and by his upright moral character winning the highest esteem of all his friends and acquaintances. His farm of nearly 200 acres is rich and productive and yields him a large annual income. In March, 1873, he was united in marriage with Flora E., daughter of .Josiah Cooper, also a resident of Franklin town- ship. Mr. Cooper was a member of the old Cooper family which settled in that section in the pioneer days, and was married to Clarissa Penn, who bore him on son and one daughter, Flora E. and Herschel (the latter deceased). Mr. Cooper was an active member and liberal supporter of his church, and a man prominent in his community. He was first a Whig then a Republican, at one time serving as county commissioner in the latter party. Later he became an ardent Prohibitionist, leading the forces of the cold water advocates in Washington county, and by his activity in the lecture field and genuine enthusiasm for the cause enabling them to make large inroads into the ranks of the old parties. He died an honored and re- spected citizen. Mr. and Mrs. McClain now live queitly in their Washington home, enjoying the well-earned fruits of a successful life of economy. They have no children.

D EMAS LINDLEY is a son of Benjamin Lindley, who was a son of Levi Lindley, who came from near Mendham, N. J., with his two brothers, Caleb and Demas, being among the first settlers in Morris township, coming about the year 1780.

Our subject is a worthy representative of the family of Lindleys in Washington county, and is one of the most prominent and enterprising farmers of Franklin township. He was born August 9, 1818, in Morris township, this county, a son of Benjamin and Jerusha (Cooper) Lindley, and his boyhood and youth were passed under the paternal roof, his education being acquired at the neighbor- ing subscription schools, which in those days were at the best but limited. Demas Lindley was mar- ried first in 1842, to Lovina, daughter of Luther Day, of Morris township, who came from New Jer- sey, and whose wife was a Vankirk. The young couple commenced their married life on a farm in Buffalo township, where they remained four years, and then moved to the present home in Franklin township, where Mr. Lindley yet resides. His wife departed this life April 8, 1889, and now sleeps in the cemetery at Prosperity, a handsome monument marking her resting-place. Side by side for nearly half a century this worthy couple had toiled indus- triously and prospered, and who shall say that her

work and aid were not essential elements of his success in life? She was a woman of true Christian virtue, ever seeking to make her friends better and. happier.

Mr. and Mrs. Lindley had no children, but adopted a niece, Sarah A. Lindley, daughter of Cephas Lindley, and who, on October 16, 1879, married Hamilton Post, a son of Stephen Post. The children born of this union are: Demas L., Homer S., Grace L. and Levina A. In politics Mr. Lindley is a stanch Republican, having been originally an old-time Whig, and was assessor and school director of his township for many years. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Bethel, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

OSEPH M. SPRIGGS, a leading merchant in the borough of Washington, is a native of the same, having been born on Chestnut street April 26, 1831.

His grandfather, Joseph Spriggs, came in an early day from New Jersey to Washington county and settled in Canton township, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He died in West Virginia at the age of seventy-five years, the father of seven children, all of whom are deceased. James Spriggs, one of these children, was born in Washington county February 14, 1801, and reared on his father's farm, attending in his boyhood the sub- scription schools of his district, which in those early days were of a somewhat primitive character. He held the office of constable eleven years; was sheriff one term (1837-'40), register of wills one term (1842-'45), and was assistant burgess at the time of his death, August 6, 1854, which was caused by falling on his head when jumping out of a wagon, death ensuing a few days afterward. His widow, who was a daughter of David and Elizabeth Boyce, and was born in Washington county January 6, 1805, died June 14, 1876, at the age of seventy-one years. They had a family of ten children, all of whom died young except one daughter, Mary Ann (married to Dr. R. W. Davis, of Washington), and our subject, the latter being now the only survivor. Mrs. Davis died in 1869, the mother of three children, two of whom are living.

Joseph M. Spriggs, whose name appears at the opening of this biographical sketch, attended the common schools of Washington and Washington College, and when yet a boy commenced clerking in William Duvall's grocery store, a line of trade in which he has ever since continued, with some slight interruption, in the city of his birth. In 1854 he embarked in business for himself in the building nearly opposite where he now is, and there remained seventeen years. He was a year out of business, and in 1886 he erected his present

Levina Handles Lindley

Demas Lindley

987

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

three-story building, equipped with all modern improvements, including an elevator, and here, under the firm of Joseph M. Spriggs & Sons, he has since been engaged in a large and increasing business, comprising general grocery, hardware, feed, etc., the largest of the kind in Washington. In May, 1891, he commenced a grain elevator busi- ness in the city, which is in charge of his son, Charles H. In 1854 Mr. Spriggs was married to Margaret, daughter of James Donahoe, of the vil- lage of Cross Creek, in this county, whose family were among the early pioneers of the county. James Donahoe was born in 1801, and died in Cross Creek in 1872. For thirty years he was a justice of the peace; was commissioner two terms, and at one time was in the State Legislature, rep- resenting Washington county. His widow is now a resident of New Cumberland, W. Va.

To Mr. and Mrs. Spriggs were born eight chil- dren, of whom the following is a brief record: James D. is a Presbyterian minister at South Lyon, Mich. (he married Annie Wilson, of Fay- ette county ); Mary Eliza died in infancy; Charles H. lives in Washington, Penn. (married Alice Hallam, and has three children); William died in infancy; Joseph B. is married to a daughter of Joshua Wright and resides in Washington; Mar- garet died in 1891 at the age of twenty-two years; George D. died in infancy; John M. is still at home. On February 2, 1888, the mother passed through the "golden gates" at the age of fifty years, and on October 16, 1889, Mr. Spriggs mar- ried Margaret A. Seaman, daughter of Alexander Seaman (deceased), who for many years was one of the leading grocerymen of Washington. Mr. Spriggs is a Republican in politics, and in church connection has for forty years been a member of the M. E. Church, of which he is at present steward.

C APT. SAMUEL CAMPBELL (deceased) was a native-born citizen of Hanover township. His grandfather, Archibald Campbell, was born in Ireland, where he was married to a country woman, who bore him several children, and died in Ireland about the year 1800.

Archibald came to America after the so-called Act of Union, locating near Candor, in Washing- ton county. He was here married to Mrs. Eliza- beth (Fletcher) Scott, a widow lady, who bore Archibald Campbell two sons: Josiah S. (of whom a sketch follows) and Samuel (deceased, who was a law student). Archibald Campbell died about 1811, near Candor, this county, followed by his widow about 1830, and both were buried in the Raccoon cemetery.

Josiah S.' Campbell was born here April 16, 1806. He attended the common schools, remain- . ing with his widowed mother after the death of the

father. He then learned the carpenter and wheel- wright trades, also working at wagon-making. On August 15, 1825, he was married to Rosanna Teel, who was born January 20, 1804, daughter of John Teel, a Revolutionary soldier. The following chil- dren were born to Josiah S. and Rosanna Camp- bell: Catherine (Mrs. J. W. Butz, of Frankfort, Beaver Co., Penn.), Elizabeth ( Mrs. John Anderson, of Mansfield Penn.), Samuel (the subject of this sketch), James T. (an undertaker of Galion, Craw- ford Co., Ohio), John J. (a mechanic of Memphis, Tenn.), Stephen M. S. (a mechanic of Paducah, Ky.), Thomas F. (a member of the Fourth P. V. C., taken prisoner during the operations along the Welden Railroad, and after surrendering his arms, was shot down by the enemy), Nancy A., Mary A. and Margaret (the latter three died in early youth). For many years Mr. Campbell followed his trade at Frankfort, Penn., where most of his life was passed. He died December 9, 1858, and in 1879 his wife was laid beside him in the Presbyterian cemetery at Frankfort. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church at Frankfort, in which Mr. Campbell had been an active worker, serving as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and was for many years a trustee of that church. In poli- tics he was formerly a Whig, then became a lead- ing member of the Republican party.

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 155

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