Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 157

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 157

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born, as follows: William B. (deceased), born in 1846; Philip, whose name opens this sketch; and Richmond L., a carpenter, living in this county, born in 1852. Mr. Curry was too old to enter the war, but was represented by his two eldest sons.

Philip Curry was born May 4, 1848, in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., and attended the home school during his boyhood. In 1864 he en- listed in Co. C, Ringgold Cavalry Battalion, taking part in the battle of Droop Mountain and in numerous skirmishes. At the close of the war he returned to his father's farm in Washington county, and January 17, 1867, he was married to Eliza Jane Yoders, by which union four children-three daughters and one son-were born, viz .: Minnie Viola, Emma R., Clara M. and Oscar. Mr. Curry's second marriage was on June 27, 1877, with Sarah E., daughter of Andrew J. Curry, and by her seven children were born, viz .: Daisy D., Sidna W., William B., Joseph P., James V., Alice L. and Francis M.

D EMAS M. FRAZEE, senior member of the firm of Frazee & McClain, dealers in boots and shoes, Washington, is a native of Wash- ington county, Penn., born January 6, 1854. His grandfather, David Frazee, came to the county when a small boy, and in after years became an ex- tensive landowner, having several hundred acres. He was here married to Catherine Sutton, and they both died in this county, the latter in 1850, the former in 1855. Three of their children lived to maturity: David, Andrew S., and a daughter who was married to Peter Miller, but died soon there- after.

Andrew S. Frazee was born in 1816, near the present village of Lone Pine, in Washington county. He received his education at the schools of the place of his nativity, and was reared to farm life. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Co. A, Twenty-second Cavalry (Ringgold Battalion), in which he served over one and one-half years, when he was seized with typhoid fever, in conse- quence of which he was discharged, and on his re- turn home he resumed the peaceful occupations of the farm. In 1836 he was married to Miss Leah Moninger, who bore him fourteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity, viz .: Catherine A., who married Richard McMillan, and died in Missouri; Martin V., now in the commission business in Chi- cago; Mary J., widow of Robert C. Vandegrift, of Washington; Sarah E., wife of H. H. Riggle, of Amwell township; David L., also in Amwell town- ship; Demas M .; Permelia S., wife of James E. Reynolds, in Washington; Priscilla W., married to T. J. Harshman, of Washington; Clarinda C., wife of William Moore, in Chicago; and Maggie L., in Amwell township. One of the family, Barbara A.,

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died at the age of fifteen years. The father died in November, 1889, his death being caused by the bursting of a bloodvessel while coughing; one year previously he was stricken with paralysis, from which he had partly recovered. The mother is still living, at the age of seventy-two years.

Demas M. Frazee remained on the old horne farm until he attained manhood, and while his father and eldest brother, Martin V., were gone to the war, all the general care of the farm devolved on David L. and himself, then mere lads. Many a day before he was nine years of age did he have to fol- low the plow and attend to the general work of the farın; but he yet found time to improve his mind, for he attended both the common schools of his township and the Lone Pine Academy. In course of time he taught school two winters in Amwell township, but during the greater part of the follow- ing winter he was laid up with typhoid fever. In the following summer (1881) he opened out a gen- eral store at the locality where is now Topsail post- office, whence after a time he moved to the village of California, on the Monongahela river, where he remained about five and one-half years, engaged in general merchandise business. Selling this establishment out, he came to the borough of Washington, and in February, 1885, formed a partnership with R. C. Vandegrift in the boot and shoe business, the firm later becoming Frazee & Montgomery, by the retirement of Mr. Vandegrift in favor of B. F. Montgomery, which continued until February, 1891, when the present firm of Frazee & McClain was formed by the retirement of Mr. Montgomery in favor of Hiram McClain. In 1883 Mr. Frazee was married to Miss Joanna L., daughter of Isaac Powell, of California, this county- Her father died in 1879; her mother, Caroline Shutterly, is still living in Washington. Mr. Fra- zee is a member of the Christian Church, of which he is treasurer and a deacon, and of its Sunday- school he was superintendent one year. Socially he is a member of the Equitable Aid Union, and is a popular, progressive, wide-awake citizen.

H ENRY BROSCHART, the genial and pop- ular landlord of the " Auld House," Wash- ington, was born December 17, 1849, in the town of Permesence, Germany, of which country his father was also a native, born in 1820. The elder Broschart, who is a stonemason by trade, came with his family to America in 1852, and made a settlement in Sullivan county, Penn., where he now resides. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Catholic Church. In the Father- land he had married Mary Press, who bore him chil- dren as follows: Frederick, Christian, Henry, Jacob, Michael, Frances, Gottlieb and Mary, the last two named being deceased.

Henry Broschart came with the family to the United States, and here he was reared to manhood and edu- cated. His first business was lumbering in Forest, Clarion and Jefferson counties, Penn., and then he went into the oil country where he kept hotel. until 1885, in which year he moved to Washington, this county. Here he conducted the " Rush House" for . one and one half years, and then leased the " Auld House " which he manages with well-merited suc- cess. On June 19, 1878, Mr. Broschart was united in marriage with Lena, daughter of Valentine Smith of Sullivan county, Penn., and the children born to them were Helen, Ernest, Leo, Paul and Clara, the last named being deceased. Mr. Broschart has lately been interested in an extensive glass indus- try at Redkey, Ind. He is a sound Democrat, and in religion is a member of the Catholic Church.

M RS. JANE BOYD is one of the popular and intelligent ladies of Canonsburg. Her father, Zacheus Patterson, was born and reared in Cumberland county, Penn., where he was married to Margaret, a native of Adams county, same State, daughter of David and Jane (Carrick ) Waugh. The young couple made their home in Cumberland county till 1808, when he purchased a farm in North Strabane town- ship, this county, to which they removed. The par- ents were members of the Chartiers Seceder Church, and the father was an active worker in the Whig party. They were the parents of the following children: John, Robert, David, Stewart, Sarah, Ezra, James, Josiah, Eliza, Tabitha, Jane and Mary. Of this family Jane grew to womanhood and on March 15, 1835, gave her hand in marriage to Wil- son Boyd, son of Hugh Boyd.

Hugh Boyd, a native of Ireland, was there married to Elizabeth Scott, who bore him children as fol- lows: Mary, Robert, Wilson, Bankhead, Margaret and Joseph. In 1823 the family came to America, first locating on Mingo creek, Nottingham town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., where they remained some time, thence removing to the farm now occu- pied by C. M. Berry. Hugh Boyd was a Whig in politics, and in religion a member of the Seceder Church in Ireland, having transferred his member- ship to the church in Washington county, Penn., after his immigration. He and his wife died in South Strabane township, this county, and both are buried in the cemetery at Pigeon Creek.

Wilson Boyd was born August 9, 1800, near the town of Newtown, Limavady, County Derry, Ire- land, there receiving his early education. At the age of eighteen years he immigrated to Canada, then went to Philadelphia, thence to Pittsburgh, and worked on a farm in Washington county, Penn., until the arrival of his family, when he lived with his parents. After his marriage with Miss Patter-

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son he settled in North Strabane township, this county, residing there fourteen years. They then moved to Somerset township, where Mr. Boyd died in 1876. He was a Whig and Republican, and in religion was formerly a member of the Seceder Church at Pigeon Creek, afterward uniting with the U. P. Church, to which he gave a liberal sup- port. Mrs. Boyd continued to reside in Somerset township till 1890, when she moved to Canonsburg where she has her home. She reared the following named children: Robert, David, Elizabeth, Hugh S., Bankhead, Sarah M., Mary J., Robert and Anna T. Of these David enlisted in Company G, One Hun- dred and Fortieth Regiment P. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Gettysburgh. Elizabeth was married to Murdoch Smith, and has one son, Boyd D., born March 27, 1878. Hugh S., married to Bell J. Wat- son, was licensed to preach the Gospel August 8, 1876, by the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Cleveland, and ordained and installed pastor of the United Presbyterian congregation at New Bedford, Lawrence Co., Penn., where he remained until the early part of 1888, when he accepted the pastorate of the U. P. congregation at Greensburgh, Penn .; he graduated at Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Lawrence Co., Penn., in June, 1875, standing second in a good class. Bankhead was graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in June, 1867; he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Chartiers in January, 1870, and died March 7, same year. Sarah M. died March 2, 1869. Mary J., died May 27, 1871. Robert died January 17, 1873.

J AMES MILLER. In the array of progressive agriculturists who have risen to prominence, and who have contributed substantially to the material prosperity of Washington county, stands the worthy man whose name opens this biographical sketch.

James Miller, grandfather of subject, was born in the Emerald Isle, immigrating to America in early manhood. He first located in Lancaster county, Penn., where in 1782 he married Miss Margaret Shearer, who was also born in Ireland. In 1786 the young couple moved to Washington county, Penn., and made a home on the farm in Mt. Pleasant towuship now occupied by their descendants. Mr. Miller made three visits to Ireland after settling in America. He took an active part in politics, and served his township as justice of the peace. He died in 1819 in Mt. Pleasant township, his widow surviving him many years. Both were members of the Seceder Church.

John Miller, father of subject, was born on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and in 1815 was united in marriage with Margaret Miller, a native of Ireland, who came with her parents to

America in 1811. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller settled on the home farm, where seven children were born to them, namely: Margaret, who was married to John Givan, of Beaver county, Penn., and died in 1872; James; Sarah, married to William Marshall, of near Lawrence, Kans .; Mary, who was married to Robert Givan, of Beaver county, Penn., and died in 1872; Nancy, first married to Samuel H. White (who was murdered for money in 1857, in Chartiers township), now living in New Concord, Ohio, the widow of Rev. McManus; Elizabeth, who married John Miller, and died in July, 1890; and Ann, deceased wife of J. G. Paxton, of Chartiers township, this county. Mr. Miller, who always followed farming, died in 1859, when over seventy years of age, his widow surviving him till 1871. Both were formerly members of the Seceder Church, afterward uniting with the Chartiers Cross Roads United Presbyterian Congregation.

James Miller, the subject proper of this memoir, was born September 23, 1819, on the old home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the primitive subscription schools of the period. On February 11, 1852, he was united in marriage with Margaret Givan, a native of Beaver county, Penn., daughter of William and Letitia Givan, natives of Ireland, who made their permanent home in Beaver county, Penn. The father died in 1873, the mother having passed away some years before. After their marriage Mrs. Miller lived on the home farm, eight miles from Washington, which contains 257 acres of well- improved land, and has been in the possession of the family for 106 years. Mr. Miller has erected a good residence, a tenant house, three comfortable barns and two sheep houses, all commodious and well-built. Politically he is a Democrat, has served as supervisor, and nine years on the school board. He and his wife have been members of the Chartiers Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church for forty years. They have no children.

A NDREW J. PROUDFIT is descended from a well-known family of Washington county. His grandfather, David Proudfit, was a na- tive of Scotland, and coming to America located in York county, Penn., where his son John was born January 28, 1775. In 1802 John Proudfit came to Washington county, Penn., locating in Hanover township. On April 9, 1809, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Lyle, a native of Cross Creek ( then Hopewell) township, born March 24, 1793. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hays) Lyle. Some time after their marriage John and Elizabeth (Lyle) Proudfit re- turned to York county, Penn., as the father of John

James Miller

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was growing old and feeble, and needed the care of his children. The young couple remained on the home farm until the father's death, which oc- curred in 1826, and John and his family then again moved to Washington county, settling one mile west of Burgettstown, where he passed the re- mainder of his life. The trips across the mountains were full of danger and accompanied with many inconveniences. On one occasion Mr. and Mrs. Proudfit rode three hundred miles on horseback to visit relatives iu York county, Penn., the wife car- rying an infant in her arms, and many hardships were endured on the journey. The following chil- dren were born to these pioneers: David, born Au- gust 13, 1810 (deceased September 19, 1813); John L., born September 3, 1812 (deceased Sep- tember 22, 1882); James K., born April 21, 1815 (deceased February 25, 1816); Eliza J., born Janu- ary 2, 1817, was married to Arthur Campbell, of Smith township (and died December 7, 1892); Agnes, born June 17, 1819 (deceased August 15, 1824); Robert F., born December 23, 1821 (de- ceased); Cinderella, born September 16, 1824 ( wife of Jacob Proudfit, a native of Ashland county, Ohio); William, born May 10, 1828; Andrew J., born March 20, 1831; and Eleanor, born August 29, 1833 (Mrs. Thomas Shipley, of Hanover town- ship, this county).

Andrew J. Proudfit was born on the old home farm, situated one mile and a half west of Bur- gettstown, this county, where he was trained to agricultural pursuits from early boyhood, receiving an education in the common schools. On January 21, 1865, he was married to Elizabeth Porter, who was born September 19, 1839, daughter of Andrew Porter, of Jefferson township, this county. One daughter has been born to Andrew J. and Eliza- beth (Porter ) Proudfit, namely: Ida A., who gradu- ated from Washington Female Seminary in the class of 1890, and still remains with her parents. Since his marriage Mr. Proudfit has resided on a farm one and a half miles north of Burgettstown, and has followed farming and stock-raising, giving special attention to fine-wool sheep. He is well and favorably known as a good citizen and success- ful farmer, and is surrounded by many friends. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat. He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church.

H ENRY CHAPMAN. Among the success- ful agriculturists and business men of Wash- ington county none stands higher in the estimation of the intelligent members of the community than the gentleman whose name here appears.

He comes of rugged, loyal Scotch-Irish ancestry, his grandfather, Richard Chapman, Sr., having 47

been born in County Monaghan, Ireland, where he married Sarah Patterson, also a native of that county, and where six children came to brighten their home, an humble one indeed, for they were poor but honest small farm tenants. Having now so many mouths to fill, and little ones to clothe besides themselves, the parents decided on seek- ing a new home in America, " where children are blessings, and he who hath most, hath aid for his fortune, and riches to boast." Accordingly they took passage for themselves and six children on a vessel sailing from Belfast, and as they gazed from the deck, with tear-bedimmed eyes, on the now fast receding isle of their birth and childhood, their hearts were buoyed with hope for a bright and happy future, the hope that ever "springs eternal in the human breast." But, alas! they had not proceeded far on the briny deep ere misfortune befel the little family circle. The vessel was overcrowded, water was scarce, the weather tem- pestuous, and as a consequence sickness came among them-a sickness so fatal that all the chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Chapman succumbed, sank to the " dreamless rest that lulls the dead," and were buried at sea.

With resolute purpose and stout hearts the be- .

reaved parents, after landing in Philadelphia, strangers in a strange land, and possessing but little of this world's goods, started out, for the then "Far West," with no small difficulty ultimately succeeding in reaching Washington county, Penn., where they made a settlement in Mount Pleasant township. Here they built them a log cabin, and here they experienced all the hardships and en- countered the many dangers incident to pioneer life. Six children, four sons and two daughters, were born to them in this, their new home, the following being a brief record of them: Robert moved to Ohio, becoming an early settler in Holmes county, where he died; Mary married James McNinch, and lived and died in West Fin- ley township; Andrew was a farmer in Donegal township, where he died; Alexander died in Clays- ville, this county, where he kept store; Jane mar- ried Joel Lamborn, and died in Washington county, where she had passed her entire life; Richard, Jr., will have special mention presently. The father of this family died in Mount Pleasant township, near Hickory, May 26, 1803, the mother passing away December 17, 1826, in Pittsburgh, Penn., while visiting friends.

Richard Chapman, Jr., was born May 15, 1794, on the old homestead in Mount Pleasant township, and received but a meager education at the primi- tive subscription schools of the day. When he was yet a boy his father died, and his mother then conducted a roadside inn near the town of Hickory, which tavern enjoyed considerable patronage from the traveling public, particularly emigrants moving

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westward. At this time Richard's spare hours from school were spent in assisting his mother, and so continued until his marriage, when he settled on a farm in the same township, where he followed agriculture up to the time of his death. On Feb. ruary 3, 1815, he was married to Catherine Upde- graff, a member of an old Washington county family, who was born December 22, 1795. The children born to this union were as follows: Pat- terson, born November 15, 1815, a physician, who died in Belmont county, Ohio, at the age of seventy-two years; John, born April 20, 1817, died when ten years of age; Andrew, born Decem- ber 10, 1818, died at the age of thirty-one years; Richard, born October 22, 1820, died aged fifty-five years in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he was practicing medicine; Margaret, born July 31, 1822, died unmarried; Henry, the subject of our bio- graphical narrative; Julia, born July 15, 1826, deceased wife of A. C. Chapman; Eliza Jane, born September 29, 1828, wife of Benjamin Bungard, of Greene county, Penn .; Alexander, born Sep- tember 5, 1831, died aged fifty; Hiram J., born June 4, 1833, resides in Guernsey county, Ohio, where he is a physician; Barzillai, born October 2, 1835, is a physician in Bakersville, Coshocton Co., Ohio, where he now resides; Robert U., born July 24, 1837, is practicing medicine in Des Moines, Iowa; and Minerva, born June 2, 1839, died in infancy. The father of this large family was called from earth June 6, 1861, in Greene county, Penn., whither he had moved. He was a member of the Disciple Church at Hickory, as was also his widow. In politics he was a strong Democrat, a prominent figure in the party. For seventeen years he was constable of the township, and was a widely known . and very popular man in the community. His widow survived him a few years, dying suddenly December 25, 1866, of heart disease, while on a visit to her sons in Ohio.

Henry Chapman was born September 1, 1824, in Hickory, Mount Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., his education (which was most limited, as he had to commence working for himself very early in life) being secured at the common schools of the district. At the age of twelve years he left home, and for some time worked for James Ross, a farmer in the same township, after which he worked at various other places until 1847, when he went to Belmont county, Ohio, whence in 1850 he returned to Washington county, settling on a farm on Buck run, in Donegal township, where he has since resided, and which property he purchased in 1875. This highly improved piece of land is sit- uated about two miles southwest of Atchison, and is equipped with some of the finest farm buildings in the township. On February 24, 1848, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage with Susan Bot- kins, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, born in

1832, a daughter of Col. R. C. Botkins, of that locality. Col. Botkins was born in Fayette county, Penn. He was married April 16, 1818, to Rachel Vernon, of same county, and three children were there born to them. After moving to Ohio the Colonel was engaged in farming, and he and his wife passed the rest of their days there, the former dying in 1864 at the age of sixty-seven years, the latter in 1846 at about the age of fifty years. Col. Botkins was a school teacher for a time, in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, and Mrs. Chapman has in her possession some of the books he used. The arithmetic is written in a neat, legible hand, show- ing much care and proficiency. He was active in the cause of education, and in military matters he took much interest, rising to the rank of colonel. Ten children were born to him and his wife, nine of whom attained adult age, four of them being yet alive, viz .: Benjamin V. (in Adams county, Iowa ) ; Elma Ann ( widow of David Bell, and residing in Iowa); Susan (Mrs. Henry Chapman), and Isaac Harry (in Bates county, Mo.).

Eleven children have come to bless our subject and wife: Frank, a farmer in Baylor county, Tex .; Maria, deceased in infancy; Eber, died at the age of twenty-four years; Margaret, living with her parents; Henry, a resident of Lincoln, Kas .; Ella, wife of Edward Kinyon, in Nebraska; Rachel, at home with her parents; Clara, who died at the age of fourteen years; Eva, wife of Frank Linville, of Donegal township; Cora, a school teacher, living with her parents; and A. Campbell, also at the paternal home. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are con- sistent members of the Dutch Fork Disciple Church, and in politics he is a lifelong Democrat. His fine farm comprises 200 acres of prime land, and he raises pure-bred Spanish Merino sheep, of which he has a flock of 350; also Devonshire and Jersey cattle. He has in his possession a church "letter" over 100 years old from the Seceder Church in Monaghan, Ireland, to the church here, which letter was brought by his grandfather from across the ocean. Mr. Chapman is a highly re- spected citizen, justly honored and admired for his many noble traits of character. He is a typical self-made man, one who has fought his way un- aided through life, his weapons-a stout heart and willing hand; his watchword and battle. cry-" Ex- celsior."

OLBERT T. SHIPLEY, one of the oldest and best-known native-born residents of Smith township, was born April 10, 1812, a son of John Shipley, whose father was a na- tive of Maryland.

John Shipley was born about twelve miles from Baltimore, Md., and passed his boyhood in his na- tive State, there receiving his early education. At

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the age of twenty-one ycars he came to Washing- ton county, Penn., and purchased a wild tract of land in Smith township, to which he added from time to time until he had 135 acres, where a log cabin was erected. He was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Day, and to this marriage were born the following children: Benjamin, George, John, William, Nancy, Tolbert T., Richard, Samuel, Catherine, Rachel and Henry. John Shipley was an active worker in the Whig party, and in religious faith a member of the M. E. Church.

Tolbert T. Shipley received his early education at the primitive log schoolhouses of the day, with no floor, puncheon seats and greased paper win- dows. Their first instruction was given from a paddle upon which some of the more simple char- acters were inscribed. On January 8, 1834, he was united in marriage with Ellen, daughter of Samuel Clokey, of Smith township, this county. Samuel Clokey was born and reared to farm life; he married Sarah Thompson, a native of Lancaster county, Penn., and coming to Washington in an early day, settled in Smith township. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died April 12, 1848, leaving children as follows: Mary (Mrs. David Woods), Andrew, William, Robert, Elizabeth, Sarah, Margaret, Jane, Ellen ( Mrs. Shipley ) and Julia.

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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 157

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