Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 16

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 16

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).

But, successful as he might be in the lecture field, in which his eloquence, grace and wit could be displayed to great advantage, he still clings to

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

the work of preaching and teaching, the profes- sions he chose when he entered upon the active duties of life. He is, therefore, to be found every Sabbath in the pulpit, and during the week he gives instruction in Jefferson Academy, in which institution his services have again been called into requisition.

REV. ALEXANDER BLAINE BROWN, JR. As in the case of his brother (whose sketch is given above), Rev. A. B. Brown, Jr., was born amid the classic scenes of Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Penn., at the time when his father was the president of this renowned institution. In early life he mani- fested a decided taste for literary pursuits, and having adopted one of the mottoes of Jefferson College, " Inler silvas Academi quorere verum" ("Among the groves of the Academy seek truth "), he spent a number of years at Jefferson Academy. Jefferson College having been removed from Can- onsburg, he went to Lancaster, Penn., and entered the junior class of Franklin and Marshall Col- lege, of which his uncle, Rev. John W. Nevin, D. D., LL. D., was for many years the honored and successful president. Having completed his collegiate course at Lancaster, he was elected professor of Latin in Jefferson Academy, in which institution he taught for a year, when he entered the Western Theological Seminary, at Allegheny City, Penn., from which he was graduated in 1878. The following year he was unanimously called to the pastorate of the Centre Presbyterian Church, five miles east of Canonsburg, a church of which his father had also been pastor, and to which he ministered during the latter part of his life, and in the bounds of which he died. This call young Mr. Brown accepted, and December 15, 1879, he was ordained and installed the pastor of a people among whom he had grown up, and of a church which he had attended and with which he united in his earlier years. In this field he has labored faithfully for thirteen years, during which time his ministry has been greatly blessed, and his services highly appreciated by a people by whom he has always been dearly beloved. As a preacher Rev. Mr. Brown is earnest, impressive, instructive and eloquent. His sermons give evidence that he is a man of decided talents and a diligent stu- dent, who always brings beaten oil into the sanc- tuary. His reading of the Scriptures and hymns has won for him the reputation of being one of the best readers in the Presbytery. As a pastor he is faithful, devoted and sympathetic, whose bright, genial ways and pure, noble character cause him to be highly esteemed and greatly be- loved by all who know him. A few days since (March 13, 1893), he received a unanimous call to the pastorate of the Fairview Presbyterian Church, which is situated a few miles south of Centre. So great was the desire and so urgent the request

of the Fairview people to have him become their pastor that he felt it his duty to transfer his labors to this neighboring field, in which he has received a most cordial welcome.

BROWN BROTHERS. In addition to the two eloquent ministers inentioned above, there were four other sons in the family of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. A. B. Brown. While all of these sons enjoyed an enviable reputation, on account of their educational qualities and moral worth, they possessed extraordinary musical talents which gave them great celebrity. Without making it a specialty, these six brothers excelled in music, each one being a fine singer, and also a skillful perform- er on some musical instrument. They appeared in public for the first time when they exerted themselves to raise funds to carry on the suit for the recovery of Jefferson College, which had been consolidated with Washington College. By this act Jefferson College was removed from Canons- burg to the town of Washington, which caused a litigation that lasted for several years. Those who had contributed funds to Jefferson College, feeling that the trustees had violated their trust in trans- ferring the College from its original location, brought suit for the recovery of the institution. Suit having been entered, the case was tried in both the State and the United States Supreme Courts, and this involved considerable expense. To help defray this the Brown Brothers, whose grandfather and father had contributed thousands of dollars, and devoted the greater part of their lives to the institution, offered their services as musicians. The proposition received a hearty re- sponse, and many churches and halls were offered free to these brothers, who took rank at once as distinguished vocalists and instrumentalists. Thus by their musical entertainments they succeeded in liquidating almost the entire cost of the suit, a part of the amount having previously been raised by subscription. In this way they became known as the " Brown Brothers." Up to that period, this was the first instance on record where the brothers of one family had given either a vocal or an instru- mental concert. Referring to them as "A Band of Brothers," the Washington (Penn.) Advance said: " There are a few cases where the male and female members of one family appear as profes- sional musicians, but we doubt very much if such an instance as this furnished by the Brown Broth- ers is to be found in our own or other countries."

Having, while invoking the aid of the muses in behalf of Jefferson College, acquired the reputation of being musicians of a high order, the Brown Brothers were frequently requested to give concerts for the benefit of churches, Sabbath-schools, edu- cational institutions and various objects to which they generously devoted the proceeds of their en- tertainments, Frequently they appeared four or

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

five times in one place, and on each occasion drew a large audience. The concerts of these brothers were characterized by a great variety of songs which were rendered with remarkably fine expres- sion, clear and distinct articulation, intermingled in a most pleasing manner with many different kinds of instruments. From a Pittsburgh paper we give the following extract: "When either one or all of the brothers begin to sing, the audience is subdued into the most tender mood by the ex- quisite rendering of their pathetic songs, or breaks out into the most rapturous applause over their rendering of the sentimental and comic. But be- sides being remarkable as vocalists they are equally so as instrumentalists. Much of their music too is of their own composition and many of their songs are original with themselves. Such a com- bination of musical talent in one family is not, perhaps, to be found in this or any other country. It is a sight worth seeing, six noble young men, brother musicians, and all of them gentlemen of high personal worth." Although great induce- ments were offered the brothers to enter the public arena as professional musicians, they declined all such propositions, preferring only to appear in public when they could benefit some worthy ob- ject by the proceeds of their concerts. Being in- vited to sing at the centennial celebration of the Chartiers Presbyterian Church, of which the Rev. Dr. John McMillan, the religious and educational pioneer of western Pennsylvania was the first pas- tor, they composed and sang an appropriate ode, giving a brief history of that distinguished minis- ter, which was so well received that its repetition was requested three times on that occasion. At the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Rev. William Smith. D. D., at the Miller's Run Presbyterian Church, by special re- quest they gave two concerts, in the afternoon and evening of the same day, when they donated the proceeds to a purse that was being raised as a token of respect for the honored Doctor. For this anniversary they also composed a special song which, having been rendered at their afternoon concert, was, at the request of the audience, sung again in the evening. The entertainments given by these brothers extended over a period of fourteen years, during which time they con- tinued to pursue their regular occupations and pro- fessions.

By the death of Matthew, a young man of bright promise, the tuneful circle of the Brown Brothers was suddenly broken, and since then the voices of the rest are seldom heard together in public. The names of the six brothers are as follows: J. Nevin, Henry H., William F., Alexander B., Matthew B. and D. Finley Brown. At the last concert in which they all took part they sang an original ode en- titled, "We're a Band of Brothers," in which

their sentiments were portrayed. Of this ode we give the closing verse:

"We'll keep the bells of Freedom ringing, We'll keep the voice of Temperance singing;

To the Bible we'll keep clinging, While upon this earth we stand.

And when death has come before us,

And the vesper stars shine o'er us,

Let others swell the chorus,

And shout it through our land."

Soon after this concert the Brown Brothers numbered but five on earth, Matthew having been called to join the Heavenly Choir.

M RS. JANE B. PRALL was born November 9, 1803, in Washington, Penn., in a house on the lot where Dr. Little now lives. Her father, John Bollen, had come from New Jersey to Washington county, where he married Ann, daughter of William Huston, a native of Ireland, who came to Washington county while the Indians were still denizens of the woods.

It is said of William Huston that he was the first white man to settle in the county. His first dwelling, said to have been the first house built in Washington, was located on a piece of land where H. C. Swart now resides, on East Maiden street. He had married in Ireland, his native land, and had brought his wife with him to this country. Both died in Washington county, and at the time of his death he was the owner of a farm of 500 acres near the borough of Washington. In 1754. while the English and French were at war, he was taken prisoner by the latter and sent to France, where he lay in prison for about a year, was then exchanged and returned to America. His children were as follows: Dixon, Hamilton, James, Polly (married to Archibald Carr), Jane (married to John Smith), Margaret (married to John Paxton), and Ann (married to John Bollen). After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bollen made their home in the borough of Washington until 1811, when, having exchanged their property there for a farm in Amwell town- ship, they removed thereon, remaining some eleven years; thence came to South Strabane township where they passed the rest of their days. Mr. Bollen, who was a shoemaker by trade, died No- vember 7, 1846, his wife on May 4, 1848, aged eighty-five years. They were the parents of chil- dren as follows: James and Jolin, both deceased when young; William, who died in 1875; Margaret, married to William Van Kirk; Mary, married to George Week, and died in Ohio; Jane, the subject proper of this sketch, and Matilda (a mute), de- ceased in 1881.

Jane Bollen was married to John Prall, a farmer of Amwell township, in 1849. He was a man of nearly seventy years of age at the time, and died,

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

January 10, 1875, at the age of ninety-six years. He had been previously married, and had by that union eight children, viz .: Benjamin and Harrison (both deceased), Jackson (a resident of South Stra- bane township), William, Nancy and Elizabeth (all three deceased), Mary (wife of W. Lacock, of Am- well township) and Sarah (who died in Illinois). After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Prall made their home in Amwell township, where Mr. Prall died as al- ready related. One year after that event his widow came to the borough of Washington, where she now has her home, a pleasant and comfortable one, on East Wheeling street. She is a remarkably well- preserved lady, and is spending her declining years with Christian patience and resignation, calmly awaiting the inevitable summons that shall call her hence. In her church connection she was origi- nally identified with the Cumberland Presbyterians, but is now a member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington.

Mordecai Hoge (deceased), a half brother of Mrs. Prall, was born January 22, 1784, on the old Hus- ton farm in this county, a son of John Hoge, who owned the land from the center of Main street, in Washington, westward to, and perhaps includ- ing, the whole or a portion of the Dr. Reed farm. The boyhood days of Mordecai Hoge were passed chiefly in and around Washington, and when about six years of age he was sent to the old-time log schoolhouse which stood a little below where the old weigh scales were placed, and on the right side of the alley where the worshipers in the United Presbyterian Church are accustomed to put their conveyances. At that time there was in the, then, village but one stone dwelling, owned by a Mr. Bradford. . After Mr. Hoge had passed through his primary and academical training, about the year 1805, he became a student in Dickinson Col- lege, Carlisle, shortly after leaving which he mar- ried Rebecca Pentecost. In 1814 he engaged in teaching, his first school being kept in a log cabin located on the bank of Little Chartiers creek. and between the farm some time since owned by Sher- iff R. McClelland and Linden village. The fol- lowing year he moved about one mile south of this place, and taught twelve years at what was called the Cross Roads. He next taught for one year in a rude cabin on a farm situated on the pike leading from Washington to Monongahela City. In 1827 he commenced teaching on what came to be known as "Hoge's Summit," and continued there for six years. Mr. Hoge then took up his residence on the farm now owned by the heirs of Samuel Brown- lee, and during the time he would walk, summer and winter, not less than six miles. Immediately after the expiration of this last mentioned school term he taught near Pees' Mill for a short time, and later in a log schoolhouse on or near the site of the Hardy school in North Strabane township.

From this point he returned to Hoge's Summit, and taught about twenty-three years, at the expiration of which time his public labors in this calling ceased. In summing up the whole time in which he was engaged in the work of teaching, the calculation will make it not less than forty-five years. It is a marked characteristic of the high esteem and appreciation of his services as an in- structor of youth that this entire period was spent within the limit of seven miles, in many instances teaching the parent, then the child, then the grand- child, until superannuation alone required his withdrawal from his arduous vocation. Mr. Hoge departed this life in 1870, at the age of eighty-six years, two months and three days, and on his tombstone in the Pigeon Creek cemetery is the fol- lowing inscription: "True Honor. A Faithful Teacher of Youth for More than Forty-five Years." This sketch of Mordecai Hoge has been gleaned from one that appeared in the Washington Review and Examiner at the time of his decease.

V. LAWRENCE. The genealogy of the Lawrence family, of which this gentleman is a member, is imperfect. Those of that name who became prominent in Massachu- setts, New York and Pennsylvania are sup- posed to have sprung from the brothers who came from England at an early day. A son of one of these settled in Adams county, Penn., about the year 1770, where he afterward died, leaving a family of ten children.

About the year 1788 his widow, with this large family, came over the mountains when there was only a pathway, the mother carrying the youngest son, Joseph (then three years old), on her knee on horseback. They settled on a small farm on the headwaters of Pigeon creek, eight miles east of Washington, in a cabin, and here the family -- seven daughters and three sons-grew up. In time the daughters all married in Washington county, and raised families; and a numerous pro- geny of children and grandchildren and their de- scendants sprang from these excellent women, and some of the later generation are found scattered over the West. The oldest son, John Lawrence, mar- ried and moved to Beaver county, and was twice elected to the Legislature from that county ; after- ward moved to Delaware county, Ohio, and died there, leaving a family. One of his sons was edu- cated at Washington College, studied law, became very prominent in his profession, and served in the Legislature of Ohio. His son afterward served in the Senate of the State.

Samuel Lawrence, the second son of the older stock, also moved to Beaver county, Penn., and was prothonotary of the courts for nine years. He was there elected to the Legislature, serving two

алгии

ஹரி

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

sessions, and there died, leaving a large family. One of his sons was prothonotary of that county nine years, and afterward an associate judge.

Joseph, the third son, remained on the farm with his mother, to whom he was much attached, and to whom he clung with strongest affection until she died at the age of ninety-five years. This son was compelled to work hard on the farm to main- tain the family, and only obtained a few months for improvement at school. He was married about the year 1812 or 1813 to Rebecca Van Eman, by whom he had four children: Joseph, George V., Sarah and Samuel. About the year 1823 the mother died, Samuel being then a babe, and when five or six years old he died. Joseph grew up and married Eliza Horner, and they both died in Feb- ruary, 1842, leaving four children, all of whom married, and three of them are still living. Sarah, the daughter, married Ard. Moore, an excellent man, and they raised five children, all of whom are married and very prosperous, living in Car- thage, Mo., except one daughter who is in Port- land, Oreg. The father of this family died about the year 1866; the mother is still in good health, and lives with the children in Carthage. Of George V. we will speak more in detail here- after.

Joseph Lawrence, the elder, about the year 1826 married, for his second wife, Maria, a daugh- ter of Judge Bucher, of Harrisburg, an excellent woman, as all who knew her bear testimony, and with her had four sons and one daughter. John J. Lawrence, the eldest son, was superintendent of the western portion of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad for years, and afterward of the Allegheny Valley Railroad; he was colonel of one of the Penn- sylvania regiments in the army. He has a most in- teresting family, and is now retired, living in Alle- gheny, Penn. James K. Lawrence, the next son (now deceased), was a captain in the regular army; was efficient and brave, and had the confidence and esteem of every one in his company and regiment. He was very severely wounded at Fredericksburg, but recovered and died three years since at Rey- noldsville, Penn., leaving a small family. W. C. A. Lawrence, third son, was educated at Washing- ton College, and studied law with Hon. J. C. Kunkle, of Harrisburg. He was fine looking, very pleasant in manner, and possessed of excellent natural ability. He was succeeding to a fine prac- tice at the bar in Dauphin county when he was elected to the Legislature in 1857. He was re- elected in 1858, and was elected speaker, obtain- ing the nomination over Hon. A. K. McClure, a man of unusual ability. He was perhaps the youngest man ever elected speaker in this State. In 1859 he was re-elected to same position, and was exceedingly popular and efficient. The labor

in the law office, and in the speaker's chair, proved too much for his constitution, and he died in 1860.

Samuel, the fourth son, was well prepared by education, and studied engineering. He was a long time employed on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad when very young. He laid out and helped to locate and build the Oil Creek Railroad. He was very efficient, and popular with all classes of people, and was nominated and elected to the Legislature, from Warren, Mckean and Elk counties, serving one winter, peremptorily declin- ing a renomination. He died in Warren in 1862, leaving a widow but no children; she since died in Philadelphia. Susan M., the youngest, remained with her mother until her death, which occurred in Harrisburg, in 1860, and during the long ill- ness of her mother was ever with her, patient, con- siderate and kind. She afterward married Mr. Myron Sanford, of Erie, Penn., a retired and wealthy man of excellent character, who proved a most devoted husband. They raised one son a promising and intelligent young man, but both he and his father are dead; Mrs. Sanford still lives in her beautiful home, esteemed and loved by all who know her and can appreciate the highest womanly virtues.

The foregoing is a very brief and condensed his- tory of the several children of Joseph Lawrence, the elder. A more extended notice of him and his son George V. Lawrence is appropriate, with a general reference to the public life of this family. It is seen here that the three brothers who were brought to Washington county, so early by the mother, poor and fatherless, were all members of the Legislature of their native State. Joseph, the youngest, was elected from Washington county in 1820, and served until 1826, being speaker of the House two sessions; was elected to Congress in 1826. He was for J. Q. Adams for President, but the tide for Jackson swept him down in 1828. In 1834 he was nominated for the Legislature and elected, and re-elected in 1835; was elected State treasurer in 1836. He ran for Congress in 1838, and was defeated by seventeen votes. In 1840 he was again the candidate of the Whig party and elected. He died on April 17, 1842, while a mem. ber, and his body lies in the Congressional Ceme- tery, at Washington, D. C. Mr. Lawrence was a man of fine physical and mental abilities; was a good public speaker, logical and clear in argument with an unusual memory and a very pleasant manner, and he had the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Like his mother, and all his extensive family, he was a Presbyterian, and when at home in the county generally walked three and one-half miles to church, and sat in the Bible-class, his sons going with him to Sunday-school. He was firm in the Pauline and Augustinian faith,

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

and a student of theology. His house was always open, and a kind of home for ministers who were fond of his company.

We have before referred to his sons William and Samuel as members of the Legislature, and now come to speak more in detail of the remark- able life of George V., his son by his first mar- riage. It is believed that no man in the State, and few anywhere, has had so many marks of public favor. He was born on November 13, 1818, named after his uncle, George Van Eman, a Presbyterian minister, and raised on a farm in sight of the old home of his grandmother. He went to the district school, then kept in a small log-cabin house, with a log on each side cut out, and the opening covered with oiled paper to give light. When about fifteen years of age he studied Latin grammar with Rev. W. C. Anderson, then boarding with his father, and preaching at Pigeon Creek Church; afterward went for a time to a small select school, opened a few miles off; then went one year to the English Department of Washington College. His health failing, and being threatened with pulmonary dis- ease, his father, like any sensible man, took him back to the farm where he regained his health, and remained there until twenty-one years of age. He was fond of horses, and was a fearless and excellent rider, and still mounts his horse, takes his dogs and goes out to the country to run foxes. He has been an active politician since 1842. He

was elected to the Legislature in 1843-'46-'58-'59. In 1848 he was elected to the State Senate over his opponent, the late William Montgomery. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1860, from counties of Washington and Greene (overcoming 1,000 Democratic majority), of which body he was speaker in 1863, and he was again elected to the Senate in 1874-'76-'78. In 1864-'66-'82 he was elected a member of Congress. In 1872 he was elected a delegate-at-large to the constitutional convention, and was again elected to the Legisla- ture in the fall of 1892. Thus for fifty years he was identified with national and State politics, and it is a happy thought that his course in public life has always been devoted to progress and the right.

In 1829 he married Elizabeth Welsh, a daugh- ter of the late William Welsh, Esq .. of Washing- ton county, and moved to a farm in Carroll town- ship, near Monongahela City. About 1862 he came into the town, and has remained there ever since. His first wife died in 1855, leaving two children: Mary Virginia, still at home, and Joseph, who died when three years old. In 1857 Mr. Lawrence was again married, this time to a daugh- ter of Rev. John Reed, of Indiana county, Penn., and she is still living. Three children were born to them, the youngest of whom died when very young. George R., the eldest, was educated at

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 16

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