Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 168

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 168

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Jennie M. (who died at the age of two years), George W. and Tamar M. Mr. McMurray has been a very successful business man, and now owns about 174 acres of land in several tracts. He has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of the Democratic party, has held many local offices, and in religion is a member and elder of the Mt. Pros- pect United Presbyterian Church.

S AMUEL LINN. No township in Waslı- ington county has been more favored in the matter of fine farm land, and prosperous, intelligent husbandmen, than North Stra- bane, and a record of the agricultural pre-eminence would be imcomplete were the life sketch of Samuel Linn omitted. He is a native of the town- ship, born January 30, 1831, a son of Matthew and Sarah (Pollock) Linn.

Matthew Linn was a son of James Linn, a native of Scotland, whence, when a young man, he came to America with his parents, who made a settle- ment in Lancaster county, Penn. Here James married Ellen, daughter of Robert Young, of that county, and in 1792 came with his family to North Strabane township, Washington county, where he purchased 300 acres of wild land (the same at his death being divided between his sons), on which he erected a log cabin wherein were born nearly all his children-five sons and two daughters-of whom the following is a brief record: William settled in West Newton, Penn., and died there; Mary married George Ferry, and they settled in East Liberty, Allegheny Co., Penn .; Sarah married William Hunter; Robert settled on the home farm (his descendants moved West); Moses died on his portion of the paternal estate; James late in life sold out his share in the homestead, and settled near Washington borough, on a farm where now stands the village of Linntown; Matthew is more particularly spoken of further on. The father of this family died at the age of eighty-four years. He was a member of the Seceder Church (of which Dr. Ramsey was the minister), and in politics lie was an Old-school Democrat.

Matthew Linn was born in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., in 1796, and when yet a young man was married to Sarah, daughter of Samuel Pollock, their children being James, Ellen (deceased ), Mary (Mrs. James Bruce), Samuel, Martha ( Mrs. Lee Crouch), Matthew (who died in the army), William, Jane ( who married James Patterson, and they reside in Nottingham township, this county), Harriet (Mrs. Charles Pitman, living on the old homestead ), and John P. (deceased). The parents died in Washington county, the father in 1870, the mother in 1876, and they are buried at Canonsburg; they were members of the U. P. Church. In politics Mr. Linn was a

Democrat, and held various offices of trust in his township; in 1840 he was elected county commis- sioner, during the building of the courthouse; from the age of twenty-two years until his death he served as a justice of the peace; in 1854 he was elected a member of the State Legislature, serving one term, and for thirty-three years he was in the State militia, in which he held every rank, in rotation, up to general.

Samuel Linn received his education at the common schools of his district in North Strabane township, and on the home farm had a thorough, practical training to agricultural pursuits, which have been his life vocation, and in which he has met with gratifying success. On October 20, 1858, he was wedded to Ellen, daughter of James Harbi- son, of Allegheny county, Penn., and the names of the children born to this union are Sarah J. (at home), Nettie and Mattie ( twins, the former of whom is yet living at home, the latter married to James Wylie Vasbinder ), Nannie (deceased), J. Bruce, Clark, Mary ( married to A. D. Weller, of Canons- burg) and Thomas B. Mr. Linn was formerly an adherent of the Seceder Church, and is now a member of the Chartiers Hill Presbyterian Church. In his political associations he is a Democrat.

H ERVEY McMURRAY. Among the most prominent residents of Peters township, this name is an honored one. James McMurray was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and when a young man sailed to America. He first located near Irishtown, Allegheny county, Penn., and there followed agricultural pursuits. Soon after arriving in this country he married Isabelle Balentine, a native of the Emerald Isle who had come across the ocean in early youth. The young people settled on a farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where the following children were born to them: James, Jane, John, William, Nancy ( wife of Paul Black, of Aledo, Ill.), Mar- garet (living on the home farm with her brother Hervey), Esther, Mary A., Archie (a farmer in Allegheny county), Andrew, Hervey, Edward, an infant son, and an infant daughter. Of this family James, Jane, William, Esther, Mary A., Andrew, and the youngest two are deceased.

Hervey McMurray, whose name introduces this biography, was born May 3, 1829, on the old farm in Allegheny county, Penn. His father died when Hervey was a lad of fifteen years, and the care of the family fell upon his youthful shoulders. But with the indomitable spirit so characteristic of his race, young McMurray cheerfully accepted the burden, and passed his youth and early manhood in supporting the family. On December 13, 1855, he was united in marriage with Emily, daughter of John Mouck, a prominent farmer of Washington

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county, Penn. Mr. McMurray had received $600 from his father's estate, and after his marriage located on his present farm in Peters township. He then invested his capital in a flock of sheep, having usually four or five hundred on the place. His property consists of 280 acres of land, an ex- cellent roller-process mill (known as McMurray's mills), a fine dwelling and store-room in Beltz- hoover borough (a suburban town of Pittsburgh), and an interest in the store-room at Hill's Station. In politics he has ever been a stanch member of the Democratic party, but has invariably declined nominations for official positions. However, he was instrumental in having a postoffice established at McMurray's Mills, and was the first postmaster, which office is yet filled by members of the family. Mr. and Mrs. McMurray are the parents of nine children, viz .: J. Henry, John A., Mary B., Marga- ret J., William J., Emma L., Caroline, Hervey B. and Charles R.

M RS. NANCY POWELL was born in 1829, in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., a daughter of John Deems, whose father, also named John, was a native of this county. John Deems, Jr., was born and reared on the home farm in West Pike Run township, where he grew to manhood. He was married to Jane, daughter of Abraham Greene, a native of York county, Penn., and who moved to Washington county many years ago, where he died. John and Jane (Greene) Deems reared the following children: John (living in Iowa), George, Mark, Uriah, Reason, Susan, Polly, Betsey, Martha J., and Nancy, whose name opens this sketch. Of this family but two are yet living, John and Nancy. The father died in 1833 ( when Nancy was four years of age), and the mother several years later, at the age of seventy years. She was a member of the Baptist Church; in poli- tics he was a Republican.

Nancy Deems was reared on the home place, and in 1848 was married to Edward Yorty, a native of this county, who followed farming. To this union were born three children, namely: Martha J., wife of James Harrison, a farmer of Harrison county, W. Va .; Nancy, married to John Robison, a grocer of Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn .; and Clay, deceased. The father was a Republican in politics. He died in 1858, and in 1862 Mrs. Yorty was married to Joseph Powell, also a native-born agriculturist of Washington county. He died in 1881, since which time his widow has continued to reside on the home place, consisting of 114 acres of well-cultivated land, equipped with a good resi- dence, barn and outbuildings. After the death of her husband the farm was for several years con- ducted by Clay Yorty, a son of Mrs. Powell.

Clay Yorty always resided on the home place. When a young man he was married to Catherine Hill, who bore him six children, namely: Robert G., born in 1875; Solomon, born in 1877; Nancy, born in 1880; Grace, born in 1882; Blanche, born in 1884; and one deceased in infancy. The mother died July 2, 1884, at the age of thirty-three years, followed by the father in 1891, who passed away in his forty-ninth year. In politics he was a Re- publican, and was a member of the Masonic Frater- nity at Beallsville. Since the death of this son Mrs. Powell has cared for his children, who are living with her on the home farm.

OHN WILEY DAY. In every vocation of life there are those who by dint of " brain and brawn " have pushed through the ranks of the many and taken positions with the few. To the man who without the aid of noble birth or bequeathed fortune succeeds in rising to this place among his fellows much credit is due, and the story of such lives cannot be other than beneficial to the struggling youth of the rising generation. Among this class our subject finds a graceful position.

J. Wiley Day is a descendant of an Englishman by the name of George Day, who emigrated from England to the United States in the seventeenth century. He resided for a time in Connecticut, . but later made a permanent settlement at Newark, N. J., where the descendants became quite numer- ous. The subject of this sketch is more immedi- ately descended from one Samuel Day, who emi- grated from Morristown, N. J., near the middle of the eighteenth century, and settled in Morris town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., on North Ten-Mile creek, northwest of the village of Prosperity, on a farm now owned by J. Miller Day. His will bears the date of November 27, 1793, probated in 1796; he had four sons and one daughter, viz .: Daniel, Samuel, Joseph, Benjamin and Joanna. Of these, Daniel remained on the land bequeathed to him by his father, now owned by J. M. Day; Samuel emi- grated to Belmont county, Ohio, where the name of Day is quite common; Joseph also settled on land bequeathed to him by his father in Morris township; Benjamin emigrated in 1812 to the northern part of Ohio, near the city of Cleveland, where he purchased a large body of land, upon a part of which the city has since grown, conse- quently becoming quite wealthy. Daniel Day died in 1811. He had six sons: Colvin, William, John, Stephen, Samuel and Cephas-and three daughters: Abigail, Nelly and Electy.

Samuel Day married Hannah Cooper, who was born November 17, 1798, a daughter of Zebulon Cooper, of Morris township. The Cooper family, which is an old one in this county, came to Penn-

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sylvania from Sag Harbor, Long Island. To the union of Samuel and Hannah (Cooper ) Day came eight children: Maria, born February 27, 1820, died in Morris township, September 11, 1861; El- mus, born November 23, 1821, now a farmer in Muscatine county, Iowa; Emeline, born March 5, 1824, died September 4, 1883; Josiah, born July 13, 1827, is now living in Muscatine county, Iowa; Cephas, born April 6, 1830, died May 20, 1845; Samuel A., born February 25, 1835, is now a resi- dent of Philadelphia; J. Wiley and Ann Eliza (twins), born December 15, 1837 ( Ann Eliza died August 11, 1845). The father of this family died December 18, 1870, and the mother passed away September 6, 1878.

The Day family are represented in various occu- pations, and valued for their integrity and public- spiritedness. John Wiley Day, though not afforded an opportunity for a finished education, is a man who has kept well up with the times, and is con- versant with all matters pertaining to the public. He was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for State Representative in the fall of 1890, and, though defeated, his popularity is evinced by the fact that he reduced the Republican majority from 1,000 to 123. In 1863 Mr. Day married Caroline C., daughter of Joseph Dunn, of Morris township, Greene Co., Penn., and of this union were born four children: Samuel Cassius, Anna B., Joseph E. and Lizzie H. Their mother died in 1874, and in 1876 Mr. Day married Maria E., daughter of Thomas Horton, of East Bethlehem township, to which union two children have been born: Bessie Ora and John W. This wife died July 5, 1890. Mr. Day is giving his children the educational ad- vantages afforded in the schools of that section, as they arrive at the age at which they appreciate it. He is an active member of and an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

B UTLER HUGGINS, prominent in the agri- cultural community, is a son of Jacob Hug- gins, a farmer, who was born in 1790, in Greene county, Penn., and in early life was married to Margaret Campbell. She was born in 1792, in Adams county, Ohio, and became the mother of eight children, of whom but three are now living, viz .: Butler, William P. and Agnes (Mrs. George). Four sons of this family took part in the Civil war, Butler remaining at home to care for the rest. James enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth P. V. I. The mother passed away in 1863, having met with an accident, breaking a limb, which resulted in her death; the father died in 1868.

Butler Huggins was born April 17, 1820, in Ross township, Allegheny county, Penn. He attended the schools of Butler county, that State, for ten

months, and then served an apprenticeship at black- smithing, a trade he followed twenty years. On August 21, 1846, he was married to Sarah Harger, of Allegheny county, Penn., and four children were born to them, viz .: Holmes (married); Emily ( wife of E. C. Fulton); Myra ( married to William Mc- Clure); and John (deceased). The mother of these died September 21, 1853, and May 30, 1855, Mr. Huggins married Miss Mary Ann Leslie, a distant relative of Frank Leslie, also a cousin of W. O. Leslie, the noted lawyer of Pittsburgh, Penn. Mr. Huggins began life a penniless boy, but by dint of tireless industry and perseverance has risen to his present enviable position. He was a dealer in all kinds of live stock, and of late years he has dealt extensively in horses, which business he is now following in connection with farming. Mr. Butler Huggins, it may here be said, is considered to be as good a judge of horses as can be found in the Keystone State, and it has often been remarked of him that " he could see more about a horse by walking around him once, than most men could by looking at the animal all day." He owns 140 acres of fine land in Greene county, and the home farm in this county, also containing 140 acres, including an undeveloped oil well. A Republican in politics, he has served his township as justice of the peace, judge of election and road commissioner, filling each office with credit to himself, and the entire satisfaction of his constituents.

M ISS MARTHA D. TWEED is a repre- sentative of another well-known family who are prominently identified with the organization, growth and development. of Washington county. Samuel Tweed and his wife, Jane ( Anderson) Tweed, were natives of Ireland, coming to America at a very early date, probably prior to the Revolution. They first set- tled east of the mountains, afterward moving to Washington county, and locating near Buffalo village. Their children were John, Robert, Will- iam, Samuel, Griselda and Annie.

Robert Tweed (father of subject) was first mar- ried in 1801 to Elizabeth Wylie, a sister of Adam Wylie, M. D., and Rev. William Wylie, D. D. Of the children born to this union, six grew to ma- turity, viz .: John, Eliza, Griselda, Nancy, Marga- ret and Mary. After the death of his first wife September 3, 1820, Robert, was married October 11, 1821, to Mary Work, daughter of George and Martha (Dunlap) Work. By this marriage there were four children, namely: Martha D., Jane, Ann and Samuel. Robert Tweed succeeded in rearing his large family, and gave each a fair practical edu. cation. He was a man of domestic tastes, devot- ing little attention to political affairs. In religion he and his wife were members of the Upper

Butter Huggins

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Buffalo Presbyterian Church, and endeavored to bring up their children in accordance with its teachings. He died April 26, 1828, aged fifty- five years. His widow passed away at the advanced age of over eighty years, July 22, 1869.

She was a woman of much more than ordinary intelligence and business sagacity, and managed the farm successfully many years after the death of her husband. At the same time she found time to inform herself upon all subjects of general in- terest, and especially the history and doctrines of the Church. She was recognized as one of the best informed Bible scholars in the Church of which she was a member.

George Work came to Hopewell township in 1802, and bought of Mr. Tweed 100 acres of land adjoining Buffalo village. In early life he was married to Margaret Dunlap, and five children were born to them: James, Alexander, John, Jane and Mary.

Of the children born to Robert and Mary (Work) Tweed, Jane Tweed was married to Thomas Ralston, and only one of her children, William (residing in West Middletown), is now living; Ann Tweed was married to John McCully, and removed to Smithfield, Ohio, where her six chil- dren are now residing; Martha D. and Samuel were never married, and after the death of their parents they took charge of the estate, living on the old homestead. Samuel died October 10, 1891, aged sixty-six years, and Miss Martha Tweed is now the last representative of the family name in this county.

M RS. NANCY C. ROLLSTIN, one of the most popular and intelligent ladies of Buffalo township, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, January 8, 1829. She is the daughter of John and Jane (McGuffin) Adams.

John Adams was a native of Ireland, who came to America when eighteen years old. He first lo- cated in Washington county, Penn., where he spent several years as a farm hand. Removing to Guern- sey county, Ohio, he invested his savings in land, and prepared a rude home in the wilderness. The humble "cage" being prepared, he returned to Washington county to secure the bird, and three months later brought his bride, Miss Jane McGuffin, to the pioneer cabin. Together the young couple began to build their home, and here were born to them the following eight children: Thomas, Elizabeth, Nancy C., Mary J., Margaret, Ann, William P. and Rebecca E. Of these children, Thomas, Elizabeth and Margaret are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Adams passed the re- mainder of their days on the old farm, where the first years of their married life were spent, and

where their youngest son, William P., still resides. In religion, they were Covenanters of the Old School, and the religious training of the family was that strict type, characteristic of the denomination.

Nancy. C. Adams, the subject proper of this sketch, was first married October 23, 1849, to James Mckeown, whose parents emigrated from the Prov- ince of Munster, Ireland, when he was one year old, or in 1824. In the spring of 1850, the young couple located in Harrison county, Ohio, with buoyant spirits and bright prospects for the future; but, alas! how little we know of what the future has in store for us. Only three short months had passed since beginning housekeeping, when on June 29, 1850, Mr. Mckeown, in assisting in tear- ing down a frame barn, received injuries from a fall which caused his death, July 7, 1850. Mrs. Mckeown now returned to the home of her parents, where her son James A. was born January 9, 1851, and where she continued to make her home until April, 1858, when she was again married; this time to John Rollstin, a son of James Rollstin, of Buf- falo township.

James Rollstin was born in Ireland in 1785, and emigrated to this country when quite young. He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy McGuffin March 29, 1810, and to them were born five sons and eight daughters: William, John, Joseph, Eliza- betb, Esther, Rebecca, Jane, Nancy, Martha, Margaret, James, Porter and Rachel. Of these, only three are now living: Esther (Mrs. Knox, of Claysville), Martha ( Mrs. McDowell, of Iowa ), and Rachel (Mrs. Woods, of Iowa).

John Rollstin was born December 18, 1812, in Buffalo township, and was reared on the farm, re- ceiving a common-school education. His first wife was Eliza Finley, of East Finley township, and to them were born two daughters: Nancy J., born in 1844, and Mattie E., in 1847. Nancy J. married John Allender, and is now deceased; Mattie E. married E. H. Stringham, of Ringgold county, lowa, where she now resides. The mother died in 1856, and Mr. Rollstin afterward married Nancy ( Adams) Mckeown. The children born of this union were: Lizzie J., June 4, 1859, and Anna R., May 31, 1861. Lizzie J. was married to R. J. McCleery, of West Finley township, in the fall of 1883. She died January 16, 1888. Anna R. was married to W. H. Craig in the spring of 1887. Mr. Craig died August 9, 1891, since which time Anna has made her home with her mother.

Politically, John Rollstin was a Republican, an active supporter of his party, and in religion a de- vout and consistent member of the U. P. Church. Mrs. Rollstin is also a member of the U. P. Church of Claysville, and enjoys the respect of all who know her. By the death of John Rollstin, which occurred April 6, 1864, Mrs. R. was again left a widow. Assuming the management of the farm,

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her business capacity and thrift enabled her not only to support herself and family, besides hiring the labor done, but to lay something by for a " rainy day."

Her son, J. A. Mckeown, was a teacher in the public schools for eighteen winters. In the fall of 1877 he was united in marriage with Lizzie J., daughter of A. K. Craig. Three children were born to them, all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Mckeown died December 2, 1884. Mr. Mckeown selected, as his second wife, Ethilind Brimner, of Burgettstown, with whom he was united in mar- riage August 29, 1888. They have one son, Clark B., now living. A daughter, Mary L., died June 22, 1891, aged thirteen months. Mr. Mckeown is a justly popular young man, winning many friends by his recognized ability and genial courtesy of manner. He successfully manages his mother's farın, which consists of 100 acres of good land lying south of the National pike, in Buffalo township, as well as eighty acres of his own in East Finley township, two miles south of the home farm, and also devotes much attention to stock raising. Po- litically, he is a straight Republican, and is now serving his second term as county auditor, a po- sition for which he is well qualified, both by natural inclination and intellectual training.

R OBERT MCKEAN, a successful business man of Charleroi, is a son 'of William Mc- Kean, who was born and reared in Kirkcud- brightshire, Scotland.

William McKean received his early edu- cation in the country schools of his native land, and was there married to Mary, daughter of William Brown, whose family had been natives of Kircud- brightshire for over two hundred years. Mr. and Mrs. McKean passed their lives on the home farm in Scotland, where the following children were born to them, and reared: John, a sea captain, who was lost in a wreck in 1837; Mary, wife of Alex- ander Magill; William, a farmer of Mansfield, Penn .; Jamies, a merchant tailor in Canada Corners, Mich .; Joseph, living on the old home place in Scotland; Elizabeth, deceased in youth; Andrew, living in Scotland; Robert, and Samuel, the last named residing in Fayette county, Penn. The father was a member of the Established Church of Scotland.

Robert Mckean was born March 7, 1827, on the home place in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, and in boyhood attended the schools of his native parish, assisting also in the duties of the farm. On January 1, 1849, he married Janet Caird, who was born at New Abbey, Scotland, a daughter of James Caird, a native and merchant of the same place, and a member of the Established Church. The children of Mr and Mrs. Caird were born as

follows: Janet, wife of Robert Mckean; John; Barbara, wife of Andrew Irving; Agnes, married to a Mr. Thompson; James; William; Mary, and two whose names are unknown. Mr. and Mrs. Mckean resided on a farm near New Abbey for about one year after their marriage, then set sail for America. After a voyage of thirty days they landed in New York, in July, 1850; thence pro- ceeded to Newburgh, where they spent a few months, going from there by rail to Johnstown, finally arriving in Allegheny City. In 1850 he worked for four months for seventy-five cents a day, and then moved to a place about six miles out, on the Steubenville pike, on Chartiers creek, where he followed gardening about six years. He then passed seven years at Mansfield, farming and gardening on a place near that town. In 1865 he purchased and moved on 220 acres at Lock No. 4 (now Charleroi), Washington Co., Penn., having paid for this land with the proceeds of years of hard labor. Politically he is actively identified with the interests of the Republican party, and in religion he and his family are members of the U. P. Church. He gives liberally of his means to all worthy enterprises. His children have been as follows: James, postmaster at Pittsburgh; William, who died in youth; John C. (postmaster ), William, Andrew, Agnes, Robert and Mary ( wife of C. F. Thompson). Miss Agnes Mckean was the first postmistress at Charleroi and also the first telegraph operator, receiving and sending the first message received or sent from Charleroi. The mother of these children died in April, 1890.

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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 168

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