Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 172

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 172

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John Burgan was born February 27, 1808, in Westmoreland county, Penn., and received his early education in the subscription schools of the period, and afterward came with his parents to the farm in Washington county, where he is now liv- ing. In 1834 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Huffman, who was born December 26, 1812, in Washington county, Penn., a daughter of Latimer and Mary ( Kelly) Huffman, early settlers

John Jorge

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of Pennsylvania, who reared a family of fifteen children, two of whom are yet living, Elizabetlı (Mrs. Burgan) and Cassandra ( widow of Joseph Taylor, living in Monongahela City, Penn. ); the father was a farmer and stock dealer; he died at the age of forty-nine years; his widow died in her eighty-first year. John and Elizabeth (Huffman ) Burgan were the parents of the following children: Mary A. ( wife of Harrison Long, a merchant of Vanceville, this county), born August 25, 1838; Keturah L., born October 20, 1842; Theodore F., (the subject of this biography); Elizabeth J. ( liv- ing at home), born October 19, 1846; John W., born December 19, 1848; Clarinda (residing at home), born February 8, 1850; Sarah J. (wife of William Wright, a farmer of Somerset township), born March 21, 1855; Emily and James L. (both deceased), and one that died in infancy. John Burgan has always followed agricultural pursuits, giving considerable attention to stock raising. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church.

Theodore F. Burgan grew to manhood on the home farm, and on December 13, 1889, was united in marriage with Jane McDonough, who was born December 25, 1859, in this county, daughter of Henry and Mary (Smith) McDonough. Mr. and Mrs. Burgan are members of the Disciple Church in Vanceville, this county; in his political opinions he votes the Republican ticket, and is actively in- terested in the success of his party. They are liv- ing on the home farm with his parents.

T HOMAS PEPPER, farmer and stock dealer of East Pike Run township, is a native of the same, and was born July 15, 1834. His parents were William and Harriet ( Nanki- vel) Pepper, who were natives of England, where the father was born in 1797, the mother in 1807. William Pepper was a butcher and a farm- er and emigrated to Pennsylvania many years ago, settling permanently on a farm in Washing- ton county. He was a supporter of the Democratic party, held various local offices, and was also pro- minently identified with the religious and educa-

onal interests of the locality. Mr. and Mrs. Pepper reared a family of f seven children, namely: William, an agriculturist of West Pike Run town- ship; Mary, wife of Alexander Moffitt, a resident of Washington, D. C .; Thomas, whose name opens tl.'s sketch; Anna, wife of B. F. Jeffries, a farmer of West Pike Run township; James, John C. and 'izabeth, of whom the latter three are now

eased. The father died in October, 1879, having been preceded by the mother in March, 1877.

Thomas Pepper received a subscription-school education in the home neighborhood, then learned the carriage maker's trade. He settled on a farm

in Washington county, and on December 2, 1856, was united in marriage with Mary Crable, who was born in 1836, in Fayette county, a daughter of George W. and Hannah ( McDonough) Crable, early settlers of Washington county, Penn.

Mr. and Mrs. Pepper are the parents of eight children, namely: Hannah J., wife of Joseph L. Walker, a resident of West Pike Run township; Harriet D .; James C .; Thomas W .; Elizabeth A .; Caroline I .; Mary E. (deceased), and one who died in infancy. Mr. Pepper owns 113 acres of good land, which is cultivated to the highest ex- tent. He is a practical farmer, using all modern improvements to facilitate his work; in politics he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. Mrs. Pepper is a member of the Catholic Church.

W ILLIAM COOPER, a prosperous agri- culturist, and a descendant of one of the oldest families in the county, is a native of Franklin township, born November 13, 1821, a son of Stephen and Hannah Cooper. He received a thorough practical training on the old home farm, and his literary education was limited to the subscription schools of the vicinity. On April 13, 1847, he was married to Eleanor, daugh- ter of Stephen and Sarah Day, and soon afterward the young couple came to their present farm in Franklin township, on which they made many im- provements, a comfortable residence and all other buildings having been built by them. Here, by industry, perseverance, econony and sound judg- ment, Mr. Cooper has made an enviable success, and is now the owner of a large and highly im- proved farm. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper: Murray A. and Howard C. (the last named being deceased). Mr. Cooper is a member and supporter of the Presbyterian Church of Pros- perity. In politics he was first a Whig, and, since the party was organized, has been a Republican. He has never sought office, but has attended strictly to his occupation as a farmer and stock raiser, and now, at a ripe old age, finds himself surrounded by the comforts of life and a com- petency of this world's goods.

Murray A. Cooper, son of William and Eleanor Cooper, was born in Franklin township, September 18, 1849. He was educated at the Southwestern State Normal College of Pennsylvania, and at Union College Ohio. At the age of seventeen he com- menced teaching, and continued in that vocation in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Read medicine but never practiced. On September 18, 1871, he es- tablished the Washington Advance ( name changed to Observer), with H. B. Durant as partner, and continued its publication until November, 1873. This he sold and then purchased the Mt. Pleasant (Penn.) Journal, which he edited and published

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five years. He was recording secretary of the Penn- sylvania Editorial Association in 1877. In 1879 he located in Steubenville, Ohio, and was connected with the Herald two years. For three years he was special correspondent with the Cincinnati Gazette. Owing to failing health, Mr. Cooper re- tired from newspaper work in 1884, and turned his attention to farming and stock raising, locating upon the home farm in Franklin township. In 1890 he became interested in Dorset Horn sheep, and was the first to introduce this important brand of English sheep into western Pennsylvania. In June, 1891, he made an importation from the best flocks in England. On March 31, 1891, at Pitts- burgh, Penn., he assisted in organizing the Dorset Horn Sheep Breeders Association of America, be- ing unanimously elected secretary and treasurer of the organization; reelected in 1892, and Jan- uary 11, 1893, in New York City, was elected to the same position. He is now a resident of Wash- ington, Penn., where he conducts the business of the Association, which has become one of the most suc- cessful organizations of the kind in the country, having members in twenty-four States, Canada and England. In politics he is a strong Republican, and in religion he is a Presbyterian.

J AMES CALDWELL, a well-known farmer of Hanover township, is of Irish descent. His grandfather, James Caldwell, was born, reared and married in Ireland, and finally immigrat- ing to America, located in Hanover township, near Paris, Washington county, Penn. In the midst of a wild and lonely forest his cabin was erected, and he passed the remainder of his life as a " tiller of the soil." He and his wife died, and they were buried in the Paris cemetery. James Caldwell was a promi- nent man, highly respected by all, and was elected a justice of the peace by the Democratic party, of which he was an enthusiastic supporter. The chil- dren of this family were as follows: Samuel, who owned, lived and died on a little farm now owned by John McClurg, adjoining the home farm on the north; William, who lived in Carroll county, Ohio; Joseph, who resided in Hanover township, this county; Elizabeth, married to Matthew Russell, of Hanover township; Thomas, of whom further men- tion is made; Jane, Mrs. Parks; Andrew; Robert and James; all are now deceased.

Thomas Caldwell was born in 1805, near Paris, Hanover township, Washington county, Penn., on the farm where his father first located, on his arri- val in the county. He was reared on the home farm, and attended the subscription schools. In early manhood he was married to Jane, daughter of Samuel Carson, a native of Ireland, who came to America with her parents when very young, and they located in Carroll county, Ohio. Thomas and

Jane Caldwell located on the home farm, near Paris, this county, where he successfully followed agriculture during the remainder of his active life. He was a popular citizen, took an active interest in elections, and during almost every polititical dem- onstration his wagon and horses bore an enthusi- astic load of Democrats to the meeting. He passed away in 1875, and in 1885 the wife of his youth was laid to rest by his side in Paris cemetery.

James Caldwell, son of Thomas and Jane Cald- well, was born January 26, 1841, on the same farm which he now owns and resides upon. He attended the common schools, and when a young man began to learn the carpenter trade under David McClurg. After serving his apprenticeship he followed his business until his marriage, February 17, 1876, to Amanda Elizabeth Freshwater, who was born March 4, 1852, daughter of Archibald Freshwater, of Hanover township, this county. After his mar- riage he located on the old Caldwell home- stead near Paris, where he is yet living, devoting his attention to general farming and stock raising. In politics he has always been a Democrat, but gives his personal business the greater portion of of his time. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Paris, which he has served in various offices. His children are: Charles, Elizabeth, James L., Jenny, Robert C., Grover C., Mina, Clara Bell and Donald D., of whom Robert C. and Grover C. died when young.

D ANIEL DUNN (deceased) was a native of Greene county, Penn., born December 6, 1807. His father, Samuel Dunn, was a na- tive of New Jersey, born in 1765. When a young man he moved to Greene county, Penn., where he married Jane McIntire, of the same county, who bore him six children: Joseph, Will- iam, Daniel, Emund, Elizabeth and Anna.

Daniel, the third child in the order of their birth, left home at the age of twelve years, and became an apprentice in Buckingham's woolen factory, at Ten Mile creek, Washington county, where he learned the trade of carder. He married, in 1834, Sarah Baker, who was born November 9, 1813, a daughter of David Baker, of East Bethlehem town- ship, where the father had settled at an early day, having come from New Jersey with his father. For six years succeeding his marriage, Daniel Dunn worked at his trade, near Clarksville, Greene county. In 1840 he purchased the farm, one-half mile west of what is now Dunn's Station, upon which his widow still resides. Here he remained, giving his attention to his farm, until his death, December 27, 1862. Daniel Dunn was a representative self-made man. Starting under the most adverse circum- stances, he made a success of life, and left an un- sullied record. He reared a family of nine chil-

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dren (six of whom are living): Malinda Jane, born October 4, 1835, married to Milton Day, and re- siding in Waynesburgh, Greene county; Emmeline, born January 30, 1838, married to Oliver Day, of Somerville, Mo., where they now reside; Edward, born August 29, 1840, married to Rhoda Yeagly, of Connellsville, Penn., at which place they make their residence; David B., born March 7, 1843, married to Mary E. Auld, of Morris township, where he resides; Margaret Ann, born November 3, 1845, married to J. N. Minton (now deceased), and re- siding in Morris township; Hiram B., born June 15, 1848, died October 29, 1854; Alexander H. (of whom special mention is made further on); Flo- rella W., born December 2, 1854, married to Thomas Rice, of Greene county, and died May 13, 1877; Apollos B., born in October, 1858, died June 11, 1881.

Alexander Hamilton Dunn is one of the most prosperous young farmers of Morris township. He was born January 25, 1851, was reared to farm life, and received a common-school education. Since starting out life for himself he has given his attention wholly to farming and stock raising. He manages the old home farm, upon which he raises considerable graded stock. He was married Janu- ary 9, 1878, to Maria J. Loughman, a daughter of Frederick Loughman, of Morris township, Greene county, and they have one child, Clarence M., born December 5, 1878. In politics Mr. Dunn is an ardent Republican. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

M RS. RACHEL WILSON (widow of Thomas Wilson, of Somerset township) was born November 9, 1833, in Washington county, Penn., and is a representative of one of the oldest families of the county. She is a daughter of Nicholas Peese, a native of this county, born in 1812, who when a young man was united in inarriage with Elizabeth Wallar, who was born in 1806. After his marriage Mr. Peese settled on a farm where children were born to their union as follows: Rachel (the lady of whom this sketch is written ), Lydia, Lawrence (farming in Somerset township), George W. (farming in South Strabane township), William (an agriculturist of Hardin county, Ohio), Andrew (a farmer of Hardin county, Ohio), Martha A. ( wife of Homer Vaughn, also of Hardin county, Ohio), Mary E., Nancy ( mar- ried to George Wygandt, a farmer of South Strabane township) and Nicholas. The father died in 1877, in South Strabane township, the mother in 1885; both were members of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church.

Rachel Peese grew to womanhood in the home of her parents, and on June 24, 1856, gave her hand in marriage to Thomas Wilson, a farmer, who

was born December 16, 1835, in Washington county, Penn., a son of James and Mary (Van- Eman ) Wilson. He died December 3, 1878. In religious faith he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Wilson is also a member.

W ILLIAM F. RALSTON was born August 31, 1816, in Carroll township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his school days in the vicinity. His father, Rev. Samuel Ralston, was born in 1758, in Ireland, and received a theological education at Glasgow, Scotland. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery, and soon afterward immigrated to America. He settled in Washington county, Penn., and preached several years in Monongahela City, and Horse-Shoe; then took charge of the Mingo church, of which he was pastor during his later life. His mother after- ward came to America, and resided with him and another son, Ralf, for some time on the latter's farm of 150 acres in Carroll township; died there and was buried at Mingo. Samuel Ralston was married to Rachel, daughter of William Ferguson, and children were born to them, as follows: Sarah (wife of Benjamin Williams), Matilda, Mary ( Mrs. James McVey, of Mingo creek ), James, Margaret ( wife of Samuel Kidoo), Lizzie (Mrs. Robert (Patten ), Samuel, and William F.

William F. Ralston grew to manhood in his native county, and on March 8, 1837, was married to Jane R. Hackett, a native of Chester county, Penn., whose father, David Hackett, is a well- know agriculturist of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston have had three sons and two daughters, namelv: Samuel (who served three years in the First Pennsylvania Cavalry under a cousin, Joseph William, and was slightly wounded), James H., Martha (deceased), Margaret, and William.

Mr. Ralston owns thirty acres of land upon which he is now boring a gas well. He is a Repub- lican, has taken an active interest in local politics, and served in various township offices. He is the only remaining one of the family of Samuel Ralston.

J HE FURNIER FAMILY in Fallowfield township come of French ancestry, David Furnier, the first of them to emigrate to America, having been a native of France, from which country he fled in the days of religious persecution.

He first located near Hagerstown, Maryland, afterward coming to Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, and making a settlement near Speers run some time prior to 1772. In 1798 he purchased of Henry Speers a tract of ninety-four acres of land near the stream just mentioned, having a river front

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of 100 rods. A log house was erected on this land either by Speers or Furnier, probably the latter. In addition to this tract David Furnier also owned a large portion of the land now in the possession of the heirs of Levi Johnson, the title of which has long been disputed. In 1823 this land was deeded by the heirs of Furnier to Solomon Speers, who, in turn, sold it to L. M. Speers, and it is now the prop- erty of S. F. and William Jones. A log flouring- mill was erected on this land many years ago, just below the stone house of Samuel Mckean. The original owners of this mill are not certainly known, but it is supposed that Elliott and Williams erected on a lease of several years' duration. At all events David Furnier was the sole proprietor of both mill and store in 1790, and also conducted a distillery- the entire business being known as the " Barter Mills," the name having been characteristic of the enterprise. This was the first store opened in that locality, and at the same time David Furnier owned an establishment at Devore's Ferry, opposite Monongahela City, and one at Pittsburgh. He did an immense business, keeping all kinds of goods, including groceries, etc., and of the vast quantities of grain brought in from the surround- ing country the rye was transformed into whiskey, while the wheat sold in adjacent cities. This was perhaps the largest business existing at that time in the Valley. The old distillery was situated above the log mill, and was afterward supplanted by the stone still-house, which was near the greenhouse of Samuel Mckean. In 1803 a large brick mill was erected near the present stone bridge crossing Speers run, but it was torn down in 1837, part of the brick being yet in use in the old schoolhouse in Gould's hollow. A sawmill was afterward erected by Solomon Speers, near the site of the old brick mill. David Furnier had three brothers, Henry, John and James, of whom James lived with Henry in Washington county, and was never married. He died of sunstroke. John, who was also a bache- lor, owned a tannery on the present farm of John Irons, and was also proprietor of a store at Becket's place, now Degg's ferry. Henry, the remaining brother of David Furnier, had two sons, David and Simeon. The father erected the stone part of the house now owned by Philip Johnson, where his son, Simeon Furnier, died in 1848. The latter was married to Jane Stout, and their children were Henry, Jesse, John W., William, Simeon and Mary. David, eldest son of Henry Furnier, had four chil- dren, namely: Bela, Matilda, Lucinda ( wife of Judge James Fuller, of Perryopolis, Penn. ) and Bowman.

DAVID FURNIER was born in 1825, in Adams county, Ohio, and in 1827 was brought by his parents to Washington county, Penn. Here he was educated, and when a young man he worked on a steamboat. On October 15, 1850, Mr. Furnier

was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Colvin, and she has borne him; two sons and four daughters, namely: Eliza S., wife of Henry Carson ; Florentine ; Henry, of whom a sketch fol- lows; Joan; Lincoln, married to Lydia Sickman; and Allie, living at home. Mr. Furnier is distantly related to the Marquis de La Fayette, that famous patriot (now so long since deceased) having been a cousin of Mr. Furnier's grandfather. David Fur- nier's mother was a Dunlevy, and her mother was a Crawford, a full cousin of Col. Crawford, who was burned at the stake by the Indians in what is now Crawford county, Ohio.

HENRY FURNIER, son of David and Elizabeth (Colvin) Furnier, was born October 8, 1855, on the home farm in Fallowfield township, Washington county, Penn. He attended the common schools, was early inducted into the mysteries of agricul- ture, and has since continued to follow rural life. In October, 1882, he married Martha, daugh- ter of Henry Frye, a well-known agriculturist of Washington county, Penn., and they have had two children: Charles L. and Edna A., both liv- ing with their parents. The home farm contains eighty-four acres of land, situated five miles from Monongahela City.

M OSES SCOTT (deceased) was a native of Washington county, Penn., born in Union township, October 12, 1809. He was of Irish descent, his father, Thomas Scott, having emigrated from Ireland to America in 1796, being then a young man of some twenty- two summers.

After landing, Thomas Scott proceeded to this county, making a settlement on Mingo creek in Union township, where he cleared the land and followed farming and milling until 1850, in which year he moved into Monongahela City, and there ended his useful life, dying February 19, 1856. In politics he was a Whig, in religion a member of the Mingo Creek Presbyterian Church. In 1802 he had married Margaret Turner, a resident of the county, and the children born to them were Re- becca ( Mrs. Franklin Goldthrop), William, Joseph, Alexander, Moses, Mary, John, James, Matilda (Mrs. James Rodgers), Elizabeth and Jane. The mother was called to her long home December 24, 1849.

Moses Scott, of whom this memoir is written, received a rudimentary education in the schools of the neighborhood, afterward attending Marshall's academy and a school in Monongahela City. He learned the milling business which he followed in his native township until 1850, when he came to Monongahela City. Here, in 1856, he opened a general grocery store, which he conducted several years, and then, selling out the business, moved to

Moses Sector

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Beaver, same State, where he remained some three years, at the end of which time he returned to Monongahela City, and there passed the rest of his life, dying March 5, 1891. Moses Scott was married in 1855 to Miss Rowanna A. McFarland, of Franklin county, Penn. In his political affilia- tions he was for some time a Republican, but in the later years of his life he voted the Independent ticket. For five years he served as alderman of his adopted city. In early life he identified him- self with the Presbyterian Church, but afterward enlisted under the banner of the Baptist faith. His widow is still a resident of Monongahela.

James Scott, M. D., brother of Moses, was born in Union township, April 15, 1815. In the sub- scription schools and at Marshall's academy he re- ceived a liberal education. He studied medicine, and at Ohio Medical College took his degree, after which he commenced practice at Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio. He was a very prominent and influen- tial man, and for some time represented his State in the Legislature on the Republican ticket. He married Hannah Fowler, of Cincinnati, and by her had one child that died young. In church con- nection the Doctor is a Presbyterian.

M RS. SUSANNAH ALLEN, a well-known and intelligent lady of Cross Creek town- ship, was born November 21, 1823, a daughter of the late John Harper, of Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn. On November 19, 1850, she was united in marriage with Josiah Allen, son of John Allen.

John Allen was born in Chambersburgh, Penn., and, coming to Washington county about the year 1800, settled on the farm now occupied by his de- scendants. The land was then covered with dense forest, but two acres had been cleared off, and an orchard planted. Here the young pioneer con- structed a cabin from round logs, and immediately brought his bride ( Miss Anna Tweed) to assist in building the new home. He then began clearing the forest from the land, and soon the wild, unculti- vated region assumed an air of civilization as various improvements were made. Time passed on, and the once lonely forest rang with the shouts of happy children, who came to bless the homes of the early pioneers. To John and Anna Allen were born Martha, John, Josiah, Nancy, Samuel and William, all now deceased.

Josiah Allen was born November 15, 1808, on the home farm, in the house where his widow is now living. His boyhood days were passed at home, in attending to the usual farm duties. After his marriage to Susannah Harper they settled on the old farm, where children were born to them as follows: William Harper, born August 24, 1851, married to Emma Anderson, daughter of H. C.

Anderson, of Cross Creek township) they have four children, namely: John Ellsworth, Lemuel Harper, Emma M. (deceased in infancy) and Will- iam Earl); Anna Martha, born November 30, 1852; Phobe Jane, born March 14, 1854; John Graham, born July 11, 1855; Ada Ethelinda, born May 26, 1857; Ella Agnes, born March 24, 1859; Francinia Elizabeth ( wife of Joseph Mar- quis), born January 23, 1861; James Craig, born October 14, 1862; and Josiah Harvey, born Decem- ber 19, 1865. Of this family, Phoebe Jane, John Graham and Ada Ethelinda are deceased. Mr. Allen was a stanch Democrat, but took no active part in politics. He was a consistent member and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church of Cross Creek village. He commanded the respect and admiration of all who knew him, being one of the most useful, honorable and public-spirited men of the community. Josiah Allen died July 14, 1883. At the time of his death he owned 137 acres of land, which was left to his widow and children.

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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 172

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