Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 177

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 177

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About the year 1815 Jacob, son of Gottlieb, son of Johannes, removed from Lancaster to West- moreland county, and settled upon a large tract of land in that county. He was married to Jane An- derson, a native of Ireland, who bore him the fol- lowing children: William, Rebecca, George M., W. A., Elizabeth and Samuel. Mr. Eberman was a Democrat in political opinion, and in religion sup- ported the M. E. Church. He followed building and carpentry in Pittsburgh for several years, then moved to Elizabeth, Allegheny county, in 1829, where he died.

GEORGE M. EBERMAN was born April 29, 1821, and reared on the home farm in West- moreland county, Penn., and attended the sub- scription schools of the vicinity. At the age of fourteen years he began clerking in a store where he remained until 1854, when he em- barked in a general mercantile businese in Cali- fornia, Penn. In 1859 he opened a ship-building yard in company with William McFall, and they conducted that business until 1879, when they dis- solved partnership, and he commenced in his present general store in California, the firm now being known as Hart & Co. Politically Mr. Eberman has been a zealous worker in the Whig and Republican parties, and has served as a member of the council, school director and in several other offices. He has always been deeply interested in the educational work of his locality, and for the past twenty-five years has been a trustee of the Southwestern State Normal School, at California, of which he was the first treasurer. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he has been a trustee of same for several years. In early manhood Mr. Eberman was married to Ellen, daughter of Peter Wilson, of Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Penn., and the names of the children born to them are as follows: Sid- ney, Albert, Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Anna, George, John S., Charles, Wilson and Cora.

JOHN S. EBERMAN, son of George M. and Ellen Eberman, was born March 6, 1859, in

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California, Washington Co., Peun. He received a public-school education, and then attended the Southwestern State Normal School, at California, from which he graduated in 1878. After gradu- ating he entered the employ of J. W. Smith, a druggist of California, remaining there until 1882, and then formed a partnership with Miss Jennie Smith in the drug business. In 1888 he purchased her interest, and has since continued the establishment, carrying on a full line of drugs and sundries, and by good management has se- cured a large and profitable custom. On October 23, 1886, he was married to Mary G., daughter of John Guffey. Mr. Eberman is identified with the Republican party, has served in various local offices, and in 1882 he was appointed postmaster at California, holding that position until the election of Cleveland as President, when he resigned. He has served as director of the First National Bank of California since that institution was first incor- porated, and has been treasurer of the Southwest- ern State Normal School for the past seven years. In religious connection he is a zealous member of the M. E. Church. He has in his possession a book which has been in the family for 118 years, and a number of deeds and articles almost as ancient. He is in correspondence with a branch of the family in Stuttgart, Germany, who own the leading bank- ing house there, and who have sent him the very interesting early history of the family.

R OBERT CARR BYERS, M. D., was born in Cumberland county, Penn., April 20, 1820, a son of Isaac and Mary (Carr) Byers. Abraham Byers, his grandfather, was also a native of Cumberland county, born near Carlisle, where he was reared and educated. He became an extensive teamster or wagoner, his route being for the most part between Baltimore and Philadelphia, and points farther west, he having as many as five teams on the road. This vocation he followed for several years and then went West, after which nothing was heard of him. He had married, in Chester county, Penn., Margaret Bren- neman, who bore him two children: Isaac and Samuel.

Isaac Byers, father of Robert C., was educated in the subscription schools of his native county (Chester, Penn.), and when yet a youth proceeded to Philadelphia, where he learned the trade of shoe- maker. Soon after completing his apprenticeship he moved to Cumberland county, same State, and there followed his trade some years, at the end of which time he came to Washington county, and took up his residence near Canonsburg. Here he carried on another trade, that of carpenter and builder, up to 1849, in which year he moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he died in 1865, In 1811

he married Mary Carr, a resident of Cumberland county, and the following named eight children were born to them: Hiram, Elizabeth, Sarah ( Mrs. James Munn), Mary (Mrs. David Woodring), Ro- bert C., Isaac, Fannie and Hannah (Mrs. Masters). Mr. Byers was a Democrat in his political sym- pathies, and in religion he was a member of the M. E. Church, although the faith of his forefathers was Presbyterian.

Robert C. Byers was a boy when his parents came to Washington county (in 1823), and it may be said of him that he is self-educated, as his school experiences were very limited. At the age of ten years he commenced to work on a farm, and when he was about twelve years old entered the employ of his brother, Hiram, in Monongahela ( then called Williamsport), to learn the tailor trade, becoming a journeyman at the end of two years. His first venture in business for himself was, in 1839, made in Bentleyville, Washington Co., Penn., where he carried on tailoring six years. In 1845 he moved to Perryopolis, Fayette county, where he remained three years. While there he studied medicine under Dr. Estep, thence, in 1848, went to Fayette City, same county (then called Cookstown), and em- barked in the drug business, in which he has since continued with eminent success, moving to Belle Vernon, Fayette county, in 1860, thence, in 1878, to Monongahela, this county, where he now resides. On September 17, 1839, Dr. Byers married Emily F., daughter of Micajah Churchman, a native of Delaware, who was twice married, first time to Eliza Sinclair, of New York, who bore him the following named children: Sinclair, William, Emily F. and Caroline. Mr. Churchman's second wife was Mrs. Sarah May, widow of Rev. May, an Episcopal min- ister, and by her marriage with Mr. Churchman she had three children: Francis M., Edward and Hen- rietta. Mr. Churchman was a Whig and a strong Abolitionist; in religious faith he was a member of the Society of Friends. He was an enterprising and well-to-do farmer and stock raiser. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Byers were: Albert S .; Mary J., married to Isaac Bailey, now deceased ( they had no children; she resides in Monongahela ) ; Emma E., married to John Furnier (they reside near Allenport, Washington county, and they have seven children, viz .: Oliver, Bertha, Robert, Clyde, Thurman, Lilly and Garnet); Robert Eugene Byers, a leading druggist of Monongahela, was married to Miss Josephine Camp; William C. is a graduate physician of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and is a member of the medical firm of Copeland, Hall and Byers, Pittsburgh and Phila- delphia (he married Miss Mary Clark, daughter of Capt. Wm. Clark, and resides in Pittsburgh. They had two children: Mazey, and Birdie, who died at the age of ten months); Elward I. Byers (de- ceased), who was a druggist, and was married to

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Miss Sarah Nevada Clark, and had two children: Emma and Robert W .; Theodore M. Byers, a dry- goods merchant of Monongahela, married to Miss Agnes J. Cline, of Nebraska; and Carrie L., who died at the age of three years.

The paternal ancestor of Dr. Robert C. Byers was German, while his maternal ancestor was Welsh. His grandmother, Mary Bruce, was born in Scot- land, whence she came with her brothers, Robert and William Bruce, to Cumberland county, Penn. The brothers were soldiers in the war of 1812, and volunteered under Gen. Scott; both were cap- tured and taken to England, and William died in a prison; Robert returned to Cumberland county, where he died soon after from the effects of his con- finement in prison. Both these brothers died with- out issue. Dr. Byers is a member of the M. E. Church; in politics he was a Whig and Republican, but is now a Greenbacker. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife, Emily F., had a birthright by her parents among the Society of Friends; there being no Society of Friends where she has resided since her marriage, she has united with the M. E. Church. Dr. Byers ranks among the leading men of the town, and he and his wife enjoy the confi- dence and respect of all who know them.

D ANIEL SNYDER represents one of the earliest and most prosperous families of Washington county, his ancestors having come to the State over one hundred years ago.

They were probably natives of the eastern por- tion of the State, although the exact place is not known. The grandfather of our subject was the first of the family to settle in Washington county, and he made his home in Nottingham township, where his son, Peter, the father of our subject, was born and reared.

Peter Snyder was born February 23, 1823, and when a young man learned the trade of shoemak- ing which, in connection with farming, he followed for years, but his later life was spent in agricult- ural pursuits. In 1847 he married Julia A. Crabb, who was born May 9, 1830, in Fallowfield township. Her family were also early settlers of the county. Her grandfather, Henry Crabb, a shoemaker by trade, died in Fallowfield township. His son, Philip Crabb, the father of Mrs. Snyder, was twice mar- ried; his first wife died without children, and for a second wife he married Elizabeth House, who bore him children as follows: Henry, Philip, Elizabeth, Julia Ann, Lucy, Charlotte and Caroline.

The father of these children died in 1846, aged eighty-four years. The mother died some years later. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Snyder settled on the fifty-acre tract of land where our

subject now makes his home, and here their chil- dren were born as follows: Mary J., the wife of Abram Stecher; Alexander, married to Flora All- man; Daniel, of whom mention is made further on; John G., who was a farmer of Fallowfield township, and died June 30, 1891; Henry M., of Carroll town- ship, who married Cynthia Bentley; Lucretia, mar- ried to Samuel Beazell; George B., a school teacher, of Washington county, still living with his mother; Frank P., a stone mason, who also resides at his mother's home; and James S., also on the home farm. Of Peter Snyder it may be said that, although he began life with no financial assistance, by hard work and good business management he accumulated a very considerable property, having purchased 110 acres of fine land in addition to the fifty acres on which his home was first made after his marriage; on this large tract he passed the rest of his days and his widow now makes it her home. Mr. Snyder served his township in almost every capac- ity and was one of the most popular men in the community. He died November 23, 1882, at the age of fifty-eight years.

Daniel Snyder, the subject proper of this sketch, was born May 9, 1851, on the farm where he now resides. On June 16, 1892, he was married to Miss Alice Jacobs, a native of Allegheny county, Penn., and daughter of Isaac Jacobs, a well-known agri- culturist of Washington county, but formerly of Allegheny county. Mr. Snyder, while living on the old farm, has charge of the entire farm, nearly 164 acres, and carries on a general farming and stock business, making a specialty of sheep. He is a Democrat in his political preferences, and has filled various local offices. He is a well-known man and a worthy son of honored parents.

E MMOR M. G. CRAWFORD is a native of the county, born one mile from the borough of Beallsville, June 3, 1857, a son of Mor- decai and Catherine (Kreider) Crawford, the former a native of Cumberland, Md., the latter of Rankintown, Washington county, Penn. Chris- topher Kreider, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Germany, and many years ago came to America, settling in Indiana, near Lake Michigan, where he died. His son, Christopher, married in Indiana, and in course of time came to Rankintown (now called West Washington), Penn., and here kept hotel for several years, working also at his trade, that of blacksmith. Returning to Indiana, he and his wife passed the remainder of their days in Cass county, the husband dying first, the wife many years afterward at the age of eighty-eight years. Their children were: Mary, Catherine, Nancy, Christopher, John, Philip, Jacob, William, and two that died when young. Of

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these, William, Catherine and Nancy are living: William in Logansport, Ind .; Nancy, in Cass county, Ind., and Catherine ( Mrs. Crawford).

William Crawford, grandfather of subject, died in Cumberland, Md. Mordecai Crawford came to Washington county, Penn., when but a small child, and here learned wagon making with his uncle, Samuel J. Rogers, at Beallsville, a trade he fol- lowed some twenty-six years. Afterward he carried on farming operations for nine years, and then re- moved to Indiana. In 1862 he returned to Wash- ington county, where he has since resided, and with his wife, who is now aged seventy-nine years, while he is nearing his ninetieth mile stone on life's journey, is making his home in Beallsville. They are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are now living, viz .: Samuel R., in West Pike Run township; John A., in Cass county, Ind .; Margaret Emma, married to Frank D. Nicholl, of Somerset township; Alonzo, in South Strabane township; Charles K., in Somerset township; E. M. G., the subject of these lines, and Josephine, wife of Ira Chamberlain, in Fayette county, Penn.

E. M. G. Crawford received a liberal education at the common schools of his district, and until twenty-six years of age lived on the paternal home- stead, assisting in the manifold duties of the farm. He then learned the photographic art in Washing- ton, working for S. G. Rodgers five and one-half years,and afterward was employed for six months by F. S. Hawkins as finisher. In 1890 he opened a gal- lery in Brownsville, Fayette county, Penn., which he carried on till 1891, when he returned to Wash- ington and commenced business for his own ac- count. Mr. Crawford has made a good start, and being well-known, exceedingly popular and a good workman, devoted to his business, keeping up to the times in improvements in his line, has a bright future before him.

On August 28, 1884, Mr. Crawford was married to Miss Annie R., daughter of W. C. La Masters, of Washington, Penn., and by this union three children have been born: Walter M. (deceased), and Leola R. and Essie May, at home.

A R. RENSHAW, proprietor of the leading livery stable in Washington, was born in 1854, in Armstrong county, Penn., as on of W. H. Renshaw, a native of Philadel- phia, where he followed the occupation of a river pilot for many years, but is now a farmer in Armstrong county. He married Miss Louisa Rog- ers (now deceased ), of "old-country " parentage, and nine children were born to them, all of whom live in Armstrong county except the subject of these lines.

A. R. Renshaw was reared in his native county, at the common schools of which he received a lib-

eral education. Early in life he learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for several years. On February 15, 1890, he came to Washington county, and bought out the livery stable which he has since successfully conducted. On January 1, 1890, he was united in marriage with Annie B. Kerr, of Armstrong county, Penn. Our subject's home is on East Wheeling street.

E DWARD THOMAS was born in 1809, in this county, a son of Joseph Thomas, who came to Washington county at an early period, but years afterward moved to Ohio, and died in that State. Edward grew to manhood on the home place, and in 1834 was united in marriage with Eliza Beck, whose grandfather (Isaiah Beck) was born in Philadelphia, and married in his native city, afterward moving to Washington county, where he died. Edward and Eliza Thomas first settled near Canonsburg, Penn., then moved upon the farm now occupied by their son Edmund, and reared the following children: Martha Jane ( Mrs. McClellan, of Tuscarawas county, Ohio), Nancy (living in Ohio), Lydia ( wife of James Johnson, of Ohio), Sarah (deceased several years ago), Isaiah (living in Chartiers township), William (living in East Finley township, this county ), Mary ( married to Andrew Gamble), Maggie (living in Ohio), Anna (deceased in youth), Edmund, Emma (de- ceased) and Caroline ( Mrs. Baker Lewis, of Tus- carawas county, Ohio). The father of these chil- dren died in 1885, at the home of his son Edmund. He was an active politician, first as a Democrat and then as a Republican. Mrs. Thomas is yet living in Tuscarawas, Ohio.

ISAIAH THOMAS was born in Canonsburg, Char- tiers township, and there received his early educa - tion. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Agnew, daugliter of Thomas and Sarah (Dougherty) Agnew, natives of this county; the father died some years ago, and the mother is now living with her daughter Mattie. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two sons : George N. and Albert R. After his marriage Isaiah Thomas settled on the farm where he is now living. He owns eighty- eight acres of the home farm, also fourteen acres in Canton township, and has erected a good residence and farm buildings on the place, a good gas well being an other valuable feature of his farm. Mr. Thomas is an active Republican, and has held sev- eral township offices. He and his wife are both members of the United Presbyterian Church.

EDMUND THOMAS was born November 14, 1856, in Chartiers township, Washington county. He passed his youth in Chartiers township, there re- ceiving his elementary education in the district schools. After leaving school he began farming on the old homestead, which he now owns, and

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which consists of 106 acres of fertile and well-cul- tivated soil. He has two good gas wells on the place, and is a prosperous farmer, devoting con- siderable attention to stock raising. Politically he is a Republican, actively interested in the success of his party, as well as in all worthy public en- terprises.

AMES M. MELONEY, a well-known and prosperous business man of Midway, is a bright example of the results which can be obtained by those who possess energy and patience, coupled with a willing heart and physical strength. He is descended from a pioneer family of Irish extraction.

Samuel Meloney, the grandfather of the family at present under consideration, was born in east- ern Pennsylvania, where he was married and had two children, Alexander and Rachel. After the death of his first wife, Samuel Meloney was united in marriage with Nancy Berry, who bore him the following family of children: Williamn, James, Samuel, John, Mary, Kate, Margaret, Nancy, Rose, Ann, Susan and Robert. At the time of the settle- ment in western Pennsylvania, the land was wild, wolves and other animals yet roaming the forests; and like that of other early settlers, the life of Samuel Meloney was filled with toil, privation and danger. Politically he was actively interested in the success of the Democratic party, and in re- ligion was a member of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church. He died on the home farm.

Alexander Meloney was born in the latter part of the eighteenth century, on the pioneer farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where his entire life was passed. He was early inducted into the mysteries of agriculture, assisting with the home work. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of David McAdams, who bore him two sons, James M. and John (deceased). Alex- ander Meloney was a hard-working man, and was actively engaged in the growth and prosperity of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church of Robinson township, of which he was a member. He was buried in the Valley Church cemetery.

James M. Meloney, whose name commences these lines, was born July 25, 1825, in Finley township, Allegheny county, Penn., and was trained to farm work from early boyhood. He fol- lowed agricultural life for several years, and on June 17, 1849, selected, as his life companion, Isa- bella, daughter of Samuel Eckleson, a native of Ire- and, who came with his parents to America. He was afterward married in this country to Anna Mc- Cague, and reared the following family of children: Thomas, John, Isabella, Martha, Euphemia, Samuel and Mary A. The father settled in Allegheny county, Penn., where his life was passed. He was

a Whig and Republican in politics, and in religion a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

In 1870 Mr. Meloney discontinued agricultural work, and opened an undertaking establishment upon his farm. The business soon increased to such proportions that he decided to remove to town and devote his entire attention to it. Accordingly in 1880 the family moved to Midway, this county, where he carried on a very profitable business until 1891, when he sold out and retired from active life. For many years Mr. Meloney has been a zealous member of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church, hav- ing held nearly all the church offices, and is now filling the various duties of elder, trustee, collector, and treasurer of the Sabbath-school. Politically he is an ardent worker in the ranks of the Demo- cratic party.

J OHN HUGHES, retired farmer, is a native of Washington county, Penn., having been born in Atwell township, May 15, 1821.

His grandfather, John Hughes, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when a young man, and participated in the Revolutionary war in the capacity of captain. He married Miss Sarah Wiley, who bore him seven children: Thomas, James, Barnabas, Samuel, John, Annie and Isa- bella. The parents of this family both died in Washington county, and are buried in the Van- Kirk graveyard in Amwell township.

Barnabas Hughes, third son of Capt. John Hughes, was born in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, attending during a few weeks in winter time the schools of the district. He married Annie Van- Kirk, of his native township, and they had seven children born to them, viz .: James, William, Thomas, John (our subject), Sarah ( Mrs. Monin- ger), Mary (Mrs. J. C. Chambers) and Margaret (Mrs. Ross, formerly of Indiana), all now deceased except John. The parents died in Amwell town- ship, the mother at the age of sixty-six years, and the father some years later at the age of eighty-six. They were members of the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. Hughes was for some time a Jack- sonian Democrat, but of later years voted the Re- publican ticket.

John Hughes, the subject of this sketch, spent his early life on the farm, attending during the winter months the elementary schools of his district, after which he entered Washington College, from which he graduated in 1843, taking a classical `course. He then returned to the farm and renewed his life vocation. He taught school for some time. In 1855 he removed from Amwell township, having bought the Nichol farm in Franklin township, which in 1886 he disposed of, and then moved into the borough of Washington, where he now resides.

James Meloney

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In 1845 Mr. Hughes was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Nichol, of Franklin township, and they had three children born to them: Franklin and Samuel, both of whom died while young, and Mary, living with her parents. The family are members of the Christian Church, in which for forty years Mr. Hughes has been an elder. Politically he was first a Republican, but now votes the straight Prohibition ticket.

AMES M. DAWSON. The family of which this gentleman is a prominent member has for many years been closely identified with the interests and progress of Union township, the grandfather (James) having settled here in an early day. The latter was born in Ireland, and on arriv- ing in America came to Pennsylvania. He located on a farm near Pigeon Creek church, in Washing- ton county, where the following children were born to him: John, Mary, Thomas, Matthew, James, Sarah, Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth, Catherine, and William.

William Dawson, youngest child of James Daw- son, the pioneer, was born October 4, 1800, in the old cabin on Pigeon creek, Washington county, Penn., and his youth was passed amid the hardships and dangers inseparable from tlie life of a frontiers- man. In 1835 he married Martha Kennedy, a na- tive of Mingo, Washington county. After their marriage the young people resided on Pigeon creek until 1847, when they settled on a tract of seventy- five acres in Union township, same county. Will- iam Dawson passed away September 1, 1887, having been preceded by his wife, who died June 30, 1883, leaving three children, viz .: Mary J., James M. and Martha A., all of whom are living on the home place.

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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 177

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