Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 179

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 179

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West Alexander, and commenced practice. He had planned to go to North Carolina, but the breaking out of the Rebellion caused him to change his plans. In West Alexander he re- mained some thirteen years, or until 1874, in which year, owing to his father's failing health, he came into the borough of Washington, where he has since remained, successfully practicing his chosen profession. The Doctor has been a busy man, his ride extending far and wide in the county, and even beyond, no weather ever being too cold or stormy, and no night at any time too dark or dis- agreeable to prevent him from speeding on his mission of humanity. His practice is a general one, and he has been eminently successful in all branches. His library is replete with modern works, for the Doctor, busy as he is, finds time to drink of the Pierian spring, and he keeps well abreast with the times.

On March 26, 1862, Dr. Little was married to Margaret Ann, daughter of Harvey Wadsworth, of Allegheny county, of English descent. By this union there is one son, George B., now a druggist at Greensburgh, Westmoreland Co., Penn. Polit- ically Dr. Little is a Democrat, and in 1870 he ran for the State Legislature, but the District being Republican he was defeated. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and of the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington. The Doctor is possessed of a remarkably rugged con- stitution, and is endowed with robust health. He would frequently be engaged in harvest work dur- ing the day, overseeing the hands, and then at night be riding over the country, visiting his numerous patients. The residence of Dr. Joseph H. Little is No. 215 South Main street, in the bor- ough of Washington.

D R. A. LEGRAND RUNION, a successful and popular physician of Canonsburg, Penn., is a representative of an old and prominent pioneer family of Pennsylvania. His ances- tors were among the number of persecuted French Huguenots, whose wrongs have been so graphically pictured in the immortal lines of Longfellow's " Evangeline." During the Huguenot troubles in Europe, the family went to Bavaria, and in the lat- ter part of the eighteenth century one Richard Runion, leaving his native land, came to America, locating in New Jersey. Prior to his immigration he had married a young country woman, Margaret Jensenie, who bore him children as follows: Charles, Richard (a soldier in the war of 1812, and buried at Meadville), Jonathan, Rachel (buried at Bed- ford, Penn.), and Sarah (buried at Carlisle, Penn.). The father was a plasterer by trade; in church re- lation he was a Seceder.

Charles Runion, son of Richard and Margaret Runion, was born in New Jersey, and passed his boyhood on the home place. He learned the plas- terer's trade, and followed that vocation throughout life. He married Martha Moorehead, a native Chambersburg, Penn., and their children were: Richard, William C. (a resident of Carrollton, Ohio), Charles S., Jonathan, Wallace, Margaret (widow of George F. Kennedy, who was a captain in the war of the Rebellion, and died from the ef- fects of wounds received in the battle of the Wilder- ness), Mary, Martha (wife of Isaac Harsh), and Rebecca (married to Hugh McCart). Of this fam- ily Richard, William C., Jonathan and Margaret are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Runion moved to West Middletown, Penn., some years after their marriage, remaining there three years, then went to Carrollton, Ohio, where he died.

Richard Runion was born May 15, 1819, in Cham- bersburg, Penn., where his boyhood was passed. He then learned the saddler's trade in Carrollton, Ohio, following that business nine years, and after- ward entered a general store, retiring from busi- ness in 1869. When a young man he was united in marriage with Dorothy Prosser, a resident of Carrollton, Ohio, and five children were born to their marriage, namely: A. LeGrand, Etta (wife of George A. Carns), Viola, Florence and Martha. Mr. Runion has been a Whig and Republican, hav- ing served as a member of the council and trustee of Canonsburg. His wife died March 2, 1892.

Dr. A. LeGrand Runion was born September 16, 1850, in Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ohio. He re- maincd at home until eighteen years of age, then worked eleven months in a printing office at Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, afterward entering the Free Press office in Carrollton, same State. In Novem- ber, 1872, he entered the employ of T. M. Potts, Canonsburg, Washington Co., Penn., with whom he remained until the autumn of 1874. On June 2, 1874, he selected as a helpmeet Nancy E., daugh- ter of Howe Dunlap. After their marriage the young couple resided one year in Martin's Ferry, Belmont Co., Ohio, and he then took a course at the Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. After leaving this, Dr. Runion followed the drug business for four months in Sharon, Mercer Co., Penn., then opened a drug store in Canonsburg, this county. HIe resided here two years, studying medicine, and teaching chemistry and physiology in Jefferson Academy. At the end of that time he took a three months' course of study in the Homopathic Medical College, followed by two years at the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, receiving his degree in March, 1888. During his course at the Medical College he was the assistant of the resident physician of the Allegheny County Gen- eral Hospital, and after graduation located in Canonsburg, where he has achieved a well earned

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reputation as a skillful and intelligent physician, having a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Runion has made a special study of pathology, bacteriolo- gy and microscopy. Politically he is a Republi- can, and in church connection a zealous member of the Chartiers U. P. Society.

C LINTON TEEPLE was born March 28, 1841, in Carroll township, Washington Co., Penn. He is a grandson of Isaac Teeple, who was born August 1, 1760, in the State of New Jersey.

At the age of seventeen years Isaac Teeple came to Washington county, Penn., locating at Columbia, in " Horseshoe Bottom" (so called by the Indians ), Carroll township. On November 22, 1788, he married Catherine Castner, who was born January 24, 1772, a member of one of the earliest families. The young pair began wedded life on a new farm in Carroll township, where he erected a log cabin and conducted one of the first distilleries in that locality, a business he followed throughout life in connection with farming. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics voted with the Democratic party. The names and dates of birth of the children of this couple are as follows: Jere- miah, October 26, 1790; Christopher and Peter, August 6, 1792; Mary, September 1, 1794; Joseph, December 13, 1797; Elijah, January 7, 1799; El- zath, February 27, 1801; Isaac, February 11, 1803; Michael, May 9, 1805; Katie, March 29, 1807; Christina, April 12, 1809; Susanna, October 29, 1811; and Teresa, April 4, 1814. The father died September 17, 1828, followed by Mrs. Teeple Jan- uary 9, 1849, and both were buried in the cemetery at Monongahela City.

Michael Teeple, father of subject, was born on the old homestead in Carroll township, and at- tended the subscription schools of the neighborhood until thirteen years of age. In early manhood he married Eliza J., daughter of Jesse Montra, of Monongahela City, and they had four children, viz .: Jesse, Clinton, Thomas B., and Catherine B., wife of R. B. Fry. During his earlier life Mr. Teeple conducted a distillery, but after the death of his parents he devoted his entire attention to farming and stock raising. He was a very industrious, en- terprising man, and was ever interested in public questions, especially those pertaining to religious or educational progress. In politics he was an ac- tive supporter of the Democratic party, and was equally zealous in upholding the Presbyterian Church, with which he was identified. He died November 6, 1874, followed by his wife March 4, 1883, and both are buried in the cemetery at Mo- nongahela City.

Clinton Teeple passed his early youth at home, receiving a common-school education. In 1862 he

enlisted in Company E, Twenty-second Pennsyl- vania Cavalry. After his term of service had ex- pired he re-enlisted and remained until the close of the war, having participated in all the battles of his regiment. He entered as a private, and was first promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant, in which position he remained eighteen months, then became second lieutenant. He was at the battle of Winchester during Sheridan's famous ride, had two horses shot from under him, and was under fire fifty-two times. He was mustered out June 9, 1865, and returned home to Washington county, Penn. On February 15, 1867, Mr. Teeple married Margaret A., daughter of William Wickerham, and they first located on a farm in East Bethlehem township, this county, then lived on another farm for six months, after which they came to the home place. In 1875 they went to Lucas county, Iowa, but returned to the old place two years later, where they have since resided. Mr. Teeple is a Democrat, but votes independently ; is a member of the G. A. R., Post 60; also of the F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Teeple have three children, viz .: Nannie B., wife of Charles O. Weaver; C. C. W., and Ger- trude M.

S AMUEL B. LINDLEY, one of the success- ful business men of Claysville, is a grandson of Philip Lindley, who was a native of the State of New Jersey, which had been the home of the family for many generations. Philip Lindley was married four times, and had six chil- dren. He learned the trade of a gunsmith, which he followed the greater part of his life. When the country was wild and inhabited only by Indians he came to Washington county, Penn., and amid the forests of Morris township selected a small tract of land, to which he afterward added, and on which he erected a cabin home. He was a soldier in the Revolution, and served under Washington till the close of the war. While in one battle he was struck by a bullet, which inflicted a painful, but not a dangerous wound, and as they dare not probe for it, the leaden missile remained with him, a relic of those days of hardship and danger. Mr. Lindley was an earnest, energetic cltizen, and in politics he was a Democrat.

Lewis Lindley was born in the pioneer home in Morris township, Washington county, and received a limited education in the subscription schools. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Bethany, daughter of Bethuel Day, and the follow- ing children were born to their union: Lucretia ( Mrs. Daniel McAllister), Caleb, Stephen, Blachly, Lucinda ( Mrs. Isaac Condit), Samuel B., Hannah (Mrs. Andrew Squier), Cordelia (Mrs. Leonard Baker), Parmelia (Mrs. Colin Andrew), and Elias D. Mr. Lewis Lindley was interested in all public

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movements, and in politics was a Democrat. He died in the year 1860, and was soon followed by his faithful wife.

Samuel B. Lindley was born in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., and received a good edu- cation in the common schools. In 1841 he came to Claysville, Donegal township, and served an ap- prenticeship of two and a half years with Daniel Kirk, a harness and saddle maker. He afterward remained a year or two in the employ of Mr. Kirk, doing the work of a journeyman. He then went to West Finley township, this county, where he re- mained two years, thence to Greene county, same State, and lived there two years. He then engaged in the milling business at Lone Pine, Washington county, and three years later purchased a farm in West Finley township, residing upon it twelve years. Finally he settled in his present home in Claysville. In early life he married Isabella- who bore him two children: Lewis and Lucretia (Mrs. Russell). For his second wife he was united in marriage with Margaret Laird, and she also had two children: Eliza ( Mrs. Theodore Bell ) and John K. His third wife was Mary Alexander, and to their union were born children as follows: Alexan- der, Mary Margaret ( Mrs. Dr. McDough), Mont- -

ville, Elias D., Luther D., Laura L. and Mary. For his fourth wife he married Mrs. Mary Hender- shot, and they have two daughters: Bessie and Cordelia C.

On August 8, 1862, Mr. Lindley enlisted in Com- pany K, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cav- alry, and served throughout the war in the army of the Potomac. Before the war he was a Democrat, but since that time has voted the Republican ticket.

S AMUEL TAGGART. Among the well- known and influential husbandmen of Char- tiers township our subject is prominently identified, occupying a leading position among the agricultural and business men. He is descended from an old and well-known pioneer family of Washington county.

James Taggart, the earliest ancestor of whom we have an authentic record, was born in Ireland and immigrated to America, locating first in Phila- delphia, where he was married to Margaret Fer- guson, and in 1784 moved to Washington county, settling on a farm in Canton township. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, being the first trustee elected in Washington county, and the organization is yet in existence, having passed its centennial. He and his wife both died in Canton township many years ago.

James Taggart was born on the home farm in Canton township, and selected a life companion in the person of Martha Fergus, who bore him chil- dren as follows: Margaret (wife of Dr. McCall, of

Cambridge, Ohio), Thomas (deceased in 1836), James (living in Canton township), Samuel, Sarah (wife of John McClay, Canton township), Rebecca, William, John and Mary. Of these children James and Samuel are the only ones now living. William, John and Mary died of scarlet fever. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart settled on a farm in Canton township. He was an early member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics was an ardent Democrat, being actively interested in county matters. James Taggart died in this county August 29, 1863, his wife having preceded him many years.

Samuel Taggart, the subject proper of this sketch, was born May 5, 1826, on the home place in Canton township, this county, and received his early education in the township schools. In 1849 he married Jemima Hannah Kyle, a native of Harri- son county, Ohio, and daughter of William Kyle. Mr. Kyle was born in Ireland, and came to America when but a boy, settling in Harrison county, Ohio, where he married a native of Mercer county, Penn., and where he followed farming and died about 1863. His wife had passed away some years before. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Taggart settled in Chartiers township, on 160 acres of land, which contained a good gas well. He has put down another well since purchasing the farm, besides making various other improvements. Mrs. Taggart died in 1862, leaving one daughter, Jennie ( wife of Oscar Wilson, of Canton township), and in 1866 Mr. Taggart married Elizabeth Allison, a daughter of John and Ann ( Paxton) Allison, the former a native of Washington county, the latter of Mercer county, Penn .; they settled in this county at an early day. Of this union two children were born, both of whom died in infancy, and the mother fol- lowed them in 1869. In 1887 Mr. Taggart married Mary E. Seaman, daughter of Alexander and Mar- garet (Daggs) Seaman, natives of this county. The father died in 1886, the mother a short time before. Mr. Taggart is an active worker in the Republican party, and has held various offices, such as member of the school board, supervisor, and other offices of trust and responsibility.

ACOB MILLER.

Heaven is not reached by a single bound ; We build the ladder by which we rise, From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies And we mount to its summit round by round.

Never were words more true than is the poetic declaration just quoted; true in regard to the heavenly life, and equally applicable to our struggles for earthly success. Holland pos- sessed a wonderful knowledge of human nature, as is evinced in every line of his writing, which never fails to find an answering chord.in the heart of the

Samuel yaggart

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reader. The really successful business men are those who have mounted " round by round" to the summit of their lives, pausing not to moan over the hardships by the way, but ever climbing higher " act to the living present, heart within and God o'erhead." Of such material is the gentleman whose name opens this biography.

His father, Charles Miller, was born and reared in Germany, receiving an education in the schools of his native land. When nineteen years of age, Charles Miller bade farewell to the Fatherland, and turned his face to the shores of America. After his arrival he first located in Pennsylvania, and was married in Lancaster county to Elizabeth Getlmo- cher, a lady of German descent, and they reared a family of sixteen children. He was a weaver by trade, following that vocation until 1827, when he came to Washington county and opened a tavern. He was a prosperous man, and in politics a member of the Democratic party. He died in 1846.

Jacob Miller was born November 22, 1819, near Baltimore, Md., and passed his youth at home, re- ceiving a country-school education. In 1835 he came to Washington county and commenced the tanners' trade with N. F. Brobst, remaining four and one-half years. On July 1, 1840, he was united in marriage witlı Sarah, daughter of Simon Wolf, and to this union were born eleven children, two of whom are deceased. Mr. Miller began life on a salary of $5.00 per week, and at the time of his marriage had $40.00 with which to meet his new responsibilities. In 1844 he opened a tin and stove store on Main street, being also engaged in roofing. He retired from business in 1887, having accumu- lated an independent competence. He was one of the incorporators of the Gas Company, and also of the Natural Gas Company of Washington, and has ever been interested in all public enterprises. In politics he is an Independent Democrat, and in re- ligious faith a member of the M. E. Church.

R OBERT McMILLAN is a son of Robert McMillan, whose parents were natives of Ireland, and came to America many years ago. Robert McMillan, the father, was born in 1751, in York county, Penn., where he learned the trade of cloth-dressing. He moved to Beaver county, Penn., and there followed his trade for several years, finally settling on a farm in Washington county, Penn. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in 1751, near Canonsburg, Washing- ington county. They were the parents of three children, of whom Robert was the eldest. The father died in 1833; his wife had preceded him in 1814.

Robert McMillan was born in 1808, in Fallow- field township, Washington Co., Penn., and in

1837 was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ben- nett, who was born in 1812, in Fayette county, Penn. She died in 1865, leaving the following children: Leander, who served for three years in the Civil war, in the Twenty-sixth Illinois Regi- ment (he took part in the battle of Shiloh, was in Sherman's march to the sea, and in various other engagements; he was shot in the shoulder, and died of disease contracted in the service); Harvey, who also served three years in the Twenty-sixth Illinois Regiment (he was sick for two years, being con- fined to hospital for some months; he is now re- siding in Pittsburgh); Mary, wife of Jacob Gibson; Amanda, deceased wife of Smith Carson; Robert, living with his father on the home farm; Jane, living at home; Cynthia, also at home; and John, who owns a large drug store in Washington. Mr. McMillan owns 164. acres of a well-cultivated stock farm, six miles from Monongahela, and though over eighty-five years have passed over him, he is yet able to superintend the farm work, being remarkably active for a man of his age. The men of this family have all been active supporters of the Democratic party, and in religion all are members of the Methodist Church.

HE WILSON FAMILY, of whom this bio- graphical sketch treats, are very prominently identified with the early leading citizens of Washington county. They come of Scotch- Irish ancestry. Robert and Thomas were the only ones of the family to come to this country, and they were from County Antrim, Ireland. Thomas married, but left no family. Robert mar- ried a Welsh lady, Martha Ewing by name, who was an orphan and came from east of the mountains. When the Wilsons came to this country is not known, as the records are lost, but it was not later than some time in the seventies of last century. They were married in this country, and settled in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn. In re- ligion they were Seceders (now United Presby- terian). In the early times it was customary for the neighbors to help each other at log-rollings; in harvest time at reaping grain, which was done with sickles, and in mowing grass, which was done with scythes; and it was considered something to be the best reaper or mower in the neighborhood, also the best scutcher of flax, which was a common employment, as the early settlers made their own linen and also their own woolen goods. In those days the young ladies, instead of playing the piano, had to play on the spinning-wheel, and to be a good spinner she must spin her dozen cuts of yarn per day. The ladies also helped scutch flax; also weave linen, tow-cloth and flannel, all their every-day wear being made at home.

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Robert Wilson, while returning from a reaping party at one of his neighbors, it then getting late, had to go through a large tract of woods, when he found he was being followed by a panther. He was carrying two sickles, and he kept jingling them together and facing the animal; as it moved around him, he still kept his eyes on it, and jingled his sickles, when at last it gave it up and moved off, greatly to Mr. Wilson's relief. Wild animals and wild turkeys were quite common then. Robert and Martha E. Wilson had seven children born to them, viz .: James, Isabell, Jane, William, Annie, Thomas and Mary. James married Jane Gilmore, by whom he had ten children. Robert, the eldest married, had no children. Elizabeth married John Murray, the owner of what is now known as the "Morganza farm;" died and left no family. Nancy, Bell and Eleanor, all deceased, no family. Mar- tha married the Rev. David Collins, and had one son, now living in Allegheny, a lawyer by pro- fession. William L., a U. P. minister of the Gos- pel, married and left one child-Mrs. Yourd, of Mansfield, Penn. James married three times, and left two daughters and one son by his first wife, and two daughters by his second. Thomas, a U. P. minister, now living (it is believed) in Portland, Oregon, married and has several children. Mary A. is now living with her niece, Mrs. Yourd, of Mansfield. James, Sr., inherited the old home- stead in Cecil township, to which he added others. James, Jr., and Robert were both farmers, in poli- tics Republicans, in religion United Presbyterians,

Thomas Wilson, youngest son of Robert and Martha Wilson, was educated at Washington and Jefferson College and was a Seceder minister of the Gospel. He was pastor of Carrollton Church, Carrollton, Ohio. In 1841 he married Jane Brown, of Smith township, Washington Co., Penn., and they had four children: James B., Robert D., Martha J. and Thomas E. The sons all responded to the call of their country during the Rebellion. Thomas E. died of measles while in Alabama, and was interred there. Robert married and has two children: William and Nannie; lives in Jefferson county, Ohio. James married and has two children : Carrie and Eva Mary; lives in Harrison county, Ohio. Martha J. married and lives in Jefferson county, Ohio; no children. Their father, Thomas, inherited his uncle's estate in Cecil township, Washington county, which he sold.

William E. Wilson, second son of Robert and Martha E. Wilson, was reared to farm life, and de- voted his time to agricultural pursuits. He was married to Margaret, daughter of John Park, a son of Samuel and Margaret Park, natives of the North of Ireland, who came to America in the same ves- sel and were married in America; they were six months on the ocean, the passage being a very stormy and perilous one. The ancestral records

were lost, and we have no knowledge of their an- cestry. Samuel Park dealt considerably in horses; he returned three times to Ireland, and imported horses from that country. They settled in Done- gal township, Lancaster Co., Penn., where they re- sided until the close of the Revolutionary war. There were born to them three sons and two daughters: John, James, Isabell, Mary and Hugh. In the autumn of 1777 Samuel Park came over the mountains into what is now Washington county, and bought of Matthew Rogers, of Yohogania county, Colony of Virginia, in consideration of £450 in hand paid, a parcel of land on Chartiers waters, and containing 566 acres, the bill of sale being dated December 7, 1777. He then returned to Lancaster county. His sons, John and James, were sent in advance to clear the land, build a cabin and plant a crop. Their sister Isabell came as housekeeper. The preparations being made, the rest of the family moved out.

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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 179

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