Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 189

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 189

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acres of land, to which his attention is principally given; he also raises a fine breed of stock. Polit- ically, he is an active worker in the Republican party.

W ILLIAM M. RUSSELL, a prosperons farmer of Chartiers township, is a son of Andrew Russell, whose father was a native of Scotland, and came to eastern Penn- sylvania, afterward moving to Washing- ton county, where he died. Andrew Russell was born in 1777, in Cecil township, this county, and in 1782 came to a farm in Chartiers township, where he grew to manhood and was married to Ann McClellan. They passed their lives in their native county. In politics Andrew Russell was a Whig; and an active worker in the party. He died in 1861, and was followed to the grave by his widow February 17, 1868. They were formerly both members of the Associate Reformed Church, and afterward united with the U. P. Church at Canons- burg. They were the parents of eleven children.

William M. Russell was born October 10, 1825, in Chartiers township, Washington county, being the youngest child in his father's family. He was reared on the home farm, and educated in the subscription schools of the county. In 1855 he was married to Margaret Jane Thompson, a native of Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Wilson) Thomp- son, natives of Ireland, of Scotch descent. They immigrated to America in an early day. settling in Mt. Pleasant township, where Joseph Thompson passed the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits. He was actively interested in political questions, and in religion was connected with the U. P. Church of Hickory. this county. His wife, who was a member of the Associate Reformed Church, died in 1847, and in 1861 he was laid by her side. After his marriage William M. Russell opened a book and drug store at Canonsburg, this county, keeping a full line of school and college text-books. In 1862 he moved to a farm in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, this county, and in 1881 settled on the farm in Chartiers township which he now occupies, com- prising 135 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have had ten children, but four of whom are now living, namely: L. A. (living in Chartiers township), William Frank (an operator at Bridge- ville, Allegheny Co., Penn ), Mamie Bell Agnes (married to James M. Paxton) and Robert Lee (studying for the ministry at New Wilmington College). In politics Mr. Russell is a Republican, and has served as supervisor and member of the school board. His wife died January 19, 1892. She was a member of the U. P. Church at Hick- ory, in which her husband was an elder, now be- ing a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Houston ville.

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W ILLIAM VAN KIRK was born Septem- ber 24, 1836, in Franklin township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., and is a great-grand- son of Heury Van Kirk, who was born Jannary 9, 1742, and who married Sarah Van Kirk. To their union were born the follow- ing children: William, Johnson, Mary, Gideon, Ira, Arthur, Sarah, Henry, John, Ann, Elizabeth and Jennie. Mr. Van Kirk settled in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., in an early day, and remained there until his death, April 3, 1797. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics was a Federalist.

Henry Van Kirk was born in Amwell township, Washington county, and in early life learned the mason's trade, which vocation he followed several years. He was married to Ruth Jolly, and reared the following children: Mary E., Dryden, Jane, Charles, Ruth, Susanna and Milton. After a few years' residence in Amwell township, Mr. Van- Kirk removed to Franklin township, where he passed the remainder of his life. In politics he was a Whig, and in religious faith a member of the Baptist Church.

Dryden Van Kirk was born on the home farm in Franklin township, and in early life learned the mason's trade of his father, which was after. ward his chief . occupation. He was married to Matilda Sowers, a resident of eastern Pennsylvania, and she bore him children as follows: John O., Henry (deceased), William, Charles, Simeon (de- ceased), George M. (deceased), Nancy J. (Mrs. John McClelland), Sarah (Mrs. Henry Lindley) and Hiram. Politically Mr. Van Kirk is a Repub- lican. He is now residing on his farm, one of the best in Franklin township.

William Van Kirk passed his early life on the home farm, attending the common schools. Like his father and grandfather, he learned the mason's trade, and followed it until the commencement of the Civil war, when he enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I. His company was commanded by Capt. Ache- son, and was sent to the South, where he did guard duty on the West Central Railroad, and thence going to Fredericksburg, he remained with the company until the close of the war. When on the skirmish line near Deep Bottom he was struck by the splinters of a sapling near by, which went through the knapsack and its contents and killed the man beside lim. He also stood near a man whose head was shot off by a cannon ball. On his return from the war Mr. Van Kirk engaged in buy- ing stock. In May, 1872, he was united in mar- riage with Sidney A .. daughter of George Van- Kirk, of Amwell township, and to their union have been born the following children: Blanche, infant, Howard (deceased), Julius C. and Jessie V. (twins) and Merle W. Mr. Van Kirk has achieved suc-

cess through his own efforts. He has always sup- ported the Republican party, and has served as school director, supervisor, and inspector of elec- tions. The family are members of the Disciple Church at Washington.

Simeon Van Kirk, a brother of William, also en- listed in Company C, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., and followed the fortunes of his regi- ment until in the battle of Gettysburg they were called to assist in a charge, and were outflanked by the enemy. The regiment suffered a heavy loss when they attempted to close up the ranks, in front of Little Round Top Mountain, and Simeon Van Kirk was one of the men killed at that time.

R OBERT ZEDIKER. This progressive and enterprising citizen of South Strabane township is a representative of one of the best-known and most prominent families in the county.

John Zediker, grandfather of subject, was a na- tive of eastern Pennsylvania, and in their youth he and his brother David, having an eye to the grandeur and fertility of the then "far West,' set out to " spy the land," ostensibly on a hunting expedition, and finally arriving in Washington county, they were so fascinated with the beauties and attractions of South Strabane township, that they here resolved to remain and cast their lot. John, while in eastern Pennsylvania, had learned the trade of blacksmith, which he carried on for many years in the county of his adoption. Soon after his arrival he married Margaret, daughter of Ludwig Smith, who was among the earliest settlers of the county, and the children born to this union were Lewis, Susan (Mrs. Joseph Hallam), Eliza- beth '(Mrs. George Smith), Julia A. (Mrs. James Schwisher), Mary (Mrs. Matthew Doak) and John. Mr. Smith took a " tomahawk claim" of nearly a thousand acres of wild land, a part of which is now occupied by the subject of this sketch. He early identified himself with the politics of his sec- tion, and was prominent among the Federalists. In church matters he also took an active interest, and in the organization of the Lutheran Church in Amwell township he was a prominent factor. In this Society he was an elder for many years.

Lewis Zediker, father of our subject, was born in 1792 in South Strabane township, and passed his boyhood and youth on the home place, attend- ing the subscription schools of his locality. In his early manhood he was married to Isabella, daugh- ter of Robert Henry, and the children born to them were John (deceased), George, Robert, Nicholas, Sarah (Mrs. William Birmingham), Mary A., Susan (Mrs. E. R. Smith), Julia (Mrs. Frank Mar- tin) and Harriet (Mrs. John Redick). After mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Zediker took up their residence

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on the farm of his father-in-law, where he built a log cabin in which they lived some years; then moved to the place known as the " B. B. Zediker farm," on which they passed the remainder of their days, Mr. Zediker dying in 1867, his widow in 1876.' Their remains repose in the Pigeon Creek U. P. cemetery. As members of the United Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek, Mr. and Mrs. Zediker were among its most active and lib- eral supporters. In politics originally a Whig, afterward a Republican, he was a leading coun- selor in the ranks of either party.

Robert Zediker was born August 24, 1822, on the old homestead, where he was early inducted into the multifarious duties of farm life. He at- tended the common schools of the district, and was regarded as one of the most apt scholars of his section. On December 25, 1849, Mr. Zediker was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of John Hewitt, of Amwell township, and the children born to them are Mary J. (Mrs. John Berk), Anna M. (Mrs Aaron Gamble), Martha B. (Mrs. George Shipe), Margaret K. (deceased), John H. (de- ceased), Emma G. (deceased), Lizzie (Mrs. John N. White) and Fannie. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Zediker took up their residence on the home farm, where they yet live, and on which they have made material improvements, having built two commodious dwellings; the one in which they at present reside was erected in 1885.

A zealous and enthusiastic Republican. Mr. Zediker has for many years been one of the lead- ers of the party in his section, and he has ever taken a deep interest in all matters tending to the advancement of his township and county, particu- larly in educational affairs, in connection with which he has done much to elevate the standard of instruction, and for a long period he served as director of schools. Mr. Zediker, through his lib- erality and influence, was of valued assistance in getting the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad through his locality, giving the right of way, and donating grounds for the station.

H AMILTON DAVIS (deceased) was a son of Samuel Davis, who was born in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn., June 19. 1794. On February 19, 1816, Samuel Davis was united in marriage with Nancy Hamilton, a resident of the same county. and she bore him the following children: John, William, Hugh, Mary, Samuel, Hamilton and Robert. In politics Mr. Davis was formerly a Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party became one of their most active workers. He kept a tav- ern for many years, dealt largely in stock and was a leader in all public enterprises. On November 22, 1861, he passed from earth. Mrs. Davis fol- lowing him to the grave October 8, 1872.

Hamilton Davis was born Angust 22, 1830, in Canton township, this county, and passed his youth upon the farm, receiving his education in the common schools. He was an ardent and pro- found student, and always took an active part in the political and religious questions of the day. On March 8, 1865, he was married to Mary G., daughter of David Morrow, whose ancestors emi- grated to America about the middle of the eight- eenth century; her mother was Grizella, daughter of Robert Johnson. After their marriage the young people immediately took possession of the old home farm where the family still reside, The children born to them are: Harry N., born Novem- ber 3, 1865; John W., born April 16, 1868; Charles M., born July 16, 1870; Samuel A., born June 1, 1874; Minnie H., born June 28, 1876; Retta C., born March 10, 1879; Frank L., born January 20, 1881; and David O., born May 10, 1885. Mr. Davis was for many years engaged in buying stock from different parts of the country, a business in which he was successful. In political life he was an earnest advocate of Republican principles, al- thoughi he never accepted official positions, and in religion was for many years a trustee in the Presbyterian Church at Upper Buffalo, of which he was a zealous member. Mr. Davis died Janu- ary 31, 1889.

H ENRY STEPHEN DAY, a successful and prosperous young farmer of Morris town- ship, is a son of I. N. Day, and a grandson of Stephen Day. Henry S. Day was born January 13, 1852. and March 2, 1876, was married to Alice K. Vaile, daughter of Leonard Vaile, of Morris township, to which union have been born five children, as follows: Clinton H., Arthur W., Howard N., Harry V. and Mary C., all living. Mr. Day has lived for fifteen years on the excellent farm of 135 acres which he now owns, which was formerly known as the old " Hathaway " farm. He gives considerable attention to stock raising, espe- cially sheep. He was the first stock raiser to introduce Dorset-Horn sheep into Morris township. Mr. Day is a lifelong Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of Upper Ten-Mile Presby- terian Church at Prosperity. Few young men of this section have succeeded better or stand higher in the estimation of the best citizens, than Henry S. Day.

A NDREW MILLER, a farmer of Mt. Pleas- ant township, is a native of the same, hav- ing been born there July 17, 1828, and is a representative of one of the pioneer fam- ilies of Washington county.

James Miller (his grandfather) was born in Ire-

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land, and coming to Lancaster county, Penn., just before the Revolution, served five years in the war. In 1782 he was married to Margaret Shearer, afterward serving one year more as a soldier. In 1786 he returned to his wife, settling on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and followed agricultural pursuits. He and his wife were mem- bers of the Seceder Church.

Thomas Miller, a son of James and Margaret Miller, was born in 1783, in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county. In 1806 he bought the farm now owned by his son, Andrew, and in the spring of 1812 was united in marriage with Sarah Miller, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Miller, also na- tives of Ireland. The latter had emigrated from their native country, and, coming to Washington county, settled in Mt. Pleasant township, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in his eighty-seventh year. They were both members of the Seceder Church at Hickory. After his marriage Thomas Miller settled on the home farm, and there passed his life, combining agricult- ural duties with carpentry, having erected the first house in Claysville. He was a worker in the Democratic party, and in religious connection he and his wife were both members of the Seceder Church at Hickory. He died in 1859, being fol- lowed in 1865 by his wife, who had borne him children as follows: James (deceased at the age of twenty-three years), Margaret, Catherine, Mary, Sarah, Ann, Thomas, Elizabeth (deceased at the age of seven years) and Andrew (subject of this sketch), all now deceased except the last-mentioned son.

Andrew Miller was reared on the home farm, receiving a subscription-school education. On March 11, 1852, he was married to Sarah Stewart (a native of Chartiers township), daughter of Archi- bald and Rebecca (Reed) Stewart. Archibald Stewart was a blacksmith, and passed his entire life in Chartiers township, where both he and his wife died some years ago. After their marriage Andrew and Sarah (Stewart) Miller settled on the home farm and reared the following children: Thomas, Archibald S. (a merchant, living in Wash- ington, Penn., married to Miss Susannah Espy), James B., John N. (a physician of Dorseyville, Penn., married to Maggie Weber; he is an elder in the U. P. church), Andrew Reed (an attorney of Steubenville, Ohio), W. W. (a physician and sur- geon at Bakerstown, Penn.), David M. (a physi- cian and surgeon at Pittsburgh, Penn.), Alvin and Rebecca Jane. Andrew Miller has a good coal land farm of 212 acres, upon which is a pleasant and comfortable residence and barn, with many other improvements. He is not an active politi- cian, but has held some township offices. He and his wife are members of the Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church. Many changes have been

wrought since the ancestors first settled on the old farm. The grandfather, James Miller, used to make the trip by boat to New Orleans, returning home on foot through miles of unbroken wilder- ness, where now the locomotive sweeps by with a scream and pleasant homes dot the grassy hills and valleys.

W ILLIAM A. DICKSON, a successful farmer of Robinson township, is a grand- son of George Dickson, who was a native of Ireland, immigrating to Allegheny county, Penn., at an early day. He then purchased 400 acres of land, and followed farming and stock raising until his death.

William Dickson, father of William A., was born in 1790, and reared on the home farm in Allegheny county. He was married to Margaret Glenn, who bore him children as follows: George (a surveyor, of Pittsburgh, Penn.), Rachel (widow of Robert Potter, of Noblestown, Penn.), James G. (a practicing physician of Canonsburg, this county), Mary (widowof James Clarke, of Canonsburg), Will- iam A., and three that died in infancy. The father united with the old Seceder Church when but sev- enteen years of age, and during the last twenty years of his life was a member of the U. P. Church of Noblestown. He was a ruling elder in these Societies for fifty-five years, and in business was a prominent and successful agriculturist. He died March 19, 1872.

William A. Dickson was born June 15, 1831, and reared to manhood on the old liome farm. His elementary instruction was obtained at the country schools, after which he attended Duff's Commer- cial College at Pittsburgh, completing the course in 1856. He then returned home and worked on the home farm. On October 15, 1857, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Elizabeth McBurney, who was born on February 28, 1835, in Washington county, an only child of Robert and Eliza (Welch) McBurney, the former of whom was a son of John McBurney, Sr. Robert Mc- Burney was originally a Democrat. then became an Abolitionist and finally a Republican. He was a member of the Centre U. P. Church, and an elder in same for some years. For years he served as a justice of the peace. He died in 1875; his widow is still living with her son-in-law.

To the union of William A. and Elizabeth (Mc- Burney) Dickson the following children have been born: Margaret G., Elizabeth W. (a graduate of the Steubenville Female Seminary, class of '85, afterward teaching two years in the Oswego Col- lege, now teaching at Chase City, Va.). Robert M. (who graduated at Duff's College), William R. (graduated at New Wilmington College, now a student in the Medical College at Pittsburgh,

Am A. Dickson

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Penn. ), Anna S. (a graduate of New Wilmington, Lawrence Co., Penn., now teaching at Chase City, Va.), Agnes J. (student at New Wilmington), Wal- ter E. and Bertha L. Mr. Dickson still retains a portion of the ancestral acres. In 1875 he moved to his present home in Washington county. He and his family are members of the United Presby- terian Church, and he was an elder in the U. P. Church at Noblestown, at present in the Midway U. P. Church.

丁 HOMAS MCCLELLAND is of Irish descent, his grandfather, Thomas McClelland, hav- ing been born in County Donegal, Ireland. and immigrated to America when about seventeen years of age, first landing at New

York. Thomas McClelland entered the war of the Revolution, and served till the close of the contest, receiving a cut in the head, besides being wounded in both ankles. He was afterward mar- ried to Nancy, daughter of Samuel Fergus, and their children were William, Margaret (Mrs. Will- iam McLain), Mary (Mrs. John Allen), Hugh, John. Martha (Mrs. James Brown) and Thomas. Mr. McClelland passed the earlier part of his married life in Adams county, Penn., and in the year 1790 removed to South Strabane township, Washington Co., same State, where he remained until his death. Politically he was identified with the Democratic party, and in religion was formerly a member of the Covenanter Church, but afterward united with the United Presbyterian Church at Washington.

William McClelland, son of Thomas and Nancy (Fergus) McClelland, was born in Adams county, Penn., in 1783, and was six years of age when his parents brought him to Washington county, where he obtained his education. He was united in mar- riage with Mary, daughter of John Allen, also aresi- dent of South Strabane township, and to their union were born the following children: Eliza, Nancy (Mrs. Samuel McQuay), Thomas, Rebecca (Mrs. James Waller). Jane and John. Mr. McClelland was a Democrat in politics. In religion he was formerly a member of the Presbyterian Church at Washington, but after united with the United Presbyterian.

Thomas McClelland was born March 6, 1818, on the farm in South Strabane township which is his present home. and received a subscription-school education. On March 17, 1842, he was married to Martha, daughter of William Waller, a resident of Somerset township; he was united in marriage with Mary Peese, and settled on the home farm. His children are Andrew, Elizabeth, Mary, Will- iam, Ruth A., Rachel, Sarah, George, James, Margaret, Martha and William. Mr. McClelland is a Democrat in politics, and has held the offices

of road supervisor and school director. In religion he is an adberent of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek.

H O. McKNIGHT. Among the early fam- ilies of Washington county, none are more deserving of prominent mention than that of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. His grandfather, Hugh McKnight, was born in Ireland, and came to America in early life, first settling in Cecil county, Md., where he was married to Mary Nesbit. In 1784 they moved to Washington county, settling on the Littleton tract of 193 acres. He died in this county.

Joseph McKnight, father of subject, was born in 1774, in Cecil county, Md., and in 1818 was united in marriage with Sarah Anderson. a native of Ireland, who came with her parents in 1781 to eastern Pennsylvania, and settled in Chartiers township in 1800. She was a daugher of Abraham and Elizabeth (Chestnut) Anderson, natives of Ire- land. who settled in Chartiers township, this county. They had a son in the war in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson died some time prior to 1850. The young people began married life on a farm in Chartiers township, where two children were born to them, viz .: Eliza Mary (Mrs. Alexander Mc- Connell, of Chartiers township) and H. O. (subject of our sketch). Mrs. McKnight died in 1850, and in 1856 Mr. McKnight was married to Margaret, widow of John Campbell, and daughter of Thomas McEwen, of Allegheny county, Penn. Joseph Mc- Knight was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at Erie with Commodore Perry, at the time the fleet was building in 1813. He was an active poli- tician of the Whig party, and afterward became a Republican. In religion he was a member and rnling elder of the Seceder Church at Hickory, this county. He died in 1872 on the home farm nearly in his hundredth year; he had lost his sight some years before. Mrs. McKnight died in 1892, in her ninety-second year. She was formerly a member of the Associate Reformed Church. which afterward became the United Presbyterian

Church.

H. O. McKnight was born September 29, 1822. on the home farm in Chartiers township, and was the youngest child born to his father's first mar- riage. He received a district-school education, and, May 19, 1859, he married Margaret. daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Dawson) Welch, natives of Maryland, who came to Washington county and settled in Chartiers township. where their lives were passed. Mrs. McKnight died June 10, 1871, leaving four children: Sarah Anderson (Mrs. A. T. Cowden, of Mt. Pleasant township). Joseph A. (who married Lizzie J. Welch, and lives on the

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home farm), Florence Emma (who died in Decem- ber, 1889, wife of A. C. Smith, of Canton town- ship) and Ella Margaret Welch (living at home). On October 1, 1873, Mr. McKnight married Martha E., daughter of Thomas and Jane (Mills) Paxton, natives of Washington county and Ohio, respectively. Mr. Paxton died in 1886, and his widow is now living in Chartiers township. Mrs. McKnight died April 20, 1884. H. O. McKnight owns a good farm, containing 240 acres of fertile, well-improved land, upon which is a large tract of timber. In 1879 he erected a comfortable barn, 70 x36, and in 1878 built an eight-roomed, two- story house. He was formerly a Whig, and has been a member of the Republican party since its organization; he has held various township offices, having served as justice of the peace and member of the school board. He is a member of the Char- tiers Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church, formerly of Mt. Pleasant U. P. Church, with which his wife was also connected.

OHN A. BOONE is a prominent representa- tive of a pioneer family of Washington county. John Boone, his grandfather, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, where he was married to Nancy Badger. The family came to America many years ago, and first settled in Dauphin county. Penn., where Mr. Boone was en- gaged in farming and distilling, most of the wheat being then distilled, as produce brought no profit. He finally moved to Canonsburg, Penn., where he died. Their children were as follows: William, James, John, Mary, Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth, Joseph and Nancy. In politics Mr. Boone was a Whig, and in religion a member of the Presbyte- rian Church at Miller's Run.

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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 189

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