Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 194

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 194

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James McKee, son of John and Nancy McKee, was born in 1836, in Canton township, being the youngest of his father's family. He was educated in the common schools of Chartiers township, and also attended a term or two in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, this county. He has always followed farm- ing and stock raising, making a specialty of good Shorthorn cattle. The farm consists of 100 acres of highly-cultivated land. James McKee is an active member of the Democratic party, and served as township supervisor for six years, also filling the positions of auditor and inspector. He and his sisters are members of the United Presbyterian Church, of which the father is also a member.

W ILLIAM WOODBURN, a well-known and representative farmer of Independence township, is a son of Thomas, whose fa- ther, Thomas Woodburn, was a native of Ireland, and there learned the trade of a weaver. He afterward immigrated to America, locating in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., where he was married, and brought his bride to the log-cabin home, erected by his own hands. The young people were frequently obliged to flee to the neighboring blockhouse from the furious attacks of the blood-thirsty savages. Fourteen children were born to this pioneer couple, seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom lived to an adult age and two are yet living: Samuel, a resident of Tyler county, W. Va., and John, living in Burgettstown, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Woodburn passed their lives on the farm, where they died at an ad- vanced age.

Thomas Woodburn, a son of Thomas Wood- burn, the pioneer, was born about the year 1800, on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and re- ceived an education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood. When yet a boy he began working for the farmers in the vicinity, and in 1832 was married to Clarissa Jackson, who was born about 1800, in Ohio county, W. Va., and died in the year 1841, leaving the following children: James, William, Thomas and Martha (Mrs. Mar- shall Meredith, of Randolph county, W. Va.). For his second wife, Mr. Woodburn was united in mar- riage, in 1845, with Margaret McHenry, of Alle- gheny county, Penn., and the children born to this union were Nathan (a soldier in the late war, who was killed in the service), Sarah (deceased), James (deceased), John, Susan, Rebecca and Elizabeth. Of these children, the latter four are all residents of Tyler county, W. Va. Soon after his marriage Mr. Woodburn located in Allegheny county, Penn., where he engaged in farming, and in the latter part of his life moved to a farm in Tyler county, W. Va., where he died in 1869. Mr. Woodburn was a successful and respected business man. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and after the organization of the party became a Republican. He was a member of the U. B. Church. Mrs. Woodburn is now living in Tyler county, W. Va.

William Woodburn was born November 18, 1835, in West Liberty, Brooke Co., W. Va., and being left without a mother when but six years of age, he made his home with his paternal grandfather. He remained there six years, then went to live with his father in Allegheny county, Penn. At the age of twenty years he began to "paddle his own canoe," by working for different farmers. On August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, and took part in all the engagements of that com-

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pany. In the year 1865 he was honorably dis- charged, and returning home, began work upon the farm. On April 16, 1868, he was married to Sarah Meloy, who was born August 16, 1833, in Buffalo township, and they have had the follow- ing children: Nina E., Lee Anna B. and Jennie R., all of whom are yet living with their parents, the latter. two being school teachers. The first years of married life were passed by Mr. Wood- burn in German township, Harrison Co., Ohio, near Cadiz Junction. In the year 1875 he moved to his present home in Independence township, Washington county, locating near Mt. Hope. He is a farmer and stock raiser, and in politics is a Republican. He and his wife are both members of the Mt. Hope U. P. Church.

R OBERT D. CRAIG, one of the stirring, go- ahead young farmers of Hopewell town- ship, Washington county, was born in 1867, on the farm where he now resides. He is a son of William Craig, who was a son of William and Susan (Leaper) Craig, the former a native of the North of Ireland, and the latter born in Pennsylvania.

William Craig, the grandfather, grew to man- hood in Ireland, when the family sought a home in this country. William came to Washington county, Penn., and established himself on a farm near West Middletown, there residing until his death. His family consisted of the following named children: John, Walter, William, Jane, Re- becca, Susan, Catherine and Margaret. The father died in 1834, in his sixtieth year. His widow sur- vived him until 1866, when she too passed away, at the advanced age of eighty years. With Mr. Craig came his two brothers-David (who resided at Middletown) and Walter (who lived at Cross Creek village).

William Craig, father of Robert D. Craig, was born on the home farm in Hopewell township, though the family residence was then in Independ- ence township, this county. He was educated in the common schools of Independence township, at- tending whenever possible, and acquiring a good English education. When about twenty-three years of age he married Margaret McFadden, who died in October, 1864, leaving six children, namely : Alexander, William, John S., Susan, Margaret and Lucy, of whom Alexander, Susan and Margaret are deceased. In 1865 Mr. Craig was married to Margaret Dalzell, and a son and daughter were born to them: Robert D. and Lavina Jennie. The father was always a successful farmer, and was the owner of some excellent places. During the later years of his life he also dealt largely in stock, in which vocation he was equally successful, con- ducting a large business. His success was due to

energy and industry, combined with economy and business foresight. In politics he differed from other members of his family, being an earnest ad- vocate of the principles of the Republican party, but though always keenly on the lookout for the welfare of his county, neither sought nor de- sired public office. During the last years of his life he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He died October 3, 1890. Of the chil- dren of his family the following is a brief record: William Craig, the eldest living son, is married to Miss Ada Nuzum, of West Virginia, and is now residing in Independence township, this county (they have had two children: Eva Pearl, now about five years of age, and Anna, deceased); John, the second living son of William Craig, was married to Miss Kate Botes, who has borne him two chil- dren, Alvin and Mary Belle; Lucy, daughter of William and Margaret Craig, is married to James McMurray, and is living in Kansas City, Mo .; Robert D. (subject) and Lavina J. are unmarried, and reside with their mother on the old homestead. Like their father, the men of the Craig family are adherents of the Republican party.

S AMUEL J. MELVIN, a well-known farmer and one of the representative citizens of Hanover township, traces the genealogy of the Melvin family to two brothers, Samuel and William Melvin, who came to America in early days with their parents, and located on a farm in Cecil county, Md.

Samuel Melvin was born March 28, 1772, in Ireland, coming with his parents to this country when a child. He grew to manhood in Cecil county, Md., and on December 31, 1795, was married to Tamar Miller, who was born August 5, 1774; in Maryland. Some time after their marriage they set out for the West, and in 1803 came to Wash- ington county, Penn., locating on a farm in the ter- ritory now named Jefferson (then Cross Creek) township, where he began to clear away the forest and make a home. After a prosperous and indus- trious life he died March 17, 1826, having been preceded by his wife, October 13, 1821. They are buried at Bethel Church cemetery in Jefferson township. His brother William came to Jefferson township in 1808, afterward moving to Brooke county, W. Va., and in 1848 settled in Burgetts- town, where he died in 1856. The following chil- dren were born to Samuel and Tamar Melvin: Ann, born February 21, 1797, Mrs. Edward J. Jones, of Jefferson township; John, died October 13, 1821, and was buried with his mother (he was born March 5, 1799); Henry, a merchant at Wells- ville, Ohio, and other places, died at Wellsburg, W. Va., born April 29, 1801; Sarah, born April 2, 1803; William, whose sketch follows; Tamar, born

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August 23, 1807, wife of George Elliott, of Davis conuty, Iowa; James, a cabinet maker and under- taker at Pughtown, W. Va. (father of ex-Judge Thayer Melvin, of Wheeling, W. Va.), born March 9, 1810; Samnel, died when twelve years of age, boru August 1, 1812; and Lydia, Mrs. James T. Jones, born November 9, 1816. Of this family none are now living.

William Melvin was born June 9, 1805, in Jef- ferson township, this county, and received a very limited subscription-school education, working on the farm. His elder brother Henry being a crip- ple, the greater part of the work fell on William. On June 14, 1827, he was married to Abigail Jones, a native of Maryland, daughter of Edward J. Jones, also a native of Maryland, who resided in Jeffer- son township, Washington county, at the time of their marriage. William and Abigail Melvin were the parents of the following children: Ann, widow of David Thorley, of Jefferson township; John, a farmer of Jefferson township; Tamar E., deceased wife of Robert Hamilton, of Davis county, Iowa; Mary M., widow of Cyrus M. Stephenson, of El- dersville, Penn .; Samuel J., our subject; Lydia, married Robert P. Cooper, went to Iowa, but died on the home place in Jefferson township, this county; and William, a farmer living on the home place. Mrs. Melvin died July 3, 1850, and was buried in the Bethel graveyard. For his second wife William Melvin married Susan Ann Mckeever, a sister of the well-known Judge Mckeever, of Hopewell township, who is the only member of her family now living. Mr. Melvin began his married life on the home farm, which was then considera- bly involved. But with untiring energy he labored (often making flour barrels after night, for sale) until the place was free from incumbrance, and va- rious additions and improvements were made and paid for. He possessed abundant vitality, under- going several accidents which would have resulted fatally to an ordinary man. He was over six feet in stature and well proportioned. He was a bitter enemy of slavery, and at one time the only Aboli- tionist in Jefferson township. In politics he was first a Democrat, then a Whig, next an Abolitionist or Freesoiler, and finally a Prohibitionist, casting his last ballot for Gen. Clinton B. Fisk for Presi- dent-his last public act. He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Eldersville, Penn., and a zealous worker for the cause of the Master. When he passed away, December 23, 1888, Jeffer- son township lost one of her most worthy and valued citizens, and Methodism one of its most zealous supporters.

Samuel Jones Melvin (our subject) was born February 3, 1839, in Jefferson township, this county. His earlier education was supplemented by a two years' preparatory course at Adrian Col- lege, Adrian, Mich. where he was a student when

the Civil war opened. He came home intending to enlist, but was persuaded by friends to remain at home, as his health was rather feeble. When Lin- coln issued a call for ninety-day men, the name of Samuel J. Melvin was drawn, but rather than be drafted, he enlisted, October 21, 1862, as a volun- teer in Company A, One Hundredth P. V. I. (Roundheads) at Eldersville, Penn. He served two years and nine months, and during that time was employed as clerk in different departments, from company to corps headquarters, his ability in this line having been discovered in the early part of the service. When drafted he was engaged in teaching school in what is known as Lee's School, Jefferson township, having completed one month of the term when the draft was made. While in the army he suffered from inflammatory rheu- matism, chronic diarrhoea and typhoid fever. He was honorably discharged July 24, 1865, and re- turned to Washington- county, Penn. Afterward he took a western trip, and, finally returning to his birthplace, began farming on the home place. On November 14, 1867, he was married to Helen M. Hanlin, who was born December 23, 1845, a daugh- ter of Alexander and Margaret (Gracey) Hanlin, of Hanover township. The children of Samuel J. and Helen M. Melvin are as follows: Charles P., a pat- tern maker of Pittsburgh, Penn .; William Alexan- der, deceased at the age of seven years; Galbraith Stewart, Mary Gracey and Alice Gertrude, all of whom are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin remained on the old Melvin farm in Jefferson township until February 24, 1875, when they came to Hanover township and located on the Alexander Hanlin farm, part of which is now their home. He has made many improvements on the place and has erected a pleasant residence, which commands a fine view of the surrounding farms. He follows general farming and stock raising, and is also con- ducting a dairy business. He voted with the Re- publican party until 1884, since which time he has been a member of the Prohibition party. He and his wife are leading members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Eldersville, Penn., of which he is a trustee and class-leader. He has also, for a number of years, been superintendent of a Union Sabbath-school at Hanlin Station.

AMES M. THOMAS. Among the leading fam- ilies of Washington county, none have a bet- ter claim to prominent mention in the pages of this Biographical Record than the one of which the gentleman is a worthy member.

Edmund Thomas, grandfather of James M., is the first of the family in this county of whom there are any data. He was a native of eastern Penn- sylvania, and when a young man came hither and made a settlement in North Strabane township,

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where he carried on farming to the end of his busy life, becoming one of the leading citizens, ever in the van of all progressive movements. He was here married to Rhoda, daughter of David Leon- ard, of Washington county, a resident of near the village of Bentleyville, and the children born to them were Sarah, Mary, Rebecca, Ann, Phoebe, Lydia, Rhoda, Nancy and Liverton. Mr. Thomas early united with the Presbyterian Church, in after life serving for many years as a trustee and an elder. Politically he was a zealous Democrat.

Liverton Thomas, father of subject, was born in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., May 12, 1809, and his education was received at the schools of his district, which he enhanced by much after study. In 1834 he was married, in Ohio, to Miss Mary A. Glandon, who was born in Maryland, October 2, 1813, and moved with her parents to Harrison county, Ohio, and the results of this union were nine children, eight of whom are yet living, viz .: Edmund, in Saline county, Neb .; William, a farmer in Chase county, Neb. ; James M .; Rhoda L., wife of John Hodgens, in Des Moines, Iowa; Liverton G., a physician in Philadelphia, Penn. ; Belle M., wife of James C. Matthews, a farmer and undertaker in North Stra- bane township; A. J., also a farmer in North Stra- bane township; and Ida M., wife of William Ket- tle, of Rush county, Kans .; Caleb F. died in in- fancy. The mother died December 10, 1873, and the father then went to live with his daughter, Mrs. John Hodgens, in Des Moines, Iowa, where he now is. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has always been a liberal sup- porter, and was the donator of the land on which the Fairview church now stands, having materially contributed toward its erection, and has been an elder from its organization. Politically, he is a lifelong Democrat, and has been in his day a hard worker for the party's interests.

James M. Thomas was born December 29, 1838, in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., and received a thorough common-school training, which, being a diligent student and apt scholar, he turned to the best account. He assist- ed in the duties of his father's farm until 1866, in which year he embarked in general mercantile business in the village of Thomas, inclusive of the buying and shipping of all kinds of farm produce. He is one of the heaviest wool dealers in his local- ity, and has justly earned the confidence of every one with whom he has had dealings. His first store was a 16x20 room, which was soon enlarged to 16x40, to meet the growth of his business. In 1876 he erected his present business block in the same village, 24x70, two stories and a basement. The store is finished in natural wood, and is one of the finest country stores in the county. Mr. Thomas carries full lines of all classes of goods,

dealing heavily in produce, and his success is en- tirely of his own making. On September 20, 1859, James M. Thomas was united in marriage with Mary J., daughter of Alexander Hamilton, of Not- tingham township, and the children born to them are Carrie B., Howard N., Cora B. and Clyde B. The mother of this family died July 10, 1885, and December 28, 1886, Mr. Thomas for his second wife married Mrs. Anna Hodgens, daughter of Dr. Murray, of Canonsburg. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Fairview, in which Mr. Thomas is an elder and has held various offices. His political predilections are Democratic, but of late years he has preferred to vote for the best man, irrespective of party claims, at all times having first in view the best interests of his town- ship, county and State.

D AVID A. BROWNLEE is a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer fami- lies of Washington county, and traces his lineage back through the generations to a hardy, robust Scotch " lad and lassie."

Archibald Brownlee was born and reared in Scotland, and was there married to a Miss Hamilton, who bore him the following children: James, Will- iam, John, Archibald, Thomas, Jane (Mrs. John Allison), and Hugh (who died when the family were crossing the ocean). About the year 1765 he immigrated to America, first locating in Lancaster county, Penn., where he remained some time, and in 1775 purchased a farm in Canton township, Washington county, which became their perma- nent home. James Brownlee, a brother of Archi- bald, also settled in Washington county, where he resided until 1800, since which time the family have all removed from the county. Archibald was first a member of the Scotch Presbyterian Church, and afterward united with the Seceder Church. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and died in Canton township.

James Brownlee was born Jannary 4, 1745, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and after coming to Amer- ica learned the trade of a millwright, which he fol- lowed several years in eastern Pennsylvania. He then settled on a farm in Canton township, Wash- ington county, where the remainder of his life was passed. In early manhood he was united in mar- riage with Jane Leman, a member of a pioneer family of Washington county, who had emigrated from Ireland, and to this union came the following children, their names and dates of birth being given: John, October 15. 1777; Archibald, Febru- ary 28, 1779; James, September 27, 1780; Hugh, July 23, 1782; Elizabeth (Mrs. Daniel Brownlee), May 17, 1784; William, January 13, 1786; Thomas, December 1, 1787; Samuel, August 9, 1789; Jo- seph, August 8, 1791; Jane (wife of Kenneth

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McCoy), April 20, 1793; and David, April 8, 1797. The home of Mr. Brownlee was situated two miles west of Washington borough. He was a member of and ruling elder in the Seceder Church at North Buffalo, and in politics he was a Whig. He died in 1822, and was buried beside his wife, who had preceded him to the grave.

Joseph Brownlee was born in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn., passed his early life on the home place, and was for some time engaged in hauling goods from Philadelphia. He married Esther, daughter of John Templeton, of Washing- ton county, and in 1819 the young couple settled on a farm in Independence township, where their lives were passed and the following children born: Ann, James H. (living in Knoxville, Tenn.), John T. and Jane (Mrs. Robert Y. Meloy). Mrs. Brown- lee died December S, 1832, and Mr. Brownlee, May 15, 1834, married Jane Auld, of Washington county. Of this union were born: David A., Jo- seph W. (residing in Cross Creek township), Sarah M. (Mrs. Samuel Donaldson), Esther H. (Mrs. Samuel L. Moore, of Independence), and Martin B. (a minister of the U. P. Church in Iowa). Mr. Brownlee was an energetic man, exerting a marked influence on the lives of the surrounding people. He was a member of the Mt. Hope U. P. Church, in which he was an elder forty years. Politically he was formerly a Whig and an Abolitionist, after. ward a Republican, and always took an active part in all questions of public interest. He died No- vember 23, 1867, and was buried by the side of his wife in the cemetery at Mt. Hope.

David Auld, grandfather of subject, was born near Coleraine, in the North of Ireland, came to Amer- ica at an early day, and settled in the southern part of Washington county. Toward the beginning of the present century he was married to his cousin, Mary Auld, by whom he had the following chil- dren: James, Jane (married to Joseph Brownlee), John, David and Mary, all now deceased. The mother of these children died March 11, 1819, and April 12, 1821, he was married to Sarah Jackson, who survived him. He was a Whig, a member of the Associate Church, and a farmer in Buffalo township.

David A. Brownlee, our subject, was born Feb- ruary 9, 1835, on the home farm, situated two and a half miles northeast of Independence, in Inde- pendence township. On October 15, 1868, he married Jane Ann Templeton, who was born Jan- uary 13, 1838, daughter of Alexander Templeton. Alexander Templeton was reared in Cross Creek township. He married Margaret M. Gabby, (daughter of James Gabby), by whom he had the following children: John (who died at the age of thirteen years from the kick of a horse), Dr. James G. (in Pittsburgh), Thomas B. (deceased, was a member of Company A, One Hundredth Pennsyl-

vania Infantry, and died after the battle of the Wilderness), Jane Ann (Mrs. D. A. Brownlee), Hugh A. (deceased), Esther M. (Mrs. John Scott), Mary E., Alexander Brown (deceased). Mr. Teni- pleton was a Democrat in politics, and in religion was a member of the U. P. Church. In 1855 he moved to New Wilmington, Penn., and died there in April, 1861; his wife died in April, 1874, and they are buried in the cemetery at New Wilming- ton. Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee have one child: William T., born July 3, 1869, now a well-educated and prepossessing young man. After his marriage our subject lived with his widowed mother until her death, which occurred April 7, 1883 (she was buried in Mt. Hope cemetery), since which time he has owned and managed the home place. Mr. Brownlee has been very successful in business, and has erected a large and commodious dwelling upon his farm. Politically he is a Republican, and has been elected to various township offices, in which his efficiency has been ably demonstrated. He and his wife are members of the Mt. Hope U. P. Church, in which he is an elder. They have re- cently taken a very nice little girl named Anna, born September 18, 1884, and intend to raise her as their own child.

AMES JONES, a well-known undertaker, liv- ing at St. Cloud, Somerset township, is the youngest son of Perry Jones, whose father, Abednago Jones, came to New York in an early day and worked at his trade, that of a tailor. He afterward moved to Washington county, there making a permanent home.

Perry Jones was born in 1783, in New York, and when yet a boy learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed all his life. In early manhood he married Susanna McCelvy, who bore him four sons and four daughters, of whom are yet living: William A. (a carpenter of Wayne county, Ohio), Isabel and James. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were members of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. He died October 8, 1852, having been preceded by his wife February 9, 1848.

James Jones (whose name opens this biography) was born September 28, 1825, in Somerset town- ship, this county, and when but a small boy learned the trade of carpentry with his father. In 1860 he opened an undertaking establishment which he is yet conducting. On October 21, 1851, he was united in marriage with Rachel P. Craig, who was born September 22, 1824, in Allegheny county, daughter of John and Ann (Larimor) Craig; her father was born on the ocean while his parents were crossing from Ireland to America. Mr. and Mrs. Craig both died in this county. To the union of James and Rachel P. (Craig) Jones the following children were born: Sarah B., born

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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 194

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