Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 197

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 197

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ing his former business. Mrs. Pry died in Sep- tember, 1877, and was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Burgettstown. On February 5, 1885, Mr. Pry was united in marriage with Mary D., daughter of Robert Lee, of Jefferson township, this county. In politics Mr. Pry is a Republican, and has always been active in promoting the wel- fare of his party, being prominent in the county conventions, and has twice represented his county in the State conventions at Harrisburg. He has been five times appointed, by the Governor of the State, a notary public, serving in that capacity sixteen years, and on February 21, 1893, was elected a justice of the peace in the borough of Burgettstown. He is also enrolled as agent or at- torney, and admitted to practice before the De- partment of the Interior in Washington, D. C .; he has secured many pensions for disabled soldiers, widows, orphans and dependent parents of the late Civil war. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, and has held the office of elder since 1874. He was a delegate from the Washington Presbytery to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, which met in Chicago in 1877.

C. CROUCH, farmer, is a prosperous citizen of Peters township. The first ancestor of his family, concerning whose history there is any record, was one Robert Crouch, a native of Maryland. This pioneer left his native State, and many years ago settled in Nottingham township, Washington Co., Penn., where he re- ceived a Government patent for land, and passed his life in tilling the soil. His children were William, John, and two daughters, whose names are unknown.

William Crouch, son of Robert, was born in Lindenfort, Penn., and reared to manhood in Nottingham township, Washington Co., Penn. In early life he married Miss McIlvaine, and set- tled on a farm in North Strabane township. this county, where ten children were born to them, namely: George, Robert, John, Joseph, Isaiah, Watson, Daniel, Sarah, and two whose names are unknown. Mr. Crouch was an elder in the Pres- byterian Church.

Watson Crouch was born in 1819, on the farm in North Strabane township. When a young man he was married to Agnes, daughter of James Crawford, of Peters township, and she died leav- ing two children: an infant (deceased), and J. C., whose sketch follows. For his second wife Wat- son Crouch married Deborah, daughter of David Wells, and she has borne him eight children. In 1858 the family moved to Marshall county, W. Va., where they are yet living.

J. C. Crouch, son of Watson and Agnes (Craw-

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ford) Crouch, was born March 11, 1844, in North Strabane township, this county. In 1862 he en- listed in the Twelfth Regiment, W. Va. V. I., and served in the army of the James river. He re- mained until the contest was ended, and was pres- ent at Lee's surrender, then coming home resumed work on the farm. On December 17, 1869, he was married to Mary, daughter of William Mc- Murray, of Peters township, and six children have blessed their home, viz. : William J., Harvey W., Thomas B., Frank M., Charles M., and Ross Em- mett, all of whom are living under the parental roof. The farm contains 160 acres of land. Mr. Crouch is actively interested in the success of the Republican party, and has held many township offices. He is a member and trustee of the United Presbyterian Church at Peters Creek.

AMES and LEANDER McCORMICK. John McCormick was born in Scotland, and after landing in America came to Pennsylvania. About the year 1775 he located on a farm situated on the boundary line between Allegheny and Washington counties. He was married in this country to Elizabeth McMillian, a native of Scot- land, who bore him six children, namely: John, James, Samuel, Griselda, Elizabeth and Mary, all of whom are now deceased. The father was a Revolutionary soldier, and returning home after the war, died on the old place.

John McCormick, son of John and Elizabeth McCormick, was born in 1787, in eastern Pennsyl- vania. He was there married to Margaret John ston, who was born in 1789, daughter of Robert Johnston, a Revolutionary soldier, and the follow- ing children were born to this union: John, Mary, Robert, James, Samuel, Agnes, Elizabeth, Margaret and George. Of this family James, Samuel and Margaret are yet living.

James McCormick was born October 14, 1814, in Allegheny county, Penn., and passed his boy- hood on the home place. He then learned the carpenter's trade, following the same for nineteen years, when he came to his present farm in Peters township. On December 14, 1843, he was mar- ried to Jane Wright, and their children were as follows: John, Leander, Jane, Margaret, Almira and Elizabeth. Those now living are John, Lean- der and Margaret. The mother died in 1859, and for his second wife James McCormick married on May 3, 1861, Elizabeth Mouck, who bore him two sons. William and James. This wife was laid to rest December 16, 1883. Mr. McCormick began life with no financial aid, and has accumulated a good property. He has eighty acres of fine land, upon which a good house has been erected. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has held many township offices. He has been a member of

and elder in the United Presbyterian Church for thirty years.

Leander McCormick was born March 9, 1857, on the farm near Bower Hill, Washington county, Penn., where he remained during his minority. He then taught school three years in Chartiers, Peters, and Nottingham townships, and in 1881 opened a store at Venetia, same county. On No- vember 7, 1882, he was united in marriage with Angie, daughter of Amos Caseber, a resident of Nottingham township, this county. Leander Mc- Cormick was appointed the first postmaster of Venetia, and retained that office until 1886, when he was removed, owing to a change in the admin- istration. In 1889 he was reinstated by President Harrison, and has since filled that position in con - nection with his store. His property consists of two houses and lots in the town, the store room and a fine dwelling now in process of erection. Polit- ically, he is a stanch Republican, and has served in various township offices; in religion he is a member, trustee, and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church at Finleyville. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have three children: Eva J., Elmer L. and James Benjamin Harrison.

W. DONALDSON is an enterprising young farmer of North Strabane township. He is a son of John Donaldson (who was a son of James), who passed his youth on the home farm in Westmoreland county, Penn., where he was educated. He was married to Margaret Salis- bury, a resident of Red Oak, Brown Co., Ohio, who bore him children, as follows: Josephine (who died at the age of fourteen), Thomas W. and Margaret (Mrs. William H. Jones). For his sec- ond wife Mr. Donaldson married Rebecca Van- Eman, and their children were Mary E., J. William, Jennie R. and Alexander B. Mr. Donaldson was a Whig, and an ardent partisan. He served many years as justice of the peace in Brown county, Ohio, to which State he removed from Pennsyl- vania six months before his first marriage, where he was engaged in coach building and afterward in farming. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder for years. He died in Brown county, Ohio, and the family then removed to Washington county, Penn., first locat- ing near Canonsburg.

J. W. Donaldson was born September 13, 1853, in Brown county, Ohio, and came to Pennsylvania with the family when but a small boy. His edu- cation was principally obtained by self-study, as he was obliged to earn his living at a very early age, working at any employment he could secure. On January 1, 1880, he was united in marriage with Mary B., daughter of T. H. Lyon, and their union has been blessed by the following children:

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Mary L., Arthur V., Bertha B., Nellie J., Annie Grace and William Harvy. After his marriage, Mr. Donaldson purchased a portion of the Linn farm in North Strabane township, where he re- inained several years, and then bought and moved upon his present home in the same township. He has, by enterprise and perseverance, achieved bis own success, and is a liberal supporter of all pub- lie enterprises. He takes an active part in church work, serving in the Presbyterian Church as trus- tee nine years, and holding the office of ruling elder for the past six years. The Society of which he and his family are members is known as the " Dr. McMillan Church." In politics he is an act- ive and valued member of the Republican party.

OHN CONRAD. Among the prominent citi- zens and successful agriculturists of Fallow- field township, this gentleman is prominent. He is a son of John Conrad, who was born in 1795, in West Pike Run township, Washing- ton Co., Penn., and grew to manhood on the home farm. When a young man he selected a life com- panion in the person of Catherine, daughter of Robert Ferguson, a farmer of Somerset township, Washington county, and to this union were born the following named children: William, Hannah, Margaret, Jane, Elmira, John, Catherine, David and Elizabeth. The latter two are numbered with the dead. The father always followed agricultural pursuits; he served the township in various offices until he died, in 1868. He was followed to the grave by the mother in 1869.

John Conrad was born November 12, 1830, in Fallowfield township, and there received his early education. On attaining the age of maturity he took charge of the home place, consisting of 180 acres of fertile land, lying five miles from Monon- gahela City. He now owns 105 acres of land ad- joining the village of Lock No. 4, where he deals in stock. Of the village of Lock No. 4 Mr. Conrad platted a part, a portion of the village being at one time part of the farm. He is the owner of a handsome modern dwelling and nicely decorated grounds. He votes with the Democrat party, and has served as judge of election and filled other offices. In religion he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Conrad is yet unmarried.

U LYSSES S. WHEELER, one of the most enterprising farmers of Jefferson township, is a son of John Wheeler, whose father, Thomas Wheeler, came from Maryland to West Virginia, locating near Steubenville. Thomas Wheeler was married in Maryland to Miss Honor Donovan, who bore him eleven children, as follows: James, John, Thomas, William, Zacha-

riah, Andrew, David, Benjamin, Honor, Sarah and Nancy.

John Wheeler was born August 18, 1812, on the home place in West Virginia, and assisted in the duties of the farm until about twenty years of age, when he learned tailoring. In connection with his trade he carried on a general store in the town of Eldersville, for twelve years, and then bought the farm which is now in the possession of his son Ulysses. John Wheeler was united in mar- riage in 1839 with Hannah Sharp, who was born March 9, 1817, in Washington county, Penn. The young couple afterward mnoved to Eldersville, where their six children were born: Amanda, born March 28, 1840; Ulysses S., born June 8, 1841; Jasper, born March 16, 1844; Lorenzo, Henrietta and Loretta (triplets), born July 26, 1848. Of these children, the last four died in infancy, and Amanda (Mrs. Dr. Mccullough) died May 25, 1881. John Wheeler died February 1, 1867, and Mrs. Hannah Wheeler, August 30, 1877.

Ulysses S. Wheeler (the subject of this sketch), the only living representative of his family, came to the farm in Jefferson township when about thirteen years old, which has since been his home. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., and served in the First Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, under Gen. Hancock, during the whole war. Ulysses Wheeler was engaged in thirty-two battles and skirmishes, among the more important of which were Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Mr. Wheeler was slightly wounded at Chancellorsville. In the year 1865 he received an honorable dis- charge, and returned home. In the following year he was united in marriage with Frances, daughter of B. M. Sharp, an undertaker of Steu- benville. She was a student and graduate of the Steubenville Female Seminary. Ulysses S. and Frances Wheeler have two children, both of whom are living with their parents on the farm. In poli- tics Mr. Wheeler is an ardent Republican, and al- though his township is strongly Democratic, he has been elected to several official positions, having been tax-collector nine years, and was census taker in the year 1890. He is honored by all his acquaintances, and is a devoted husband and father.

G G. GAYMAN. In the van of Washington county's prominent farmers and progressive men stands this gentleman. He is a native of the county, born March 11, 1830, in West Bethlehem township. His father, Isaac Gayman, was also born, in 1804, in West Bethlehem township, where he was reared and educated. He was twice married; first to Eliza-

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beth Greenlee, by whom he had children as fol- lows: Olivia, G. G., Caroline, Samuel, Daniel (deceased) and Mary Ann. The mother of these children died at the age of twenty eight years, and Isaac Gayman then married Amanda Wys- waner, by which union there were three children: Isaac, Emeline and Barbara. The father departed this life in 1879. He was a Democrat in politics. In religious matters he worshiped at the Disciple Church.

At the common schools of his district the sub- ject of this sketch received a fairly liberal educa- tion, and was reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm. In the spring of 1856 he moved into East Bethlehem township, where he owns a fine farm of 107 acres, situated on one of the most pleasant sites in the township, and having thereon a commodious residence and splendid outside build- ings. In addition to general agriculture, he de- votes a portion of his time to the raising of fine- bred sheep. In 1890 he and his son invented a device for curing foot-rot in sheep, said to be most wonderful in its success, and they have now an ex- tensive factory for the manufacture of same, at Clarksville, Greene Co., Penn., which gives em- ployment to several hands. They have salesmen and agents distributed through different parts of the Union; and although their invention is but a few years old, it has already attained a high repu- tation, having in every respect proved most satis- factory to all who have tried it, as evidenced by the numerous testimonials received from all parts of the country. On December 27, 1855, Mr. Gayman was married to Miss Elizabeth Barnard, and two children have been born to them: Samuel and Emma. Of these Samuel married Ella Buck- ingham, who died in 1890, leaving two children: Cora and Clyde (the last named being now de- ceased), and he then took, for his second wife, Jessie Matthews, by whom he has one son, Glen. Emma married William K. Buckingham, and they have two children: George and Grace. Polit- ically Mr. Gayman is a Democrat. He is descended from one of the oldest and most prominent fam- ilies of Washington county, his grandparents hav- ing settled here when it was a wild, uncleared region.

EORGE W. OSBURN, retired merchant, of Burgettstown, is descended of Irish an- cestry, his father and grandfather having been natives of the Emerald Isle.

James Osburn (grandfather of subject) was married to a Miss Mccutcheon, of his local- ity, and they soon afterward emigrated to America, landing at New York. Proceeding to Westmore- land county, Penn., they there made a permanent settlement, and reared a family of children, as

follows: James, Jane, Robert, George, Margaret, Catherine, Martha and John. Mr. Osburn was a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith a mem- ber of the M. E. Church.

James Osburn, father of George W., was reared and educated in Westmoreland county, Penn., and was first married to a Miss Johnston, who bore him two children, Thomas and Jane. For his second wife, he was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of Adam McKennet, a native of Ireland, and a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. McKennet settled on a farm in Robinson township, this county, in the early part of the present cent- ury, and there passed the remainder of his days. After his second marriage James Osburn settled on the McKennet farm, where he died in 1843. Polit- ically Mr. Osburn was a Democrat, and in religion an adherent of the M. E. Church. Martha, wife of James Osburn, survived him until the year 1885, when she died on August 5, leaving three sons, James J., George W. and Robert C.

George W. Osburn, whose name opens this sketch, was born June 9, 1836, and passed his youth on the home farm in Robinson township, re- ceiving a common-school education. On October 20, 1859, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of James Hastings, of Allegheny county, Penn. She was a very estimable lady and model wife, whose demise occurred January 5, 1865. As a result of this union three children were born, of whom two died in infancy. The surviving child, Martha J., was born January 19, 1861, and was reared on the home farm under Presbyterian influ- ences. She was educated in the common school. She married R. C. Cassidy, November 18, 1884. As a result of this marriage the birth of Ora R. Cas- sidy occurred on April 17, 1888. Mr. Osburn con- tinued to reside on the home farm until 1888, in which year he came to Burgettstown, where he formed a partnership with R. C. Cassidy in the grocery business, which they conducted until 1891, when Mr. Osburn retired. He is an active Re- publican, and has held various public offices.

S. WALTZ, a leading citizen of West Alexander, was born at Washington, Wash- ington Co., Penn. He is a son of Abraham, whose father, Daniel Waltz, was united in marriage with Margaret Bedillion, of Fayette county, Penn. Daniel Waltz was a painter and chair maker by trade, and followed that business all his life. Soon after his marriage he moved to Washington county, where eight children were born and reared, and where the remainder of his life was passed. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and took an active interest in the wel- fare of his party.

Abraham Waltz passed his early life on the

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home farm in Washington county, where he re- ceived a common-school education and where he began to learn his father's trade of painter and chair maker, which he afterward followed. He was married to Margaret B., daughter of John Peters. Mr. Peters was born and reared in Massa- chusetts, and was married to Margaret Saladay, of Fayette county, Penn., where five children were born and reared. Mr. Peters and his wife passed the remainder of their life in Brownsville, Penn., and were buried there. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Waltz were active members of the M. E. Church at Washington, he being class-leader several years. He affiliated with the Democratic party. The death of this man occurred in 1841, and he was buried in the cemetery at Washington.

J. S. Waltz, the only child of Abraham and Margaret (Peters) Waltz, was reared and educated at Washington, Penn. He has been an extensive reader and instructor in vocal music. At the age of eighteen years he began to learn the cigar trade, remaining four years with Thomas Mckean, of Washington. He then began business for himself in the " Black Factory," where he continued two years. In the year 1868, Mr. Waltz came to West Alexander, Penn., and there conducted a dry- goods and grocery store for three years, when he opened a cigar factory, which he now carries on in connection with the insurance brokerage busi- ness. He was married to Nannie J., daughter of Isaac Post, of Donegal township, September 24, 1862. There were three children born to this union: Linnette M. (a music teacher, died March 24, 1890), Harry P. (a bookkeeper and musician in Wheeling, W. Va.), and Isaac N. (a book- keeper), graduated from the business college at Wheeling, W. Va .; he is also a musician. The mother died June 24, 1890. Mr. Waltz was for- merly a Democrat, but is now a Republican. He has been administrator and executor of several estates. When the borough of West Alexander was organized he was elected the first justice of the peace, and on the expiration of his term was re-elected, serving in all ten years. He has also served as burgess, has been a member of council, and a school director, and was again elected justice of the peace, his commission dating from May, 1892, to serve five years. During his long service as justice of the peace he joined in marriage several hundred couples, representing every State in the Union, who look upon West Alexander as a west- ern "Gretna Green." In church connection he was formerly a Baptist, but afterward united with the U. P. Church at West Alexander, Penn., in which he has for years been leader of the choir. During the building of the church he served both as trustee and treasurer, and has ever taken an active part in the support of that Society.

The Waltz family are descendants of Frederick

Reinhart Waltz, whose posterity now numbers several thousands, and they are residents of almost every State in the Union. The American pioneers of the family emigrated from Switzerland to America in the year 1731.

A NDREW RUSSELL (deceased). The family of which this gentleman was a representa- tive is descended from prominent early pioneers of Washington county, Penn., and the blood of Scottish patriots flows in their veins. Andrew Russell and his wife (the grand- parents) were born in Scotland and emigrated to this country many years ago, first locating near Oxford, Chester Co., Penn. In 1782 he purchased and moved upon a part of the Crawford-Neville Military Patent, in Chartiers township, Washing- ton Co., Penn., also purchasing another farm on the north branch of Chartiers creek. A log cabin was erected, which in due time was supplanted by a more commodious residence, their original home being afterward used for a blacksmith shop. Seven daughters and three sons were born to this couple.

Andrew, son of Andrew Russell, was born in 1777, in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., and in early life was married to Anna Mc- Clelland, who bore him eleven children, viz .: James (married to Miss McElroy, living in Unionport, Ohio), Andrew, Alexander, Robert, John, William, Jane, Isabella, Ann, Eliza and Nancy. of whom William and Ann are living. The father died in 1862.

Andrew Russell was born December 31, 1814, on the farm now owned by his brother John, where his boyhood days were passed. On April 18, 1839, Andrew Russell was united in marriage. with Jane, daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Steele) Miller, who came from Ireland in 1810. Andrew and Jane Russell reared a family of ten children, of whom the following is a brief record: Sarah Jane was married to Sampson Smith, and they reside in Allegheny City, Penn. ; of their six children, Jennie L., Anna R. and Clara S. are living. An- drew J. was first married to Margaret McBurney, who bore him one son, Andrew Lyle (now attend- ing the Philadelphia Medical College); the mother died in October, 1884, and for his second wife Mr. Russell married, August 4, 1886, Alice M. Smith (he is station agent and merchant at Bulger, Penn., and is an elder of the U. P. Church). James H. Russell died when twenty-one years of age. Thomas A. died in infancy. Letitia A. gave her hand in marriage to Ezra McBurney, and was the mother of five children, three of whom are living, namely: Jennie D., Mary L. and Mattie L. Isabella M. Russell was the wife of Matthew Brown, and bore him eight children, namely: David Andrew, John Edmund, Anna Doret, William Ralph, Joseph

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McElroy, Walter Earl, Robert Russell and Jennie Miller. William M. married Annie J. Agnew, to whom one son, Johnson Miller, was born. Rob- bert A. was married to Nettie Berryhill, who bore him one daughter, Jennie Gertrude. Dorett M. married Homer J. Willison, January 4, 1883; to them were born two sons, Howard Linford and Knowlie Clark, the latter died of pneumonia Jan- uary 7, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Russell began their married life in a room sixteen feet square, but by patient industry soon accumulated a good prop- erty, and owned some very fine stock. He was school director and supervisor, being always inter- ested in all movements tending toward progression, and in religious faith was an earnest member of the United Presbyterian Church. He died April 25, 1891, leaving many warm friends to mourn his loss, who gave to the bereaved family their heart- felt sympathy.

J OSEPH SHAW is one of the most prosperous agriculturists of Chartiers township, giving especial attention to the raising of fine stock, and is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Washington county. He is the second son of John Shaw, and a grandson of Joseph Shaw, the latter of whom was born in the North of Ireland, and married a Miss Sankey, finally settling in Chartiers township, Washington county.

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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 197

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