Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 198

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 198

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John Shaw (a son of the above-named couple) was born in 1804, on the pioneer farm in Chartiers township, this county. In 1832 he was married to Sarah Harsha, a native of the same county, and they settled on the home farm, where the following children were born to them: Esther Ann and Jane (both deceased in infancy), William D. (who en- listed in Company A, Eighty-fifth Regiment, P. V. I., serving three years, two months and ten days; married Sarah Bancroff, have two sons and one daughter, and is now living in Adams county. Iowa), Joseph, John H. (deceased at the age of fourteen years), an infant and James (twins, the latter of whom was a veteran of Company B, First Virginia Cavalry; married Mary Boyce, who died, leaving four sons'and three daughters; he then married Rella St. Clare, by which union there is one son now living in Guernsey county, Ohio), Sarah Jane (who married J. L. Henderson, and died leaving four sons and one daughter), Har- rison Marshall (who died of typhoid fever, at the age of seven years), Thomas (residing on the old pioneer farm, married Hannah Grounds, who died leaving one son, and he then married Jennie W. Agnew, by whom he has one son and two daugh- ters), Rebecca Agnes (deceased in youth), Robert Theodore (a graduate of Washington and Jeffer- son College, now a physician and surgeon at Silver

Plume, Colo., and who has served twice as a mem- ber of the Legislature from his county) and Har- riet (married about the year 1878 to David Bedow, to whom she bore a son; she died in March, 1880). The mother of this family died of apoplexy in 1869. She was a daughter of John Harsha, whose parents were early pioneers of Washington county, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. John Harsha was a hunter in Kentucky in the days of Daniel Boone, but in his younger life he had learned the trade of chair maker in his native State. He married Es- ther Ann McMillan, a native of Chartiers town- ship, also a member of an early pioneer family. They died in this county. John Shaw was a Dem- ocrat until 1840, when he became a Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party, he joined its ranks; he was an enthusiastic worker with them, and one of the most patriotic of men, universally respected. In church relationship he was a member of and elder in the United Presby- terian Church of Cross Roads, in Chartiers town- ship. He died in February, 1879.

Joseph Shaw (whose name opens this biography) was born August 10, 1837, on the home farm in Chartiers township, this county, and was educated in District No. 2, that township. On September 13, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-fifth Regiment P. V. I., for a term of three years, or during the war, and was assigned to the army of the Potomac under Gen. MacClellan. The army of the Potomac then lay encamped from Fortress Monroe to Newport News, and commenced move- ment on May 4, 1862. The enemy evacuated his position at Yorktown the night before, and upon discovering this the Union army began a hot pur- suit, overtaking them at Williamsburg, where a terrible fight ensued, lasting till night, when the Confederates retreated. The regiment then fol- lowed, taking part in a few skirmishes, and finally halted at Fair Oaks. From here, after a fierce battle, they were forced to retreat to Harrison's Landing, the retreat including what is termed the Seven Days Fight. The army soon afterward evacuated Harrison's Landing, proceeding to For- tress Monroe and Hampton Roads. At this junct- ure, Companies A and F were detailed to guard the hospital at Point Lookout for three months. Companies A and F received orders to join the regiment at Suffolk, Va., and while there had a skirmish with the enemy at Blackwater. In the latter part of January, 1863, they were sent to St. Helen's Island, on a fleet comprising about fifty wooden and iron-clad vessels. They landed Feb- ruary 8, 1863, and saw the engagement which took place at Charleston Harbor, many vessels being engaged, also the bombardment of Ft. Sumter by Dupont. The Union troops were then in posses- sion of Folly Island. A battery was there ambushed which enabled them to take Morris Island, and then

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Joseph thew

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followed the siege with Forts Wagner and Gregg, which were protecting Charleston. Joseph Shaw assisted in building the "Swamp Angel," after the siege.' The regiment was then transferred to Hil- ton Head, where it remained until April 23, 1864. An expedition was then sent to Bermuda Hundred, being the first regiment to land under Gen. Ben. Butler, and afterward took part in the bloody bat- tles near Petersburg. Leaving there they went to Turkey Bend, thence to the Gap, where a lieavy fight ensued on Chapman's Farm, at Deep Bottom. In this engagement the Eighty-fifth Regiment captured two stands of colors, but nearly half of those heroic men fell martyrs to the Union cause that fearful day, and Mr. Shaw received a flesh wound. From there they went to Norfolk on duty, and on November 22, 1864, Joseph Shaw . received an honorable discharge at Pittsburgh, Penn., and he immediately returned to Washington county. On December 5, 1865, the wedding bells pro- claimed the union of Joseph Shaw and Helen Jane McBurney, a native of Canton township, this county, reared and educated in Washington. She is a daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Maxwell) McBurney, natives of South Strabane township, descended from Scotch ancestors, members of the U. P. Church. The mother died in 1888, and in 1889 the father passed away, while residing at Antelope Gap (his ranch near Goldthwaite, Mills Co., Texas).

Mr. and Mrs. Shaw passed the first years of their married life on the place known as the Sam- nel Morgan farm, which he sold, and in 1881 he purchased the farm of over 127 acres which he now owns in Chartiers township. Five children have been born to them, viz .: Dr. John H. (a dentist of Pittsburgh, Penn.), Harry McBurney (a farmer), Mary, Florence and Margaret E .; the daughters all attend the Washington Female Seminary. Mr. Shaw has given special attention to raising English Shropshire sheep. He and his wife and family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Houstonville, and they are now living in that vil- lage. Politically Mr. Shaw votes with the Repub- lican party.

(OSEPH McDOWELL is a representative of one of the early families of Mt. Pleasant township. The MeDowells are of Scotch- Irish descent, the first settlement having been made in colonial days by Thomas McDowell, in Little Britain township, Lancaster Co., Penn.

The great-grandfather, Thomas McDowell, was born there, and in 1773 came to Washington county, first settling near the mouth of the north branch of Chartiers creek, in Chartiers township, taking out a patent for 400 acres of land. In 1787 he purchased a patent of 8993 acres in Mt. Pleas- 59

ant township, from John Neiper, the assignee of Robert Downing, which was patented in John Neiper's name January 3, 1788, described as lying near the headwaters of Chartiers creek, and named Long Meadow. In a will made by Thomas Mc- Dowell and his wife Jennet, the following named daughters are mentioned: Hester Miller, Rachel Steel, Dina Mcknight, Jane Clarke, Rebecca, Martha, Abigail, and sons: William, John, James and Joseph, and the grandson: Benoni Stulbs. Thomas McDowell died in the year 1797, and was interred in the Buffalo Presbyterian church bury- ing ground in Hopewell township.

James McDowell, son of Thomas and Jennet, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and moved with his father's family to Washington county, where he married Mary McKnight, a native of Chartiers township. They settled on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, James having in the year 1796 bought of his father 160 acres of the orig- inal John Neiper patent, paying in consideration therefor the sum of £100 current money of Penn- sylvania. The following children were born to them: Eleanor Nesbit, Rebecca Smith, Jane Mc- Elroy, and James and John. James McDowell, the grandfather, died June 21, 1827, his wife sur- viving him a number of years. Both lie in the Cross Roads U. P. Church burying ground.

James McDowell, the father, was born on the farm of his father, James, on June 21, 1804, and in the year 1828 married Katharine Miller, of Char- tiers township, who was born also in 1804, and was a sister to Col. R. W. Miller. They set- tled on part of the farm, it having been willed to him and his brother John to be divided between them. He followed farming, stock raising and hunting as an occupation, and was considered in his day a great marksman and hunter. When about fifteen years of age he, with a flint-lock rifle, went hunting, taking along with him a young fox-hound. Before he was off their own farm, he came up to a black bear. The young hound would not leave him, but with his tail down and bristle's up, kept a sniffing. He finally discoved the bear standing up on its haunches and on firing, the powder flashed in the pan, causing the gun to hang fire. In the meantime the bear had got down on all fours and ran about a rod before the gun discharged the ball. This bear was the last one seen in these parts and was a few days after- ward killed near what is now the village of Hick- ory, in Mt. Pleasant township. When dressed the bear weighed 300 pounds. James McDowell's po- litical views were Democratic, his first vote being cast for Andrew Jackson for President. He voted for all the Democratic nominees down to his last vote, which was cast for Grover Cleveland in 1884. Al- though not a member of any church, he was never known to speak disrespectfully of the Christian

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religion, and all that is known of his religious be- lief is what he said to the minister on his death- bed which was: "when Christ died He sent the Holy Ghost as a Comforter." Catharine McDowell, the mother, was a member of Mt. Prospect Pres- byterian Church by certificate, having joined the First Presbyterian Church of Washington before marriage. She was a kind mother and a conscien- tious Christian. The following children were born to them: Mary, Jane, James (died in youth), Rachel, Jacob, John (died in youth), Samuel (now living in Miami county, Kans.), Robert (died in Miami® county, Kans., March 30, 1889), Joseph and Katharine. The mother died February 16, 1881, and the father July 10, 1886. Both are buried in Mt. Prospect cemetery.

Jacob McDowell, son of James and Catharine, volunteered in the year 1861 and served as a cav- alry man in the First Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry, Company K, until honorably discharged in 1864, having served for three years. He died in 1875, from the effects of a wound on the left cheek bone received while in the army.

A J. GREGG. Among the early settlers of Washington county, whose deeds are an un- dying monument to their memory, were the ancestors of the well-known family, repre- sented here by the gentleman whose name here appears.

In the year 1790 three brothers -- Henry, Will- iam and John Gregg-left Ireland, the country of their birth, and crossed the ocean to America. After a voyage of sixteen weeks they all came to Washington county, Penn., and settled in East Pike Run township, where Henry secured a tract of 349 acres called the "Burning Mine," and now owned by a Mr. Duvall. Henry Gregg served as justice of the peace in 1796. He was married to Jane Dowler, and of their children whose names are given are John, Henry, Thomas, Edward, Seth and William. The parents died in 1834 in West Pike Run township. The second brother of the three who emigrated from Ireland was William Gregg, and he was married in the old country to a lady who bore him the following children: Henry, John, William, Andrew, Robert, Christina (wife of John Crow) and a Mrs. Jackman.

Robert Gregg, son of William, was born in Ire- land, and was about twelve years of age when the parents and uncles came to America in 1790. He attended the subscription schools of Washing- ton county, Penn., and in early manhood was married to Ann, daughter of John Robison, a native of Ireland, where he was married. Coming to America in an early day, he opened the first tavern on the old Washington road in Pennsyl-

vania. His children were Joseph, John, William, Susan, Sarah and Ann (Mrs. Gregg).

Robert and Ann Gregg resided on the home place until his health failed, when they moved to Greenfield (now Coal Centre), where he died. He was a pilot on the Monongahela, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In politics he was actively identified with the Democratic party, and served for years as supervisor, as well as in other town- ship offices. The children of this family were born as follows: John R., William, Mary, Jane (wife of Daniel Williams), Andrew J., Ann (mar- ried to Thomas Huggins) and Matilda. Of these Andrew J. and Ann are yet living. Robert Gregg helped to build the first steamboat launched on the Monongahela river. His son, John R., started the first general store in Greenfield in 1835, which he kept for fifty years. He, in partnership with Hiram Smith, loaded the first coal boat there, and ran it by hand to Cincinnati. Boats in those days were loaded three feet deep, and were sixty-five feet long, and he lived to see his son W. H. Gregg load boats six and seven feet deep and 165 feet long, and towed by steamboats.

Andrew J. Gregg was born in November, 1817, in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and attended the pioneer schools of the period. On July 6, 1852, he entered matrimonial life in company with Mary A., daughter of James Ailes, who was a son of Amos Ailes, whose father was Stephen Ailes, a native of Chester county, Penn. Amos Ailes was born in 1751, and grew to manhood in his native county. In early life Amos Ailes was married to Ann, daughter of Joseph Brown, a farmer of Chester county, Penn., and soon after their marriage they came to Washington county, locating on a tract of land in East Pike Run township, which had then been in the pos- session of Joseph Brown for about two years. At the time Amos Ailes settled upon it, the place was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited only by wild animals and wandering Indians. Two young girls named Scott were killed by the Redskins about this time, and Mrs. Ailes shot a deer in the door- yard soon after their arrival. In this wild forest home children were born to these pioneers, and reared, as follows: Joseph, Stephen, Aaron, Mary (wife of Eli Gause), James, Sarah (wife of John Waites), Isaac and Amos. Mr. Ailes was a Whig in politics, and in religion a member of the Society of Friends. He died in February, 1835, and was buried by the side of his wife in the West- land cemetery, in East Bethlehem township, Wash- ington county. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg resided on the home place for three years after their mar- riage, then purchased and moved upon an adjoin- .ing farm. They finally settled on the Ailes home- stead, and in 1889 erected their present residence.

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In addition to general farming, Mr. Gregg has conducted a gristmill for the past few years. In polities he is a stanch Democrat, and has held various local offices. He is a member and ardent supporter of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

D ANIEL SHELLER, a well-known citizen of Claysville, was born February 1, 1816, in Donegal township. He is a son of Samuel Sheller, also a native of that township, whose father, William, was born in Germany, from which country so many of the best and most intel- lectual citizens of America are descended.

William Sheller, grandfather of our subject, passed his youth in his native land, and there mar- ried a German lady, who bore him children as fol- lows: William, Henry, John, Samuel, Mary (Mrs. Jacob Ruple), Catherine (Mrs. Benjamin Stephen- son), Mrs. Beckley and Mrs. McKee. This family emigrated from Germany, and settling in Wash- ington county, were among the earliest pioneers of Donegal township. Indians were still numerous, and when the settlers attended church, which they did usually in a body, the men of their number carried their guns with them. In politics Mr. Sheller was a Federalist; in religious faith he was one of the founders of the United Brethren Church, with which he was connected.

Samuel Sheller, father of Daniel, always lived in Donegal township, and was educated in the German language. He was united in marriage with Eliza- beth, daughter of Christopher Winter (of whom special mention will presently be made), and their children were: Daniel, Elizabeth, Christopher (living in West Alexander), Catherine (Mrs. John J. Clemmens), Mary, Susanna (Mrs. Alexander Noble) and Lucinda (Mrs. Alexander Blair). After his marriage, Mr. Sheller settled on the farm where the remainder of his life was passed. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics he was an active worker in the Old-line Whig party. He died January 1, 1838, his widow surviving him until 1860, when she, too, passed away.

Daniel Sheller, the subject of these lines, re- mained on his father's farm in Donegal township during his early years, and was educated chiefly in the German language, attending the English school but three months. On May 20, 1847, he married Rachel, daughter of Joshua Stoolfill, and their family consists of two sons and two daughters, viz .: Samuel M., Margaretta (Mrs. Samuel Blayney), Joshua S. and Ida F., all now deceased. After his marriage Mr. Sheller settled in Buffalo township, this county, where he re- mained until 1878; then came to his present home in Claysville, where he is living a retired life. His original farm comprised ninety acres, but he has

added to it until he now owns 228 acres of excel- lent land. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and is now a member of the Prohibition party. In church relations he is connected with the United Brethren Church at Zion Chapel.

Christopher Winter, our subject's maternal grandfather, was a native of Rhinepfalz, Germany, whence, when a young man, he came to America, and to Washington county, where he purchased a tract of land in Donegal township, before the be- ginning of the present century. He married Kath- arine Schaffer, a lady of German descent, born in Washington county. They remained in Donegal township until their deaths, and they now lie at rest in the cemetery at Zion Chapel. They were among the early pioneers of the township. The country at the time of their settlement there was a wilderness, inhabited by wild animals and Indians; and when on the Sabbath the pioneers walked through the forest to the little log building, used both as a schoolhouse and church, they would carry their trusty rifles with them for protection.

Samuel M. Sheller, son of Daniel and Rachel Sheller, was born in Buffalo township, educated in the State Normal School at California and taught school for several years. For some time he was engaged in mercantile business at Claysville. In March, 1879, he married Jennie D., daughter of Thomas McLeary, Esq. To this marriage were born Elmer E., A. Garfield, Ida F., Margaretta A. and Mary K. He then followed agriculture on the home farm, and became one of the most successful breeders of fine stock. Mr. Sheller was a member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics was a strong Prohibitionist. His death took place March 22, 1892, and he was laid to rest in the Claysville cemetery.

A LEXANDER C. CHAPMAN, retired farmer and now a leading citizen of Claysville, is a native of the county, having been born March 5, 1823, in Donegal township, of stalwart Scotch-Irish descent.

His grandfather, Richard Chapman, a native of Ireland, was there married to Saralı Patterson, and had a numerous family, the names of the four sons being: Richard, Alexander, Andrew L. and Robert, and of the two daughters: Jane and Mary. The family emigrated to the United States in about the year 1781, landing in New York, whence, the same year, they moved to Washington county, Penn., where grandfather Chapman kept a hotel near Washington some years, then purchased a farm and resided in the county until their deaths.

Andrew L. Chapman, a son of the above pioneer, came with his parents from Ireland to this country, where he received his education. While quite a young man he was married to Nancy, daughter of

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Elder Thomas Campbell, of whom further mention will be presently made, and the children born of this union were: Jane (wife of Daniel Mooney), Sarah (deceased wife of Jacob Mooney), Selina (deceased), Nancy (deceased wife of Rev. Walter Russell), Phoebe (deceased wife of David Oden- baugh), and Alicia (deceased wife of Thomas Mc- Fadden), Alexander C. (subject), Dr. Andrew L., Thomas (deceased), Cornelius (deceased), and Dr. Campbell (deceased). Mr. Chapman was an active member of the Whig party, a warm friend of edu- cation and a public-spirited, progressive citizen. He was one of the early teachers of the schools in his township. A prominent member of the Chris- tian Church at Dutch Fork, he was one of its most liberal supporters, and was for many years an elder in same. As a successful farmer he had no superior in his section, and in addition to general agricult- ure he was for a long time engaged in sheep rais- ing. He died in this county in 1845.

Elder Thomas Campbell, grandfather of sub- ject (a descendant of Archibald Campbell, Duke of Argyll, Scotland), was born February 1, 1763, in County Down, Ireland, where in June, 1787, lie was married to Jane Corneigle, a descendant of the French Huguenots. In an early day (1807) he came to this country, making his home near Washington, Penn., finally removing to Bethany, W. Va., where he died at the advanced age of ninety-one years. The following is a brief record of his children that grew to maturity: His eldest son, Alexander, while in Ireland became a student of theology, concluding his education at Glasgow, Scotland. He and his father were eminent minis- ters of the Seceder Church. In 1809 he joined his father in this country. In the meantime they both became dissatisfied with the divided state of Christendom, and proposed a remedy by inviting all Christians to unite with them "on the Bible and the Bible alone." And thus Thomas and Alex- ander Campbell inaugurated the "Reformation of the Nineteenth Century," forming churcheson this basis, known as "Churches of Christ," or "Dis- ciples," which have attained high standing among the religionists of the world, and to-day numbers 1,000,000 members in the United States. Alex- ander also founded Bethany College, Bethany, W. Va., of which he was president until his death in 1866. The second son, Thomas, was a leading physician in this county. Archibald was also a prominent physician, as well as an able preacher. Dorothy became the wife of Joseph Bryant. Nancy (mother of subject) became the wife of Andrew L. Chapman. Alicia became the wife of Mathew Clapp, and Jane, the wife of Mathew Mc- Keever.

Alexander C. Chapman received his education at the subscription schools of his native township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. On April

13, 1847, he was married to Julia A., daughter of Richard Chapman, of Washington county, Penn., and the children born to them were: Agnes (deceased wife of Dr. Mont. Linville), Dorothy (deceased wife of Dr. James Bemis), Kate (de- ceased), Selina (deceased), and Lizzie B., Grafton K. and Campbell A., who are now living. The mother of these children dying in 1874, Mr. Chapman married, for his second wife, Mrs. M. Hodgens, widow of John Hodgens, of this county, she dying in the spring of 1889. In politics Mr. Chapman was a Whig until that party ceased to exist, after which he became a Democrat, and of late years he has voted the Prohibition ticket. In 1875 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he filled with credit. He remained on the farm until 1889, when he retired from act- ive life, and located at Claysville. He still owns 280 acres of fine land in Donegal township. While engaged on the farm he was recognized as one of the leading citizens of that section; was for years engaged in buying wool, and took particular pride in fine stock, and the production of fine wool; he is regarded as competent authority on sheep and wool. Mr. Chapman has been for years a consistent mem- ber of the Christian Church at Dutch Fork, and is looked upon as a brainy, well balanced man, and an able debater.

R H. CRAWFORD, a prominent and pros- perous farmer of East Bethlehem town- ship, is a grandson of Elijah Crawford, a native of Fayette county, Penn., who in his lifetime was a Democrat of no small repute. For a long term of years he held the office of justice of the peace, and in his religious faith he was a member of the Society of Friends. He married Christina Oase, of Philadelphia, who bore him children as follows: Lee, Levi, Josiah, Jacob, James Sidwell, Cassie and Elizabeth, who married Johnson Craft, and is now a resident of one of the Western States.

James Sidwell Crawford, father of subject, was born July 25, 1809, in Fayette county, Penn., where he received a fairly liberal education and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which became his life work in connection with distilling. On April 14, 1836, he married Sarah Hawkins, daugh- ter of Richard and Cynthia Hawkins, of Washing- ton county, and the young couple then settled on the farm now occupied by their son, R. H. He was successful as a farmer and stock raiser, and made many substantial improvements on his prop- erty, among which may be mentioned the hand- some and comfortable residence erected in 1845, a fine commodious barn and various outbuildings. At the time of his death he had by energy, per- severance and judicious economy accumulated a

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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 198

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