Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 203

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 203

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After marriage Mr. and Mrs. McNary settled on the old farm, where three children were born, as follows: Robert B., September 25, 1886; Mary R., March 20, 1889, and Carrie M., November 17, 1890. Boyd McNary is one of the successful farmers in

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North Strabane township. He and his two brothers, Joseph and Clark, own 134 acres of good land. He has a considerable influence in politics, and votes the Republican ticket. He and his wife are members of the U. P. Church.

AMES HERRON, a leading business man of the village of California, is descended from Hibernian ancestors, his grandfather, James Herron, having been a native of Ireland, in which country he grew to manhood and was married. The family finally came to America, lo- cating in Greensburgh, Westmoreland Co., Penn., where the grandparents died, leaving two sons, Nelson and John.

John Herron, son of the pioneer James, was born on the farm in Westmoreland county, Penn., there received his early education, and learned the carpenter's trade. When a young man he moved to Allegheny county, Penn., where he met and married Elizabeth, daughter of Francis and Ellen (Vandervort) Cooley, who were natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley were the parents of the following children: Joseph, Robert, William, John, Francis, Samuel, Harrison, Elizabeth and Mary. The father of this family followed farming near New York City for several years, afterward moving to a place in Washington county, Penn., and finally settling on a farm in Allegheny county, near Pittsburgh, where he died. He was original- ly a Democrat, but afterward became a member of the Whig party, and in religion was connected with the English Lutheran Church. John and Elizabeth (Cooley) Herron passed their married life in Allegheny county, and he followed the car- penter's trade in Pittsburgh. They had two sons, Francis C., a farmer, and postmaster at Oklahoma, and James. John Herron died in 1828, and was followed to the grave by his widow in 1839.

James Herron, son of John and Elizabeth (Cooley) Herron, was born August 8, 1825, in Al- legheny county, Penn., and received his early edu- cation at the subscription and public schools of the vicinity. Being left an orphan, he had to commence life for himself at an early age, and when sixteen years of age was apprenticed to Thomas McKee, a blacksmith of Pittsburgh, Penn., with whom he remained about ten years. He then purchased the shop, and conducted the business for five years, when he entered the employ of the Lippincott Manufacturing Company. In 1859 he purchased an interest in the store of his brother- in-law, William F. Barclay, at Coal Bluff, this county. Mr. Herron served as postmaster of that place during the Civil war, but, resigning this position in June, 1865, opened his present general merchandise store in California, which is now one of the oldest and most prosperous establishments

in the village. Politically he has been a Repub- lican, and recently he became a Prohibitionist; in religion he is a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. On May 28, 1846, James Herron was united in marriage with Hannah M., daughter of James and Rachel (McVay) Barclay, of Finley- ville, Washington Co., Penn. They have had no children, but adopted a little girl, and reared her as their own; she is now the wife of John H. Wil- kins, to whom she has borne three sons, viz. : Fred B., James H. and Frank S.

OHN C. McBRIDE, one of the most progress- ive, influential and successful citizens of Robinson township, is descended from pio- neer ancestors of Washington county.

James McBride (the grandfather) left the Emerald Isle in early manhood, and coming to Washington county, Penn., settled near Miller's run, on some land which legally belonged to George Washington. When the latter discovered that his rights were endangered, he made known his claims to the property, and the immigrants were forced to evacuate that locality. They then moved to a tract of 240 acres in the northern end of the county, near which was erected the Associ- ate church of Robinson in 1832 (now the U. P. church), the patent for which tract of land was issued in 1786, and is still in the possession of our subject. This tract has since been the homestead of the McBride family. James McBride was mar- ried in Washington county to Miss Sarah Sprowls, and they settled on the farm in a small house which had been previously erected, but which was afterward burned by the Indians while the family were on a visit to their old home. Ten sons were born to this couple, all of whom lived to advanced age, namely: Francis, Nathaniel, Matthew, James, John, Isaac, Samuel, David, William and Alex- ander. The father was a Democrat, and a mem- ber of the Associate Church of Clinton, and was a member of one of three families who first formed the organization.

William McBride was born in 1798 on the old homestead in this county, and followed farming from early boyhood throughont his active life. He was married to Martha Keys, who was born June 11, 1805, near Bulger, this county, a daughter of James Keys, and the following children blessed their union: James, born October 8, 1832 (now deceased); William, born October 24, 1836; Jane and John C. (twins), born March 27, 1840, the former married to John Purdy, and living in Alle- gheny county, Penn. The father of this family died October 22, 1878, the mother on February 4, 1875. Mr. McBride passed his entire life on the home farm, engaged in general agriculture and stock raising, proving an enterprising and pro-

John G. MBude

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gressive man. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat.

John C. McBride was married December 30, 1874, to Elizabeth Galbreath, who was born near Candor, this county, a daughter of William Gal- breath, a native of Allegheny county, Penn., born about the year 1796. His father, Samuel Gal- breath, was of Scotch ancestry, and was reared in eastern Pennsylvania. He early came to Alle- gheny county, where he carried on farming, an occupation he followed during the rest of his life. He married Nancy Gilmore, who bore him the fol- lowing children: James, Robert, Annie, Nancy, Elizabeth and William, Samuel Galbreath was a member of the Noblestown U. P. Church. Will- iam Galbreath was thrice married: first time to Margaret Bingham, who bore him one child, Henry P. ; his second wife was Esther Ewing, and by this marriage there were children as follows: Letticia E., Nancy G., Isabell C. (married to Thomas Munn), Samuel, Margaret B. (married to James G. Wilson), Esther A. (married to W. S. Bailey) and Elizabeth. For his third wife Will- iam Galbreath wedded Jane Bailey, who bore him one child, William, and she is now living with our subject and wife, at the patriarchal age of ninety- three years. William Galbreath died August 21, 1874.

After their marriage John C. and Elizabeth G. Mc- Bride moved to a farm about three miles east of the old homestead, on which he has erected a fine dwelling house. One daughter has come to bless their union, Martha Keys, born June 1, 1877. Politically, Mr. McBride was identified with the Democratic party until of late years, since when he has been in sympathy with the Prohibition movement, He is a well-known, enterprising citizen, has filled various township offices, and has ever given his aid to enterprises tending to the good of the community at large. In religious faith he is a consistent member of the Robinson U. P. Church.

R OBERT C. HOOTMAN is a well-known and successful farmer of Donegal township. His grandfather, Christian Hootman, was a native of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, having been born there about the year

1757. Christian enlisted in the army when a young man, and was among the Hessian soldiers who came to America during the Revolutionary war, and were hired by the English government to fight the Colonists.

Christian Hootman was a drummer boy, and upon first landing in America was delighted with the country, often longing for freedom, that he might assist the Colonists in their struggle for lib- erty. At the battle of Brandywine he was taken

prisoner, and (making no effort to escape) was soon drumming in the Continental army under Gen. Washington. He served till the close of the war, and decided to remain in the "land of the free," where the galling restraints of the old country were unknown. In the year 1785 the young man came to Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., after a long and tedious journey over the mountains. He took up a " tomahawk claim" in the northwest corner of Donegal township, imme- diately on the line then bounding Pennsylvania and Virginia. Here he erected a cabin home in the wilderness, and began to clear a piece of land upon which to raise corn. He was then married, and the following children were born to him: Henry and Jacob (who moved to Iowa, where they died); John (moved West and there died); Mary (wife of Adam Deeds), moved to Coshocton county, Ohio; Catherine (Mrs. William Shaler), who died in Don- egal township; David, who learned the blacksmith trade, and followed it on the Monongahela pike, where he died; Tenie (deceased wife of Samuel Miller), lived in Donegal township; and Christian (the father of our subject). The mother of these children died, and Mr. Hootman was afterward united in marriage with Susan Cavanaugh, who bore him no children. He continued to live on the same farm until his death, which occurred in the year 1845, after sixty years of pioneer life in Washington county. His second wife had also pre- ceded him to the grave.

Christian Hootman was born October 12. 1800, in Donegal township, on the farm which is now owned by his son Robert. His early life was passed in attending to the duties of the pioneer farm, and his education was limited to the advan- tages of the subscription schools, but this was afterward supplemented by home instruction from his stepmother, who was an educated woman. He thus became a well-informed man. In about the year 1830, Christian Hootman was married to Sarah McBroom, who was born in 1808, daughter of Robert McBroom, of Brooke county, W. Va., but a native of Ireland. Two children were born to them: Nancy S. M. (Mrs. E. Buchanan, of Wheeling, W. Va.), and Robert C. (subject of this sketch). Mr. Hootman passed his entire life on the home place, and was a successful farmer. In religion he was an active member of the U. B. Church, to which he and his father were liberal contributors. Mr. Hootman died February 27, 1874, and was followed by his widow April 22, 1891. Politically he was a lifelong Democrat.

Robert C. Hootman was the only son of his parents, and was born November 14, 1844, on the home farm, where he is yet living. He was trained to farm work from boyhood, and received a com- mon-school education. On September 13, 1866, he was united in marriage with Maggie Yant, who

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was born April 20, 1850, a daughter of Jacob and Lizzie (Wilson) Yant, and the following children have been born to this union: an infant daughter (deceased), and Luetta, Frank S., Laurence V. and Bruce C., all of whom are living at home. After his marriage, Mr. Hootman settled on the home farm, which has been in the possession of the Hootman family since it was patented, and is one of the most valuable pieces of farm land in Done- gal township. Mr. Hootman is a very systematic and progressive farmer, and is extensively en- gaged in raising sheep. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat, but often votes for the man he thinks best qualified, regardless of his party connection.

OHN P. SCOTT, a prosperous, popular and cultured citizen of Cecil township, is a son of John, and grandson of John Scott. John Scott (the grandfather) was born in 1777, at Mingo creek, Washington Co., Penn., of Scotch parents, and was married to Esther Phillips. In 1800 they moved to Mt. Pleasant township, Wash- ington county, locating on 305 acres of land, which was originally a portion of the George Washington survey. They were members of the Associate Reformed Church at Robinson's Run, in which he was a ruling elder. He died Febru- ary 19, 1817, and July 19 of the same year his life companion was laid by his side. They were the parents of the following children: Hannah (born 1801, married to Capt. John Young, of Alle- glieny county, Penn.), Esther (born 1811, wife of William Gribben, Allegheny county), Rachel (Mrs. Allen Dunn, of Pittsburgh, Penn.), Elizabeth (born 1803, wife of John Cairus, of Pittsburgh, Penn.), a daughter Mary (born in 1805, died in early womanhood), Samuel (born 1807, died more than fifty years ago in Allegheny county), Jonathan (born 1809, moved West) and John (whose sketch follows). The parents were among the earliest of early settlers in Allegheny county.

John Scott was born in 1813, on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, where his boyhood days were passed. On August 29, 1836, he was united in marriage to Ann White, who was born in 1815, in Smith township, this county, and the young people settled on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, where four children were born to them: Mary (deceased February 13, 1889, aged fifty-one years, seven months and fifteen days), born in 1837, was married in September, 1858, to R. W. Lawrence, of Independence township; John P., whose name opens this sketch; William J. (deceased March 25, 1873), born June 25, 1841 (entered the service for a thirty days' call to Gettysburg), and married Sarah A. Douglas in 1863, settled in Cecil town-

ship; and Samuel Wilson (died in April, 1888), born August 1, 1852, and married April 27, 1881, to Miss Anna M. May. Mr. and Mrs. John Scott were first members of the Associate Reformed Church at Robinson's Run, and in 1850 united with the Associate Reformed Church at Venice, this county. In 1858 they became members of the U. P. Church, of which Mr. Scott was elected an elder, but refused to serve. He died June 10, 1887, his widow passing away January 31, 1892.

John P. Scott was born April 17, 1839, in Mt. Pleasant township, and attended the common schools of the neighborhood. On January 1, 1861, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Cook. Her father, Robert Cook, was born June 2, 1805, in Cecil township, and on April 23, 1835, made choice of a wife in the person of Mary Gladden, who was born August 15, 1798. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cook settled on the farm now occupied by their daughter, Mary A. He was a farmer, taking an active part in the politics of the Demo- cratic party, and in religion was a member of the now United Presbyterian Church at Robinson's Run, afterward uniting with the church at Venice, this county. Mrs. Cook died July 22, 1842, leaving two daughters: Mary Ann (Mrs. Scott) and Anna E. (living in Cecil township). On February 27, 1844, the father was married to Rebecca Glen- denen, who bore him one child, deceased in in- fancy. Mr. Cook died January 6, 1857, followed by his widow August 30, 1886, in her eighty-first year.

John P. and Mary Ann (Cook) Scott began mar- ried life on the farm in Cecil township where they are yet living. He taught school three years in Mt. Pleasant and Cecil townships, having since been engaged in cultivating the farm, containing 280 fertile acres. Among the many improvements which have been made may be mentioned the erec- tion of a good, commodious barn, 42 by 62 feet. Mr. Scott makes a specialty of raising Delaine wool Merino sheep. In politics he is a strong. ad- herent of the Prohibition party, and has been a candidate for county commissioner. In religious faith he and his wife are members of the U. P. Church at Venice, in which he is an elder, having been elected to that office August 28, 1864. Five children have gladdened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Scott, namely: Robert Cook, born May 17, 1862; Anna (married on January 1, 1890, to James R. White, has one child, John Lee), born September 10, 1864; John Elmer, born March 19, 1867 (married October 26, 1892, to Luella Bell McPeak); William Lawrence (graduated at Westminster, Penn., with class of '91, now attending the Med- ical Department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia), born April 7, 1870, and George Wilson, born July 22, 1878.

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M ATTHEW B. BROWN, a well-known agri- culturist of Mt. Pleasant township, was born in 1851, in Allegheny county, Penn. He is a son of David Brown, whose father, John Brown, was born in Lancaster county,

Penn. John Brown was there married to Mary Acheson, and in 1785 the young people moved to Noblestown, Allegheny county, where he followed the tailor's trade and conducted a hotel. He after- ward moved to a farm in the same county and reared his children. He died abont 1851, his wife having entered the dark valley a few years before.

David Brown was born in 1803, on the home farm in Allegheny county, and was trained from early boyhood to agricultural life. He was married in his native county to Rebecca Borland, remaining there & short time after that event. In 1847 he bought a partially improved farm of 339 acres in Mount Pleasant township, Washington Co., Peun., to which he moved in 1855, his wife having died in Allegheny county the year before.

R OBERT H. RUSSELL (deceased) was one of the leading and prosperous citizens of Chartiers township. In business circles he stood in the front rank of prosperous and enterprising stockmen, in social life he was equally renowned for a generous, affectionate dis- position, and in religious faith he was a devoted and liberal churchman. His father, Andrew Russell, was born January 3, 1777, in Cecil township, this county, coming with his parents to Chartiers town- ship when about two years of age. In 1800 he was married to Ann Mcclellan, who was born in 1784, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and after marriage began to manage the home farm. He was a Whig, taking an active part in the early political history of the county; he had a brother who served in the war of 1812. In religious faith he was first a Seceder, then joined the U. P. Church at Canonsburg. He died March 2, 1861, in his eighty-fourth year, being followed by his wife February 17, 1868, who had borne him chil- dren as follows: Jane (wife of Samuel Lee, de- ceased January 24, 1880); Isabelle (deceased in 1845, wife of William McCall); James (deceased in January, 1890, married in 1844 to Elizabeth McElroy); Ann (living in New Concord, Ohio); Elizabeth (deceased Jannary 10, 1868, in her six- ty-fifth year, married to Robert Jeffrey, of Mt. Pleasant township); Andrew (deceased in April, 1891, married April 18, 1839, to Jane Miller); Alexander (deceased September 29, 1886, in his seventy-eighth year, married first to Margaret Ann Acheson (deceased), then to Lavina Calkins); Rob- ert (deceased in May, 1887; first married to Eliz- abeth McConaughey, then to Martha Jane Mc- Nary); John (living in Chartiers township, mar-

ried to Elizabeth G. Morrison); John Russell, died January 16, 1893, after a brief illness; William (married to Margaret Thompson, who died in 1892, living in Chartiers township) and Nancy (deceased in 1849).

Robert H. Russell was born in 1819, in Char- tiers township, Washington Co., Penn., being reared and educated in the district schools of the township. He was first married to Elizabeth Mc- Conaughey, who died within a few years. On May 17, 1858, he made a second choice in the person of Martha Jane McNary, daughter of William and granddaughter of John McNary. John McNary was married to Jane Hill, and in 1784 made a per- manent settlement in North Strabane township, this county. They were both members of the Se- ceder Church. William H. McNary was united in marriage with Margaret Murray, daughter of George Murray, who came from Scotland in an early day, and was married to Mary Reed. In 1832 he moved from North Strabane township to Chartiers township, where he died, being fol- lowed by his wife three years afterward.

Robert H. and Martha Jane Russell began mar- ried life on one of the finest farms in Chartiers township, where his widow is still living, which he had purchased in 1845. Mr. Russell took pride and pleasure in making all possible improvements upon his farm, having erected a handsome brick dwelling and good outbuildings. He was espe- cially interested in raising sheep, having been one of the charter members of the National Delaine Merino Sheep Breeders' Association. In religion he was an earnest worker in the Chartiers United Presbyterian Church, having been a member of the Session for twenty-three years. He also served as elder, and always contributed to the Master's cause to the utmost of his ability. He passed from earth May 17, 1887, and his widow is yet residing on the old place. Many hearts were saddened by the loss of this honorable, generous, Christian man, for in this world such characters are rarely found and are sorely missed when called away.

L. A. RUSSELL, one of the most prominent busi- ness men of Washington county, has devoted his time to stock raising, making a specialty of breed- ing sheep, and has achieved an enviable success in that business. He is a representative of an old and honored pioneer family of this county. He is a son of William and grandson of Andrew Russell, whose father was born in 1723, in Scotland, com- ing to America in 1758, where he was united in marriage with Isabel Mays, a native of Ireland. They first settled near Oxford, Chester Co., Penn., then went to Canonsburg, and in 1782 bought the home farm in Chartiers township. He was a blacksmith, and having brought his tools from eastern Pennsylvania, enjoyed a great deal of cus- tom, having no competitor in that vocation.

Her

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Andrew Russell was born in 1777, in Cecil town- ship, this county, and in 1782 came to a farm in Chartiers township, where he grew to manhood and was married to Ann Mcclellan. The couple passed their lives in their native county. Andrew Russell was a Whig, being an active worker in the party. He died in 1861, the wife and mother be- ing laid to rest February 17, 1868. They were formerly members of the Associate Reformed Church, then united with the United Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg. They were the parents of eleven children.

William 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 vicinity. In 1855 he was married to Margaret Jane Thompson, a na- tive of Mt. Pleasant township, this county. She is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Wilson) Thompson, who were natives of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. They immigrated to America at an early day, and settled in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, where Joseph Thompson passed the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits. He was actively interested in political questions; in religion he was united 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 Russell opened a book store in Canons- burg, this county, keeping a full line of school and college text-books. In 1862 he moved to a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and in 1881 settled on the farm in Chartiers township which he now occupies. It consists of 135 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have had ten children, four of whom are now living, namely: L. A., William Frank (an operator at Bridgeville, Allegheny Co., Penn.), Mamie Bell Agnes, and Robert Lee (study- ing for the ministry at New Wilmington College). In politics William 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 Hickory, in which her husband was an elder, now being a mem- ber of the church at Houstonville.

L. A. Russell was born June 15, 1863, on the ·home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, being reared in Chartiers township. After attend- ing the common schools he took a commercial course at the Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Penn., and graduated February 16, 1884. He then re- turned to the home place, and began to follow farming and stock raising. He raises a large amount of thoroughbred National Delaine Merino sheep, shipping them to all points in the United States. He is a member of the National Delaine Merino Sheep Association, and is one of the lead-

ing sheep breeders of Washington county, although some of his time is given to the raising of Short- horn cattle. In 1884 and 1885 Mr. Russell made an exhibit at the New Orleans' Fair, where he was awarded eleven prizes on twelve sheep. He casts his ballot with the Republican party, and was chairman of this precinct during the Prohibition movement, securing many votes for the Amend- ment. In religious faith he is a member and trustee of the Chartiers United Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg, serving as a teacher in the Sabbath-school, and assistant leader in the choir. In business, social and religious circles, Mr. Russell has proven himself a zealous and active worker, and an ardent, capable leader.

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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 203

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