Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 207

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 207

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John Laird, son of this pioneer, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in April, 1792, and when yet a boy came with the rest of the family to the United States and to Washington county, where he received his education. When yet a young man he was married to Margaret, daughter of William and Margaret (Todd) Snodgrass, of Donegal township, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Scotland. The children born to Mr.

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and Mrs. Laird were Jesse, Robert, James, Will- iam A., John, Mary J. (wife of Samuel Dougherty), Grizzella and Margaret (Mrs. S. B. Lindley). The mother of this family dying December 15, 1835, Mr. Laird married, for his second wife, Agnes Maxwell, who died February S, 1878, leaving one child, Ann E. (wife of Dr. John W. Kelly). Mr. Laird departed this life July 18, 1847. He was one of the first members, and all his life a sub- stantial supporter, of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville. Politically he was a Democrat, and took an active interest in educational matters in his locality. Enterprising and energetic, he was self made, succeeding by hard labor and unceasing toil in amassing, before retiring from active work, a comfortable competence.

John Laird, the subject proper of these lines, was reared to farm life, and what education he succeeded in securing was obtained at the sub- scription schools, but he is chiefly self-educated, having devoted much of his spare time to reading at home. On January S, 1852, he was united in marriage with Eveline Potter, who was born in Marshall county, W. Va., March 11, 1828, a daughter of John Potter, a native of Washington county, Penn., where he married a Miss Supler, a native of Donegal township, same county. Soon after their marriage they moved to Marshall, county, W. Va., where they purchased a large tract of land and where the father also followed milling. They reared a large family of children, and resided there until their deaths. Mrs. Laird died September 14, 1876. Mr. Laird remained on the old home farm in Donegal township until 1872, in which year he came to Claysville, where he has since resided. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a lifelong solid Democrat.

THE PRY FAMILY. Among the well- known and prosperous early settlers of Washington county, the Pry family takes a prominent position. Conrad Pry was a na- tive of Germany, and coming to America began farming on a place about eight miles from Romney, W. Va. His son, Jacob C., was born in the latter part of the eighteenth century, in West Virginia, where his early life was passed on the home farm. He was married when a young man to Miss Catherine Barnes, of Hampshire county, W. Va., who bore him the following children: Eliza, Elizabeth, Mary, John, Abraham and Will- iam. Of these children, Betsey (as she is famil- iarly called), married to Samuel Paskel, of Cross Creek township, and Abraham (mentioned below) are the only ones living.

Abraham Pry was born November 10, 1813, in Hampshire county, W. Va., and his father died

when he was but four years of age. He learned the cooper's trade in early life, but did not continue to follow it. When abont twenty-two years of age, he came to Washington county, locating on 150 acres in Cross Creek township. In 1840 he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel McClurg, of Cross Creek township, danghter of David McClurg, who came from Ireland, and settled on the farm adjoining that of Mr. Pry. Since purchasing his farm Mr. Pry has added to the original tract, and now has 241 acres. Abraham and Rachel Pry are the parents of the following children: David M., John W., William H. and Joseph M. (twins, the latter now deceased), R. A., Abraham, Ambrose, Catherine J., Cynthia Ann, Anna M. and Francis H. The father was originally a Democrat, then a Whig, finally becoming a Republican, being now an active supporter of the latter party. He is a regular attendant of and liberal contributor to the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church.

ABRAHAM PRY (son of Abraham and Rachel (Mc- Clurg) Pry) was born November 17, 1852, in the old home, where he was trained to farm duties from early boyhood. On February 22, 1877, he was married to Elizabeth A. Dimit, of Independ- ence township, this county, who has borne him two sons, Brainard K. and Wiley C. He is a Repub- lican, to which party the family have always been stanch adherents, being actively interested in pro- moting the growth of Republican principles. They are principally engaged in farming and sheep raising, usually wintering three or four hundred sheep. Mr. Pry is an influential and prosperous citizen, a worthy representative of an honored name.

M RS. JANE ANN LEE, a popular and in- telligent lady of Jefferson township, is a daughter of Samuel Scott, whose father, Josiah, of Scotch descent, was a resident of Washington county, Penn., where he was united in marriage with Jane Noble. Eight chil- dren were born to Josiah and Jane (Noble) Scott, namely: Samuel, John, Hugh, Alexander, and four daughters, whose names have not been ascertained.

Samuel Scott (the father of our subject) was born about the year 1779, near Washington bor- ough, where he was trained to agricultural pur- suits, which he followed through life. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann, daughter of William Wiley, a farmer of Washington county, and their children were: William W., Josiah N., Jane Ann and Samuel G. Of this family, William and Josiah N. are deceased, and Samuel G. is a prominent farmer of Smith township, this county.

Jane Ann (Scott) Lee (subject of this sketch) was born October 3, 1817, near Washington bor- ough, and assisted in the household duties of the

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home until she grew to womanhood. Miss Scott then attended Washington Female Seminary for two years, and was married October 5, 1837, to John Lee. His father, Hugh Lee, was a native of Ireland, who, emigrating, settled on the farm in Cross Creek township, Washington county, Penn., where Mr. W. C. Lee is now living. After the marriage of John and Jane (Scott) Lee they came to the present home farm in Jefferson township,

where children were born and reared as follows: William S., born October 18, 1838; Eliza A., born June 13, 1841; Mary M., born March 25, 1843; Hannah J., born March 20, 1846; John C., born August 2, 1847; Samuel W., born January 14, 1850; Hugh, born December 25, 1851; Alice, born January 26, 1853; and Lucy, born July 19, 1856, all of whom are living. Mr. Lee died April 23, 1856, and at that time owned over 300 acres of fertile farm land, which is kept in an excellent state of cultivation by the present owners. In pol- itics he was a counselor and adviser of the Whig party. In religion he was a member of the Pres- byterian Church, which he served as trustee and in various other capacities.

Eliza Ann, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lee, grew to womanhood under the parental roof, and was united in marriage December 29, 1859, with A. M. Foster. To this union were born four children: Lenora, born April 14, 1861; Eliza Jane, born April 2, 1862; Harry W., born June 4, 1864; and . Lee Ellis, born October 2, 1869. Of these children, Lee Ellis is the only living member (the others having died in youth). He resides with his mother and grandmother, and has entire control of the home place.

HUGH LEE, the youngest son of John and Jane Ann Lee, was born on the farm in Jefferson town- ship, where his mother is now living. He passed his younger days in attending the common schools of his neighborhood, and assisting in the general duties of the home place. On October 7, 1873, he was married to Jennie R., daughter of Robert Scott, of Burgettstown, Penn. The young couple lived on an adjoining farm until they erected their present beautiful home (which was built in 1885) upon the old place. One son has blessed their union: Harry Scott Lee, born October 14, 1874. Hugh Lee bears the family name, through which he inherits his present home. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican. He is a con- scientious member of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church.

AMES WILSON, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Franklin township, was born December 9, 1821, in that town- ship. His grandfather wasa native of Mary- land, where he was married, and in 1780 moved to Washington county, settling in Franklin

township. The country was then very new, and Indians were numerous, but he erected a log cabin, and with his family braved the dangers and en- dured the privations of frontier life. He reared the following children: Robert, Douglas, Jane, Margaret, Mary, Effie, Sarah, Nancy and Johnson. In politics Mr. Wilson was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the M. E. Church.

Robert Wilson was born on the home farm in Franklin township, and received a meager educa- tion in the common schools. He remained at home until some time after his marriage, when he re- moved to the farm where he died. He was mar- ried to Elizabeth, daughter of Elisha and Mary Lacock, and she bore him the following children: Emily (Mrs. William Haggerty), Sabrina (Mrs. James Powers), Simeon, Eliza (Mrs. James War- rick), James, Atlas, Abner and Douglas. Mr. Wilson was a liberal contributor to the cause of Christianity, although a member of no church. In politics he was a Whig, and took an active in- terest in all questions pertaining to the welfare of the township.

James Wilson, son of Robert and Elizabeth Wilson, was born in Franklin township, Washing- ton county, and attended the common schools of the neighborhood, which offered but poor advan- tages. In 1847 he was united in marriage with Isabella, daughter of John Fulton, a resident of Morris township, this county, and to their union were born children as follows: Mary (Mrs. Albert Lacock), Frank and Victoria (Mrs. Gleason Conk- lin). After his marriage Mr. Wilson settled on the farm of 145 acres of valuable land, where he still resides, the improvements having been made by his own industry. In politics he was originally a Whig, and since the formation of the party has been a Republican. He has served as assessor two terms, and has also been school director nine years. He is a liberal supporter of the church.

W' ILLIAM T. SAMPSON. The Sampson family, of whom this gentleman is a worthy representative, are among the most influential and wealthy citizens of Carroll township. They originally were natives of Westmoreland county, Penn., where William Sampson was born in 1765. He was mar- ried in that county to Mary Nill (who bore him four children), and some time after his marriage the family moved to Washington county, Penn., where the father died in 1815.

James Sampson, son of William and Mary Sampson, was born February 5, 1806, just above Webster, on the Monongahela river, in Westmore- land county, Penn. He came with his parents to this county in 1810, and in 1840 was married to Mary Grant, a native of Washington county. She

N. J. Sampson

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boro him seven children, of whom are named Will- iam T., Harvey J. and John G. The mother died in 1889. James Sampson has carried on a distill- ery for twonty years in connection with farming, and now owns 1,250 acres of land. He was pres- ident of the Bank of Monongahela City for twenty- two years, and is one of the leading citizens of Washington county.

William T. Sampson was born January 22, 1844, in Carroll township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his education in the schools of the county. On May 23, 1876, he was united in marriage with Lucretia Welsh, daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Bell) Welsh, the former of whom is a farmer of Knox county, Ohio, and they have two sons and three daughters, namely : Mary B., Sarah J., John W .. Lucretia V. and William K. The home place is situated three miles from Monongahela and con- tains 265 acres of land, and upon it he raises a good quality of stock, besides carrying on general farming. Mr. Sampson is a Republican, and has served his township as supervisor for several years. Mrs. Sampson is a member of the Presbyterian Church. ,

W ILLIAM STOLLAR, an old and success- ful farmer of East Finley township, is a son of Andrew Stollar, who was born in 1777 in Schuylkill county, Penn., where he was married to Rosanna Ealy, a native of the same county, also born in 1777, a daughter of George Ealy, who afterward moved to Washington county. The following children were born to their union : Rosamond, Peter, Christina, Catherine (residing in Illinois), Henry (living in Claysville, this county), William (subject of sketch), Daniel, Mollie (living in West Finley township, this county), and one deceased in infancy, unnamed; all except the two last named were born in Schuylkill county, Penn. In 1818 Mr. Stollar packed a wagon with household goods, and crowding, with the family, inside, moved to Washington county, locating about two miles south of Washington, where they re- mained a short time, thence moving to East Finley township, settled in the midst of a partially cleared wilderness, about half a mile north of East Finley postoffice, and there, in the new home, their two younger children were born. Mr. Stollar died in 1846, and January 5, 1863, his wife followed him to the " undiscovered country."

William Stollar was born January 16, 1813, in Schuylkill county, Penn., and was brought, with his father's family, to Washington county, where he received very little schooling, as his parents were poor and needed his aid in the farm work. He remained at home until he reached the age of maturity, and, on October 18, 1833, was united in marriage with Annie Rockefeller, of East Finley

township, born October 30, 1818, daughter of Na- than Rockefeller, and they had the following chil- dren: Rosanna, born September 20, 1835 (de- ceased); Nathan, born January 19, 1838 (a farmer, living in East Finley township); John, born May 17, 1840 (residing in Nebraska); Rachel. born May 5, 1842 (living in East Finley township); Andrew, born July 17, 1844 (a resident of East Finley town- ship); Nancy, born April 28, 1850 (residing in Washington, Penn.); Henry, born January 14, 1853 (deceased in infancy), and two other children (deceased in infancy). Mrs. Stollar died January 19, 1854, and in 1855 Mr. Stollar was married to Susanna Martin, who was born January 9, 1822, daughter of Daniel Martin, and their children were as follows: Daniel, born March 1, 1856 (deceased May 22, 1858); Margaret Jane, born April 13, 1858 (living in Morris township, this county), and Mary Elizabeth, born December 15, 1861 (living in Johnstown, Penn.). The mother of these children died November 26, 1877, and in 1885 Mr. Stollar was married to Rebecca Bedill- ion, born January 3, 1845, daughter of John Bedillion, of Franklin township.

In 1834 Mr. Stollar moved to his present farm (then an unbroken wilderness, which he himself cleared), situated about one mile and a quarter south of East Finley postoffice, in East Finley township, and continued to follow farming with marked success until he retired from active life to enjoy the fruits of early toil. He has been a Re- publican since the formation of the party. In church relation he is a member of the Valley M. E. Church; his wife is a member of the C. P. Church at Bethel.

W ILLIAM PRIGG. Of that noble army of stalwart pioneers who braved so many dangers and endured such innumerable hardships in the early settlement of Washington county, none can claim greater prom- inence than the Prigg family.

Samuel Prigg, the first of the name to settle in the county, was a native of Maryland, whence, when a young man, he came with his parents to Buffalo township, where Salem Flack now resides, and here built and operated a tannery for some years; later he settled in Canton township. In his native State he had been apprenticed to a tanner, with whom he thoroughly learned the trade, and after following the same for many years, finally settled on a farm, where he passed the remainder of his days. While yet a young man he married Hetty Day, a resident of Washington county, and the children born of this union were: John, Robert, Samuel, Margaret, Rebecca, William, Enoch D. and James. The father died about 1855, the mother about 1853. They were zealous members

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of the Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. Prigg was an Old-school Democrat, an ardent supporter of the principles of Jefferson and Jackson, and one of the organizers of the party in his township.

William Prigg was born August 6, 1815, in Can- ton township, this county, and was reared a typical "farmer boy." His schooling, which was limited to a few weeks in the winter time, was obtained at the primitive establishments of learning in vogue at that time. During his early manhood, when he first started out for himself, his life was one of continual hard work, and it was then that he more particularly manifested those traits of character which have made him so well known in this sec- tion. In company with his brother, Enoch D., he purchased a farm, on which they lived, keeping "bachelor's hall," working and improving the same until they bought another tract, when they divided their holdings, the old home place falling to Enoch's share. William is now the owner of 250 acres of land in Canton township, and is rated as one of its most successful and substantial citizens. On October 6, 1856, Mr. Prigg married Rebecca, daughter of Joseph Mountz. The young couple took up their residence on the Prigg farm, where they remained fifteen years, then moved to the Wolf farm, and in 1886 came to their present place of residence. The children born of their union were: Samuel (deceased), Jackson (married to Margaret McQuay), William (married to Nora Weaver), and Joseph. Like the family generally, in politics, Mr. Prigg has maintained the princi- ples of the Democratic party, but in voting, as far as county and township politics are concerned, he is Independent. A lifelong member of the Pres- byterian Church, he has ever been one of its most active workers and liberal supporters, and lets not his left hand know what his right hand doeth.

[Since the above was written, we have received infor- mation of the death of Mr. William Prigg .- ED.

S® AMUEL W. CARSON, the oldest living representative of the Carson family in Washington county, was born January 24, 1838, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Wright) Carson. Isaac Carson, his grandfather, was born and married in eastern Pennsylvania, whence he came to this county, becoming one of the earliest settlers of Buffalo township, and a prosperous farmer. His children were as follows: James, born April 17, 1798; Thomas, born Sep- tember 30, 1800; Adam, born June 20, 1803; Mary (Mrs. William Bell), born February 14, 1806; Rebecca (Mrs. William Ely), born May 18, 1808; Ann (Mrs. William Wright), born April 15, 1810; Margaret (Mrs. Albough), born May 27, 1812; Isaac, born July 22, 1815; Samuel, born January 25, 1819, and Jane, born May 2, 1821. The par-

ents of this family lie buried side by side in North Buffalo cemetery; they were members of the Seceder Church, and in politics be was a Whig.

Thomas Carson, father of our subject, was mar- ried in 1829 to Mary, daughter of Samuel Wright, and the children by this union are Rachel (Mrs. H. C. Noble), Isaac, Samuel W. and Leman. After marriage Mr. Carson continued to reside on the home place, where he carried on farming and stock raising, and where he and his wife passed the remainder of their busy lives, the father dying January 5, 1865, and the mother January 5, 1876; they were consistent members of the United Pres- byterian Church, and in politics Mr. Carson was an ardent Democrat.

Samuel W. Carson lived nearly half a century on the place of his birth, and in 1885 moved to his present commodious residence, where he has a fine farm of 200 acres, besides which he has another tract of 100 acres in the western part of the town- ship. He has always been engaged in farming, and has met with well-merited success. On December 24, 1874, he was married to Margaret A., daughter of Abraham Zigler, a native of Cum- berland county, Penn., where he married, and had the following named children: Alexander, Mary, Margaret A., Dora, John, Sadie, Agnes and Mar- tha. The Zigler family are all members of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville (near which town they reside), and in politics he is a Democrat. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carson were Frank, Mac, Etta B., Mary (deceased), Van R., Wright, Otto (deceased) and S. C. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Clays- ville; in politics Mr. Carson is a Democrat, and has been one of the party's leaders in his section for years. He has served his township in several capacities with much merit, and for the past six years has been a member of the school board.

OHN M. GRIFFITH, a well-known citizen and prosperous dairyman of Mt. Pleasant township, is a grandson of John Griffith. His great-grandfather, John Griffith, was born in Wales and married Letitia Blackburn. They settled in Mt. Pleasant township, and some of the family located in Maryland in 1765. Their son, John Griffith, (grandfather of subject), came to Mt. Pleasant township, and settled on the old Griffith homestead, where he died.

Isaac Griffith, father of our subject, was born, in 1800, on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, on the headwaters of Raccoon creek, where he grew to manhood. He married Eliza- beth Esler, a native of Mt. Pleasant township, who bore him the following children: Robert (living in Cass county, Mo.), John M. (our subject), James M. (assassinated in Arizona), Isaac M. (deceased),

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Jane (Mrs. T. M. Berryhill, of Mt. Pleasant town- ship), Lizzie (unmarried, living at Hickory, this county), Letitia (wife of T. M. Liggett, of Inde- pendence township) and Hattie Ann (wife of John Liggett, also of Independence township). Mr. Griffith followed farming, and in politics was first a Whig, then a Know-nothing, and finally a Re- publican. In religious belief he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Prospect. He died in 1867, and his wife in 1857.

John M. Griffith was born March 17, 1842, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and was edu- cated in the schools of Hickory, attending also six weeks at the normal school; he afterward taught school several terms in Washington county. On October 22, 1863, lie was united in marriage with Mary Lyle Smith, a native of Smith township, and a daughter of Ebenezer and Margaret (Lyle) Smith, natives of Cross Creek township. Mr. Smith carried on a commercial business in Smith township, this county, for several years, and was a Republican. He and his wife both died in Smith township. Mrs. Griffith has two sisters living: Sarah Margaretta (wife of A. M. Russell) and Jennie O. (wife of Samnel Farrar), both residents of Mt. Pleasant township.

Mr. and Mrs. Griffith began life on their pres- ent farm, which contains 140 acres of well-culti- vated land, where they conduct a profitable dairy business, milking an average of eighteen cows per dav. He built his residence in 1862, and remod- eled it in 1892. In politics Mr. Griffith was for- merly a Republican, but is now a zealous Prohibi- tionist, and he cast the first Prohibition party vote in his township; in 1888 he was nominated for the State Legislature on the Prohibition ticket. He and his wife are connected with the Mt. Pleasant United Presbyterian Church at Hickory, in which he is a ruling elder. They have two children: Maggie Venalla and Edwin Smith, both at home, the former of whom attended Washington Semi- nary, and graduated from Geneva College in 1888; the latter is at present attending Hickory Academy.

G EORGE W. LUELLEN is a grandson of Henry Luellen, who came from the banks of the Ocheeche river in "Old Virginia," to Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., about 1783, and locating on the farm now owned by Grant Moninger, took up 200 acres of land. He was united in marriage with a Miss Barnet, of Washington county, and to their union were born three sons and four daughters: Asa, Luellen (deceased), Mrs. Betsey Slusher (deceased), Jessie (deceased), Reason (deceased), Polly (Mrs. Kearn), and Mrs. Millie Featherland (deceased). Mr. Luellen spent the rest of his life on the farm, and was successful in business.

Reason Luellen, son of Henry, was born in 1795, on the old home farm in Amwell township, this county, where he passed his life, receiving a limited education in the schools of the period. He was married to Sarah Pettit, who bore him the following children: Charles, George W., Jonathan, Bowen (deceased), Henry and Andrew Jackson (the last named being deceased). The mother of these children dying, Mr. Luellen was united in mar- riage with a Miss Reynolds, and they had two children: Sarah (Mrs. Riggle), and Simon, who died in the army. Mr. Luellen devoted his life to farming, and owned a good farm of 180 acres in Amwell township, Washington county, also about three hundred and sixty acres in Iowa. He died on the old farm in 1858, in his sixty-third year.

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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 207

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