Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 21

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 21

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W ILLIAM EWING. The Ewing family are of Scotch-Irish descent. In their blood is mingled the fiery, ardent nature of the natives of Erin, with the conscientious, persevering and thrifty people of Scot- land. The ancestors of the particular family whose history we are now recording were born in County Londonderry, Ireland, and in 1725 came to Amer- ica. Nathaniel Ewing, one of these early pioneers, was a farmer who settled in Cecil county, Md., and reared a family of eight sons, one of whom was George Ewing.

William Ewing, a son of George, came to Fay- ette county, Penn., toward the close of the last century. He was married to a Miss Nancy Con- well who bore him children as follows: George, Nathaniel, John H., Elizabeth Breading (of Pitts- burgh, Penn.), Maria (Mrs. Veech, of Pittsburgh), Louisa (Mrs. Wilson, of Uniontown, Penn.), Mrs. Mary Mason (living in Iowa) and Mrs. Ellen Wal- lace (formerly of Pittsburgh). Of this family, Mrs. Mason alone is living. The father died in Fayette county, Penn. Nathaniel Ewing was judge of Fayette and Washington counties. The children of John H. Ewing were: William, Mrs. Prof. Wood, Mrs. Dr. Speer, Mrs. Dr. Hallock, Col. John Ewing, Dr. George, Samuel and Flor- ence.

William Ewing, whose name opens this sketch, was born in 1823, in Washington, Penn., where

his boyhood was passed. He attended Washing- ton College (Dr. McKennan having been one of his classmates), graduating in 1842, then took a three years course at the Western Theological Seminary. After completing his studies at the seminary he spent several years in Europe in study and travel, and upon returning to Pennsyl- vania took his first charge at the "Chartiers Church," of which he was the pastor for nineteen years.

In April, 1853, Mr. Ewing was united in marriage with Miss Isabelle M., daughter of David Quail, of this county, who was a native of northern Ireland. She died in May, 1883, leaving four chil- dren: John (deceased in his twenty-fourth year); David, an attorney at Pittsburgh, Penn. ; William Brown, one of three assistant physicians at Dix- mont; and Samuel Blaine, a graduate of the Phil- adelphia Law School. On August 1, 1889, Mr. Ewing married, for his second wife, Mary Cathe- rine Herriott, a native of Washington county. He was principal of the Canonsburg Academy for twelve years, being a very popular and influential citizen of that place. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in religious faith a member of the Pres- byterian Church.

OSEPH ALEXANDER HERRON, junior member of the banking firm of Alexander & Co., was born in Monongahela City, Penn., October 16, 1847, the only child of Capt. David B. and Eliza (Alexander) Herron, the latter of whom was a daughter of the late Joseph Alex- ander, who died June 20, 1871, in Monongahela City, where he had been engaged in business up to the date of his death, a period of over forty con- secutive years.

The immediate ancestry of Capt. David B. Herron made their homes in Cincinnati, Ohio. About the year 1841, he and his two older brothers, William and John, made Monongahela City their homes, and they became, with him, identified with the business and social interests of the town for a number of years. Capt. D. B. Herron subsequently became identified with steamboat interests in the upper and lower river trade, acting in the capacity of chief clerk, and commander of some of the steamers. Many of his old surviving friends will recollect his politeness, suave and urbane manner, his strict integrity, his high sense of honor, and obliging and generous disposition. He died March 22, 1864, from disease contracted by exposure on his steamboat in transporting troops, munitions of war and supplies on Tennessee and Cumberland rivers for the Union army. His body lies in the Monongahela cemetery; his brothers are both dead.

Joseph A. Herron received his education at the public schools of Cincinnati and at West Chester,

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(Penn.) Military Academy. Returning to Monon- gahela City he entered the banking house of Alex- ander & Co., conducted by his uncles, William J. ' and James S. Alexander; in 1871 he became a partner, and has continued an active business member to the present time. He is prominently identified in municipal, educational, church and social interests in the place of his nativity; is a trustee in the Monongahela City Manufactured & Natural Gas Company; the Washington & Williamsport Turnpike Co .; the Williamsport Bridge Co., and the Monongahela Cemetery. He is a member of the school board, and a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he and wife are members. On October 25, 1877, Mr. Herron was married to Miss Mary Campbell, daughter of William Campbell, Esq., president of Butler Savings Bank of Butler, Penn. His mother, who survives, is a member of his family.

M ATTHEW BERRY was born January 30, 1823, at Venice, in Cecil township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., the third son of Will- iam Gilmore Berry, Esq., late of the same county.

Matthew Berry, for nearly threescore years, has lived on what is known as the "Peach Garden " farm, one mile south of Canonsburg, Penn. He being the eldest of the Berry family now living, has consented to furnish a brief history of the Berry family from his grandfather, John Berry, to the present time.

The grandfather, Jolin Berry, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, born A. D. 1753. About 1775 he emigrated to the United States, and immediately upon his arrival in the county enlisted in the army for five years, and served under Gen. Washington. In 1780 he was married to Elizabeth Gilmore, who came from Ireland in the same ship with him. In religion he was a Presbyterian, by occupation a shoemaker. After his marriage he settled in Col- erain township, Lancaster Co., Penn. In 1794 or 1795 he visited Washington county, on a prospect- ing trip, and worked one summer for the Rev. Dr. McMillan, the founder of Jefferson College. Late in the fall he returned to his home in Lancaster county, but next spring he again came to Washing- ton county, bringing with him his eldest son, William Gilmore Berry, and purchased a farm of 251 acres, being part of a tract of land owned by Gen. Washington, who sold it to Matthew Ritchie, who by will conveyed it to Alex. Addison, from wliom John Berry purchased it. To this farm he moved his family during the summer or fall of 1796. The farm is still owned by his descendants, the heirs of William Berry (deceased). There were born to John Berry eight children-three sons and five daughters, viz. : William Gilmore,

John, James, Elizabeth, Nancy, Isabell, Ann and Mary. Of these, William Gilmore was married in 1804 to Jane McConnell, daughter of Mathew McConnell, Esq .; John was married to Rachel Phillips; James died unmarried at the age of twenty years; Elizabeth was married to Hugh Car- son, of Ross county, Ohio; Nancy was married to Ebenezer Carson, of Ross county, Ohio; Isabell was married to Jacob George, of Washington county, Penn .; Ann was married to Alexander McConnell, of Washington county, Penn .; Mary was married to Thomas Torance, of Washington county, Pennsylvania.

William Gilmore Berry was born December 2, 1781, in Colerain township, Lancaster Co., Penn., the eldest son of John Berry. He came to Wash- ington county with his father in 1796, learned the trade of house carpenter, and for a short time worked at the trade. In 1804 he was married to Jane McConnell, and to them were born eight children-four sons and four daughters-as fol- lows:

(I). John, the eldest son [see history of John M. Berry, elsewhere in this volume].

(II). Mary, the oldest daughter, born May 22, 1810, was married to John May, February 9, 1837; died February 15, 1893; to them were born nine children, viz .: (1) Phebe, born February 25, 1838, married to Dixon T. McCloy February, 1860; she died in Belmont county, Ohio, February 20, 1890; their family consisted of two sons and two daugh- ters. (2) William B. May, born September 18, 1839, unmarried, lives near Venice, Penn. (3) Rev. John R. May, born February 19, 1841, was married to Samantha Fulton, August 11, 1880; no family; living at Mansfield, Allegheny Co., Penn. (4) Matthew Alexander May, born June 24, 1843, was married to Sara Thompson, in 1862; he died March 6, 1874, leaving two daughters. (5) James May, born April 22, 1845, died unmarried Febru- ary 11, 1870. (6) Jane May, born September 24, 1846, died September 22, 1862. (7) Joseph Car- son May, born May 27, 1848, was married in May, 1889, to Miss Alice Pooler. (8) Anna Mary May, born April 22, 1851, died December 17, 1851. (9) Anna Mary Margaret May, born April 4, 1856, married April 4, 1882, to S. Wilson Scott; he died April 28, 1888, leaving a widow and three daugh- ters; they now live near Venice, Pennsylvania.

(III). Elizabeth, the second daughter of William Gilmore Berry, was born July 23, 1815, and was married to William J. McLaughlin, of Adena, Jef- ferson Co., Ohio, October 27, 1840, where they still reside. To them were born six children: (1) John Mitchell, born January 8, 1843, married to Jennie Neff, and one daughter, now Mrs. Min- nie Philips; John Mclaughlin' now lives near Atalissa, Iowa. (2) Jane Mclaughlin, born De- cember 25, 1844, was married to James L. Haw-

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thorn, October 18, 1866, and has a family of three sons, the oldest of whom, Ross Mitchell, was mar- · ried to Lizzie L. Simpson. (3) William Gilmore McLaughlin, born April 25, 1847, was married to Minnie A. Livingston, June 27, 1872; now living at Adena, Ohio, and has a family of six children. (4) James A. Mclaughlin, born November 24, 1849, was married to Sara Barkhurst, and is living near Harrisville, Ohio; of his family of seven children two are deceased, and three sons and two daugh- ters are living. (5) Samuel R. Mclaughlin, born March 24, 1854, was married to Bell Porterfield, March 20, 1876; living near Atalissa, Iowa; no family. (6) Martha Ann Mclaughlin, born Octo- ber 8, 1856, was married to Alexander G. Haw- thorn February 26, 1874, and died February, 1875, leaving husband and one son, Harry Wilmer.

(IV). Jane, the third daughter of William Gil- more Berry, born in 1817, was married to John Thome, February 17, 1841, and died at Canons- burg, Penn., September 21, 1888.

(V). William Berry, the second son of William Gilmore Berry, was born in 1819; married Eliza- beth Calohan December 1, 1848, and to them were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, their names and dates of birth being as follows: John C., August 26, 1849; Jennie M., November 12, 1851; George A., April 26, 1854; James D., March 2, 1857; Beca C., March 30, 1860; Charley G., October 23, 1863; Samuel L., January 6, 1866; the children are all married except Beca C., who resides with her parents in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

(VI). Prudence, the fourth daughter of William Gilmore Berry, born in 1821, was married to John Carson, of Chillicothe, Ohio; he died in 1849, leav- ing one son, Hugh F. Carson, who lives in Mich- igan. After her husband's death Prudence re- turned to Canonsburg, Penn., where she died in January, 1886.

(VII). Matthew, the third son of William Gil- more Berry, born January 30, 1823, was married in April, 1847, to Margaret Willison, of Hickory, Penn., daughter of Samuel Willison, and to them were born three sons, as follows: (1) W. G., born January 22, 1848, was married December 29, 1869, to Miss Nannie L. Garrett, and they have three daughters: Lillie M., Nannie W. (now Mrs. S. H. H. Arnold) and Maggie I. W. G. is by oc- cupation a house carpenter, now farming, living on the Major Urie farm; in politics he is a Repub- lican, in religion a liberal United Presbyterian; for ten years after 1883 he was secretary and editor of Sheep Register; was a member of the National Live Stock Association Committee of 18 prepar- ing exhibit of live stock at the Columnbian Exposi- tion, Chicago, 1893, representing fine-wooled sheep interests; he is an advocate of advanced ideas in agriculture.

(2) Samuel W. Berry, born in 1850, was mar-

ried to Isabell McNary in November, 1876, and their family consists of three children-one daugh- ter, Elva L., and two sons, Matthew Willison and Walter U. Samuel W. is by occupation a farmer; in politics he is a Republican, in religion a United Presbyterian; he is living at the old homestead. (3) John Alexander Berry, youngest son of Mathew, born in December, 1852, married Rachel McNut, and their family consists of two daughters: Ida May and Grace Hawthorn; by occupation John A. is a merchant, and postmaster at Hous- tonville, Penn. ; in politics he is an ardent Repub lican.

(VIII). James Berry, youngest son of William Gilmore Berry, born March 22, 1827, was married to Martha McConnell, February 22, 1846; she died January 22, 1890; the family consisted of nine children-five sons and four daughters-their names and dates of birth being as follows: Sarah Jane, March 20, 1847; Martha, June 19, 1848; William McConnell, October 21, 1849; James Car- son, June 20, 1851; Anna May, March 28, 1853; Francis Alex, January 3, 1855; John, January 28, 1858; Mary Margaret, April 9, 1859; David Paul, October 28, 1860. Of these Anna May, John and Mary Margaret died in infancy. William, Sarah and Martha live at No. 400 West Pike street, Canonsburg, Penn .; James C. married Kate M. Miller, November 1, 1881, and their family con- sists of two children (they are living at Sheridan- ville, Allegheny Co., Penn. ; he is a member of the White Moton Planing Mill Co., Allegheny, Penn.); Francis Alexander married Mary Elizabeth Mc- Peak, July 26, 1889 (by occupation he is a miller. and he lives in Canonsburg, Penn.); David Paul was married to Bertha Rigby, October 6, 1888 (by occupation he is a house carpenter, and he lives at Copeland, Penn. ).

William Gilmore Berry began his business career at Venice, Penn., working for some time at house carpentry. Soon, however, purchasing a small farm and gristmill, he successfully managed them for a number of years, improving the farm, erect- ing a new dwelling house and new mill, with in- creased capacity. About 1821 he purchased a sınall flock of Spanish Merino sheep from the cele- brated flock of W. R. Dickinson, of Steubenville, Ohio, and from that date until he disposed of his business interests his prominent industry was sheep raising and wool growing. In order that he might increase his flocks he purchased from time to time a number of farms in Washington county and in Ohio. The first purchase was the Nelson farm in Mt. Pleasant township; the second pur- chase was, in company with his brother, John, a farm of 200 acres near Cecil postoffice, in Wash- ington county, known as the Gordon farm. Later they purchased the Spencer farm of 200 acres on Paint creek, Ross Co., Ohio, near the city of

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Chillicothe. In 1834 he purchased in his own in- terest a farm in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., from James Watson, same containing 170 acres. In August, 1835, he purchased the "Peach Garden" farm one mile south of Canonsburg, Peun., containing 300 acres. He moved to this farm his family (except his oldest son John) on tlie last day of March, 1836, and lived for one year in the home now occupied by S. W. Berry. Here he made extensive improvements, building tlie large brick dwelling now owned by Robert John- ston, and very extensive and commodious farm buildings. He purchased and operated the Canons- burg Mills for a number of years, with the land adjoining, mostly now within the borough limits. The aforementioned properties he disposed of from time to time, his son William securing the north end of the Peach Garden farm, while Matthew procured the south end, the Canonsburg Mill prop- erty going to the youngest son, James.

William Gilmore Berry lived for a number of years on the Peach Garden farm, but later moved to Canonsburg, building the dwelling house at No. 404 West Pike street, where he resided until his death October 26, 1866, in his eighty-fifth year; his wife, Jane, died February 25, 1848. He was recognized as being a capable business man, set- tling up a number of estates. Gov. Simon Snider commissioned him justice of the peace for District No. 5, composed of Cecil and Chartiers townships, his commission bearing date December 13, 1815, and to use the language of the commission for "so long as you shall behave yourself well." He held the office until he moved from the district in March, 1836. He was a prominent Abolitionist, and associated in this movement with suchı men as Dr. F. Julius Le Moyne, Maj. Samuel McFarland, W. H. McNary, Joseph Lee and others. He gave liberally of his means to establish and maintain the "Underground Railroad," which put many a black man to the land north of the great lakes, and he lived to read the Emancipation Proclaina- tion of President Lincoln. In politics he was first a Democrat, afterward a Whig, then an Abo- litionist, and later a Republican. In religion he was a Presbyterian, in later life a member of the Associate Reformed Church, and after the union a United Presbyterian, a member of the Speer Spring Congregation from its organization until his death, and for a number of years was a ruling elder in that congregation.

John Berry, the brother of William Gilmore, was born in Colerain township, Lancaster Co., Penn., March 29, 1844, came to Washington county when a boy with his father, John Berry. He purchased from his father his farm of 251 acres in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county, where he lived until his death in 1871. He was married to Rachel Philips, and to them were born

six children-four sons and two daughters: Eliza, Jonathan, John, Mary, William and Rev. Sam- uel P.

Matthew Berry, the subject proper of this sketch, is still engaged in his chosen vocation. He has given the subject of breeding Merino sheep his best thought, and made a success of the same, making most marvelous improvements since he be- gan the business as a shepherd under his father's direction as a boy, and since he became owner of the flock, in 1847. Never being absent at breed- ing or shearing time since he began the business, his aim has been to improve both the fleece and mutton qualities of his sheep, until his reputation as a "flock master " has become national in its char- acter. A great number of flocks in various States trace their origin to this flock, and among the many famous "flock masters" in Washington county he stands near the head. Mr. Berry never aspired to public position in politics; he was first a Whig and since the organization of the Republican party has been a Republican. In religion he was first a member of the Speer Spring Congregation Asso- ciate Reformed, and since the union has been a United Presbyterian, and has been a member of the First U. P. Church at Houstonville, Penn., since its organization.

OHN N. McDONALD. Among the energetic early settlers of Washington county thie Mc- Donald family, of whom this sketch treats, was very prominently identified.

John McDonald (grandfather of John N.) was born in eastern Pennsylvania, where he re- ceived his educational training and grew to man- hood. He was married to Martha Noble, of the same county, a daughter of the founder of Nobles- town, Penn., and the young couple then came to Washington county, locating, in 1775, in Robinson township, on the farm still occupied by their de- scendants. The children born to them were James, Andrew, William, Alexander, Edward, John, Margaret (Mrs. Glenn), Martha (Mrs. Alli- son), Elizabeth (Mrs. Mitchell) and Mary (Mrs. William Nesbit). The father of this family passed the latter part of his life in improving the home farm, and he cleared the meadow on which an Indian trading post was erected. He was a Federalist in politics, and in religious connection was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Can- dor.

Edward McDonald (father of John N.) was born August 13, 1792, in Robinson township, this county, where he was reared and educated and passed his entire life. On April 27, 1819, he mar- ried Margaret Nesbit, of Allegheny county, Penn., and she bore him children as follows: John N., Nesbit, Martha (wife of the late Rev. J. M. Hast-

Sohn n. Mi Dowall

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ings, of West Chester, Penn.), Hannah J., Eliza- beth, Emily (married to Jacob H. Miller), James, Edward and Margaret M. Mrs. McDonald died in 1839, and in 1844 Edward McDonald married Margaret B. Snodgrass, of Allegheny county, Penn. Mr. McDonald followed farming and stock raising, and in politics was a prominent worker in the Whig party, serving as a member of the Legis- lature and asa justice of the peace. In relig- ious faith he was an elder and trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Candor. He died May 30, 1867.

John N. McDonald was born February 10, 1820, on the home farm, in Robinson township, this county, and received a liberal subscription-school education. On October 29, 1862, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth M., daughter of Maj. William Lee, of Cross Creek township, Washing- ton county, and the children born to this marriage were: Edward, Jane Craig, Margaret (deceased), William Lee (deceased) and J. Nesbit. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McDonald settled on the home farm, where the family have since re- sided, engaging in agricultural pursuits. He was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party became an active worker of that body.

He served in the State Legislature of 1853 and 1858, as a representative of Washington county; was also a delegate to the Union State Convention, in 1856; a representative delegate in the convention of 1868; a senatorial delegate in 1876, and again a representative delegate in the conventions of 1880 and 1884. For many years he had been a member of the board of trustees of Washington and Jefferson College; and of his effi- ciency as a school director in his district, of the work he did for the Presbyterian Church of Mc- Donald, and his interest in the cause of education and religion generally, all who knew him were aware.

In fact, it would require a volume to re- cord all that he accomplished in these directions. He was formerly a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Candor, but, in 1886 be- came an elder of the First Presbyterian Church at McDonald, Robinson township. John N. died May 23, 1889, and was buried in the Raccoon cemetery.

Edward McDonald, the eldest in the family of John N. and Elizabeth M. (Lee) McDonald, was born January 11, 1864, on the homestead at Mc- Donald, Penn. In 1884 he graduated at Wash- ington and Jefferson College, and then returning to the farm was taken into partnership with his father in stock raising. In April, 1892, he was elected president of the First National Bank of McDonald. 7

AMES H. ALLEN, editor and publisher of The Saturday Evening Supper Table, an in- teresting illustrated weekly published at the office No. 61 N. Main street, Washington, Penn., was born in that town, July 21, 1857. His grandfather Allen came with his family from Eng- land to this country, and to Washington county in 1829.

John Allen, father of James H., was a native of Lancashire, England, and was about thirteen years old when brought to this country by his · parents. In Baltimore, Md., he learned the trade of shoemaker, which he afterward followed in Washington, in connection with a shoestore. But for fifteen years prior to his death he carried on a confectionery business on South Main street, Wash- ington. In 1845 John Allen was united in mar- riage with Miss Melvina Moffat, a native of this county, and seven children were born to them, viz .: William, died young; Lydia, unmarried; Jennie M., married to Robert M. Gordon, of Waynesburg, Penn. ; and Ella M., James H., Clark J. and Birdie M., all in Washington, Lydia, Ella, Birdie and Clark living together. In 1871, one evening while Mrs. Allen, the mother, was preparing to go to prayer-meeting, the house was struck by lightning, and she was instantly killed in her forty-ninth year. At 5 o'clock in the evening of April 16, 1886, the father was taken ill with neuralgia of the heart, and at 10 o'clock, the same night, he expired. He was a large man, good-natured and jovial, and had a very wide circle of friends. He and his wife were members of the M. E. Church, but in his later years he identified himself with the Method- ist Protestant Church, in which he held office. Socially, he was one of the oldest members of the I. O. O. F. in the county, being one of the charter members of Lodge No. 81, Washington; he had taken all the Chairs, and for several consecutive years was a delegate to various Grand Lodges. Politically, he was an ardent Republican, from the time of the formation of that party. .

James H. Allen received his education at the Union School in Washington, and when a lad of about seventeen summers entered the office of the Advance in the capacity of "devil." Two weeks' revelry in that Arcadian employment showed the stuff young James was made of, and he very prob- ably received prompt promotion; a few months later we find him " sticking type " in the job-room, his banner bearing the aspiring device-"Excel- sior." A year or more later the paper changed hands and name, simultaneously, its new title being Observer, and Mr. Allen was further pro- moted to foreman of the news-room, a position he filled with characteristic ability for several years; he was also manager of the job-room for some con- siderable time. On May 30, 1885, he launched

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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 21

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