Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 212

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 212

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A. R. PARKISON, son of William and Catherine M. (Rodgers) Parkison, is the sole living male rep- resentative of his family, and the only male de- scendant of the early pioneers of that name near Monongahela, where he is now in business.

M ORRIS R. WEIR is a member of one of the most prominent families of Franklin township, and was born January 21, 1846, on the Joseph Weir farm, near Van Buren, this county. He is a son of Joseph Weir, who was born in 1800, and reared on the old home place in Washington county. In early life he was united in marriage with Jemima Squiers, also a resident of Washington county, and to their union were born children as follows: Samuel C., William L., Elizabeth and John B. For his second wife Mr. Weir was married to Mrs. Phoebe Hanna, mother of John V. Hanna, and she bore him two children: Morris R. and Margaret (Mrs. John M. Day). Mr. Weir was a very successful farmer, and engaged extensively in sheep raising, being one of the first in his neighborhood to raise Merino sheep.

Morris R. Weir passed his boyhood on the farm, and received a common-school education, which he has improved by an extensive course of reading.

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On October 24, 1872, he was married to Sarah J., daughter of James McClain. Since his marriage Mr. Weir has resided in the township several years, and has been a resident of Washington borough. In 1891 he removed to his present home, on which he is making many improvements. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Washington, and in politics he is an active worker in the Democratic party.

S AMUEL ANDREW CARTER, a represent- ative farmer of East Finley township, is a native of Washington county, Penn., born in Amwell township, September 17, 1840. His ancestors were of English descent, his grand- father's parents having immigrated to New Jersey, where their son John was born, and lived until his marriage with Rebecca McFarland, when he moved to Amwell township, this county, and here reared a family of eleven children.

Jesse Carter was born in 1808 on the farm in Amwell township, Washington county, and passed his early years at home, receiving but sparse edu- cational advantages. He was united in marriage with Susan Hughes, born in 1807, a daughter of James Hughes, of Amwell township, and she bore him the following children: Sarah Ann (deceased wife of Francis Day), James (engaged in the hotel business in Waynesburgh, Greene Co., Penn.), Rebecca (wife of J. W. Swart, living in Amwell township), George (a butcher in Jacktown, Greene Co., Penn.), Maggie (residing at home), Samuel A., John (a successful farmer of Greene county, Penn.), Henry (a farmer in Kansas) and Mary (who died in infancy). Mr. Carter died in 1874, followed in 1876 by his faithful wife.

Samuel Andrew Carter received a limited edu- cation at the schools of his district. He assisted his father on the farm until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth P. V. C., at Washington, Penn., and took part in the engage- ments at Gettysburg, Stony Creek Station and many others, returning home at the close of the conflict. On January 31, 1867, he was united in marriage with Julia Parkinson, who was born Oc- tober 3, 1844, a daughter of John Parkinson, of Morris township, Greene Co., Penn., whose an- cestors were natives of New Jersey, and they have had four children, all of whom reside with their parents: Lee Anna, born January 1, 1868; Dean, born November 10, 1870; Maggie, born December 4, 1872, and John Clarence, born March 21, 1880. After his marriage Mr. Carter continued to live some time on his father's farm in Greene county, and then purchased one in Morris township, same county, upon which he lived fourteen years, and in 1883 purchased his present place, the "Old Car- roll" farm in East Finley township, this county, situated three miles southeast of East Finley post-

office, and on the headwaters of Wheeling creek. Politically Mr. Carter has always been a Repub- lican, and in religion he and his wife are members of the Valley Union M. E. Church.

AMES M. DUVALL was born November 24, 1839, in East Pike Run township, Washing- ton Co., Penn. He is a grandson of Jacob and Jane (Patterson) Duvall, who were natives of Maryland and descended from Irish ancestry. They came to Washington county, Penn., many years ago, where the following chil- dren were born to them: Mary, widow of Moses Billingsley, of California, Penn .; Harriet, widow of Robert Duvall, of Illinois; Samantha, wife of Lewis J. Weaver, a farmer of East Pike Run town- ship; Jefferson, a resident of East Pike Run town - ship, and eight others who are now deceased. The parents died in East Pike Run township.

Alexander Duvall was born in 1810, on the home farm in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his youth under the parental roof. He was married to Jemima Hannon, who was born in 1809, and they were the parents of seven children, namely: Henry, a farmer of Fay- ette county, Penn .; Jacob, an agriculturist of Allen township, Washington county; James M., of whom a sketch follows; Jefferson, a farmer of East Pike Run township; Isabella, wife of Jacob Crow, now of Madison county, Iowa; Mary M., wife of Isaac W. Richards, and Julia, married to William H. Jackman, a farmer of East Pike Run township. The father of this family died in 1884, and in 1887 the mother passed away. They were members of the M. E. Church.

James M. Duvall was reared and educated on the home place, and on April 10, 1865, was united in marriage with Martha A. Crow, who was born in 1846, in Allen township, this county, daughter of Azariah and Sarah A. (Murphy) Crow, both natives of Washington county, Penn., where the father has followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Crow have had six children, namely: Jacob, John, Martha A. (wife of James M. Duvall), Jane (married to Theo- dore Jackman), Benjamin, and one deceased in in- fancy. The father of this family is now farming in Howell county, Missouri.

To the union of James M. and Martha (Crow) Duvall have been born two children, viz .: Alva J. and Minnie M., wife of Eli Harmal, a farmer of East Pike Run township. James M. Duvall is a very progressive, energetic citizen, and is an active member of the Republican party. He has served three terms as township assessor, two as constable, and has been school director for about fourteen years. Socially he is a member of the American Master Mechanics, Lodge No. 371, at Coal Centre, Penn. The home place, a well-improved farm, is situated two miles northwest of Coal Centre.

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E DWARD H. DAUGHERTY, a prominent resident of Canton township, is a son of John Daugherty, who was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and who, soon after his marriage to Martha Hayes (who was also a resident of the same county), emigrated to America, landing first at New York.

Thence he proceeded to Washington county, Penn., where he settled in Mt. Pleasant township, and began work upon a farm. Together this brave young couple toiled, sharing their burdens and blessings until they crossed the dark river and were again united. Frugal and industrious in their habits, Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty soon acquired a goodly share of this world's wealth. The chil- dren born to them were: Matilda (Mrs. James Ferguson), Edward H., Sarah (Mrs. Thomas Agnew), James, Alexander. Robert and John. Mr. Daugherty was formerly a Whig, and after the party was organized became a Republican. He was connected with church and school work for many years, and ever took an active interest in all questions pertaining to the advancement of his township.

Edward H. Daugherty was born October 22, 1822, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and passed his earlier years upon the farm. When a young man he engaged in teaming through differ- ent parts of western Pennsylvania. In December, 1849, he was united in marriage with Sarah Nes- bit, a member of one of the pioneer families of Canton township, and they have had the following family of children: Mary A. (Mrs. J. L. Hender- son), John H. (deceased), Martha Agnes (wife of John Welsh), Margaret Jane (deceased), Sarah Selena and Willard W. (latter deceased). Mr. Daugherty has a fine well-improved farm of 143 acres, situated in the northern part of Canton township, and equipped with comfortable, com- modious buildings. His success in life has been achieved by hard work, and he is now reaping the reward of years of labor. He is a very active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Cross Roads, as is also his wife.

W ILLIAM H. DICKERSON, a representa- tive of an influential family of Franklin township, is a son of William Dickerson, whose father moved to Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., in an early day. He there located on a small farm, which was a por- tion of the place now owned by Mr. Dickerson. A fort was erected on his property to protect the colonists from the depredations of the savages, who surrounded the homes of the early settlers. Here in the lonely wilderness were born the chil- dren of this pioneer couple, namely: John and

William. Mr. Dickerson's life was, like that of all frontiersmen, filled with toil and danger; he passed his days in tilling the virgin soil, and aided considerably in the development of the county. In politics he was a Whig.

William Dickerson was born on his father's farm in Franklin township, Washington county, where he passed his youth, learning the practical lessons of industry and economy, which were of far more value to the early settlers than a mere text-book education. When yet a young man he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Jolly, also a resident of Franklin township, and to their union were born four children: Asa, Lydia (Mrs. Mel- vin Riggs), John and Sarah (Mrs. William Sturges). Mr. Dickerson married, for his second wife, Martha Clark, a native of Greene county, Penn., and to this marriage came children as follows: Jane (Mrs. William Leonard), Mary A. (Mrs. James Crosby) and William H. Mr. Dick- erson was an enterprising man, and secured his property through his own efforts. Politically he was first a Whig, and upon the formation of the party became a Republican. Hedied in 1860 and his widow in 1890, and the remains of both are in- terred in the family cemetery, which is on the home farm.

William H. Dickerson was born January 5, 1840, on the home farm in Franklin township, and passed his boyhood in the usual farm duties, and in at- tending the neighboring schools. On October 18, 1877, he was united in marriage with Millie, daugh- ter of Christopher Bibby, a resident of Waynesburg, Greene Co., Penn., and one of its earliest settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson have had the following children: Sarah (deceased), Archie and Bessie. Mr. Dickerson is one of the enterprising citizens of the township, and is an active member of the Republican party.

H ENRY LANDEFELD, one of the most ex- tensive travelers in Washington county, and proprietor of the largest clothing establish- ment in Monongahela, is of German birth, a son of Matthias Landefeld.

Matthias Landefeld was born in 1794, in Hes- sen. Cassel, Germany, where he grew to manhood- and received a thorough education. At the age of seventeen years he entered the German army as a volunteer under Blucher, and participated in all of the engagements led by that general, taking part in the world-renowned contest at Waterloo. He had three brothers in the service, all of whom died, and after the war he returned home and fol- lowed coal mining the rest of his life. In early manhood he was married in Hessen-Cassel to Mary Schonewolf, who bore him twelve children, of whom are named the following: Louisa, Jacob,

Hollandefeld

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Louis, William, Reinhardt, Elizabeth, Eliza, Chris- tina and Henry.

Henry Landefeld was born September 17, 1846, in Hessen-Cassel, Germany, and, as is character- istic of the Germans, enjoyed the advantages of a good education. He then spent four years in learning the tailor's trade, paying $60 tuition fee, and furnishing his own clothes in the meanwhile; a long, tedious, and, according to the ideas of many Americans, useless apprenticeship. But if the American people were more prone to emulate the painstaking, tedious preparation by which the Ger- mans fit themselves for a chosen vocation, it would result in better workmen, higher pay, and better times. "Slow but sure" has ever been the ex- cellent motto of the German Empire, and is the watchword of a nation of skilled workmen who can be excelled by none other in their special depart- ments. After serving his time Henry Landefeld started on a journeyman's tour, and from 1864 to 1865 remained at Hamburg, thence traveling through Holstein to Mecklenburg. He then spent four weeks in Hamburg, and from there went to Scotland, working in Leith and Edinburgh. He lay ill six months at the latter place, and upon re- covering attempted in vain to secure work in Glas- gow, so returned to Edinburgh. Some time after- ward he again went to Glasgow and worked there several years; then spent three weeks in Liverpool, from which place he proceeded to Manchester, and in 1867 returned. to Liverpool. He then enlisted in the Fifty-second British regiment, and remained with it five years, having been in the service dur- ing the Fenian trouble at Dublin, Ireland. From Dublin they marched to Limerick, and one year later went to Cork, thence to Malta, where they were stationed four years. He there deserted the army, and after remaining on the island three weeks, escaped as a stowaway on a vessel bound for Constantinople, Turkey. From Con- stantinople, he went to Egypt and Tripoli; thence to Gibraltar, where he lay sick several weeks. On recovering, he embarked at Gibraltar on an American-bound vessel, and, working his way across, first landed in New York. He then left the vessel, and in 1872, after a short stay in New York, went to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he was married on September 17, 1874, to Emily Steinecke, and there followed his trade until 1875. He then went to Salineville, Ohio, remaining there one year, and finally coming to Monongahela, en- gaged as a tailor and cutter with Silas Haley, for whom he worked twenty-three months. At the end of that time he began business for himself as a tailor and clothing merchant, and six years later purchased another establishment, which he re- modeled in 1884. In 1890 he erected his present place of business, which is 135x33 feet in size, and four stories in height, being one of the finest build-

ings in the Monongahela Valley. This is the largest merchant tailor establishment near Pittsburgh, and also carries a full line of furnishing goods and ready-made clothing. Mr. Landefeld has won his remarkable success by his own efforts, and is deeply interested in all public improvements. His children have been born as follows: Minnie C., Charles H., Theodore S., Russell A., Reinhardt L., Frederick W., William M. and Charles W.

M RS. NANCY EALY, widow of Martin Ealy, was born September 10, 1828, in Greene county, Penn., daughter of Ben- jamin McConnell, of that county. On June 20, 1846, she was married to Martin Ealy, an industrious and successful farmer of East Finley township, Washington county.

Martin Ealy was born January 15, 1826, in East Finley township, and passed his early youth in as- sisting his father in the duties of the farm. On attaining the age of maturity he was united in marriage, as above related, with Miss Nancy Mc- Connell, and to their union were born children, of which the following is a brief record: Rosanna, born April 20, 1847, in early womanhood was married to Albert Sampson, and died October 14, 1870; Silas, born June 10, 1849, is now living in East Finley township, Washington Co., Penn., married to Belle Almus; Martha Jane, born Au- gust 10, 1851, is the wife of James Supler, and they reside in West Alexander, Washington Co., Penn .; Clarissa, born March 17, 1853, mar- ried George Smith, and resides in Greene coun- ty, Penn. ; Lucinda, born December 10, 1854, is the wife of John Hunt, and is also living in Greene county; Hannah Minerva, born December 25, 1857, and is living in West Alexander, Done- gal township, this county, wife of Wilson Rockey; John Richard, born June 29, 1859, is married to Addie Whitam, their home being also in West Alexander, this county; Mary Ellen, born Decem- ber 28. 1861, married to John Burns, and lives in East Finley township, this county; Juda Ann, born January 22, 1865, is married to John Booth, and lives in West Alexander, Penn .; Sarah Cath- erine and Ida Florine (twins), born November 17, 1868, died in infancy; Martin Ellsworth, born October 26, 1869, is united in marriage with Miss Addie Sprowls (they are residents of East Finley township); James Albert, born March 25, 1872, is living at home with his widowed mother, and has attended to the work of the farm since the death of his father.

After his marriage Mr. Ealy settled on his fath- er's farm, which is situated in East Finley town- ship, opposite East Finley postoffice, and there made his home sixteen years, when he purchased the well-improved farm upon which his widow resides. Mr. Ealy was a very successful farmer, and

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a man whose death was deeply mourned by the community in which he lived. He was a member of the U. B. Church at Fairmount, and contrib- uted liberally to its support. In politics he was an active worker in the Republican party. Mr. Ealy died March 19, 1885, and his widow now manages the farm with much skill. She is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church at Enon.

A NDREW JACKSON GRIMES, a prosper- ous farmer of Buffalo township, is a grand- son of William Grimes, Sr., who was born east of the mountains in Pennsylvania, and became a pioneer settler of Washington county. He married and settled in Donegal town- ship, where he reared nine children.

William Grimes, son of the above, was born in 1818, on the old homestead in Donegal township, this county, and in early manhood removed to Ohio, where he lived twenty years. He finally returned to Pennsylvania, and passed the remain- ing years of his life on the farm in Buffalo town- ship, which is now occupied by his son, Andrew. He was a successful farmer. Mr. Grimes passed from earth in 1881.

Andrew Jackson Grimes was born in the year 1860, and passed his youth in assisting his father on the farm and in attending school, receiving a good education. His sister Sallie resides with him on a portion of the old farm. Mr. Grimes is a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church at Taylors- town, this county, and in politics is a Democrat, but is not an aspirant for political honors.

OHN McPHERSON, a prominent pioneer of Buffalo township, was born April 1, 1812, in Lancaster county, Penn. His grandfather, John McPherson, was a native of Ireland, where his entire life was passed, and where he died at an advanced age, leaving a son named John.

John McPherson (father of the subject of this sketch) remained in Ireland until about twenty years of age, when he came to America, and settled in Lancaster county, Penn. He was married to Ann Logan, and she bore him children as follows: William, James, John, Daniel, Ann and Mary. Of this family all are deceased except Ann and John.

John McPherson remained in Lancaster county, Penn., until he was five years old, when he ac- companied his parents to Washington county, same State. He received his early education at a log- cabin subscription school, which was near his pres- ent home. Mr. McPherson is now a venerable but hale old gentleman, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. In politics he is a Democrat of the old school, but has never permitted himself to become prominently connected with political questions.

C OLIN R. PRALL, an enterprising and thrifty citizen and prominent agriculturist of Amwell township, is a native of the same, having been born May 9, 1850, on the old farm near "Dunning Hart's."

His grandfather, John Prall, came in an early day from New Jersey to Amwell township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., and located on the old Van- Kirk farm, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was twice married, and reared the fol- lowing family of children: William Harrison (de- ceased), Benjamin (deceased), Jackson, Mary (Mrs. Lacock), and Marguerite (wife of Mr. Stout). Mr. Prall took an active part in assisting to organize and develop the county, and did all in his power to promote any enterprise for the public good. He was a Democrat, but not a politician. He died in his eighty-second year, mourned by many friends.

Jackson Prall was born in 1815 on the old farm in Amwell township, Washington county, and lived there until about a year after his marriage. He was united in marriage with Mary Jane Car- lile, a granddaughter of Mollie Stark, of Revolu- tionary fame. They had one son and one daugh- ter: Colin R., and Mrs. Lizzie Jane Ward, re- siding in Washington county, Penn. After his marriage Mr. Prall purchased a farm of sixty-six acres, now a part of the " Dunning Hart " place, upon which he resided twenty-two years, when he removed to the old farm just south of Martins- burg. South Strabane township, and lived there eleven years, then came to the place on the Na- tional pike, east of Washington, where he now lives, retired from the more active scenes of life, in his seventy-sixth year. Mr. Prall has always given his voice and vote to the advancement of good government, but has never been an active politician. His wife died in 1878.

Colin R. Prall, son of Jackson and Sarah Prall, remained on the home farm until he was thirty- one years of age, and received a good common- school education. On September 28, 1871, he was married to Chris A. Slusher, who was born in 1850, a daughter of Michael and Lavina Slusher. In 1882 Mr. Prall purchased the farm of ninety acres which he now occupies, and which is one of the most valuable tracts in the township. He has, unaided, become a prosperous business man. Politically, he is a Democrat.

q EORGE CUNNINGHAM is a son of Launce- lot Cunningham, who emigrated in 1812 from County Donegal, Ireland, and, land- ing at Philadelphia, first settled in Jefferson township, Washington Co., Penn. In early manhood he was married to Hannah Virtue, also a native of Ireland, who immigrated with her family to America, and the young people began their

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wedded life on the farm in this county which is vet owned by their descendants. Three children blessed their union, namely: George; Isabelle, born in 1821, and Hannah, born in 1823.

George Cunningham was born April 27, 1819, on the home farm in Jefferson township, this county, where he is now residing, and passed his youth in the usual duties incumbent upon a farm- er's son. In 1841 he was united in marriage with Elizabethi Steen, who was born January 27, 1820, on the old Steen homestead in Jefferson township, daughter of Robert Steen, who was of Irish de- scent. To the union of George and Elizabeth Cunningham the following children were born: Hannah Ann (Mrs. McCleary), Robert (married to Jane Ann Scott), Elizabeth, George (married to Annie McCray) and Launcelot. The mother of these children died December 13, 1881. George Cunningham began life on a very modest little farm, but worked away with an unfaltering will and tireless industry. When his father died he bought out the interest of the other heirs in the old place and kept the property in the family name, and he now owns between three and four hundred acres of fertile and well-improved farm land. In politics he has always voted with the Democratic party, and is a counselor and adviser of that fac- tion. In religious connection he is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as trustee, steward, and in various other capacities.

R OBERT B. VANCE is a representative of an old and highly esteemed family of Independ- ence township. He is of Scotch descent, the first ancestor of the family to immigrate to America being one Joseph Vance, who was born in Scotland about the middle of the sev- enteenth century. In early manhood Joseph Vance left the "bonny braes" of Scotland, landing in America some time after, and becoming a pioneer settler of Pennsylvania. He located in Cross Creek township, Washington county, while the Indians were still numerous, and soon achieved a wide- spread reputation as an Indian fighter, many of the dusky warriors having fallen by his unerring rifle. Few if any were more prominently identi- fied with the early settlement of the western por- tion of Washington county than was Mr. Vance. He married and passed the remainder of his life in the wilderness where his first log cabin was erected; during his lifetime the uncultivated land had become a fertile farm. He and his wife passed to their rest at an advanced age, leaving their children to finish the work so nobly begun.

Among these children was a son William, born in 1776, and reared in Washington county, amid the usual trials and dangers of pioneer life. His education was necessarily limited, as schools were

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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 212

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