Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 214

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 214

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John Maldoon, whose name opens this sketch, was born March 3, 1862, on the farm which he now owns and lives upon. It is situated about three and one-half miles north of West Alexander, in Donegal township, near the West Virginia line. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm and in attending the common schools. On May 25, 1887, he was united in marriage with Annie Rogers, who was born April 24, 1864, a daughter of James Rogers, of Ohio county, W. Va., and three children have been born to them, namely: James Francis, Harry Edgar (deceased in infancy) and an infant daughter. Mr. Maldoon has always lived on the home farm, and followed agricult- ural pursuits. He is an active and industrious young man, and gives fair promise of becoming one of the prominent men in his community. Politically, he is a Democrat.

M ICHAEL WOLFE, deceased farmer of Allen township, was born in 1791, in Vir- ginia. His father, George Wolfe, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and he and his wife afterward moved to Western Virginia, where they died.

Michael Wolfe was reared and educated in Vir- ginia, and in early manhood came to Allen town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., where he followed farming and river life. He was there married to Sallie Allen, who was a great-grandchild of Joseph and Deborah (Hill) Allen. The latter couple were natives of eastern Pennsylvania, and coming to Washington county prior to the Revolution, took up a vast tract of land under a Virginia certificate, and became identified with the earliest history of this county. They were Quakers. Eli Allen, son of Joseph and Deborah (Hill) Allen, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and came on horseback from

Chester county to Fayette county, Penn., where he was married to Sarab Griffith, and finally settled on his father's tract in Washington county, Penn. He died in Indiana.

Joseph Allen, son of Eli and Sarah Allen, was born in Fayette county, where he was reared and educated. In early life he was united in marriage with Alma Thompson, a native of Fayette county, and they moved to a farm in Allen township, Washington county, and he followed his vocation of boat-building. In political opinion he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and was an esteemed citi- zen. He died December 10, 1832, leaving a widow, since deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Letitia, born in March, 1808 (deceased wife of Allen Stockdale); Ruth, born August 30, 1809 (Mrs. Michael Wolfe), de- ceased many years ago; Eli, born January 23, 1811 (deceased in infancy); Sarah (widow of Michael Wolfe), born June 12, 1812; Eli, born March 22, 1814 (deceased in Fayette county, Penn., January 18, 1884, married to Martha Donaldson): Joanna, born September 15, 1815 (wife of Francis McKee, of Uniontown, Penn.); Joseph, born December 4, 1817 (married to Jane Lyons, and living in Beaver county, Penn.); and Barbara (deceased in infancy).

Michael and Sallie (Allen) Wolfe began wedded life on a portion of the Allen tract, in Allen town- ship, and his widow is yet living on seventy-five acres adjoining Stockdale, and rents the home farm. In political opinion Mr. Wolfe was a Democrat. He died November 2, 1880.

OHN M. DUNN. Foremost among the young business men of Morris township stands the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. He is a son of Daniel Dunn, Jr., of Scotch- Irish descent, whose grandparents emigrated from England in early colonial days.

Joseph Dunn came to Washington county at a time when it was but a vast wilderness, carrying his possessions in a bandanna handkerchief. He blazed trees, raised sheep and stock, and when he died he possessed a large estate. He settled over the line in Greene county and there died. He married Elizabeth Montgomery. of Washington county, Penn .. and to this union nine children were born: Sarah, Daniel, James M., Elizabeth, Joseph, Caroline, Hannah, Cassius and William. Of these James M., Joseph, Hannah, Elizabeth and William are living.

Daniel Dunn. Jr. (father of subject), was born October 21, 1830. He was reared to farm life, re- ceived a common-school education, and afterward entered Waynesburg College, from which-but for the untimely death of his father-he would have graduated. He taught school, and after his father's

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death virtually assumed charge of the vast estate which the latter had left. His excellent business ability was here shown, his management of the estate being of a nature which would have done credit to one of much greater experience in busi- ness affairs. In 1856 he married Eunice Minton, who was born April 8, 1836, a daughter of John Minton, of Morris township, and of this union there were the following children: John M .; Joseph Lincoln, born December 25, 1859; Isadore, born August 12, 1862, died November 25, 1865; Clara, born July 29, 1865. Mr. Dunn was a suc- cessful and prominent business man, giving a con- siderable portion of his time to the settlement of estates entrusted to his care. He was elder and superintendent for years in West Union Cumber- land Presbyterian Church and an active worker in church matters. He died June 14, 1886. His widow makes her home with her son, J. Lincoln, who resides on the old home farm near Dunn's Station, Morris township.

John Minton Dunn was born June 7, 1857. He attended the common schools until he attained the age of seventeen, when he entered Waynesburgh College, where he pursued his studies for three years. On account of the failing health of his father, whose position of trust in business and in- dividual possessions required considerable atten- tion, he was called home at the expiration of this time to render necessary assistance. His father's health being partially regained, John M. went to Iowa, and located in Des Moines, engaging in the dry-goods business, but the failing health of his father again called him to the old home to assist in the management and settlement of business trusts, and here he remained until after his father's death, which occurred in 1886. On De- cember 12, 1882, Mr. Dunn married Annie Ross, who was born August 18, 1862, a daughter of Tim- othy Ross, of Morris township, and of English origin, her great-grandparents having been natives of England. Of this union the following children were born: Ross Allen, born October 2, 1884; Laura Isadore, born April 25, 1886; Harold J., born July 5, 1889; and Annie E., born December 23, 1892. For four years after his marriage Mr. Dunn lived on the home farm with his father, and then purchased adjoining land, where he has since resided.

Mr. Dunn is an enterprising business man, and one of the busiest in Washington county, having within the last two years settled four estates. He is secretary of the Morris Oil & Gas Company, deals quite extensively in real estate, owns consider- able farm property, which is worked under his personal direction, and is also a dealer in wool. In politics he is an active Republican, and for six years has been a school director, for two success- ive terms in a Democratic township, which has

two Democrats to one Republican, and was presi- dent of the school board. He was last elected by a much larger majority than at first; he is a man who stands for his convictions in the face of opposi- tion, and of advanced ideas in educational matters. He and his wife are members of the West Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is elder and Sunday-school superintendent. He is stated clerk of the Pennsylvania Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania (the oldest Presbytery of the State), a position he has held for some eight or nine years, being the first elder that ever held the position. He repre- sented the eldership of this Presbytery in the General Assembly at Memphis, Tenn., in May, 1892. He has been trustee of Waynesburgh Col- lege four years, and has been re-elected three times; has been secretary and treasurer of the church for ten or twelve years; has held many positions of trust in his county, and has always declined re-election or re-appointment, never being set aside, and he enters heart and soul into all matters he undertakes: The Morris Oil & Gas Company was organized in 1889, and Mr. Dunn was at once chosen secretary and general manager. He is serving his third term as a member of the county vigilance committee, and has served twice on the county executive committee. He lias been director in the W. Mt. M. N. & W. Telephone Company since the completion of the line in 1889.

Timothy Ross, father of Mrs. John M. Dunn, was a prosperous farmer of Greene county, and was a buyer of cattle, wool, etc. The county line ran through his farm, and he chose Morris town- ship as a living place. He married Joanna Tharp (daughter of Samuel Tharp), and both died many years ago of typhoid fever, the father dying first, the mother a few weeks later. When the wife of our subject was small, an uncle of our subject, Daniel Dunn, Sr., helped nurse them, and he, too, died. Mr. and Mrs. Ross had six children: Ella, Thomas, Hiram, Virginia (deceased), Annie (Mrs. Dunn) and Laura (wife of James Miner, of Jeffer- son, Greene county). Mrs. Dunn's home was in Jef- ferson, where she attended college and graduated.

W ILLIAM RUSSELL is a prominent and influential member of a pioneer family, the first of whom to settle in Washington county being Abraham Russell, who was born in Ireland, and came to America soon after the war of the Revolution. He married in this country, and became one of the earliest set- tlers of Smith township, this county, at a time when the Indians were yet troublesome to the white pio- neers. He was a successful farmer, and served his country in the war of 1812, and died at an advanced age, leaving the following children who lived to

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adult age: William (mentioned elsewhere in this record), James and John (twins, the latter deceased in Allegheny county, Penn. ) and Nancy (wife of Jacob Drake, a farmer of Armstrong county, Penn.).

James Russell (a son of Abraham) was born and reared on his father's farm in Smith township, as- sisting his father both with the farm work and in distilling, which was then a common vocation. among the farmers. About 1819 he was married to Rachel, daughter of Abraham Scott, and chil- dren were born to them as follows: Abraham, Jane (who died of cancer at the age of twenty- eight years), Samuel (living in Guernsey county, Ohio), Sarah (widow of William Aten), James (of Beaver county, Penn.), Mary (Mrs. Alexander Mc- Connell, of the town of Beaver, Penn.), William (subject of this sketch) and Margaret (deceased wife of Lorenzo Cohen). Mr. and Mrs. James Rus- sell passed their married life in Robinson town- ship, this county, both living to a good old age. Like his ancestors before him, he was an excellent citizen, steady and industrious, winning and re- taining the respect of his neighbors. Politically he was a Democrat, deeply interested in the success of his party. His widow survived him ten years, and was then laid to rest by his side.

William Russell (the subject of this biography) was born February 23, 1830, in Robinson town- ship, this county, and began work on the farm as soon as he was old enough to be useful. On October 20, 1859, he was married to Rebecca Gor- don, who was born in 1837, a daughter of David Gordon, of Robinson township, this county, and they have had the following children: James, Rachel, David M. (a farmer living on the home farm in Robinson township), Alice J. and William M. William Russell and his wife first settled on the home farm which he yet owns, and resided upon till 1885. He then came to Smith township, locat- ing on the fertile farm of 170 acres which he is now occupying, situated near the headwaters of Rac- coon creek, about three and a half miles south of Burgettstown, this county. In 1892 Mr. Russell erected a handsome residence which adds to the value and beauty of his property. He has always been a successful farmer and careful financier; he raises the best quality of stock, such as Black-Top sheep, Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs. In politics he is a Democrat, but votes for the man rather than the party, and in religion he and his wife are members of Cross Creek Presbyterian Church.

W ILLIAM H. FRAZIER, a worthy repre- sentative of one of the oldest and most prominent families in the county, comes of Highland-Scotch descent, his great- grandfather, Andrew Frazier, the first of the family to come to this country, having been born in Inverness, Scotland.

Andrew Frazier married, in his native land, Christina Ross, and in 1772 came with his family to the United States, making his first settlement in Chartiers township, this county, where he re- mained some years, and then purchased a farm in what is now West Finley township, same county, which piece of land, some four hundred acres in ex- tent, was at that time nearly all unbroken forest. The children born to this worthy old pioneer were David, Alexander, Daniel, Elizabeth (Mrs. William McDonald) and Nancy (Mrs. John Echols). The parents of this family died in West Finley town- ship, at advanced ages, having experienced all the trials and hardships incident to the early times of their coming here. They were members of the old " Three Ridges " Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Frazier was a Democrat.

David Frazier, grandfather of William H. Fra- zier, was born in 1779, in Washington county, Penn., and the days of his boyhood and youth were passed on his father's farm in Finley town- ship, a few weeks in the winter season being de- voted to attending the primitive subscription schools of the neighborhood. While yet a young man he was married to Jane Ross, of Finley, and then purchased a farm in that township, where he passed the rest of his days, diligently and success- fully engaged in general agriculture. He had in early life studied civil engineering, which he fol- lowed to some extent in the county. To David and Jane (Ross) Frazier were born seven children, as follows: Thomas, Margaret, Andrew B., Jane (Mrs. Daniel McCoy), Christina O. (Mrs. Perry E. Whitham), William and Alfred Ross, all now de- ceased except Andrew B., who is a Presbyterian minister in Bethany, Ill. The father died in 1839, the mother in 1866. They were members and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander. Politically. Mr. Frazier was a Democrat, and held many offices of honor and trust in his township, being a leader in his com- munity. He was elected to the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania, serving one term with marked ability, and he was a justice of the peace many years, in which capacity he was looked up to as a just man and a peacemaker. His walk through life was quiet, unobtrusive and Christian- like.

Thomas Frazier, the eldest son of David, was born in 1810 in that portion of Finley township now known as West Finley, and his early life was spent in Canonsburg, same county, where he was partly educated. He also attended the West Alexander Academy for a time, and then entered Jefferson College, where he graduated about the year 1831. He was twice married: On the first occasion, in 1839, to Nancy, daughter of William Hall, of West Alexander, by which union there were four children: William H., David (in New

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Mexico), Agnes (wife of J. W. Blayney, and re- siding in Washington, Penn.), and one that died in iufancy. The mother of this family dying in 1862, Mr. Frazier married in 1865, for his second wife, Barbara, daughter of John McDonald. After his first marriage Mr. Frazier embarked in mercantile business in West Alexander, where he remained some years, and then moved to New Concord, Ohio, where he continued business in the same line. This he sold out after two years, and then returned to his native township, where he purchased a farm and followed agricultural pursuits, including stock raising, until 1869, in which year he moved to the borough of West Alexander, where he lived a re- tired life until his death which occurred September 17, 1877. His widow still survives him. He practiced civil engineering and surveying for a time, and he it was who surveyed the West Alex- ander cemetery, where his remains now repose. He was a lifelong Democrat, and filled many prominent local positions of trust with character- istic care and integrity, and for the office of justice of the peace, to which he was twice elected, he evinced peculiar aptness. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

William H. Frazier, the subject proper of this memoir, was born April 9, 1840, in the borough of West Alexander, Washington Co., Penn., at the common schools of which place he received his rudimentary education, afterward attending the Mccluskey Academy. In 1870 he embarked in the grocery business at Bellaire, Ohio, in which he continued seven years, and then moved to West Alexander, where he has since remained. On February 12, 1889, he was married to K. R., daughter of W. H. Johnson, of Wheeling, W. Va. Politically he is a Democrat, and during President Cleveland's administration he was appointed post- master at West Alexander, serving the incumbency four years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander, and is a much re- spected citizen.

J OHN HERRON. a prosperous and progressive resident of Washington county, is a son of Joseph Herron, whose father, James Herron, was brought with his father's family to America at an early day.

James Herron was born in County Down, Ire- land, and remained there during his boyhood, coming to America in the latter part of the eight- eenth century. He located in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., on the farm now owned by his grandson, James. In early life he was married to Rachel Reed, a resident of Ohio, and children were born to them as follows: Charles, John, William, James, Robert, John, Joseph, Thomas and Rachel. In politics Mr. Herron was

an active member of the Democratic party, and in religion was connected with the Seceder Church.

Joseph Herron, son of James and Rachel (Reed) Herron, was born January 2, 1797, on the home farm in North Strabane township, and received his education at the subscription schools. On January 3, 1824, he was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Daniel Hastings, of Somerset town- ship, and the young couple settled on the home farm, upon which, in 1850, Mr. Herron erected a handsome brick residence, now occupied by his son James. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Herron were Rachel, born December 15, 1824; Robert, born September 30, 1826; James, born September 18, 1828; John, born August 20, 1830; Sarah (Mrs. Jonathan Peese), born April 22, 1833; Joseph, born December 8, 1834; Margaret A. (Mrs. Robert Munnel), born October 4, 1837; and Elizabeth (Mrs. John B. Herron), born October 6, 1842. Politically Mr. Herron was a Democrat, and served as judge of elections and school director; he was a lieutenant in the militia, and in religious connection was a member and trustee of the Seceder Church, toward which he was a liberal supporter. He died January 25, 1852, his widow on March 18, 1854, and both were buried in the Pigeon Creek U. P. cemetery.

John Herron was born August 20, 1830, in North Strabane township, this county, and passed his earlier youth on the farm, where he received a common-school education. He was married Oc- tober 20, 1862, to Catherine, daughter of Samuel Munnell, and their children are Calvin, William B., Robert S., Edward J., Charles M., John W. and Ray G. Mr. Herron enjoys the esteem of all his neighbors and acquaintances, having won a well-merited success by his own efforts. He is an active worker in the Democratic party, and for several years has been a member of the school board of South Strabane township, giving his aid and influence to the promotion of improvements in the schools. He is equally interested in religious matters, and assists in the support and manage- ment of the United Presbyterian Church at Mount Pleasant, in which he is an elder, and of which he is a devoted member. He is the owner of a well- improved farm, provided with comfortable and handsome buildings.

R S. WILSON is a representative of an early family of Washington county. He is a grandson of Alexander and Betsey (McGibboney) Wilson, natives of eastern Pennsylvania, who came to Washington county and made a permanent settlement in Char- tiers township, where their son John was born.

John Wilson was born in 1776, on the pioneer farm in Chartiers township, and in early manhood

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was there married to Margaret Smith, who was born in Ireland, and immigrated with her parents to America when but a child. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wilson settled permanently in Som- erset township, Washington county. He was drafted and served in the war of 1812. In poli- tics he was a member of the Democratic party, and in religion he and his wife were members of the old Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church. He died in 1850, followed ten years later by his wife, who had borne him children, as follows: James (living in Indiana), Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Yant, deceased in 1888, in Ohio) Hannah (wife of Emery Leyda, deceased in August, 1891, in Somerset township), Mary Jane (Mrs. John Messenger, of Somerset township), Margaret (who died in 1890, in Allegheny, wife of Andrew Atkinson, of Pitts- burgh), John W. (living in Somerset township), Harvey (residing at Vanceville, Somerset township), R. S. (whose sketch follows), Sarah Ann (Mrs. Hiram Myer, of Somerset township), Isabelle (wife of William Milligan, of Gastonville, Penn.), Ra- chel (deceased in 1856), and Martha (wife of Samuel Wright, of Somerset township).

R. S. Wilson was born June 26, 1834, in Somer- set township, Washington county, where he grew to manhood, receiving a district-school education. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Susan, daughter of Simon and Rebecca (Crawford) Wil- son, all of whom were born in Fallowfield town- ship, this county. Her father died in 1863, fol- lowed by the mother in 1867. After his marriage R. S. Wilson resided in Somerset township until 1880, when he bought and moved upon 117 acres in Fallowfield township. He is a member of the Democratic party, and has served as road super- visor and also as a member of the school board. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are: John, who was married in 1890 to Lydia Weddle, and is now living in Mckeesport, Allegheny Co., Penn .; Elmer Ellsworth, residing at Lock No. 4, who was married July 4, 1883, to Laura Province; Florence, wife of A. McGowan, of Lock No. 4, and Bertha, wife of West Piper, living at Charleroi, this county.

0 LIVER P. SHIELDS, a well-known mer- chant and prosperous citizen of Florence, Penn., is of Irish descent. His grandpar- ents were natives of the Emerald Isle, and John Shields (the grandfather) was a tavern- keeper along the Frankfort road in Hanover town- ship in early days. When a young man he had married Ann Murphy, and their children were: Andrew, Robert, Hugh and William H.

William H. Shields was born June 13, 1813, and learned the trade of a plasterer, also working at shoemaking. On April 3, 1839, he was married to Sarah Martha Holmes, who was born December

23, 1816, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Boyce) Holmes, of Smith township. The follow- ing children were born to their union: Oliver P., Carrie (Mrs. Robert McCullough, of Hanover town- ship), James (deceased in youth) and William (who died in Wellsville, Ohio, at the age of thirty- five years). The parents began their wedded life at Bulger Station, Smith township, this county, where he followed his trade. In 1850 he went to California during the "gold fever" excitement, where he remained a few years, and then returned to Bulger Station. In 1859 he came to a farm in Hanover township, and in 1863 moved to Florence, Penn. He died July 2, 1881, his wife surviving him until May 28, 1890, when she was laid by the side of her husband. In politics Mr. Shields was a Democrat, taking an active interest in the polit- ical issues of the day, and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was a trustee.

Oliver P. Shields was born June 13, 1840, in Bulger, Washington Co., Penn. On May 15, 1878, he was married to Mary McConnell, who was born March 30, 1850, a daughter of John and Sarah (Morrison) McConnell, of Hanover township. Five children have been born to the union of Oliver P. and Mary Shields, namely: Sally M., Lee Mc., Walker F., John O., and a daughter who died in infancy. Some time previous to his marriage Oliver P. Shields had been a clerk in the store of Robert Scott, of Florence, Penn., then entered the establishment of James Cleland, in the same town. In 1874 he began business for himself, and has since followed mercantile pursuits, each year in- creasing both stock and custom, until he now has an excellent general store, in the best business room of Florence. Politically, he may be called- to use a political term-a "wheel-horse" of the Democratic party, and has served as justice of the peace, and in several other offices. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has served in various capacities.

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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 214

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