Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 216

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 216

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tinental currency. In 1782 John Coventry and family concluded to secure one of the cheap homes offered to the settlers in western Pennsylvania, and packing up their few earthly possessions, started on foot to make the long and tedious journey across the mountains. The hardships which they endured can scarcely be imagined, yet on they toiled, carrying the little son Robert, who was at that time about two years of age. At last they ar- rived in Hanover township, Washington Co., Penn., and, purchasing a small piece of land, erected their rude log cabin in the midst of the surrounding woods; there Mr. Coventry followed his trade of a weaver in connection with farming. This cabin was soon supplanted by one more substantial, which is yet standing. With true Irish enterprise and industry, John Coventry struggled on, and prosperity finally crowned his patient efforts. When the need of a permanent piece of ground for a schoolhouse became apparent, he gave the necessary amount of land to be used for ninety- nine years, and the building which was thereon erected has ever since been known as the "Cov- entry School." In politics he was a Democrat, adhering closely to the principles of his chosen party. He and his wife were members of the Se- ceder Church, which was nearly ten miles from their house, and they walked the entire distance. A church was afterward organized at Burgettstown, to which their membership was then transferred. John Coventry died February 5, 1845, in his ninety-fifth year, and was laid to rest by the side of the wife who had gone before him April 8, 1832. Both were buried in the U. P. cemetery at Bur- gettstown. The following children were born to this heroic couple: Robert (deceased in Hanover township), William, James (of whom a sketch fol- lows), John (a school teacher, who lived some time in Steubenville, Ohio, thence moving to New Phila- delphia, Ohio, where some of his descendants are yet living), Jane (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased wife of William Smiley) and Martha (deceased).

James Coventry, son of John and Martha (Brown) Coventry, was born in Hanover township, Washington Co., Penn., on the farm where his father first located, there passing his early youth in attending the country schools. In 1824 he was united in marriage with Letitia Coventry, whose parents were born in Ireland. James and Letitia Coventry were the parents of the following chil- dren: Nancy (deceased), Jarrett (whose name opens our sketch), Matilda (Mrs. Joseph Searight, of Allegheny county, Penn.), Mary G. (a maiden lady, of Allegheny county), and John S. (also of Allegheny county). James Coventry resided on the farm now owned by his son, Jarrett, for some time after his marriage, then located near Mur- docksville, in Allegheny county, Penn., where he died in 1851 at the age of fifty-seven years, soon

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followed by his wife. He was a successful farmer, and a conscientious man. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a leading member of the Seceder Church, having been one of the founders of the Robinson U. P. Church.

Jarrett Coventry, son of James and Letitia Cov- entry, was born in 1827, on the farm which is his present home. When a boy he attended the sub- scription schools, but being the eldest son was de- prived of an opportunity to improve even the meager advantages offered in those primitive halls of learning. He was set to work at plowing when so small that he could scarcely reach the handles, and in early boyhood was doing a man's work. He lived with his parents on the old homestead until they died. On November 11, 1875, he was married to Catherine Malone, a daughter of Will- iam and Ruth (Wilson) Malone, and to this union three children have been born, namely: Annie L., John S. (who died in infancy), and James R. Since his marriage Mr. Coventry has made many improvements upon the old homestead, having erected a handsome new residence, barn, and other good buildings. His farm produces a paying quantity of oil. Mr. Coventry is a shrewd, far- sighted man, proceeding cautiously and therefore wisely in his business transactions, and has accu- mulated a good property. He is well and favor- ably known all over the township. Since 1890 he has lived in retirement from active business. Po- litically he is an active Democrat, and has held various township offices. Mr. and Mrs. Coventry are consistent members of the Robinson United Presbyterian Church.

JONATHAN EALY, one of the industrious and successful farmers of East Finley town- ship, is a grandson of George Ealy. Henry Ealy, son of George, was born in 1807, in East Finley township, this county, and remained on the farm of his father until twenty-one years of age, when he began life for himself with 25 cents in his pocket, as capital with which to begin the world. He at once engaged in farm work, and by combining industry with energy, soon saved a small sum of money with which he bought a tract of land situated about two miles down the creek from East Finley postoffice, and having paid for this, purchased more. In 1830 he was married to Hannah Barney, of Greene county, Penn., who bore him the following children: Jeremiah (farm- ing in East Finley township), George (deceased), Philip (a successful farmer of Greene county, Penn.), Jonas (a farmer of East Finley township), and Delilah (deceased after marriage). At the time of his death Mr. Ealy owned over 1,200 acres of land, the result of his own industry and enter- prise. He died in 1882, having been preceded to the grave by his wife in 1873.

Jonathan Ealy was born July 3, 1844, in East Finley township, Washington Co., Penn., where he received a common-school education, and passed his youth in farming with his father, studying a little with his mother in the evenings. On Sep- tember 12, 1869, he was married to Nancy Jane Sampson, who was born February 13, 1842, daugh- ter of David Sampson, of East Finley township, and to them were born seven children, five of whom died in infancy; the two still living are Libbens W., born December 12, 1871, and Fanny E., born June 16, 1874. Fanny has had charge of the household since the death of her mother, which occurred March 12, 1890, and Libbens assists on the farm.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Ealy moved to the "old home farm," living there about fifteen years, when he came to his present home, about one mile farther down Gordon's fork of Wheeling creek, on which place he has since resided. Mr. Ealy has been a very successful farmer, and in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of no church, but at- tends the Fairmount United Brethren Church. His wife was a member of the Cumberland Presby - terian Church.

OSEPH M. CLARK. one of the enterprising residents of Franklin township, was born March 19, 1858, in Buffalo township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., a son of David Clark, an early resident of the township. Joseph M. Clark passed his early youth on his father's farm and in attending the schools of the neighborhood. On May 11, 1882, he was united in marriage with Caroline L., daughter of J. W. Patterson, and to this union one child has been born, Wiley Patter- son Clark. Mr. Clark has always been a Repub- lican, and has taken an active interest in the success of his party. He has served as assistant assessor of the township several years, and discharged tlie duties of that office to the entire satisfaction of all parties interested. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Clark is yet a young man, and has before him the promise of a long and prosperous life.

S ILAS PRICE is a grandson of Joseph Price, a native of France, who emigrated to Amer- ica when a young man. After marriage he settled in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., and there remained until his death.

William Price, son of Joseph, was born in Wash- ington, where he remained until his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of John Horn, of Buffalo township, when he removed to a farm where he passed the remainder of a useful and successful life. He was the father of three children: Will- iam W., Ansodon and Silas. Mr. Price was a Re-

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publican in politics, and in religion he was an earnest worker in the church. He died February 17, 1863, and his remains rest in Washington cemetery.

Silas Price was born November 24, 1858, in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn. On March 16, 1882, he married Nona, daughter of Benjamin Ramsey, of Franklin township. They have no children. Since he has resided on his present farm Mr. Price has made many improve- ments, and has erected a handsome dwelling, which displays evidence of excellent taste. In political opinion he is independent, and has been elected to many offices of trust in his township, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner satisfactory to all interested. He is at present road commis- sioner.

B ENJAMIN RAMSEY, a well-known citizen of Franklin township, was born August 2, 1828, on the home place in Washington county. He improved every opportunity for self-culture, and secured a valuable fund of general knowledge. On March 15, 1854, he se- lected a bride in the person of Priscilla, daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Owens) Carter, whose chil- dren were as follows: Elizabeth, wife of John Sunderland; Jane, married to Simeon McClain; Mary, wife of John Jones; William; Lucinda, wife of Benjamin Carson; Margaret, married to Albert Kelsey, and Priscilla, wife of Benjamin Ramsey. The father was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey have passed their married life on the place where they are now living in Franklin township, and four children have blessed their union, namely: John W., married to Lydia Mosher; Nona, wife of Silas Price, of Canton township; Frank, and Herbert, who was married to Mande Mcclellan, of Allegheny county, Penn. They have one son, Harold H. Mr. Ramsey has been an ardent worker in the ranks of the Repub- lican party, and in religion is a member of the M. E. Church, toward which he gives a liberal sup- port.

H ENRY S. RITCHEY, a well-known farmer of Buffalo township, is a grandson of Will- iam Ritchey, who was a native of Lancaster county, Penn. William Ritchey (father of Henry S.) was born in 1806 in Lancaster county, Penn., on his father's farm, and received his early education in the subscription schools of the period. In early manhood he moved to Ohio, settling near Columbus, but the change proved in- jurious to his health, and after remaining three years in Ohio he returned in 1830 to Pennsylvania,

and located in Washington county. Mr. Ritchey began life as a farm laborer, afterward becoming a renter and cropper. He was married to Sarah, daughter of Henry Smith, whose family were among the earliest pioneers of Washington county .. To the union of William and Sarah Ritchey were born four children: Henry S., William, George (living in Morgan county, Ohio) and Mary (de- ceased). Mr. Ritchey achieved success by his own industry, and at the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1870, he owned nearly 500 acres of land in Hopewell and Buffalo townships. Mrs. Ritchey is living in Ohio, with her son George.

Henry S. Ritchey was born in 1838 in Hopewell township, Washington Co., Penn., and received a very good education, of which he has made practical use. He was united in marriage with Jennie, danghter of John Reed, of Buffalo township, this county, and two children were born to their union: John and William, both of whom are living at home with their father; their mother died in. 1879. Mr. Ritchey's farm consists of 147 acres, upon which he has made many improvements. In politics he is a Republican, and has held varions township offices.

W ILLIAM B. BRIGGS, a well-known agriculturist of Amwell township, comes. of Irish descent, his grandfather, John Briggs, having emigrated from Ireland in 1786, locating in Washington town- ship (now Washington borough), Washington Co., Penn., and here remained thirty years. His chil- dren were as follows: John B., Lazarus, Nathaniel, Marguerite (Mrs. Greer), Polly (Mrs. Been), Rachel (Mrs. Been), all now deceased except Mrs. Polly Been. Mr. Briggs had learned no trade, and therefore engaged in any employment he could secure. He died on a farm in Chartiers township, this county, which was owned by David Quail.

Nathaniel Briggs, son of John, was born in Washington borough, Penn., and, being a child of poor parents, was compelled to begin the struggle with life in very early youth, but made his home with his parents until about twenty-one years of age. He was married to Marguerite Been, of Chartiers township, this county (near Allison's Coal Works), and to them were born the following children: James, residing in Washington, Penn .; William B .; John, living in La Salle county, Ill. ; Robert, residing in Claysville, Penn .; Mrs. Anna Eliza Gibson (deceased); Alexander (deceased); Samuel (deceased); David and Isaac, residing near Washington, Penn. In politics Mr. Briggs was a Democrat; and in religious connection he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He passed from life December 2, 1868.

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William B. Briggs was born February 21, 1830, in Chartiers township, near Washington, this county, and received but three months' schooling during the winter time, in an old log schoolhouse, which was erected on a farm owned by Aaron Miller. He began to carve out his future at the juvenile age of ten years, first working by the month for Jacob Wolfe; he was then employed by Lewis Hawell five years, and afterward worked seven years for William Donelby; then returned home and worked the farm on shares. In 1850 he was married to Emily Haggerty, of Canton town- ship, this county, and they have had eight chil- dren. those who survived infancy being Alexander (residing in Ohio), Simeon W., Mary Marguerite, Washington, John (deceased) and Newton. Mr. Briggs has a pleasant home and nice farm of 106 acres in Amwell township, which he has secured by hard labor, having been the sole architect of his own fortune. In political opinion he is a Demo- crat. He and his family have been members of the Presbyterian Church for thirty years.

J OHN CROUCH is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of North Strabane township. He is a great-grandson of John Crouch, a native of Maryland, who, in a very early day, came with a colony to what is now North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn. He lived and died on his pioneer home, and was buried on the farm. His son John also passed his entire life on the home farm, and here ten children were born to him. Robert Crouch, the eldest son of John Crouch, was united in marriage with Anna Thomas (whose father, Edmond Thomas, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war), and she bore him three children: James L. (deceased at the age of fifty-eight years), Mary J. (wife of Harvey Mc- Vay, of Washington) and John. Mr. Crouch was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church. He died October 10, 1886, and his widow is yet living with her son John. She has also been connected with the Presbyterian Church for many years.

John Crouch. son of Robert Crouch, was born August 19, 1833, on the old farm, and passed his youth at home, attending the country schools of North Strabane township. On January 5, 1854, he was married to Isabella Bebout, who was born April 6, 1834, daughter of Peter Bebout. Mr. Bebout was a native of New Jersey, and coming to Washington county, l'enn., was married to Isa- bella Cooper, a native of Ohio. The children born to this union were as follows: Susan (Mrs. William Bebout), Isabella (wife of John Crouch), Caroline (Mrs. Joseph V. Manes), David, Ira, Herman H., Mary J., Margaret, Joshua, Stephen and Martha J., the last five of whom are deceased. At the

age of eighteen years Mr. Bebout walked from New Jersey to Washington county, and settled in North Strabane township. He died in 1861, and his wife followed him to the grave March 6, 1888. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. and Mrs. John Crouch are the parents of the following children: Robert C., born October 2, 1859; Alphonso, born January 18, 1861; William H., born July 12, 1863; Laura B. (wife of Alex- ander Dice), born October 29, 1865; John B., born June 6, 1868; Sadie B., born September 23, 1872; Clarence A., born October 11, 1877; and Nannie M., born April 6, 1878. After marriage Mr. Crouch settled on the old homestead, where he has been engaged in general farming; he owns 100 acres of land in an excellent state of cultivation, and has one good gas well. He is much interested in educational matters, and has served as school director nine years. He and his wife are both members of the old Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church.

A LVIN M. SMITH. This gentleman, who is one of the leading progressive agricultur- ists of South Strabane township, claims, by reason of his popularity and prominence as a worthy citizen, more than a passing no- tice in the pages of this work.

He is a grandson of John Smith, a native of England, who when a young man immigrated to America, making a settlement in Pennsylvania, where he married and had two children-one son and one daughter-whom he reared to maturity. From the Keystone State he moved to Ohio, and there carried on a general store in Steubenville, in which town he died. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics was a Demo- crat.

Ezekiel Smith, father of the subject of these lines, was born in 1824, in the State of Pennsyl- vania, where he was educated and learned the trade of tailor, which he followed for some years. In 1845 he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph Miller, of South Strabane township, and the children born to this union were John, Alvin M., Henry and William, the last two being de- ceased. The father died in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1854, aged thirty years; the mother is still liv- ing and in good health. After his death the family came to South Strabane township, this county, and made their home with Joseph Miller, with whom the sons remained until they attained their ma- jority.

Alvin M. Smith was born November 6, 1848, in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn., his education, necessarily limited on account of the early death of his father, being obtained at the public schools of the district. Early in life he

Alvin Me Smith

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commenced work as a common laborer, in South Strabane township, in which vocation he continued some ten years, at the end of which time he rented a farm for three years, in the same township, and then purchased the tract where he now resides, and where he has since been prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits, a striking example of what may be accomplished by honest toil, unre- mitting perseverance, sound judgment and un- questioned integrity of purpose. On March 28, 1878, Mr. Smith was married to Harriet, daughter of Adam Beck, of South Strabane township, and the children born to this union are Anna, Harry, Clementina J., one that died in infancy, and John E. (deceased). Politically Mr. Smith is an inde- pendent Republican, and in religious faith he is a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Washington. He is a typical, representative self- made man, having risen by his own individual efforts from the bottom rung of the ladder, step by step, until he is now one of the most prosper- ous men of his township. On his farm was sunk the first well of the famous Smith pool fund, in the year 1886.

AMES A. STEWART is an honored repre- sentative of a family whose name is promi- nently identified with the early settlement of the county. The early ancestors of these pioneers were natives of Scotland, where John Stewart, grandfather of the present generation, was born and reared. He married a maiden from the " Emerald Isle," and soon afterward came to America. They pushed westward from the Atlan- tic coast in search of a cheap home, and reaching western Pennsylvania, they found the object of their quest. He located in Cross Creek township, of Washington county, and taking 500 acres of land in the eastern part of the township, erected a log cabin in the wilderness. Amid dangers and hardships John Stewart and his wife began their home, but with the advent of others the Indians retreated, finally crossing the Ohio river. The visits soon grew less frequent, and the develop- ment of the country became assured as people continued to come from the populated States. John Stewart was one of those hardy, industrious Scotchmen whose aim in life is to implant the principles of honor and industry into the lives of their children. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were born children as follows: John (father of sub- ject). James (who passed his entire life on the home farm), William (moved to Guernsey county, Ohio), Jane (Mrs. Everett, of Ohio), Hester (Mrs. John Thom, who lived on Raccoon creek), Mary (Mrs. Joseph Scott, who moved to Coshocton county, Ohio), (all of whom are now de- ceased). Mr. Stewart died on the home farm in

a ripe old age, after success had begun to crown his years of toil, having been preceded to the grave by his wife.

John Stewart was born in 1788 in Cross Creek township, Washington Co., Penn., on the pioneer farm of his father, and passed his boyhood on the farm, and in attending the subscription schools. In 1818 he was married to Sally Paxton, a native of Maryland, whose parents moved to Washington county when she was a small child. To this union were born the following children: Mary (widow of Robert Liggett), James A. (subject), David M. (a farmer of Cross Creek township), Sarah J. (Mrs. James Smiley, of Cross Creek township), Eliza A. (wife of Wallace Richey, of Hopewell township), John, Nathaniel and Maria, the latter three de- ceased. Mr. Stewart located on the old home farm in Cross Creek township, and there passed his life. He was a man of unusually fine physique, standing over six feet two inches in his stocking feet, weighing 240 pounds. Sickness was foreign to his nature and a physician was never called to attend hin until the illness preceding his death. Nature had also blessed him in an unusual manner by giving him an entire set of double teetli, not a single tooth having been in his head. He was capable of doing an immense amount of work, and always exercised his powers, being an energetic and successful farmer. Politically he was a Dem- ocrat, but not a politician. He died in 1860, and in 1868 his widow was laid beside him.

James A. Stewart was born March 15, 1821, in Cross Creek township, Washington Co., Penn., where he received his early education in the sub- scription schools. This was afterward improved by a course at Wotring's Academy. He then successfully followed the profession of a school teacher for thirteen years, when he began the study of medicine under Dr. Hamilton, of West Middletown, but was compelled to abandon it, owing to failing health. On July 13, 1852, he was united in marriage with Sarah C. Pogue, who was born May 15, 1825, daughter of David Pogue, and she bore him children as follows: David R., John, George, Annie, Mary and Lydia, all of whom are living at home. On account of the physical disa- bility of the father, the sons have charge of the farm, and being energetic and industrious young men, they have the respect and good wishes of the entire community. Mr. Stewart remained in Jef- ferson township seventeen years after his mar- riage, and in 1873 came to Independence town- ship and purchased the "Thomas White" farm, lying about two miles northeast of Independence, which is his present home. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious connection both Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the Bethel M. P. Church.

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H ENRY SAMPSON, an influential and pros- perous farmer of East Finley township, is a grandson of David Sampson, who was born about 1768 in England, where he fol- lowed farming several years, afterward im- migrating to America and locating near Balti- more, Md. He was married to Nancy Jane - , who was born in 1771, and the following children were born to them: Thomas (deceased in Washing- ton county, Ohio), Laban (deceased in Vinton county, Ohio), Benjamin and Abraham (both de- ceased in East Finley township, this county), David (father of subject), William (residing in Washington county, Ohio), and a daughter (de- ceased in infancy, unnamed). After his marriage Mr. Sampson resided for some time in Maryland, where several of his children were born, thence moving to Washington county, Penn., he located in East Finley township, near the present post- office of England, and finally settled on the old home farm, which is situated about two miles from East Finley postoffice, where he died in 1834, hav- ing been preceded several years by his wife.

David Sampson was born in June, 1808, in Maryland, and came with his parents on their long and tedious journey over the mountains to Wash- ington county, Penn. Their worldly property, with which to begin the struggle of life in the wilderness, was hauled in one cart by two horses driven tandem, the members of the family who could not ride following behind the load. They first located near England postoffice, and, having no property, the struggle for existence was a hard one. After some time David returned over the mountains with a hog-drover, and while in the East purchased a tract of unbroken land, erected a log cabin, and thither moved his parents, where they died in 1834. He was united in marriage with Fanny Sprowls, born in 1816, daughter of Arthur Sprowls, of East Finley township, this county, and the family consisted of the following children: Mary Ann (wife of James Sprowls), re- siding in West Finley township; Catherine, widow of Jackson Elliott, living in East Finley township; Nancy Jane (deceased); Arthur and James (both deceased in infancy); Henry (subject of present sketch); John, a farmer of Marshall county, W. Va .; Phobe, wife of William Archer, living in West Finley township, this county; Silas, residing in West Finley township; Libbens, living in Mar- shall county, W. Va .; Elizabeth, wife of James Martin, of West Finley township, and an unnamed infant. Mr. Sampson passed the remainder of his life on the home farm, and became a successful business man. In politics he was a Democrat, and . in religious connection a member of the M. E. Church. He died in 1878, having been preceded by his wife in 1874.

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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 216

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