Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 217

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 217

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Henry Sampson was born May 10, 1843, in

East Finley township, and passed his youth on the farm, receiving a limited education, although his inclinations led him to improve every possible opportunity. In 1883 he was united in marriage with Adeline Maria Parkinson, who was born March 30, 1852, daughter of John Parkinson, of Morris township, Greene Co., Penn. They have one child, Libbens, born May 31, 1884. Mr. Sampson is a prosperous and popular citizen, and in addition to his vocation of general farming was for eighteen years engaged in threshing, but has recently retired from that. He is a worker in the Democratic party. He is a member of the U. B. Church, and his wife of the C. P. Church at Old Concord.

R C. BUCHANAN, a well-known citizen of Hopewell township, was born in 1864, in Independence township, this county. He is a grandson of David, whose father was Samuel Buchanan. The latter came with his wife and son John from Lancaster county, Penn., to Independence township, this county, in 1783, and on April 19, 1785, purchased 300 acres of land on "Worley's Run" of Joseph Worley, who returned to the East. After settling in Inde- pendence township, three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Buchanan, namely: William, Samuel and David, all of whom remained in Inde- pendence township. John took the tract of 225 acres (adjoining the farms of Henry Levens and John and Philip Doddridge) and died upon this farm; Samuel died about 1804 on the old homestead; William settled in Zanesville, Ohio, where he died. David Buchanan settled on a part of the old homestead upon which he built a tannery in 1810, but on account of a fatal accident, by which a son was drowned in the vat, he gave up the business in 1817. His son, David, afterward inherited the old Buchanan farm, now occupied by John McAllister.

R. C. Buchanan spent one year at Canonsburg Academy, also a year at Bethany College. He left school at the age of nineteen years, and com- menced farming in partnership with his brother, remaining in Independence township until 1887. In 1884 he was united in marriage with Miss Cora Denny, daughter of Walter Denny. The grand- father of Walter Denny was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and there married Esther Maxwell. In 1788 he located near Canonsburg, this county, where his children were reared, as follows: Cath- erine, Martha, Margaret, Esther, Eleanor, James, Robert and Walter. The father of this family died in 1802, and the mother was laid by his side in 1843.

Robert Denny was born in 1785, in eastern Pennsylvania, being brought when a child to this

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county. In 1814 he was married to Lydia Mc- Mannis, who bore him children, as follows: Walter, Anne, Esther, James, Robert, Elizabeth, William and Catherine (twins) and Lydia. Of this family, Esther, James, Robert and Elizabeth are deceased.

Walter Denny was born April 30, 1816, in South Strabane township, this county. In 1842 he was married to Mary, daughter of John Welch, of Chartiers township, and their children were Mary Jane, Elizabeth Ann, Margaret L., Sarah L., Sarah E., Robert M., Jolmn W. and Laura (twins), Samuel T., Alice, Agnes, Cora and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Denny passed their first years of wedded life in South Strabane township, then went to Hopewell township, finally locating on the farm one mile and a half west of West Middle- town, where they are now living.

To the union of R. C. and Cora (Denny) Bu- chanan children have been born as follows: Fannie, born in August, 1885; a son (deceased in infancy); Mary, born March 2, 1888; and Nellie, born in August, 1890. In 1887 R. C. Buchanan moved to his present home, situated two miles northeast of West Middletown. He devotes his principal at- tention to raising Spanish Merino sheep, also rais- ing horses and cultivating 131 acres of land. He votes the Democratic ticket, and has been inspect- or of elections three years. In religious faith he and his wife are members of the Lower Buffalo Presbyterian Church.

AMES MARSHALL is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Washington county. The first pioneer of the family name was Hugh Marshall, who was born in the North of Ireland, where, in 1764, he was married to Rosanna Marshall, a native of the same county. Two children, Gilbert and Samuel, were born to them in their native land. In 1776 they emigrated to America, and after a voyage of nine weeks landed at Philadelphia, Penn., afterward moving to Washington county, and settling (about 1778) a short distance northeast of the present city of Washington, where two other children were born: James and Margaret. They soon after- ward purchased a tract of 200 acres of land on Garbys fork of Wheeling creek, in East Finley township, between Gale and East Finley, and made a permanent home in the midst of the wilder- ness, surrounded by Indians, where their two youngest children, John and Hugh, were born. Mr. Marshall had learned the weaver's trade in Ireland, and continued to follow it in America. His land adjoined the property of Robert Carroll, whose brothers were killed by the Indians. Mr. Marshall was living in his log cabin at the time of that tragedy, but probably escaped the same fate by fleeing to the fort when the first signs of the

presence of Indians were seen. Many times, be- fore and after this occurrence, Mr. Marshall and his family sought safety at the fort, which was situated near the present site of Prosperity, but they bravely endured the hardships and dangers, nobly doing their share in developing the re- sources of the wild country. Mr. Marshall died in 1815, and in 1833 his widow followed him to the grave.

Gilbert Marshall was born in Ireland about 1763, and coming to America with his parents grew to manhood surrounded by the privations and dangers incident to the lives of pioneers. In 1801 he was united in marriage with Martha Bell, who was born east of the mountains about 1768, daughter of Robert Bell, of Morris township, Washington county, and to this union the following children were born: Mary, Rosanna, Hugh, Jane (widow of Hamilton Carroll), Margaret, Robert, James, Martha (widow of Joseph D. Carroll), Elizabeth (wife of J. J. Hunter, of East Finley township). Of these Mary, Rosanna, Hugh, Margaret and Robert are deceased. After his marriage Mr. Marshall bought of his father a small piece of land, lying one mile southeast of East Finley postoffice, where he passed the remainder of his life, year by year continuing to add to his prop- erty. He possessed unusual vigor and was evi- dently especially fitted for the life of hardships and struggles that was his portion, but in which he was so successful. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat, and in religion a member of the U. P. Church. After a most useful life lie passed away, in 1864, wearied with the weight of ninety-nine years, having been preceded to the grave by his wife about the year 1857.

James Marshall was born July 10, 1813, on the home farm in East Finley township, Washington county. His only opportunity for an early educa . tion was limited to an irregular attendance at the subscription schools then in the vicinity, and his youth was passed upon the farm with his father. In 1844 he was married to Maria McCaslin, of Greene county, Penn., who bore him two children: Maxwell (deceased at the age of twelve years) and Angelina T. (living in Miami county, Kans.). This wife died in 1865, and in 1867 Mr. Marshall was married to Emery E. Guttery, of Morris township, who died February 21, 1877. In 1881 he mar- ried, for his third wife, Susan G. Potter, of East Finley township, who died October 20, 1891. After his first marriage Mr. Marshall lived on the farm of his father five years, and then resided near Prosperity, Morris township, where he remained some time; thence removed to Ritchie county, W. Va., where he still owns a farm, returning in 1883 to Washington county, Penn., and locating near Dog Wood Grove church, where he is now resid- ing. Notwithstanding his age Mr. Marshall is

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yet an active man. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he is a member of the U. P. Church.

W' ILLIAM CRUMRINE. The Crumrine family, an old one in this county, is of German origin. George L. Crumrine, from whom the family in Pennsylvania is directly descended, emigrated from the Palatinate of Germany to America in 1748, locat- ing in Maryland. A son, Abraham Crumrine, mar- ried there and reared a family of children, among whom was a son John, the father of our subject.

John Crumrine was born January 22, 1779, in what is now Carroll county, Md., near the present village of Melrose. Here he was married in 1803 to Barbara Fohrman. In 1810, having heard of the fertile land in Washington county, Penn., he concluded to seek a home in the then " far West." In order to make preparation for the reception of his family, then consisting of his wife and four children, he went ahead, walking the whole dis- tance there, and purchased a piece of land in West Bethlehem township, near the mouth of Daniel's Run, called in the patent "Snake Den." He walked the entire distance back to Maryland, and in 1811, accompanied by his family, he started on this difficult journey. All his earthly effects were loaded into a wagon, in which there was still found room for the family. The roads were indescribably bad, and the fatigue of the trip may be imagined. With all the vigor of robust youth, he devoted him- self to opening his land and supporting his family. Here twelve more children were born, making a family of sixteen. John Crumrine died January 13, 1857, having been preceded by his wife in 1850.

William Crumrine, the eighth child in the order of birth of John and Barbara Crumrine, was born March 15, 1817, in Washington county, Penn. He was reared to a full knowledge of all arduous farm life, receiving a limited education in the neighbor- ing "log-cabin school." He began life on his own account as a farmer, in which, with the exception of sixteen years, during which he conducted a mer- cantile business at Lindley's Mills, he has been engaged all his life. His farm near Dennis Sta- tion is excellently improved, and yields a handsome income. In 1845 Mr. Crumrine was married to Lydia, daughter of Thomas Ross, of Ruff's Creek, Greene Co., Penn. To them eleven children have been born: John Thomas, a minister at Cedarville, N. J .; Kennedy, a wholesale paper dealer, of Pitts- burgh; Ross, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Hannah Lucinda, wife of E. A. Conger, of Morris township; Mary E., a school teacher, at home; Frank, died in infancy; Homer, living at Deer Lick, Greene county; Stephen, died when young; M. D., who married Nannie McVay, and

assists in the farm work at home; and Timothy and George, who died when young. In politics Mr. Crumrine is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

(SAAC WHITEMAN. Among the native-born agriculturists of West Finley township, none stands higher in the esteem and regard of the community than this gentleman. A represent- ative self-made man, he has from the bottom rung of the ladder of life worked upward to an honora- ble competency, a solid reputation and a good name.

Mr. Whiteman is a son of Isaac Whiteman, who was born in 1764, in Washington county, Penn., and was reared on his father's farm to the noblest of all occupations-the cultivation of the soil. He was here married to Miss Eleanor Maughaman, also a native of the county, born March 7, 1766, and by her he had seven children, viz .: Andrew, Matthias, Esther, Susan, John, Isaac, and one that died in infancy.

Isaac Whiteman, son of Isaac and Eleanor (Maughaman) Whiteman, was born March 1, 1820, in Canton township, this county, in what was then called Razortown, and very early in life commenced working on the farm. When he was but three years of age his father died, leaving a widowed mother with a large family to be provided for; and young Isaac had his share to do in providing food and clothing for them. As a consequence his edu- cational training-inside the school-room-was very limited and meager as compared with the practical lessons he received outside. Up to the age of forty years he worked as a farm laborer by the month, or on rented farms, the first money he earned being for mowing wheat for a neighbor, two days being occupied on the job, for which he received the munificent sum of 64 cents.

Our subject was married December 20, 1840, to Sarah Bedillion, of Washington county, Penn., and nine children were born to them, the follow- ing being their names and dates of birth: Chris- tian B., 1841; Matthias J., July 27, 1843; Eleanor, August 15, 1845; Mary J., March 13, 1848; Elsie M., February 1, 1850; John B., December 29, 1852; Susanna, May 5, 1855; Sarah E., May 20, 1859, and Phoebe B., September 23, 1861, all now living except Christian B., who died young, and Mary J., who died March 16, 1879. The mother departed this life November 8, 1890, a consistent member of the Baptist Church of Enon.

About 1850 Mr. Whiteman bought a farm in West Virginia, investing all his savings in it, and when the last dollar had been paid the title turned out to be totally worthless, so all his hard-earned substance of the best part of his life went like chaff

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before the wind. This disaster naturally much de- pressed him, but being possessed of a stout heart and great will power, he again set to work to re- trieve his lost fortune. This time he bought a farm in West Finley township, this county, the one he still owns, and here commenced to deal in live stock and wool, becoming known in course of time as one of the leading wool buyers in the county. By hard labor, strict economy, and indomitable perseverance Mr. Whiteman has, in spite of adver- sity, made life a success, being now the owner of 300 acres of fine farm land in West Finley town- ship, besides a house and lot in the thriving little town of Businessburgh, where he is now living re- tired from active work. He has been a lifelong member and one of the substantial supporters of the Baptist Church at Enon, in which he is a dea- con, and in politics he has always been a sterling Democrat.

M RS. MARY SPROWLS was born May 13, . 1828, daughter of Hugh and Ruth (En- low) Montgomery, of East Finley town- ship, and is the widow of Simeon Sprowls, a successful farmer of East Finley town- ship, Washington county.

John Sprowls, a native of Ireland. was the first of his family to settle in America. In 1784 he was united in marriage, in Ireland, with Eliza Love (also a native of Erin), and the following children were there born to them: Arthur, Jane, Edward, John, Henry, James, Elizabeth and Nancy. In 1793 Mr. Sprowls brought his family to America, landing first at Philadelphia, thence going to Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., and in about 1795 settling in West Pike Run township, Washington county. Soon afterward they went to Allen township, this county, but at length made a permanent home near the postoffice of Good Intent, in East Finley township, where the remainder of their lives was passed. Two children, William and Mary, were born in America.

Simeon Sprowls was the son of James Sprowls, and grandson of the pioneer John Sprowls. He was born December 13, 1822, in East Finley town- ship, this county, and as his parents died when he was very young, leaving very little property, Simeon was obliged to begin life for himself at the age of twelve years. He worked some time without re- ceiving wages, and was then paid the modest sum of a "levy" per day. He continued to work at whatever would afford employment, and was one of the laborers hired to assist in building the brick residence of Mr. Thomas Stout, which was erected by Isaac Havely. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade with Albert Squires, for whom he worked several years. afterward be- coming his partner. Mr. Squires finally moved to

Ohio, and Mr. Sprowls continued the business. On February 24, 1848, he was united in marriage with Mary Montgomery, and the following chil- dren were born to them: Oliver M., born April 27, 1850 (living in West Finley township, this county); Albert S., born July 3, 1852 (an attorney, living in Washington, Penn.); Alexander M., born No- vember 14, 1854 (deceased in infancy); Harvey, born November 17, 1856 (residing in East Finley township); Ruth, born July 3, 1859 (living at home); George B., born March 5, 1862 (a hard- ware merchant in Claysville, this county); Mar- garet J., born October 17, 1864 (wife of Christian Plants, living in Claysville), and William M., born September 9, 1867 (residing at home).

After his marriage Mr. Sprowls located near Prosperity, on Ten-Mile creek, where he remained a short time, and in 1850 purchased, of Samuel McQuery, a farm in East Finley township, where he lived the rest of his life. He continued to farm and follow his trade until the spring of 1878, when he was suddenly taken ill, lingering only a short time, and on June 24, 1878, passed away. At the time of his death Mr. Sprowls had exten- sive land possessions, having each year added to his original property by hard labor and careful economy. Politically he was a Democrat. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Sprowls has resided on the home farm, which is managed under her di- rection. She is a member of the Windy Gap Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

H ENRY SMITH. Ainong the representa- tive citizens of Union township is this gen- tleman, who has been prominently identi- fied with the interests of the community since locating here. His grandfather, Rob- ert Smith, came from Maryland in 1782, and lo- cated on a farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where some of the family are yet living. An old shot- gun, which was brought across the ocean by his family, has been remodeled, and is yet in their possession. Robert Smith was married to Miss. Jane Moore, a native of Maryland, who bore him the following named children: Daniel, Jennie, Mary A., Nancy, Robert, Betsey, Polly, Margaret, William and John, all of whom lived to be over sixty-six years of age; Polly is the only one yet liv- ing. John Smith, son of Robert and Jane (Moore) Smith, was born on the farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where his life was devoted to tilling the soil. On March 17, 1842, he married Anna, daughter of Henry Croco, of Allegheny county, Penn. Eleven children were born to this mar- riage, all of whom yet enjoy robust health, namely: Elizabeth J., Margaret J., Robert, Henry, Mary A., Lucinda, John C., Belle F., Hettie R .. Ann M. and Adeline M. The father was a stanch sup-

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porter of the Democratic party. He died March 15, 1882, and was buried on the fortieth anniver- sary of his wedding day.

Henry Smith, second son of John and Anna (Croco) Smith, was born in 1849, in Allegheny county, Penn., and passed his youth on the old place. On January 9, 1873, he was united in mar- riage with Amelia, daughter of Matthias Uhr, of Allegheny county, Penn. They began wedded life on their present farm in Union township, Washington Co., Penn., where children have been born to them as follows: Edward U. (attending the Pittsburgh Academy), John H., Lewis R., Howard I., and Frank M. The home place con- tains 157 acres of land, and in addition to general farming Mr. Smith manages an extensive dairy business. In political opinion he is a Democrat, and in religious faith a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Finleyville.

A LEXANDER H. HUSTON is a son of Hugh Huston, who was born and reared in Char- tiers township, Washington Co., Penn., where he attended the common schools. He learned the carpenter's trade, and fol- lowed it successfully for many years. He mar- ried Rachel Swan, a native of this county, who bore him three children: William, Alexander H. and Mattie. Of these, William was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, and Alexander H. is the only one now living. Hugh Huston was a Dem- ocrat in politics, and in religious connection a member of the Associate Reformed Church.

Alexander H. Huston was born in 1840, in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., where he was reared, educated and taught the carpenter's trade, at which he has since worked. In 1862 he enlisted, along with his brother William, in Com- pany D, Tenth Regiment, P. V. I., and was sent to the army of the Potomac; he was wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, where his brother was killed, as above stated. On October 6, 1871, he was united in marriage with Lizzie E., daughter of William Harsha, of Canonsburg, Penn., a son of Thomas Harsha, a native of Pennsylvania, who in early manhood was married to Jane Hutchinson, a descendant of one of the old families of Wash- ington county. They resided in Chartiers town- ship and reared a large family. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics a Dem- ocrat. His son, William Harsha, was born in Chartiers township, this county, and was there educated. When a young man he married Har- riet, daughter of William Fee. The young couple settled on the old place in Chartiers township, where Mr. Harsha died 'in 1860, leaving the fol- lowing children: William G., Lizzie E. (wife of A. H. Huston), Sarah (Mrs. William Hutchinson),

Thomas and George V. The father was a Demo- crat, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

To the union of Alexander H. and Lizzie E. (Harsha) Huston two daughters have been born, namely: Nettie J. and Harriet F. Mr. Huston, in politics, follows in the footsteps of his forefathers, being a straight Democrat; in religion he is a member of the U. P. Church.

D ANIEL MADISON CARY, of Morris town- ship, is a descendant of an old family of English descent. Abel Cary, the grand- father of Daniel Madison, was a native of New Jersey, born of English parentage. He mar- ried in that State, later removing with his family (a member of which was Daniel, born August 13, 1779) to Greene county, Penn. Daniel Cary spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, re- ceiving but little schooling. In 1802 he married Mary Cooper, born July 18, 1783; a daughter of Zebulon Cooper, of Morris township. Shortly af- ter his marriage he removed to Chenango county, N. Y., where he resided for a short time, soon af- terward coming to Greene county, Penn., where · he died in 1868; his wife died in 1854. To them were born ten children: Zebulon, born November 25, 1803; Abel, born October 8, 1805; Jerusha, born August 3, 1807; Mary, born July 15, 1809; Elizabeth, born December 28, 1812; Susanna, born November 13, 1814; Julian, born February 18, 1817; Sylvester, born May 6, 1819; John, born March 23, 1821; and Daniel Madison. With the exception of John, who died when young, the whole family lived to maturity.

Daniel Madison Cary was born August 5, 1823, and was trained to farm life. He received but a meager education, his schooling consisting of about four weeks' annual attendance at a subscription school. In 1844 he married Mary, a daughter of Jacob Huss, an early pioneer of Fairfield county, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Cary lived for a while with his father in Greene county, then pur- chased land near Rogersville, Centre township, same county, living there ten years, when he pur- chased his present farm, where he has since made his home. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cary were born children as follows: William Abel, born August 23, 1845, married Elizabeth J. Bane, of Strabane township, and now resides in Andrew county, Mo .; Harriet E., born May 17, 1848, mar- ried to Stephen Reeves, of Amwell township; Mary J., born December 22, 1850, married Simeon Mar- tin, of Andrew county, Mo., where they now reside; Charles M., born May 22, 1854, died December 8, 1869; Elizabeth Ann, born October 6, 1857, makes her home with her parents: Sarah M., born August 25, 1860, married Axtal Day, of Chartiers town- ship; Florence A., born May 30, 1867, married to

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Washington Breese, of Amwell township. Mr. Cary is one of the influentinl and successful men of Morris township. He is a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife attend the Amity M. E. Church, of which she is a member.

D ANIEL McPHERSON wns, in his lifetime, a worthy representative of an honored race. He was a grandson of John McPherson, a native of Ireland, where he passed his en- tire life. He died at an advanced age, and left a family of children, one of whom was his namesake, John.

John McPherson was born in Ireland, and at the age of twenty years immigrated to America, settling in Lancaster county, Penn. He was united in marriage with Ann Logan, and their children were William, James, John, Daniel, Ann and Mary, all now deceased with the exception of Ann and John. .

Daniel McPherson was born September 5, 1817, in Lancaster county, Penn., and coming with his parents to Washington county, same State, located in Buffalo township, near Atchison, where he grew to manhood, his time being employed in farm du- ties and in attending the common schools. On February 2, 1842, he was married to Nancy Noble, who was born July 19, 1823, a daughter of Will- iam and Rachel (Spencer) Noble, and they had the following family of children: Samuel (deceased at the age of thirty-five years), William (of whom mention is made below), Daniel (also mentioned in this sketch), Rachel, James, Florence, Sadie, Hen- rietta, Mary (Mrs. John Sights, of Morristown, Penn.), and John. Of these children those now living are William, Daniel and Mary.

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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 217

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