Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 221

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 221

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W A. VAN SCYOC is a native of East Finley township, this county, having been born there November 24, 1853. He is a grand- son of Enoch Van Seyoc, who was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and came to Washington county in an early day, when the country had few settlers. He located in Pleasant. Grove, in East Finley township, becoming promi- nently identified with the early history of the county, and there reared his family, but in later years removed to Greene county, Peun., locating near Jacktown, where he died in 1864.

Jesse M. Van Seyoc was born January 29, 1823, near the present village of Pleasant Grove, East Finley township, Washington Co., Penn., where he received very limited educational opportunities, and assisted his father on the home farm until some time after his marriage. In 1845 he was married to Mary Rogers, who was born March 31, 1825, daughter of James Rogers, of Morris town- ship, Washington county, and to their nnion chil- dren were born as follows: Phoebe Sibylline, born June 18, 1846. died July 6, 1853; John A., born October 21, 1848, died July 19, 1853; Mary Eliz- abeth, born Jannary 30, 1851 (wife of George Moring, a glass manufacturer, living in Muncie, Ind.); W. A .; Lavina H., born October 6, 1856 (Mrs. B. F. Day, living in Bellaire, Ohio); James A., born August 13. 1859, died May 29, 1883; Mason V., born July 26, 1862 (a carpenter of Washington, Penn. ); and Isadore Etoy, born Jau- uary 9, 1866 (wife of Edward Reisher, a telegraph operator, living in Washington). Some time after his marriage Mr. Van Scyoc moved to a place near Prosperity, Morris township, this county, and con- ducted a gristmill several years. Afterward he embarked in mercantile business at Pleasant Grove, East Finley township, which he followed till 1876, then began farming on land which he- afterward purchased, and several years later moved to Washington borough, same county, where he and his wife now live retired.

W. A. Van Scyoc received a common-school ed- ucation, and began mercantile business in his father's store at Pleasant Grove, which vocation he followed several years. On November 30, 1876, he was united in marriage with Maggie A. Ryan, who was born December 7, 1860, daughter of Joseph Ryan, of East Finley township, and their children were as follows: Gertrude E., born October 17, 1877; Ora B., born September 23, 1880; Maud W., born November 2, 1882; Letcher D., born March 8, 1886; an infant son (deceased), born January 24, 1889; and Vina Verbal, born January 24, 1890, all of whom remain at home. After his marriage Mr. Van Scyoc lived on and managed his father's farm several years; then, in 1881, he resumed mercantile business at Pleasant Grove, East Finley

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township, and disposing of that, in 1890 purchased the "Old Ryan farm," situated about one mile south of Pleasant Grove, where he yet resides, and where he successfully followed farming. He is a prominent member of the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church at Pleasant Grove.

S AMUEL LOGAN is a leading representa- tive of one of the oldest and most prominent families in Buffalo township. His grand- father, John Logan, was born and reared in Ireland, and there passed the earlier portion of his life. When well advanced in years, John Logan immigrated to America with his wife and the following children: Hugh, John, Samuel, James, William, Nancy and Jane. He landed in New York, and then came west to Buffalo town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., where he purchased, from one Williamson, 416 acres of land. It was then in a very rude state of cultivation, and Mr. Logan, with the aid of his sons, at once began the long and arduous task of clearing the pioneer farm. That his efforts were crowned with deserved suc- cess, is evident from the air of thrift and prosper- ity which surrounds that portion of the estate which is still in the possession of his descendants. Mr. Logan was an earnest Christian, and an hon- est and thrifty citizen-a grand specimen of pure and noble manhood. He died in 1819, and was laid to rest amid the sorrow of all who knew him. His children all lived to an adult age, but are now deceased.

Samuel Logan (father of subject) was born in 1785 in Ireland, and received a good education in the common schools of his native country. He was twenty-one years of age when he came with his father's family to America, and on the death of Mr. Logan, Samuel assumed the management of his portion of the estate, which he had assisted in clearing. His brother James learned and followed the blacksmith's trade in Ireland, and another brother, Hugh, learned and followed the weaver's trade, in the old country. After his father's death, Samuel was united in marriage with Mary, daugh- ter of James Lattimer, who was of Scottish birth, and a pioneer settler of Washington county. Be- ing a soldier in the Revolutionary war, he suffered all the hardships incident to military life; he died in 1845 in Perry county, Ohio. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. (Lattimer) Logan were born children as follows: Sarah Jane, Margaret, Mary and Samuel. Of this family Mary and Samuel are the only living children. Mr. Logan added many im- provements to the home farm before his death.

Samuel Logan was born October 29, 18-, on the farm in Buffalo township which is yet in his posses- sion. He attended the subscription, schools, and

succeeded in obtaining a good education. Hisearly youth was passed ou the home farm, and in 1854 he was united in marriage with Sarah Ann, daughter of James Byers, and to their union the following children have been born: Mary (wife of Nelson Doak, of Buffalo township), William (liv- ing in Sugar Hill, Franklin Co., Penn.), Anna (wife of Jacob Weirich, a prominent agriculturist of Buffalo township, this county), Eva (Mrs. Boyd McCoy, living in South Strabane township, Wash- ington county), James (residing with his father on the old homestead), Rebecca, Nettie Olive, Bertha, Maud and Herbert, also living at home. Mr. Lo- gan's farm consists of 100 acres of fine land, lying in the center of a prosperous and enterprising community, and he devotes his time to its cultiva- tion, and to stock raising. In political opinion be is a Republican, and, although not an active politi- cian, he is much interested in the welfare of his party. His family are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and he is highly respected by the community in which he resides.

E LLIS JONES is one of the most genial, popular and eminently successful agricult- urists of Independence township. He is a grandson of Charles Jones, who was born east of the mountains, where he married, and reared a family of six children. Little is known of his life.

Charles Jones (a son of Charles) was born in 1774, in an eastern State, and in early life came to Brooke county, W. Va., where he followed farming and distilling, a practice then much in vogue among farmers. He was married in West Virginia to Keziah Cole, who was born in 1802 in Donegal township. Washington Co., Penn., and she bore him the following children: Susan (de- ceased wife of John Null, of Marshall county, W. Va.). Hannah (widow of Thomas McQuerry, of Marshall county, W. Va.), David, George, Barnet, Ellis, Charles and William. Of these Susan, David, George, Charles and William are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jones resided in Brooke county, W. Va., for some time after their marriage, finally removing to Independence township, Washington Co., Penn., and locating permanently on the home farın, lying about one mile northeast of Dunsfort. He was a very successful farmer and stock raiser. In politics he was a Whig. He died June 7, 1847, being followed by his wife in 1875; both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Ellis Jones was born August 9, 1820, on the home farm in Independence township, and re- ceived a country-school education. On October 14, 1864, he was united in marriage with Keziah McLain, who was born in 1832, in Donegal town-

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slip, this county. Their children are Charles L., Virginia B., Stewart M., Ellis N. and Bertha Lee, all living at home. Ellis Jones has always resided on the old place, from which he has never been absent more than two months at a time. He is kind-hearted and generous, over ready to aid those meriting assistance, and never allowing a man to go hungry from his door. In public life he is enterprising and progressive, willing to assist in furthering any movement tending to benefit the community; he casts his ballot with the Demo- cratic party, and has filled various township offices. His success in life is due to energy and good management. He and his wife are consistent members of the Mt. Zion United Brethren Church.

J OHN W. BERRYMAN, senior member of the well-known grocery firm, J. W. Berryman & Son, in Coal Centre, was born February 2, 1837, near Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Penn., a son of Duncan Berryman, and a grandson of John Berryman, both of whom were natives of New York, where the grandfather died. Duncan Berryman was born and reared in New York, and coming to Allegheny county, Penn., when a young man, was there married to Sarah Grimes, daugh- ter of William Grimes, of Elizabeth, that county. After his marriage Mr. Berryman followed ship building at Elizabeth for several years.

John W. Berryman, whose name introduces this biographical sketch, received a liberal education, and passed his youth in East Pike Run township, this county. He began business life by running a ferry at Allenport, a vocation he followed for some years. In 1876 he came to Coal Centre, where he successfully carried on a meat market until 1887, in which year he entered into partnership with a Mr. Gleason in the grocery trade. In 1888 he purchased the entire business, which he and his son John D. have since successfully conducted. Father and son are active, energetic business men, and by close attention to the wants of their patrons have widened their custom and enlarged their store, which is now one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the locality.

On November 5, 1861, our subject was united in marriage with Annie Hause, daughter of Joseph Hause, and their children were: Ella (deceased), William I. (an attorney), John D. (living in Coal Centre), and Georgia (deceased). Politically Mr. Berryman is a Democrat.

W ILLIAM M. BELL, a progressive farmer of Cecil township, is a native of the same, born in 1823, a grandson of John and Mary Bell, natives of eastern Pennsylva- nia, who came to Washington county and to Cecil

township at an early day, buying three farms, one of which was in Peters township. The grandfather after coming to this county passed his life in Cecil township. He was a Revolutionary soldier.

John Bell, a son of the above-mentioned couple, was born in Virginia, and coming with his parents to Washington county was reared and educated in Cecil township. In early life he was married to Mary Hall, a native of Chartiers township, this county, and they settled on a farm in Cecil town- ship, where eight children were born to them, of whom William M. is the only one yet living. The father was an active worker in the Whig party, and a stanch supporter of W. H. Harrison. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Bell were members of the Presby - terian Church at Miller's Run, of which he was a ruling elder. He died about the year 1854, in his eighty-fourth year, followed by his widow in 1876, she being then ninety-three years of age.

William M. Bell, the subject of these lines, was born on the farm adjoining his present home, and was educated in the subscription schools of Cecil township, in the same district where he is now liv- ing, and where he has devoted his attention to farming and carpentry." In 1846 he married Miss Roxanna Smith, a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., and the young couple began married life on the farm where they are yet residing, and which comprises 103 acres of well-cultivated and fertile land. Twelve children blessed their union-seven daughters and five sons-six of whom are now liv- ing, namely: J. S., Charlie, Florence, Georgie, Leonora and Alexander; two of the sons and two of the daughters are married. In politics Mr. Bell is a pronounced Republican.

A ADAM WEIR (deceased), who in his life- time was one of the well-known, represent- ative, native-born citizens of Franklin township, first saw the light May 27, 1801, on the old family home place, known as the "Stephen Post farm."

He was a son of Samuel Weir, who was brought by his parents when a young child from Scotland to America, the family making a final settlement in Washington county, Penn., some locating near Pigeon creek, while others made a settlement near Van Buren. Samuel was here married to Mar- garet, daughter of John Clark, and they then settled on the Stephen Post farm, where they passed the remainder of their days. The names of the children born to them are Joseph, Adam, Thomas, Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel and Sarah (the latter married to a Mr. Rettig), all now de- ceased. Mr. Weir was a lifelong farmer, eminently successful in his vocation. For many years he was a consistent Presbyterian, in which faith he died; in politics he was an active Democrat.

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Adam Weir passed his boyhood and youth in working on the farm, and attended, during the winter months, the subscription schools of the neighborhood. On December 1. 1825, he was united in marriage with Sarah Carter, who bore him the following named children: Margaret (who died in Washington county), Jane (deceased), William (in Franklin township) and Henry B. This wife dying, Mr. Weir was afterward, on May 19, 1836, united in marriage with Phœbe Tucker, and the children by that union were Samuel H. (deceased), John N. (in Franklin township), Sarah (wife of Frank Gabby) and Phoebe D. On May 14, 1850, Mr. Weir was again married, this time to Mrs. Cynthia Kane, daughter of Mathias Minton, and widow of C. C. Kane, and one son was born to them-Adam, Jr., of whom special mention is made further on-and one daughter-Lell, in Pittsburgh. Adam Weir, Sr., came in 1840 to the present residence of his widow and youngest son, and made many improvements thereon. At his death he was the owner of a large farm, the ac- cumulation of a lifetime of hard work. He was an active and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church and all public enterprises,, and was uni- versally respected. Mr. Weir died July 15, 1866, and is buried at Prosperity.

Adam Weir, Jr., son of Adam, Sr., and Cynthia Weir, was born October 21, 1851, was educated at the common schools of the home neighborhood, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He had to commence work early in life, and with true filial devotion has remained with his mother, having charge of the farm, which comprises 300 acres of prime land. He has for several years dealt ex- tensively in live stock of all kinds, and is recog- nized as a thorough-going young business man, and has a wide acquaintance and a multitude of friends. On September 18, 1879, he was married to Ella, daughter of Thomas Hanna, of Morris township, and their children were Thomas A. (de- ceased in infancy), and Helen, Flora H., Fannie M. and Mary C., all yet living under the paternal roof. Mr. Weir is a stanch Democrat, and has served as school director of his district. He and his wife are members of the Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church.

SAAC N. LYTLE was born December 26, 1849, and is a son of Benjamin, who was a son of Joseph, who was a son of Robert Lytle, a record of whom appears on page 953, this volume.

Joseph Lytle was born in 1790, on the home farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where his youth was passed. He was married to Margaret Murphy, of Washington county, and they resided several years in Mercer county, Penn., but finally returned

to the old homestead in Allegheny county. Joseph died, leaving five children, viz .: Benjamin, Anne, Sarah, Isaac and Mary, of whom Isaac is the only survivor.

Benjamin Lytle, son of Joseph and Margaret (Murphy) Lytle, was born October 25, 1810, in Beaver county, Penn., but passed his early life in Gastonville, Washington county. In early youth he was apprenticed to Benjamin Higbee to learn the trade of cooper, commencing business for himself in 1831. In 1838 he married Miss Arsula McFar- land, of Peters township, Washington county, who bore him the following children: W. G., Mary J., Joseph F., Josephine M., Isaac N., Anna L., James E., John H. and Maggie T. Mr. Lytle continued to follow his trade until 1851, when he bought a farm, moving upon it in 1852, and re- mained there until 1875. During this interval he purchased two other small farms, the three places containing about 140 acres. In 1875 he built a store-room and dwelling in Gastonville, this county, and, taking up his abode in the village, opened a real estate office. He was an active worker in the Democratic party and held many township offices; in religion he was a member of the Baptist Church, in which he served as deacon. He died June 14, 1887.

S AMUEL G. SKILES. This progressive and enterprising citizen of Chartiers town- ship, one of the most extensive and best- known dairymen of Washington county, deserves prominent place in this work.

He is a grandson of Gideon and Jane Skiles, early residents of Lancaster county, Penn., who came to Washington county abont the year 1822, where they passed the remainder of their pioneer lives. Samuel Skiles, their son, was born July 25, 1810, on the old home farm in Lancaster county, and was, as will be seen, about twelve years of age when he came with his parents to this county. At the age of sixteen, lie hired to drive a team, which business he continued to follow, handling freight to and from Pittsburgh, and afterward from Pitts- burgh to Philadelphia and Baltimore. In 1840 he was united in marriage with Sarah Guthrie, who was born July 5, 1820, and eight children were born to this union, viz .: Jane (deceased wife of John W. Gaston), Isaac L. (married to Miss Sydney Armstrong). Margaret Ann (deceased wife of Moses Ross), Belle (deceased wife of Joseph Kerr), Sarah Nancy (Mrs. Amos Anderson), Samuel G., George M. (married to Nancy Willard) and Agnes R. (deceased). The mother of these chil- dren died April 2, 1861, and on April 25, 1865, the father was married to Margaret Aun Watkins. He died May 6, 1888, a member of the Associate Reformed Church.

Samuel & Skiles

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Samuel G. Skiles, the subject of this sketch, was born May 3, 1852, noar Bower Hill, Peters township, Washington Co., Penn. He resided on the farm during his early life, and attended the com- mon schools. On September 12, 1877, he married Emma Agnes MeGibboney, born March 6, 1855, in Nottingham township, Washington Co., Penn., near Mnuntown, daughter of George and Rachel McGil- boney, and the following children have been born to them: Rachel Agnes, Samuel McGibboney (de- ceased in early childhood), Flora Jane, Sarah Nancy, William Lytle (deceased), Mary Margaret, James Glenn and Georgia Alice. Mr. Skiles has taken an active interest in school and local affairs. His farm contains 130 acres of fertile, well culti- vated land, where he pays special attention to the dairying business. At present he has a fine herd of Holsteins, and he is engaged in breeding that far-famed variety of cattle. The milk from his cows he ships to the Pittsburgh market. In relig- ious faith he and his family are all members of the United Presbyterian Church.

AMES WILSON, SR., was born in Ireland, date of birth and emigration to America not being known. He left Burnt Cabins, Bed- ford Co., Penn., about 1780, and settled four miles east of the town on what is now the National road. Coming, later, to the town of Washington, he purchased original lot No. 291 (which is to-day the site of Smith's store, corner of Beau and Main streets), erected a log house thereon, and opened a tavern, under license granted by the first court held in the county, October 3, 1781.

Some time later he purchased the certificate to lot No. 21, original town, on the east side of Main street, where the "Morgan block" now stands, deeding this new purchase to his son, Hugh, August 15, 1786, and in 1792 conveyed to him the certificate, and made the title perfect in him. The house erected on lot No. 21 was the great hall of the town, where meetings and enter- tainments were held, until Dr. John Julius Le- Moyne opened his drug store therein; subsequent- ly, until 1815, Mrs. Baker conducted a " Female Seminary " within its walls. James Wilson, Sr., resided in his pioneer house (corner of Main and Beau streets) until his death in 1792. He be- queathed that property, with 200 acres adjoining the town, to his widow, Margaret Wilson, for her use until James, their youngest son, should be- come of age, when it was to be equally partitioned between John, Thomas and James Wilson. Hugh, having previously received a liberal endowment in improved and vacant property in and near the town, was not named in the will; subsequently, however, he acquired title to the pioneer house 66

(above referred to), from his youngest brother, James, and was owner for a long period. Hugh was well known as a business man, and he acquired quito a large amount of property in and near the town.

Hugh Wilson was married August 18, 1788, to Rachel Leet, daughter of Isaac Leet, and sister to Maj. Daniel Leet, to which marriage four chil- dren were born: Rebecca, Margaret, Rachel and Hugh W. Mrs. Rachel Wilson died February 14, 1818, and Mr. Wilson married Mrs. Margaret Fleming, widow of Jeremiah Fleming, to whom she had been married at Newtown-Limavady, Ireland, and after whose death she emigrated to Pennsylvania with her danghter Catherine, to make her home near her sisters, Mrs. Robert Ham- ilton and Mrs. Patterson, who had located at Washington, Penn., some years before. This daughter, Catherine, married John B. McFadden, a silversmith of Washington, and moved with him to Pittsburgh; her daughter, Ann, married Gen. Alexander Hays, a brave officer in the Mexican and Civil wars. To the marriage of Hugh Wilson and Mrs. Margaret Fleming one daugh- ter was born, Eliza, married to Rev. Thomas Swaim, who was pastor of the Baptist Church at Washington from 1846 to 1850. On the death of Mrs. Margaret Wilson, Mr. Wilson married Eliza Spencer, a native of England, who survived her husband many years, dying without issue.

In 1786 Hugh Wilson became the owner of the lot now occupied by the " Watson Building," by donation from his father, and carried on business there for many years. He died April 13, 1832. Of his children by Rachel Leet, Rebecca mar- ried James Blaine, who in 1809 opened a dry- goods store next to the house of Hugh Wilson, and a few years later they occupied the stone building inherited by his wife, Rebecca, from her father, and erected by David Bradford, of Whis- key Insurrection fame, in which they resided until death removed them from the pioneer circle. Mr. Blaine was a member of the town council in 1816, burgess in 1818-22 and again in 1839, and jus- tice in 1817, 1840 and 1845. Margaret Wilson married John, son of Col. James. Marshel (her husband was elected sheriff in 1835, but resigned to become cashier of the Franklin Bank (now the First National) before the close of his term. ' In 1857 he retired from banking, and ended his days at his residence near Washington). Rachel mar- ried Richard W. Harding, and in 1882 was resid- ing at Bethlehem, Penn., with her son, who is professor of natural science in Lehigh University (her eldest daughter is Mrs. Rebecca Harding Davis, the authoress); Mrs. Harding died in 1884, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Davis, in Phil- adelphia.

Hugh W. Wilson, fourth child of Hugh Wilson,

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was born in Washington, Penn., February 22, 1812, grew to manhood there, and ultimately set- tled on the farm which his grandfather had pur- chased in South Strabane township. His mar- riage with Frances Emma Barlow, daughter of Thomas and Frances Anica (Preble) Barlow (and niece of Commodore Preble), of Allegheny county, took place April 25, 1837, and to this union came the following named children: Edward Preble. born April 25, 1838, now residing at Cincinnati, Ohio; James B., born November 25, 1839, now residing on the farm in South Strabane township, which was the property of his great-grandfather, and occupying the house erected thereon by his grandfather; Clara, who married A. T. Baird, a sketch of whom appears in this biographical rec- ord, and Frances Emma, who died in infancy. Mrs. Frances E. Wilson died February 12, 1845, in her twenty-seventh year, and Mr. Wilson was remarried September 9, 1847, this time to Sarah Neville, a niece of Gen. Neville. She died Sep- tember 30, 1856, leaving two children: Neville Craig, born October 30, 1850, died January 1, 1887, and Rebecca Blaine, born September 12, 1853, died February 18, 1879. Hugh W. Wilson died May 13, 1861, in his forty-ninth year. From his youth he was a farmer until the closing years of his life, when he devoted his principal attention to fruit growing, and, later, to floriculture. His sudden death was caused by internal rupture pro- duced by rapid walking. Thomas Barlow, his father-in-law, was the secretary of his uncle, Joel Barlow, who was U. S. minister to France during the Napoleonic wars, and while in Russia during the campaign witnessed the burning of Moscow, and the terrible scenes following Napoleon's de- feat; he buried his uncle, Joel, at Cracow, Poland, where he died from the effects of the excessive cold.

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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 221

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