Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 222

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 222

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The Leet family, into which Hugh Wilson mar- ried, date their origin in America to 1685, when the grandfather of Isaac Leet left Mansfield, England, and found a home in the New Jersey colony. In 1751 Isaac Leet removed from New Jersey to Virginia, and found his way to Washing- ton county, Penn., in 1779, following his son Daniel, who came in 1770. To Isaac and Rebecca Leet children as follows were born: Daniel, Rachel (who married Hugh Wilson), Jonathan (who mar- ried Mary, a daughter of Dr. Thomas Moore, and died in South Strabane township), Isaac (who died in Canton township), Elizabeth, Rebecca (who married Enoch Dye) and two or three others. He located 351 acres of land, under a Virginia certifi- cate, which was surveyed January 6, 1807, and named "Leet's Fancy." The father of this family died there, and was buried where now is the Weirich cemetery. Jonathan Leet was the father of six children, one of whom was Isaac Leet, a

prominent attorney, who was State senator in 1834, and later a member of Congress until his death in 1844. He married Margaret Swearingen Cook, daughter of John Cook and granddaughter of Andrew Swearingen. Mary, a danghter of Isaac and Margaret Leet, is the wife of James B. Wilson, grandson of Hugh Wilson. Maj. Daniel Leet was born near Bordentown, N. J., November 6, 1748. He was commissioned surveyor of Au- gusta county, Va., April 17, 1776. He served in the Revolution as quartermaster and paymster, and on September 21, 1778, was promoted to the rank of brigade major. During and after the Revolution he was a leader of men. At Crawford's defeat he did not act as brigade major, but as the second in command, having been elected to the position by the volunteer force. He stood high in his profession of surveyor, acting as one of the commission in fixing the county seat of Washington county, and districting it into townships: serving as deputy surveyor before the western line of the Common- wealth was established; making the survey of the Second District of the Depreciation lands; making the survey within the reserved tract where Alle- gheny is located; laying ont and surveying the other reserved tract at the mouth of the Beaver river, etc. He was made justice of the peace and ex officio associate judge when the county was erected, and was a representative in the General Assembly in 1791 and in 1792.

HARLES A. BAILEY, one of the well-known citizens of Washington, while not long a resident of the county, has, since making his home here, been actively indentified with the hotel interests of the city of his adoption.

He was born in Cattarangus county, N. Y., in 1844, of New England ancestry, his father, James Bailey, having been a native of Massachusetts, a man in his earlier days skilled in various lines of business. In later life, however, becoming con- vinced that to be truly successful a man should have a single and distinguishing occupation, he dis- posed of his various interests, and thence fortli de- voted himself exclusively to farming in Erie county, Penn., where he died in 1850. In Massachusetts he was married to Miss Amelia Alcott (whose brother was a writer of considerable note), a consin of Louise M. Alcott, whose "Little Men and Lit- tle Women" has given her a national reputation. By this union there were five children, only two of whom are now living-our subject and one sister, the former of whom was but for years old when his mother died in Erie county. Penn., whither the family had removed the previous year. The father married again, and by this second union there is one child, Frauk H., who early in life evinced nat- nral mechanical tastes, and in course of time be-

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eame proficient in mechanical drafting. He now hokls the position of past assistant engineer U. S. N., in the Army and Navy building, at Wash- ington, D. C. He is a graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy, which he had entered as a eadet engi- neer. The father died when our subject was six years of age.

Charles A. Bailey passed his boyhood in New York until the age of fifteen years, when he ro- turned to Pennsylvania and took up his residence in Titusville, devoting his time to the restaurant business through the oil regions until 1886, in which year he removed to Washington, Peun. Here for five years ho conducted the " European Hotel," now known as the "Allison Honse." Some time after coming to Washington and engaging in business, he formed a partnership with S. B. Mc- Kennan, which has since continued. The old "Fulton House" was leased by Mr. Bailey, and for a time he conducted it as the leading hotel of the place; but proving unprofitable as a hostelry, it was converted into an apartment house, and so continued until January 5, 1893, when, having been thoroughly renovated, it was reopened to the public as a first-class house, the name " Hotel Main " being given it by the courteous and wide- awake proprietor, Charles A. Bailey, who conducts it in a thoroughly efficient manner.

In 1864, in Crawford county, Penn., Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of E. D. Gillett, of that county. No children have been born to them, but in 1882 they adoped a four-year- old child, from that time known as Gertie Bailey. In November, 1892, after an illness of some six weeks, she died, aged fourteen years. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and he has surrounded himself with a host of friends. He is a great lover of animals, especially "man's unsel- fish friend "-the dog.

H J. GAMBLE, M. D., one of the leading and most successful physicians of Washing- ton county, is a native of Allegheny county, Penn., born in Elizabeth township Janu- ary 9, 1846. Samuel Gamble, his great- grandfather, was born in Euniskillen, Ireland, March 17, 1702, and in an early day came to America, settling in Fayette county, Penn. He was married twice, first to Prudence -- , by whom he had twelve children. He afterward mar- ried Elizabeth Patton, by whom he had two chil- dren, viz. : Rebecca Lyon, born 1781, and John.

John Gamble, the youngest son of Samuel, was born in Fayette county, Penn., May 9, 1783, and for many years was a prominent school teacher in his section. On March 15, 1808, he married Mary, daughter of Hezekiah and Mary (Brant) Douthitt.

John Gamble moved to Westmoreland connty, Penn., and conducted a general store and a hotel at West Newton until 1817, when he proceeded to Allegheny county and purchased a large tract of land in Elizabeth township, all of which is still in the possession of his descendants. He died November 7, 1875, his wife having preceded him to the grave March 27, 1848. Mr. Gamble was a member of the Round Hill Presbyterian Church, of which he had been an elder many years. Polit- ically, his sympathies were with the Democratic party, and for a long time he served as a justice of the peace in Allegheny county. He was gifted naturally with a mind clear on legal points-in law and equity-and was looked up to as the gen- eral adviser of the community among whom he might be living.

Samuel H. Gamble, father of subject, was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., February 8, 1812, and received a liberal education at the subscription schools of the district during the winter months, . the rest of the year being devoted to laboring on the farm. On October 30, 1832, he was married to Margaret J., daughter of John Irwin, of whom special mention will be made further on. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Gamble settled on a farm in Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, where he died July 14, 1879 (the mother is still living). He was a member and substantial supporter of the Round Hill Presbyterian Church, and in politics he was a Democrat until the break- ing out of the war of the Rebellion, when he be- came a Republican. He was an active and pro- gressive self-made man. Six children were born to him, as follows: Sarah Ann, who married Caleb Edmundson (they reside on their farm in Forward township, Allegheny county); Harriet, married to John Bridenthall (he and wife resided in Mckeesport; Mrs. Bridenthall died 1869); Oliver Perry, a farmer and merchant at Independence, Kans. (he married Harriet Hefley); John H. (sub- ject); Rebecca Jane, married to William Hayden, a farmer and dairyman near Mckeesport; James Harvey, a farmer and dairyman of Forward town- ship, Allegheny county, residing on the old farm (he married Margaret Mckinney).

Dr. Gamble's maternal great-grandfather, John Irwin, was born in Pennsylvania, was an agricult- urist and died on his farm in Allegheny county. He married Margaret Fulton, of that county, a Covenanter who came to Westmoreland county with her parents when she was nine years old. After her husband's death, she moved to Washing- ton county and settled on her farm. The home farm in Allegheny county is now owned by Will- iam Irwin. To John and Margaret (Fulton) Irwin were born children as follows: Martha, Margaret, Polly, Susan, Henry and John. Of these John was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., and was

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married to Sarah La Fever, a native of Allegheny county, Penn., and daughter of Minard (a cooper) and Charity Elinor La Fever, French Huguenots, and early settlers of Allegheny county. John and Sarah (La Fever) Irwin settled on the homestead of his mother in Forward township, where he car- ried on farming operations. They had ten chil- dren. Mr. Irwin, for his second wife, married Ann McConnell, by whom he had six children. Mr. Irwin served in both the war of 1812 and the Black Hawk war. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and in political affiliations was first a Whig, afterward a Republican.

H. J. Gamble was reared in his native county, and at the common schools of the neighborhood of his boyhood home received a liberal education. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Company G. Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was assigned to the army of West Virginia, participat- in the Shenandoah campaign, and during the lat- ter part of their service they were with Sheridan. At the close of the war our subject received an honorable discharge and returned home. In 18- he entered the academy at Monongahela, where he remained some time, then attended the Normal School at Edinboro, Erie Co., Penn., and, after- ward the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill. Having now completed his education, in turn he became an educator, and for some time taught school in various parts of the States of Illinois and Kansas. In 1870 he entered the office of James C. Gamble, M. D., in Lawrence, Kans., where he remained some three years, reading med- icine, at the end of which time he attended the Homeopathic Medical College, of Missouri, in St. Louis, from which he was graduated in 1874. Dr. Gamble commenced the practice of his chosen pro- fession at Lawrence, Kans., remaining there one year, after which he practiced a year in Wilkins- burg, Allegheny Co., Penn., and then in 1876 came to Monongahela.

On May 11, 1876, Dr. H. J. Gamble was mar- ried to Mary J., daughter of John Reynolds, and six children blessed their union, viz .: Harvey R., Robert R., Charles O. (deceased), Harold, and Margaret (deceased) and Mary (twins). Dr. and Mrs. Gamble are members of the Presbyterian Church; in politics he is an active Republican, and was nominated for Congress by the Prohibi- tion party in 1888. In that year he was appointed supreme medical examiner of the Equitable Aid Union, and he has held various local offices of trust. Dr. Gamble is a progressive and energetic citizen, and takes an active interest in anything that is beneficial to his city. In 1886 he erected Gamble's Opera House. He is one of the leading educators of the county, and takes advanced ground on all educational questions:

IRWIN FAMILY.

(a) John Irwin married Margaret Fulton, and had children as follows : (b)-Martha, Margaret, Polly, Susan, Henry and John. Of these (b) Martha married Martin Adams, and had four children; (b) Polly married Abel Finley, and had children: (c)- David, James, Martha, Mary and Margaret ; (b) Susan married Robert Douglas, and had children: (c)-John, Robert, Presley, William, Margaret and Isabel; (b) Henry married Katherine Johnston, and had children: (c)-Margaret Ann, Sydney, John, Hetty Elinor and Martha.

(b) John Irwin was twice married, first time to Sarah La Fever, and had children: (c)-Harriet, Margaret Jane, John Brady, Joseph La Fever, Charity Elinor, Mary Catherine, Rebecca Ann, Martha Ann, Henry Fulton and Susanna. Of these (c) Harriet married Hezekiah Donthitt Gamble (for children see Gamble family record further on); (c) Margaret Jane married Harvey Gamble (for children see Gamble family record further on); (c) John Brady married Martha Case, and had chil- dren as follows: (d)-John (deceased), Nancy Diana (married Fantley Ball and had one child, (e) Myr- tle), Rosella (married Frank York, and had two children), Joseph, Henry and Mary (all three de- ceased), Daniel Risher, William Donthitt, Sarah Mary and James Gamble (last named deceased); (c) Joseph La Fever married Jane Westbay Finley, and had one child: (d)-Harvey Austin (married Mary Torrence, and had one child, (e) Harry Lowry); (c) Mary Catherine married (first) Thomas Clark, and by him had children: (d)-Zwingle, Margaret Ann (married to Lorenzo Wilgus, and had one child, (e) Olive C.); Mary Catherine mar- ried (second) Thomas Penney, and by him had children: Duane, Olive Jane (married to William Smith, and had children: (e)-Duane Penney, Mand W. and Nollie); (c) Martha Ann married Sinclair Edmundson and J. Ralston, and her children were: (d)-Presley S. Edmundson (married Sarah Jane Spikler, and had children: (e)-Ann Gertrude and Kate), William Orlando Edmundson: Harvey Gam- ble Edmundson (married Alice Straight, and had children: (e)-Clara Jessie, V. Viola, Mary and Edna), Sarah Jane Edmundson, Finley Ellsworth Edmundson and Henry Burke Edmundson; (c) Henry Fulton married Eliza Peet, and had chil- dren: (d)-Evangeline. Myrtle Bell and Susan D .; (c) Susanna married Eli McLanghlin, and had children: (d)-Sarah. Margaret and James.

(b) John Irwin's second wife was Ann McCon- nell, and their children were (c)-Sarah Alice, Nancy Diana, Finley Donglas, Loressa, William Wilson and Amaretus. Of these Sarah Alice married Thomas Wilson and had children: (d)-Anna Bell, Susan Poe, Samuel Morrow, Loressa, Nora Tell and Irwin: William Wilson married Nora McHenry,

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and had children: (d)-Frank, Albert, Harry, Anna Bell, John, Marion, Margaret and Harriet E .; Amaretus married John Wilson, and had children: (d)-Edward, Elizabeth, Clyde I., Herbert, Er- skine, Lorossa M., Elmer and one unnamed.

LA FEVER FAMILY.

(a) Minard La Fever married Charity Elinor , and had children: (b)-William, Isaac, John, Eliza, Rachel, Abram, James, Rebecca, Hannah, Katie, Sarah, Ann, Polly and Diana. Of these (b) William married Mary Price, and their children were: (c)-Price, Chambers, Irwin, John, Levi, Abram and Isaac; (b) Isaac married Sarah , and had children: (c)-Abner, William and Rebecca; (b) John married Harriet

and had children: (c)-William and Curtis; (b) James married Elmira Peet, and had children : (c)-Mary, Anu, Rachel, Hannah, James and Thompson; (b) Rebecca married William Will- iams, and had children (c)-Vaughn. Mary, Ellen, Rachel and Eliza; (b) Hannah married George Stevens, and had children: (c)-Eliza, Thomas, Martha, Harrie and William; (b) Katie married William McConnell, and had children: (c)-Mary, John and Katie; (b) Sarah married John Irwin, and had ten children, as already enumerated; (b) Ann La Fever married Kirkpatrick; (b) Polly married Cromwell; (b) Diana mar- ried Thompson Peet, and had children: (c)-Char- ity Elinor, Melissa Ann, James Burke, Mary Han- nah, Maria Jane, Sarah Hepsah and Eliza Emily.

GAMBLE FAMILY.

(a) Samuel Gamble, born March 17, 1702, mar- ried (first) Prudence -, and had children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Martha, 1750; Jonas, 1751; Prudence, 1753; Da- vid, 1754; Jane, 1756; Esther, 1758; Aaron, 1760; James, 1764; Rebecca, 1765; Samuel, 1767; Mary. 1770: Sarah, 1771. (a) Samuel Gamble married (second) Elizabeth Patten, and had children: (b)-Rebecca Lyon, boru 1781, and John, born 1783.

(b) John Gamble married Mary Douthitt (dangh- ter of Hezekiah and Mary (Brant) Donthitt), and their children were (c)-Hezekiah Donthitt, Eliz- abeth, Samuel Harvey, James Carothers, John, Mary Brant, Oliver Perry and Hiram.

Of these, (c) Hezekiah Donthitt married Har- riet Irwin, and had children (d)-Mary, John N., James Harvey, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Hezekiah Douthitt, Margaret Jane, Martha and Catherine Celia. Of these, (d) Mary married Sam- uel Bell (had children: (e)-Hezekiah Gamble (married to Mary Atkinson, by whom he had two children: (f)-James and Vedora), James Gamble, Xenophon, Alexander Miller. Mary Aletta and Charles Donthitt); (d) John N. married Margaret

J. Boyd; (d) James Harvey married Rhoda L. Harrison (had children: (e)-Corwin, Bell, Auna Martha, Charles Summer, Findley Wilson, Robert Alvey, William Knox, James Douthitt and Har- riet Mary); (d) Sarah Ann married Adam McCon- nell (had children: (o)-Harriet Aun (married to John Edie), John Findley, James Everett, Celia Iantha, William Clarence, Ella Jane and Clyde Irwin); (d) Elizabeth married Charles C. Taylor (had children: (e)-Selwyn Melvin (married to Mary Nolan), Inlu Maude (married to Albert Munhall) and Anna Laura); (d) Rebecca married Daniel Risher (had children: (e)-Sarah Crady, Naney Denny, Charles Bayha, John C., Harriet, Dillie Munson and Donthitt Gamble. Of these, (e) Sarah Crady married James B. Neel, and had one child (f) Susan Rebecca; (e) Charles Bayha married Mary Fairfield, and had one child, (f) Mary; (e) John C. married Minnie McEnnlty, and had one child. (f) Lonise). (d) Hezekiah Douthitt Gamble married Emma Bell Hair (children: (e)-Hattie Leila, Burtus Douthitt, Eva May, and Laura Margaret); (d) Martha Gamble married Henry N. Patten; (d) Catherine Celia married Enclid Allen Richards (children : (e) - Vincent Gam- ble, Clyde McConnell, James Melvin, Floyd Her- bert, Frank Allen, Harriet Marie and Mary Ella).

(c) Elizabeth Gamble married Levi Edmundson, and had children: (d)-Havilah Gamble, Drusilla Douthitt and Lacea Phillips; of these (d) Havilah Gamble married Sarah Pearse (children: (e)-Al- berta, Joseph, George, Elizabeth and Margaret), and (d) Drusilla Douthitt married J. J. Bowers (children: (e)-Elizabeth, Edwin, Harriet, Alice and Anna).

(c) Samuel Harvey Gamble married Margaret J. Irwin, and their children were (d)-Sarah Ann, Harriet, Oliver Perry, John Henry, Rebecca Jane and James Harvey. Of these (d) Sarah Ann mar- ried Caleb Edmundson (children: (e)-Mary Jane, Margaret, Rebecca, Catherine, Anna Marthia and Charles); (d) Harriet married John Bridenthall; (d) Oliver Perry married Harriet Hefley; (d) John Henry married Mary Jane Reynolds (chil- dren: (e)-Reynolds, Robert, Charles, Harold Selwyn, Mary and Margaret); (d) Rebecca Jane married William Hayden (children: (e)-Lawrence, Meredith and Bennett); (d) James Harvey married Margaret McKinney (children: (e)-Nancy, Olive, Frank and Mary).

(c) James Carothers Gamble married Hannah Thomas, and had children: (d)-Xenophon, Mary and John; of these, Mary married Mr. Presley (one child: (e) Laura).

(c) Hiram Gamble married Jane Torrence, and had children: (d)-Hezekiah Douthitt, Power Tor- rence, Ellert A., Oliver Perry and Mary Elizabeth; of these, Power Torrence married Emma Wilson (children: (e)- -- and Mary).

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AMES W. WILLIAMS, a prominent farmer, and enterprising and progressive native-born citizen of Fallowfield township, was born June 17, 1843, on the farm where he is yet living. His father, Francis Hull Williams, was born February 24, 1799, near Courtney, Union township, this county, and was a lifelong farmer. His father went to Ohio to take up land, and was killed by Indians. Francis Hull Williams was married April 7, 1825, to Rosanna Jones, who was born May 4, 1804, and died September 18, 1870. She bore him the following children: Elizabeth, born February 18, 1826 (married to G. McIlvaine, of Carroll township); Margaret, born May 16, 1827, died in 1828; Thomas, born December 20, 1828, died May 13, 1831; William J., born January 20, 1831; John W., born February 21, 1834; Ruth E., born March 9, 1836 (married to William Stoneman, and lives in Churchill, Ohio); Francis H., born June 6, 1838; David N., born August 25, 1840; James M., whose sketch follows; Samuel, born April 2, 1845, died April 29, 1855; and Rosanna, born April 10, 1847, died September 29, 1848. The father of this family died February 25, 1856. He was a member of the M. E. Church, as was also his wife. The farms of the five surviving sons adjoin one another and cover an aggregate of over one thousand acres.

, James M. Williams received his early education in the schools of Washington county, and remained at home until the death of his parents. On Septem- ber 19, 1862, he enlisted in the "Ringgold Bat- talion" (22d Pennsylvania Cavalry), remaining in the service two years and ten months. His first com- mander was Capt. Milton W. Mitchner, who resigned in April, 1864, being succeeded by Capt. James Y. Chessroun. Mr. Williams served through the entire Shenandoah Valley campaign, taking part in all the engagements of the Ringgold Battalion. He had a severe attack of typhoid fever while in the army, and after the conflict returned home to Washington county. On October 30, 1873, he was united in marriage with A. Estelle, daughter of W. Philips, a prominent farmer of the county, and their children are Clara E., Ruth E., and Nancy B. On Mr. Williams' farm are two gas wells, also a large coal mine which has yielded him a good profit. In politics he is a Republican, and has served five years as supervisor of his township, refusing re-election. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.

HOMAS WEIR IRWIN is a great-grand- son of John Irwin, who was born in County Down, Ireland, and who, in 1801, together with his wife, their son William, and his wife (Margaret McCormick, whom he mar- ried in 1800), two other sons-James and John-

and one daughter, all left their native land together for America, intending to come by the same ship. William, just before the vessel sailed, went back for something he had forgotten, and when he again reached the quay, or wharf, he found to his dismay that the good ship had set sail without him, taking all the rest of the family. He followed, however, by the next ship he could find sailing for the New World, and must have passed the other on the ocean, for his trip was only of five weeks' duration, while the other ship had a perilous passage of thirteen weeks, being very nearly swallowed up by a suc- cession of storms.

After landing, the family located on Plum run, Allegheny Co., Penn., near Pittsburgh. In the year 1802 they all moved to Kentucky except James Irwin, who remained in Washington county, Penn., to learn a trade. In 1803 the family proceeded to Ross county, Ohio, where they bought land, and Great-grandfather Irwin died there. Grandfather Irwin, with his wife, mother, brother and sister, moved to Highland county, Ohio, in 1804, and here he bought land, cleared off the timber and built his house, three corners of it resting on stumps, the fourth one on a stone. It was a typical old-fashioned log cabin, with clap- board roof weighted with poles, mother eurth serv- ing as a floor, while the primitive "furniture" consisted of a block of wood, three-legged stools, etc. Here the great-grandmother of our subject died at un extremely advanced age, and her son William and his wife both passed away in old age, he in 1853 and she in 1851.

In 1814 their son Robert was born in the " Wil- derness " of Highland county, Ohio, where he at- tended the first school held in the county. The schoolhouse was of logs, one end being the fire- place, and the windows were holes cut in the logs and covered with greased paper. For five years Robert drove teams for his father between Chilli- cothe and Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Nancy W. Weir, a daughter of Thomas Weir, whom he met while visiting his uncle, James Irwin, in Pennsylvania. A correspondence was begun, and in 1840 they were married. To them were born the following children: James, Margaret, Lavina, Nancy W., Susan E., William McCormick and Thomas W.

The subject of our sketch was born January 24, 1843, in Highland county, Ohio. His sister Margaret married Josiah Smith, and bore him the following children: Nancy, Eleanor, Iva, Lola. Irwin, Margaret, Lavina, Thomas and Edna, of whom Nancy, Eleanor and Thomas are dead. Thomas W. Irwin is one of West Bethlehem's most prominent farmers, and enjoys an enviable reputation for thrift and honesty. Although his early education was gleaned from the common schools, he is a well-informed man, and has

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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 222

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