Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 226

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 226

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ALBERT G. WICKERHAM was born January 19, 1844, on the old homestead in that part of Carroll township, Washington Co., Penn., known as " The Horseshoe.' He remained on the home farm until 1871, when he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of William Galbraith, a resident of Carroll township. Mr. and Mrs. Wickerham resided on the old place about two years after their marriage, when he erected the house where they have since resided, on a portion of the old estate. Mrs. Wickerham died in June, 1890, and was buried in the family cemetery. She left three children, namely: Mary J., Will- iam J. and Nancy A. Mr. Wickerham owns eighty acres of the old farm, and conducts a profitable business. Politically he is a Republican, and has held local offices.

ALEXANDER WILSON WICKERHAM was born December 20, 1852, and was renred on the home farm in Carroll township until thirteen years of nge, when he moved to Monongahela. On April 17, 1871, he married Rebecca, daughter of John Marshall, of a very old and highly respected family of Washington county, und after marriage he conducted his father's form for several years. He then removed to his present home in East Bethlehem township, the farm comprising some seventy acres of prime land. He is a Republican, but not active in politics. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wickerhum are Sarah, Endora, Della, Archibald, May, Florence, Myrtle and Lizzie, all at home with their parents.

R EAZEN FRYE, a worthy representative of one of the oldest families of Washington county, was born July 5, 1821, on the old homestead at Lock No. 4, this county.

He is a grandson of Abraham Frye, a native of either Washington county, Penn., or North Carolina, and who became a pioneer farmer of Fallowfield township. He married Hester Johnson, of North Carolina, and the children born to them were Johnson, Noah, James, Benjamin, Mary, Abraham, Thomas, Elijah, Hester and Smith. Mr. Frye was a member of the Baptist Church.

Thomas Frye, father of subject, was married to Anna West, a native of Fallowfield township, and the children born to them were: Luke, Reazen, Louisa, Eunice, Hester, Lucinda Jane, Abraham J., Nancy, Mary E., Smith, and Anna E. The mother died in 1861, the father in 1876, and they are buried in the Horseshoe Church cemetery. He was a Jackson Democrat originally, and during the latter part of his life was a Republican. He was a member of the Baptist Church, of which he was a trustee.

Reazen Frye attended the old log-cabin school, and assisted in clearing the pioneer farm. On No- vember 20, 1845, he was united in marriage with Carrie B., daughter of John and Nancy (Dickey) Eckels, the former of whom was a native of Penn- sylvania, born and reared in Chester county. When a young man Mr. Eckels came to Mononga- hela, and for some time followed teaming from Philadelphia westward, after which he learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet maker, which he carried on in Monongahela as well as the undertak- ing business. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, under Maj. Warne. When a young man he mar- ried Nancy Dickey, a resident of Monongahela, and the children born to their union were: John Hamilton. Margaret, Mary, Benjamin, Carrie B., Andrew J., Hannah Ann, Catherine Eaton, and Daniel James. The father of this family died in

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1857, the mother on June 3, 1872, and both are in- terred in Monongahela cemetery. In politics Mr. Eckels was a Democrat.

After marriage our subject and wife located on a farm of 120 acres of land situated one mile from the Monongahela river, in Fallowfield township. this county, and after years of assiduous toil finally succeeded in paying for the place. Mr. Frye then realized a good sum from the sale of a coal vein underlying his land, and with the money thus obtained he purchased 143 acres of land in Carroll township, to which, in 1874, he moved; it is distant about one mile from the business portion of Monongahela. To Mr. and Mrs. Reazen Frye have been born the following children: Thomas F., a farmer of Chase county, Kans .; Margaret Emeline, wife of Samuel Richardson, living at Lock No. 4; John Hamilton, farming on his fa- ther's old property at Lock No. 4; Stephen Reed, in the United States Mail Service; Eliza Adeline, de- ceased at the age of eighteen years; Hester Ann, who died when seven years old; James D., who died at the age of five years, and Carl, who passed away at the age of ten months and twenty days.

Although now retired from active business life, Mr. Frye is interested in the buying and selling of stock. Politically he was originally a Democrat, but a visit to the South, some time prior to the breaking ont of the war of the Rebellion, brought about a revolution in his ideas in respect to poli- tics, and he has since been active in the ranks of the Republican party.

AMES E. RANKIN. Of the well-known pioneers of Washington county, the Rankin family, of which this gentleman is a member, is mentioned among the leaders. John Rankin was born in Winchester, Va., of Irish descent, and came with his parents to Washing- ton county, Penn., about 1774, bringing colored help with him from Virginia. He had a family of eight sons and two daughters, nearly all of whom were born in Winchester, Va. He located in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, securing 1,800 acres of choice land, then a vast wilderness, which is now transformed into some of the finest farms of Washington county. Here he erected a log cabin, and made such improvements as were possible, being in constant danger from the treaclı- erous savages. But bravely and patiently he struggled on, establishing the pioneer home. After his sons had grown to manhood one of them, James, joined a party who went to establish a col- ony in Kentucky. They arrived safely, but dur- ing the return trip were attacked by Indians, and James was killed, his fate being but one addition to that of the many pioneers who were practi- cally martyrs to colonization. The parents of

James passed the remainder of their lives on the frontier home, both dying the same year.

Samuel Rankin, youngest son of John, was born July 18, 1769, in Winchester, Va., and came to this county in 1774. On January 7, 1796, he was married to Jane McConahey, who was born Feb- ruary 18, 1775, daughter of a pioneer settler. The following children were born to their union: William, John, David, Matthew, Samuel, Stephen, James, Matilda, Abigail and Jane. Of these children Jane is the only one yet living. She is unmarried. The others lived to an adult age, and were citizens of Washington county. Samuel Rankin became a wealthy farmer, and always lived on the old home farm, situated about two miles northwest of Hickory, this county. In

politics he was a Democrat, and was one of the famous minute-men. In religion he and his wife were members of the Union Church. He died in October, 1820, being followed by his wife July 20, 1869, in her ninety-fourth year. The remains of both lie in the U. P. cemetery at Hickory, Mt. Pleasant township, this county. Their children were as follows: William, born November 24, 1796 (deceased January 13, 1884); John, born April 4, 1798 (deceased in April, 1866); David, born February 15, 1800 (deceased July 27, 1858); Matthew, born February 15, 1802 (deceased in June, 1880); Matilda, born March 22, 1804 (de- ceased in February, 1875); Samuel, born June 3, 1806 (deceased May 27, 1834); Abigail, born in October, 1808 (lived on the old homestead until her death); James (deceased, mentioned below); Stephen, born August 20, 1813 (deceased in Feb- ruary, 1877); and Jane, born February 6, 1817 (living in Burgettstown).

James Rankin was born March 24, 1811, in Mt. Pleasant township, and passed his youth on the old home place, receiving his education in the log schoolhouse of the day. In December, 1834, he was married to Martha V. Stevenson, who was born in 1813, danghter of James Stevenson, of Smith township, this county. James Stevenson was a native of Washington county, and was there mar- ried to Jane Vance, who bore him children as fol- ows: Ann ( Mrs. Alexander Hays), John S., Elizabeth (Mrs. S. J. Ghist), Mary (wife of Patterson Vance), Martha V. (married to James Rankin), Joseph, Ed- gar and Rachel J. (wife of John B. Phillis). Mr. Stevenson followed the vocation of a miller, after- ward opening a carding works, and was also en- gaged in undertaking. He was first a Democrat in politics, then became a Whig, and afterward united with the Republican party. He was formerly a member of the Presbyterian Church known as the Raccoon, and when the Burgetts- town Church was organized, became a regular at- tendant of that Society.

James and Martha (Stevenson) Rankin first set-

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tled on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and in 1868 moved to nn adjoining place, coming to Burgettstown in 1884. They have had the following children: Samuel N. (onlisted in Company D, Twenty eighth New York Regiment; he served three months, then re-enlisted, and in 1863 entered the secret service under Gen. Banks, and was missing while en route to Richmond), James E., Jane E. (Mrs. John P. Campbell), Will- iam Ray (who was drowned in 1846), John P. (liv- ing in Baker City, Oreg.), Joseph Vance (living in Wichita, Kans.), David A. (accidentally killed when fifteen years old, in Wichita, Kans. ), and Anna M. James Rankin was a popular and enter- prising citizen, hnving won snecess by his own ex- ertions. He was a warm friend of educational prog- ress, and in religion a member of the Mt. Pros- peet Presbyterian Church, of which he wasa ruling elder for twenty-eight years. He died July 27, 1887, at Burgettstown, this county, where his widow is yet living. He was justice of the peace for many years.

James E. Rankin was born in 1838 on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township which is yet his home; he received a district-school education and worked on the farm. On November 15, 1877, he was united in marriage with Mary Walker, a native of Cross Creek township. Her father, John N. Walker, was born in 1808, in Cross Creek town- ship, this county, and on November 18, 1830, mar- ried Ann Vance, who was born in 1812, in Cross Creek township. They settled on a farm near their birthplace, and reared the following family of children: Rachel (deceased in May, 1871, wife of R. S. Donaldson), Alexander (living in Elders- ville, this county), William Vance (a farmer), James (living in Cass county, Neb.), Elizabeth (wife of John Lawton, of near Larned, Kans.), Hannah (married to J. P. Reed, of Larned, Kans.), Mary (Mrs. J. E. Rankin), Virginia (living with her parents), John N. (living in Cross Creek town- ship), Joseph (deceased in 1874), Frank (deceased in 1856) and Cynthia (married to Samuel Wilson, of Santa Anna, Cal.). The father of this family was an active member of the Democratic party. He died February 15, 1882, and was laid to rest by the side of his wife, who passed away May 15, 1870.

Mr. and Mrs. Rankin have passed their married lives on the home farm, which contains 200 acres of well-cultivated land. They are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is an act- ive Democrat.

M RS. JANE CARROLL. Among the brave pioneers of Washington county, and they are many, none have surpassed, in bravery, intelligence and perseverance, the mem- bers of the Carroll family.

Robert Carroll and wife, accompanied by his two

brothers, John und Hamilton, and a sister June, emi- grated in 1760 from Ireland to America, locating in a place called Mingo, western Pennsylvanin, thence moving in n few years to East Finley town- ship, Washington county, where they settled on one of the headwaters of Wheeling creek, nenr the present postoffice of Gule, and began cutting down the forest trees until a space was cleared for the log cabin (perhaps the first in that district), which they soon erected. Like all the pioneer settlers, they were in hourly danger from the hostile savages, and endured the inevitable hardships of backwoods life. In 1781 work began in earnest, and Washington county was founded. In the summer of that year, John and Hamilton Car- roll, who resided with their brother Robort, went ont one morning, and when but n short distance from the cabin both men were shot down by the Indians. Robert's wife (who with her two children was in the cabin) heard the report, and knowing the boys hind no firearms with them, immediately grasped the situation; she snatched the infant from his couch and with him in her arms, and her little son of four years clinging to her side, ran to a cornfield near by, where she waited till the Indians reached the cabin. The faithful dog remained on guard at the door, and barked vigorously at the murderers, who were obliged to kill him before they could enter the house. The heroic mother knew when the barking of the dog ceased that the Indians were busy ransacking the house, and immediately taking advantage of the opportunity, ran for life to the nearest fort, which was five miles distant (now at Prosperity), though she had to trav- el much farther; but she reached it safely at last, the infant in her arms, and little James running by her side. While these terrible scenes were in progress, the husband and father was absent, having left home a day or two before, and gone to a mill on the Monongahela river. On returning home, he was horrified to find the floor stained with blood, and other evidences of the presence of the maraud- ing savages. Almost heart-broken, the poor man hurried to the fort, and was overjoyed to find his wife and children safe within, but heard with anguish of the terrible fate of his brothers. A few

days later a party of men left the fort, and finding the dead bodies of John and Hamilton (whose scalps the Indians had taken as trophies), buried them in what has since been known as the Car- roll graveyard; these two victims of Indian fury being the first who were there interred. The burying ground is but a short distance from where the cabin stood. After all traces of the Indians had disappeared, Robert and his wife re- turned home, and were not again molested. The infant Robert, who was saved from the Indians by his mother, grew to manhood, and married Mar- garet Craig, who bore him one daughter, and

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James, whose little feet proved of such good service on that memorable day, was united in marriage with Margaret Marshall, and to their union the following children were born: William, Robert, John, Hamilton, James, Hugh, Joseph, Thomas, Mary and Jane.

Hamilton Carroll was born April 15, 1804, in East Finley township, Washington county, and was early inured to the toil, danger and privation of frontier life; his education was of necessity very limited. On April 5, 1832, he was united in mar- riage with Jane Marshall, who was born October 10, 1807, daughter of Gabriel Marshall, of East Finley township, who was also of Irish descent. The children born to this union were Marshall, born March 10, 1833 (deceased in 1890; he always lived at home assisting in the farm work, and caring for his parents); James Bell, born December 27, 1834 (deceased January 15, 1836); Martha, born October 30, 1836 (living at home and assisting with household duties); Robert M., born April 18, 1839 (of whom further mention is made); Anderson, born January 10, 1841 (a farmer, living near Pleas- ant Grove, East Finley township, this county); William David, born September 5, 1844 (deceased October 23, 1862); Mary Margaret, born March 13, 1847 (deceased January 7, 1852); Eliza Jane, born December 27, 1848 (wife of George Mont- gomery, of East Finley township), and John, born March 15, 1851 (married to Olive Post, and living in East Finley township, this county). Robert M., of the above family, enlisted August 22, 1861, in the first Virginia Cavalry, and on February 14, 1862, was killed at Blooming Gap, Va. His corpse was sent home, and with it came the following order:

DIV. HEADQUARTERS, CAMP CHASE, Va., Feb. 15, 1862. Special Order, No. 57.

Robert Carroll, a private of Capt. Farrabee's company, 1st Va. Cavalry, having been killed, after capturing three wagons from the enemy, aided by two other privates of that company (David Howell and Franklin Jones), will be escorted by the two privates mentioned to his resi- dence and the body delivered to the family of the de- ceased man, with compliments of the Commanding Gen- eral. Had he lived he would have received promotion. The expenses of the escort and burial will be paid.

By command of BRIG. GEN. SANDER. H. C. ARMSTRONG, A. A. A. Gen.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Carroll began farm- ing on the farm where his widow is yet living, which is situated about half a mile northwest of Gale postoffice, in East Finley township. Here he passed the remainder of his life, successfully pur- suing the vocation of agriculture. During the war he took an active part in the home musters. In politics Mr. Carroll was a stanch Republican, and a valued member of the party. He possessed unusual vitality, and was capable of great phys- ical endurance. In religious faith he was a member of the U. P. Church. He died in 1890; his widow,

who is also a member of the U. P. Church, sur- vives him, enjoying in her old age a respite from the cares and sorrows of earlier life; she is much esteemed and respected.

OHN B. CARSON. The Carson family have for many years been prominently associated with the leading citizens of Washington county. Thomas Carson was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and coming to Washington county many years ago, was married to Mary Gibson, a native of Kentucky. They settled on the farm in Fallowfield township, which is yet owned by their descendants, and he also followed shoemaking, also serving many years as justice of the peace. At one time he was pursued by the Indians, and trav- eled seventy-five miles in one day, carrying his rifle, and thus escaped. He died in 1848, leaving the following children: Elizabeth (wife of James Young), Thomas G., Mary (Mrs. Grable), James S., John B., Ann (Mrs. Grable) and Charlotte (wife of John Carson).

John B. Carson was born in 1802, on the old place on Pigeon creek, in Fallowfield township, Washington county, where he grew to manhood and received a district-school education. When a young man he was married to Sarah Scott, who was born in 1813. in Fallowfield township. The young couple first settled on a farm on Pigeon creek, and in 1846 moved to the homestead of 140 acres where their children are yet living. Mr. Carson voted with the Democratic party, serving in various offices, and in religion Mrs. Carson was a member of the Baptist Church. He died Jan- mary 27, 1872, and September 17, 1887, his wife was laid beside him. Their children were born as follows: Newton (who was a real-estate dealer and founder of West Belle Vernon, deceased Decem- ber 24, 1888). Mary (wife of Jackson Carson, of Fallowfield township), Smith (a farmer, living on Pigeon creek), Lewis (living in West Pike Run township). John B. (residing in Allen township), Jerome G., and Sarah J. (deceased).

John B. Carson, son of John B. and Sarah (Scott) Carson, was born in 1848, in Fallowfield township, Washington county. He attended the schools of the county, afterward went to the South- western State Normal School at California, and afterward taught five terms near the home neigh- borhood. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Melissa Duvall, a native of East Pike Run town- ship, this county, a daughter of J. P. and Sarah (Robison) Duvall. the father born in East Bethle- hem township, and the mother a native of Wash- ington county: both parents are now living in East Pike Run township. After his marriage John B. Carson located on the 130 acres in Fallowfield township, where he is now living. In 1874 he

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erected n good house, and in 1SS1 built a new barn. He is a prosperous former; in politics be votes the Democratie ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Cnrson are members of the Zion Disciple Church, in which he serves as an elder. They are the parents of six children, namely: Berthn L., Val C., Sarnh Mabel, John Parker, Viola Isabelle and Jefferson P.

H ARRY C. SCOTT. Joseph Scott, the old- est representative of the Seott family in Washington county, was born about 1761 in Scotland, coming to America during the latter part of the eighteenth century. He first located in York connty, Penn., where he was married to Martha Pnden, who was born in 1763. Prior to 1788, when Washington county was very sparsely settled, he came from York county, and made a home in the eastern part of Hanover township, this county, near Raccoon creek, securing control of an immense tract of wild Innd. A cabin was erected, which furnished them protection, and although deprived of many of the luxuries of life, they were soon able to build a comfortable home. The story of the struggles, hardships and privations of early pioneers has often been told, and the lives of this earnest and self-reliant couple were similar to those of their comrades who undertook the arduous task of mak- ing the wilderness "to blossom as the rose." In- dustry finally was rewarded; they became wealthy and highly respected citizens, and passed the remainder of their lives surrounded by children and friends. They died at a ripe old age, in full connection with the "Old-School Presbyterian" Church, in which they had been reared from in- fancy. Politically the grandfather was a Demo- crat. To this worthy couple were born two sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to an adult age.

Joseph Scott, a son of the pioneer Joseph, was born in 1800, and passed his early life on the farm of his father, amid the privations of a frontier home, receiving a limited education in the sub- scription schools. In 1830 he was married to Isa- belle, daughter of Samuel Nelson, and the following children were born to their union: Louisa (Mrs. John Camden, of Mt. Pleasant township), born February 19, 1831; William (a farmer of Beaver county), born October 26, 1833; Margaret, born February 5, 1835 (died unmarried January 5, 1865); Mary Jane, born August 20, 1837, deceased in infancy; Elizabeth, born October 20, 1839 (wife of S. J. Dennis, a merchant of Wellsville, Ohio), and Joseph D., born November 13, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Scott resided on the home farm during life, and he devoted his entire attention to agricult- ure. In politics he was a Democrat, and in re- ligion he and his wife were members of the Rob-

inson U. P. Church. He died September 28, 1873, and his widow survived him until September 10, 1886. They are buried in Florence cemetery.

Benjamin Scott was born June 2, 1792, in Han- over township, Washington Co., Penn. He re- ceived a subscription-school ednention, and, work- ing in his father's mill, learned the business, which he followed several years. When a young mnn he was married to Susan MeKinley, who was born in 1800, daughter of Hugh Mckinley, of Washington county, Penn. They settled on a farm near that of his parents, and the mill having been sold, he afterward devoted his entire atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, meeting with signal success. Their children were born as follows: Alexander, Joseph, Sophia, Benjamin, Sarnh Jane, Patterson, John, Susan and Elizabeth. Mr. Scott took an active interest in the welfare of the Democratic party, and he and his wife were, both socially and financially, leading members of Cross Roads Presbyterian Church. In 1877, after long and useful lives spent together, both parents passed from earth, the father aged eighty-five and the mother nged seventy-seven years.

Patterson Scott was-born March 18, 1835, in Hanover township, and was reared to farm pur- suits, receiving his education in the common schools. On October 16, 1868, he was united in marriage with Eliza J. Miller, who was born March 16, 1837, in Harrison county, Ohio, daughter of Daniel, and granddaughter of John Miller, who was born in 1806, in Frederick county, Md. John Miller came to Rumley township, Harrison Co., Ohio, where he purchased land of the Government, at one time owning 215 acres. On arriving at Rumley town- ship he was obliged to cut his way through the woods, around his lands, and camped out while building his cabin. He was the father of nine children, viz. : Daniel, David, John, Jacob, Joseph, Catherine, Hannah, Polly and Sarah. Daniel Miller (father of Mrs. Patterson Scott) was born in 1788, in Frederick county, Md., and coming to Harrison county, Ohio, with his parents, shared all the hardships of pioneer life. In 1817 he was married to Susan Lowmiller, who was born in 1796, in Dauphin county, Penn., a daughter of John and Catherine (Long) Lowmiller, who came to Harrison county in 1800. The children of Daniel and Susan Miller were as follows: Catherine, Elizabeth, Sa- rah, John, Henry, Susanna, Rebecca, Margaret, Abigail and Eliza J. (Mrs. Patterson Scott).

Mr. and Mrs. Scott began wedded life on the home place in Hanover township, where he carried on general farming and an extensive stock raising business. Mr. Scott was a representative farmer; in politics he was an enthusiastic Democrat, and served in various local offices. He died October 24, 1883, and was buried in Florence cemetery. The children of his family are as follows: Henry

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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 226

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