Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 229

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 229

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ELMER ELLSWORTH DAGUE, a prominent and pro- gressive agriculturist of West Bethlehem town- ship, was born upon the farm which he now owns, and he received a fair education at the school known as the "Nicholl's School," in West Bethle- hem township. After leaving school he followed the carpenter's trade, having a natural inclina- tion for that kind of work. He was united in marriage with Annie Morton, and to them have

been born the following named children: Walter, Bertha, Collins and Mary Josephine, all of whom are living. Mr. Dagne is a Republican of no lit- the local prominence, and enjoys the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends.

AMES W. HODGENS. Among the leading representative and progressive young farmers in Buffalo township, this gentleman occupies a prominent position. He was born May 23. 1856, in Buffalo township, this county, on the farmi whereon he has since resided. He is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Wilson) Hodgens, the latter of whom was a danghter of William Wilson, late of Buffalo township.

Thomas Hodgens was a native of the same town- ship, whither his parents had come in an early day, and here he was reared to the many and varied ardnous duties of farm life. His winter months were, to a considerable extent, devoted to attending the neighboring subscription schools, and, improving what he may there have learned by study at home, acquired in course of time, by earnest application to his books, a good useful edu- cation. While yet a young man Mr. Hodgens was married to Margaret Wilson, and the young couple then took up their residence ou the farm now oc- cupied by R. W. Crothers, from which after a few years they moved to the place which is at present the home of our subject and his brother. This farm was totally unimproved, and was brought to its present state of cultivation by the assiduous labor, industry and perseverance of Thomas Hodgens, the buildings thereon having been erected by him and his family. The children born to Thomas and Margaret (Wilson) Hodgens were William and Ella (both deceased), James W., Isaac and Clara. In 1862 the father passed from earth, and was followed to the grave by the mother in 1869. They were constant attendants and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, and enterprising citizens, earning a reputation of which the family are justly proud. Mr. Hodgens was a stanch and loyal Democrat, and, although rarely accepting political prefer- ment, was ever a zealous worker for the party's cause.

James W. Hodgens was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, and received his edu- cation at the common schools of the district. On March 8, 1876, he was married to Mary L., daugh- ter of James and Caroline (Horr) McMannis, prominent citizens, in their day, of Buffalo town- ship, and the children born to this union were Thomas, Clara and Glenn. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgens are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in his political preference he is an uncompromising

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Democrat. Mr. Hodgens is liberal of his means toward, and the pronounced champion of, all measures tending to the welfare and advancement of the community at large.

S® AMUEL GREENLEE FULTON, one of West Bethlehem township's leading young farmers, is a native of Greene county, Penn., born in Washington township, April 1, 1858, a son of Stephen and Mary (Greenlee) Fulton.

Stephen Fulton, grandfather of subject, was born in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., near the Greene county line, where his father owned a farm, upon which he had settled upon his arrival in this country, at an early day, from his native Ireland. Grandfather Fulton lived to the age of about sixty years.

Stephen Fulton, father of Samuel G., was born August 16, 1818, in West Bethlehem township. In his boyhood he attended the old-time primitive school, and being of a studious nature, and gifted with much perseverance, succeeded in securing a fair education. In 1847 he was married to Mary Greenlee, and subsequently moved to Greene county, Penn., where he still resides, a venerable and feeble old man. Stephen and Mary Fulton were blessed with eight children as follows: Nancy, Margaret, Ruth and Henry (all of whom are now deceased), and Emily, Samuel G., Eliza and Albert, at present re- siding in Greene county, Penn. The mother was called from this world October 28, 1SS8, when in her sixty-seventh year.

Samuel G. Fulton spent his boyhood in his na- tive township, receiving a common-school ednea- tion. On October 11, 1883, he married Catherine E., daughter of Abe Crumrine, and they have one child: Percy C., born January 12, 1888. In 1886 Mr. Fulton purchased a mill on Pike run, which he conducted for three years; but finding the business otherwise than conducive to his good health, he was compelled to return to farm work, and he ultimately located on the property where he now resides. Although a stanch Democrat, he is not a politician, but his numerous friends have shown their appreciation of his many sterling qualities by the tendering of nomination to offices of trust. Both he and his wife are members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

M ORROW, WILLIAM and DAVID. The grandfather of these gentlemen, Thomas Morrow, was a farmer in County Down, Ireland, and during the middle of the eighteenth century emigrated with his large family to America, locating near Harrisburg, where they remained until the death of Mr. Mor- row, when the family settled in the eastern part of Washington county, Pennsylvania.

Matthew Morrow, son of Thomas, located near Pigeon creek, and was there married to Elizabeth, daughter of Israel Wier. Soon after his marriage Mr. Morrow came to Canton township, and pur- chased the farm now occupied by Thomas Allison, where he spent the remainder of his life and reared the following family: Samuel, Thomas, John, James, William, David, Adam, Mary, Lavina, Cath- erine, Jane, Anna and Elizabeth. He was a hard- working, energetic man, and achieved success by earnest effort. He was a pronounced Whig in political views, and one of the earliest members of, and most earnest workers in, the Presbyterian Church at Buffalo. He served as a member of the poor commission of the county for many years, giving universal satisfaction. He passed away at the advanced age of eighty one years, and, with his faithful wife, who lived her three score years and five, now rests in the cemetery at Buffalo.

WILLIAM MORROW, like many of the pioneer chil- dren. secured his principal education in the school of toil, although he was allowed to attend the common school a few days in the winter, when nothing else would occupy his time. The old log schoolhouse, around which cluster so many pleas- ant reminiscences, was an extremely humble af- fair; and through the cracks of the puncheon floor the wind came in gusts. cansing the little ones to cronch closer to the huge fireplace, which extended across one end of the room, and was supplied with logs cut by the older pupils. The text-books, in exquisite harmony with the other appointments of the room, were of the most primitive character, and the stalwart master. selected rather for his physical than mental powers, who was a firm believer in the maxim of Solomon: "Spare the rod and spoil the child," nnlike many other theorists, practiced the principles which he preached; no pupil in his school could in after years complain that they were spoiled for the lack of vigorons ap- plication of the rod. But revenge was sweet, and many times these tortured victims of the birch barred out the dignitied master, and compelled him to wait their pleasure or "stand treat." Amid such surroundings the youth of William Morrow was passed, and, in spite of toil and privation those early years were happy ones. The clothing of the family was the prodnet of their own industry and skill, the cloth being woven, dyed and trans- formed into the necessary articles by the women. Mr. Morrow was married to Eliza, danghter of Samnel MeClay, and their nnion was blessed with the following children: Sarah J. (wife of Thomas Allison), Robert M., Mary A., Margaret (wife of Jackson Lone) and Matthew. Mr. Morrow is a Republican in his political preferences, and in re- ligion he is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

DAVID MORROW was born on the home place, and passed his boyhood in assisting his father on the

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farm, and in attending the common schools a few months during the winter. On January 14, 1840, he was nuited in marriage with Grizella, daughter of Robert Johnson, and this nnion was blessed with two children: Margaret ( Mrs. Robert Murray) and Mary G. (Mrs. Hamilton Davis). In 1890 Mr. Morrow inarried, for his second wife, Isabella, daughter of James Work, of Hopewell township. Politically Mr. Morrow was always a worker in the Republican party, and for many years held the office of assessor in his township, giving universal satisfaction. He was a trustee of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was for many years a mem- ber. David Morrow passed away February 27, 1892, having been preceded by his wife on Jan- nary 7, same year.

EORGE WASHINGTON MILLER is one of the eminently successful agricultorists of West Bethlehem township, and deserves special mention in this work. His grand- father, Thomas Miller, was of Maryland birth, but early in his career removed, with his wife and family of four children, to West Bethle- hem township, Washington county. Here he spent the remainder of his days. At an advanced age he was called from earth, and the community monrned the death of an honest, upright and es- teemed citizen.

His son, John Miller, was born in 1818, in West Bethlehem township, where he is still known as an honored and beloved parent, an esteemed and re- spected neighbor. He married Elizabeth Sargent, and to them were born seven children, named as fol- lows: Thomas, Joseph, Sarah, Emma, John, Anna and George Washington, of whom Sarah, John, Anna and George W. all reside in Washington county.

George Washington Miller, son of John and Elizabeth (Sargent) Miller, was born April 23, 1843, on the old homestead, where he grew to manhood. and is esteemed by all. The school- houses where he received his early education were primitive to an extreme; the seats being made of slabs hewn from logs, the boys used them as sleds during the noon intermission. On December 27, 1871, he married Amelia Eggy, a daughter of George Eggy, whose father, David, was one of the very first settlers in West Bethlehem township, and was of German nationality. To them have been born children as follows: Harrison, Melville, Ger- trude, Stephen, Blanche and Risine, the latter of whom died in infancy, in 1887. The surviving children are all living at home. Mr. Miller is a stanch Republican, and his friends have shown their appreciation of his many sterling qualities by electing him to several offices of trust in his Democratic township.

J OHN S. BEAZELL, a leading merchant of California, is a son of William Beazell, who was born Febnary 22, 1807, in Allegheny county, Penn., a son of Luke Beazell, whose mother was of Irish birth, his father a na- tive of Germany. Inke Beazell was born in 1773, in Westmoreland county, Penn., and was married to Elizabeth English, a native of same conuty. T'en children were born to this union, of whom one son and three daughters are yet living, namely: William, Catherine (Mrs. Ails), Mary (Mrs. Smith) and Eliza (unmarried). Lnko Beazell, who always followed farming, died in 1857.

William Beazell learned the shoemaker's trade, which he has followed in connection with farming. On May 6, 1830, he married Susan West, a native of Fallowfield township, this county, and they have had seven sons and three danghters, namely: Leander N. (deceased, who served three years in the army), Elmira, R. West, Luke P., Margaret E., Mary L., William H., John S., R. W. B. (deceased) and Samuel. Mr. Beazell owns ten acres of land lo- cated four and a half miles from Monongahela, He has filled almost every public office in Fallow- field township.

John S. Beazell was born March 6, 1850, in Fallowfield township, Washington Co. Penn., and there received his early education. Abont 1873 he moved to California, and there opened a butcher shop in company with his brother Luke P. They followed that business seventeen years, and then John S. purchased a stock of boots and shoes. He sold this out one year later, and bought a half inter- est in the general merchandise store in California, the firm being now known as Craven & Beazell. . On July 25, 1879, John S. Beazell was united in marriage with Dora I., daughter of Jonathan West, who was a grandson of Jonathan West. The latter was born in Ireland, and coming to America when a young man, located permanently on a farm in Washington county, Penn. He was an Old-line Democrat in politics, and in religion one of the founders of the "West" Episcopal Church. His children were as follows: Jonathan, Robert, Thomas, Edward, Mary (wife of Robert Gregg), Ann (Mrs. Morris) and Janie (Mrs. Howden).

Thomas West, son of Jonathan, was born and reared in West Pike Run township, where his school days were passed. He was married to Margaret Hopkins who bore him three children, namely: Thomas, Catherine and Jonathan. The father followed agricultural pursuits, and lived but a few years after his marriage.

Jonathan West was born in Feburary, 1827, in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his education in the neighboring schools. In 1852 he was united in marriage with Melinda, daughter of Edward Gregg; the latter was born and reared in Washington county, and

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was married to Mary Norton, their children being: Mary J. (wife of James Baker), Stephen, Melinda (wife of Jonathan West), Seth, Maria, John and Maple. Mr. Gregg was a prosperous farmer and stock raiser. He voted with the Whig and Re- publican parties; he was a member of the Taylor M. E. Church, in which he was elder, class-leader. and Sunday-school superintendent. He and his wife were buried in the Taylor Church cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. West resided on a farm in West Pike Run township until 1861, when they moved to Virginia. Here he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-second O. V. I., which was sent to the army of the Poto- mac, and he participated in numerous engage- ments. On July 2, 1863, he was captured at the battle of Gettysburg, and was first confined in Belle Isle, then in Andersonville prison, where he died the following June. His children were as follows: Mary E. (deceased), Margaret E. (wife of D. H. Lewis), Mary J. (married to Emerson Reed), Dora I. (wife of John S. Beazell), Myrtilla (married to Frank Craven) and Kate.

To the union of John S. and Dora I. (West) Beazell two children have been born, Pauline and Ivy. Mr. Beazell is a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party; he has served as burgess and as a member of the council, and is now associated with the school board. He is identified with the M. E. Church.

OSEPH RICHARDS, a representative and honored agriculturist of West Bethlehem township, is a son of Joseph Richards, whose father, James, and early ancestry lived and died in Pennsylvania, east of the mountains. Joseph Richards (father of subject) was born in Bridgeport, Penn., and early in life began business as a boatman on the Monongahela river. He mar- ried Mary, daughter of Joseph Horner, a native of Fayette county, Penn., and to them was born one child, Joseph. The father lost his life while ply- ing his vocation as boatman on the river. He was stooping to get water, when he lost his balance, fell into the river, and before assistance arrived was drowned.

Joseph Richards, son of Joseph and Mary (Horner) Richards, was born in Bridgeport, Fayette Co., Penn., in June, 1829, and early in his boy- hood he began the vocation at which he is still em- ployed, that of farming. When about fifteen years of age he came to Washington county, at which time he possessed nothing in the world save a stout heart and a strong will. He began life here, working at whatever presented itself, and by saving his earnings, was, in 1852, enabled to buy a share in a threshing-machine. Continuing to toil and save, he finally invested in fifty-five acres of land, adjoining the property he now owns, which

latter comprises 340 acres of finely cultivated land on which are a number of commodious buildings, all in good repair, and having an air of prosperity and thrift. In 1862 Mr. Richards married Maria, daughter of Peter Shidler, whose parents were of German descent, and among the early settlers of Washington county. To Mr. and Mrs. Richards have been born children as follows: Nora, Addi, Effa, Harry H. (attending Duff's Business College, Pittsburgh), Mary and Walter, all of whom are living at home. In political preferments Mr. Richards is a stanch Republican, and has been elected to the office of school director, which he has filled with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. He and his family are mem- bers of the Methodist Church. He is one of the typical self-made men of the county, his present prosperity being entirely due to thrift, proper am- : bition and sterling honesty, and he well merits the esteem and respect of all who know him.

J OHN C. MORROW. This gentleman was born April 25. 1864, in Hancock county, W. Va., and during his early life attended the common schools of the district. At the age of eighteen years he entered the normal school at Fairmount, where he remained two years, and he afterward began teaching, in which vocation he contiuned three years. He then came to Burgettstown, and entered the boot and shoe business, the firm carrying an extensive line of boots and shoes, and also hats and caps. On September 3, 1891, Mr. Morrow was united in marriage with Julia, daughter of M. R. Welch. Our subject is an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, has served as anditor of Bur- gettstown, and is now filling the offices of secre- tary and treasurer of the borough.

OHN SARGEANT, an industrious and es- teemed citizen of West Bethlehem township, is a grandson of John Sargeant, who came to the township at an early period, locating upon a farm of 162 acres which adjoins the one now owned by his grandson, John.

Grandfather Sargeant received but a meager education in the subscription schools, but, notwith- standing this disadvantage, he so improved every opportunity that he acquired a valuable store of general information. The children born to him were as follows: James, Thomas, Joseph, John, William, Valentine, Mrs. Margaret Spoon. Nancy, and Mrs. Saralı Barker. He remained upon the farm until his death, which occurred in 1853. He was an active worker in the Republican party, and a successful business man. Mrs. Sargeant was a member of the Dunkard Church.

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James Sargeant, son of John the pioneer, was born in 1803, in the neighborhood of his son's present home in West Bethlehem township. His boyhood was spent upon the farm with his father, and though receiving but a limited education at the common schools, it served him as the founda. tion of an exceptionally successful career, for he became one of the intelligent, substantial business men of his time and in his community. He first vegan business for himself in 1825, when he bought a small farm near the river in West Bethlehem township. In 1830 he was married to Susan Crumrine, daughter of John Crumrine, of West Betlilohem township, and their children were: William, Thomas, Mrs. James Weaver, Hiram, John, James, Valentine, Sarah Lucinda, and Wil-

son. The father remained upon the farm twenty years, and then moved to the place now occupied by the subject of this sketch; he was an active Re- publican, but did not aspire to office. He and his wife were both active members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Sargeant died in 1886; Mr. Sar. geaut, now aged ninety years, is still enjoying the fruits of an industrious life.

John Sargeant was born in 1842 in East Bethle- hem township, Washington Co., Penn., and lived at the paternal home until several years after his majority was attained. He received a common- school education which, coupled with industry and good judgment, enabled him to accumulate a com- fortable property. He was united in marriage in 1875 with Elizabeth Hawkins, daughter of James C. Hawkins. He then bought and took possession of his father's farm of 155 acres, but the young wife only lived until July, 1877, when she died leaving him one child, Harrison, who is now at home. On October 24, 1878, Mr. Sargeant mar- ried Clementine, daughter of Jesse Register, of Greene county, Penn., and they have two children: Myrtle and Jessie. Politically, our subject is an active Republican, and he and his family are ear- nest and valued members of the M. E. Church.

E NOCH KEYS. There is no better known, more prominent or more highly respected family in East Bethlehem township than the one of whom we now write.

Jacob 'Keys was born and reared in Germany, and there married, his children being Mary (Mrs. William Horner), Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas), Enoch, Andrew, Adam and Sarah (all now deceased); Andrew and Adam were wheelwrights in Pitts- burgh, Penn.

Enoch Keys was born in February, 1785, in Germany, and when four years of age crossed the Atlantic with his parents, who immediately on landing proceeded westward to Washington county, Penn., and, buying a tract of land in East

Bethlehem township, made a settlement there. Here Enoch was reared to manhood amid pioneer scenes, his education being such as could be gleaned from the primitive schools of the vicinity. He married Rachel, daughter of James Perry, and children as follows were born to them: Inther, Parker, Enoch, Jr., Elizabeth, Dorcas, Hannah, Cynthia and Rachel, of whom are now living: Mrs. Elizabeth Teagarden, at Clarksville, Greene Co., Penn., and Dorcas, Hannah and Rachel, in East Bethlehem township. Otto Keys was adopted by Miss Hannah Keys, and was married to Julia Florence Horton, by whom there is one child --- Estella Horton Keys, born December 19, 1891. The Misses Dorcas, Hannah and Rachel Keys are ladies uniformly respected for their many Chris- tian virtues; they are devout members of the Bap- tist Church.

Enoch Keys, their father, was an undertaker, as was his father before him. He died March 11, 1824, in politics a stanch Republican, and in re- ligion a consistent Baptist. The family farm con- sists of eighty acres of the choicest land to be found in the county, and is cultivated by Otto Keys, who is a rising and popular young agricult- urist of considerable intelligence. The name Keys is regarded, wherever known, as the synonym for virtue, probity and unswerving integrity, and is held in the highest esteem.

A BRAHAM CRUMRINE, a prominent farm- er of West Bethlehem township, is a grand- son of Abraham Crumrine, who was born of German parentage, in Baltimore county, Md., where he lived to a green old age.

John Crumrine, father of subject, was born in 1785, in Baltimore county, Md., and there grew to manhood. He attended the German schools until grown, and then began his English education in the subscription school, which was held in the parsonage. When the weather was such that he could not work, he attended school but with all these obstacles in his path, he obtained a good education for that period. He married Barbara, daughter of John Ferman, and for a time lived in Baltimore county, Md., where Mary, Betsey (de- ceased), Susan, and Margaret (deceased), were born to them. In 1812 he removed to Washing- ton county, Penn., and settled on Daniels run, in West Bethlehem township, part of which farm now belongs to Mrs. Julia Theakston, a sister of our subject. Here were born to him the following children: Sarah, Barbara (deceased), Julia Ann, Lucinda, Judia (deceased), Maria, George (de- ceased), John (deceased), William, David (de- ceased) and Abraham. All grew to an adult age, and the survivors all live in Washington county, with the exception of Maria, who married Demas

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Drake, and resides in Iowa. The father of this family was one of the rare, self-made men. Be- ginning life with practically nothing, he not only cared for and educated his large family, but accu- mulated no little of this world's goods. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1857, he was the owner of about three hundred and forty acres of land, all in a good state of cultivation.

Abraham Crumrine was born April 6, 1826, upon the old farm in West Bethlehem township, this county, a part of which he still owns. His education was gleaned from the meager teachings of the country schools. His boyhood, when he was not at school, was passed upon the farm, where he learned valuable lessons of thrift, to which much of his success in life is doubtless due. In 1857 he married Mahalia, daughter of George Zollar, for whom the hamlet of Zollarsville is named, he being one of the earliest settlers of that part of the county. After his marriage he built the elegant dwelling in which he now resides, and has made many other improvements. His chil- dren are Catherine, wife of Samuel Fulton, of West Bethlehem township; Sanford, a young man of superior intelligence, and a competent in- structor in one of the schools of West Bethlehem township; and Ferman, his father's chief assistant on the farm. Mr. Crumrine is a leading Democrat, and one of the trusted counselors of his party; also a member of the Lutheran Church, with which he is prominently identified.

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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 229

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