Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 37

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 37

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Richard Johnston, son of John and Elizabeth Johnston, was born in June, 1763; married, Au- gust 23, 1796, Jane Bradford, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Gibson) Bradford; died November 13, 1836; their children were Mary, James, William, Elizabeth, John, Richard, Jane and Thomas (twins), David, George, Nancy, and one that died when two weeks old. Mary, born September 24, 1798, married Thomas Allison, May, 1817, and died February 7, 1884; James, born March 10, 1800, died in 1819; William, born May 3, 1802, married Elizabeth Orr, May 10, 1826, and died December 27, 1838; Elizabeth, born February 6, 1804, was married first to George Gladen, and afterward to Rev. John Stockton, D. D., November 19, 1861, and died July 11, 1892; John, born March 6, 1806, married Rebecca Van Eman March 17, 1840, and died October 9, 1888; Richard, born July 1, 1808,

died in 1831; Jane (twin), born May 21, 1811, married Guiane Morrison, May 23, 1833, and died June 2. 1888; Thomas (twin), born May 21, 1811, married Catharine Johnson, lived in Steubenville, Ohio, and died June 19, 1879; David, born May 19, 1813, married Jane Rex, February 9, 1841, lived in Steubenville, Ohio, and died February 8, 1883; George, born August 7, 1815, married Mary Tracy, August 25, 1847, lived in Portsmouth, Ohio, and died April 14, 1875; Nancy, born April 19, 1822, died in 1827.

John Johnson, son of Richard and Jane John- son, was born March 6, 1806, married March 17, 1840, Rebecca Van Eman, daughter of Joseph and Isabel (Logan) Van Eman, and died October 9, 1888. Their children are Richard Van Eman, born September 23, 1841, married West Anna Lee, November 17, 1869; Joseph Bradford, born Sep- tember 26, 1842, married Hannah Jane Crothers, June 5, 1867; John Gibson, born November 13, 1845, married Annie K. Morrison, June 22, 1875.

Nicholas Van Eman, of Emmen, Holland, mar- ried Mary Wilson, of Wales, and their children were George, Nicholas, Andrew, Garrett, Katie, Mary, Elizabeth, Susan and Hannah. George Van Eman, son of Nicholas and Mary Van- En an, was born September 12, 1753, and was twice married, first to - Little, their chil- dren being Mary and John; his second marriage was with Rebecca Scott, and their children were Nicholas, Scott and Jane (twins), Andrew, Rev. George, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Joseph, Garrett, Will- iam, Sarah, Abraham, James and Hannah (twins). The parents lived for many years on the farm now owned by Joseph Clokey, situated four miles east of Washington, Penn .; they are buried at Canal Fulton, Stark Co., Ohio; they were Presbyterians. Joseph Van Eman, son of George and Rebecca Van Eman, was born December 12, 1790, married Isabel Logan February 28, 1811, and died Sep- tember 22, 1873; their children were Rebecca, James, Samuel L., Joseph, Mary, Rev. George, Cyrus, Margaret, Logan and Sarah. Isabel Logan was a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Walker) Logan, the former of whom came from Antrim, Ireland, when eighteen years of age; he was of Scotch-Irish parentage, and was a soldier under La Fayette, in the war of the Revolution; they lived on the farm now owned by C. C. Rum- sey at Van Eman Station. Chartiers Railroad. Rebecca, born September 13, 1812, married John Johnson March 17, 1840, and died September 5, 1889, and their children are Richard Van Eman, Joseph Bradford and John Gibson; James, born August 7, 1814, died August, 1819; Samuel L., born July 20, 1816, married Martha P. McCon- nell, September 28, 1847, and died October 11, 1891; Joseph, born October 9, 1818, was married first to Sarah Lea, April 18, 1843, and afterward

RNJohnson _

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

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to Mary A. Donaldson; Mary, born January 6, 1821, married Samuel Alexander, January 24, 1860; Rev. George, born January 29, 1823, was married first to Rachel Bowens, October 10, 1843, after- ward to Elizabeth Pogue September 8, 1847; Cyrus, born April 1, 1825, died January, 1828; Margaret, born December 26, 1826, married Israel Bebout, December, 1850, and died March 31, 1869; Logan, born April 6, 1829, married Jane Vance, October 14, 1858; Sarah, born February 17, 1834, married Samuel Bebout August 14, 1856.

Richard Van Eman Johnson, son of John and Rebecca Johnson, was born September 23, 1841, married November 17, 1869, West Anna Lee, daughter of Maj. William and Jane (Craig) Lee, of Cross Creek, Penn., and their children are Rebecca Jane and William Lee. He lives at Johnson Station, Chartiers Railroad, on the farm formerly owned by his father and grandfather.

JOHNSON-LEE GENEALOGY.

Rebecca Jane John-

William Lee Johnson

son

Richard Van Eman Johnson

West

Anna Lee

>John Johnson

Rebecca Van Eman

William Lee

SJane Craig

Richard Johnston

Jane Bradford

Joseph Van Eman

Isabel Logan

Hugh Lee

Hannah Orr

Walter Craig

Elizabeth Scott

Elizabeth ( -- ) John Johnston

Elizabeth Gibson James Bradford

George Van Eman

Rebecca Scott

Rebecca Walker Samuel Logan

Hugh Lee

Mary Elliott

John Orr

Mary Gibson

David Craig

Ann McClane

Arthur Scott Ann Hamilton

C HARLES E. BEACH (deceased) was born in East Bloomfield, N. Y., January 31, 1819, a son of Chauncey, who was a son of Chauncey, who was a son of Amos, who was a son of John, who was a son of John, who was a son of Thomas, a native of England.

In 1639 there came from England three brothers -Richard, John and Thomas-who settled in New Haven, Conn., where Thomas, in 1654, mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Richard Platt, and of their children one son, John, was born October 19, 1655, and died in 1709. John Beach had one son, also named John, born October 15, 1690, in Wal- lingford, Conn., who in 1738 moved to Goshen, same State, where he died May 9, 1773. On August 8, 1715, he was married to Sarah Taylor, who died, leaving one son, Barney, and John Beach then married, February 22, 1717, Mary Roys, to which union one son, Amos, was born January 28, 1724. Amos Beach married, December 24, 1746, Mary Rich, and their son Chauncey was born in Goshen, Conn., November 11, 1748, and became the grandfather of the subject of this sketch.

Chauncey Beach received his education in his native town, and was reared to the milling business, which he followed many years. He remained in Goshen until 1801, when he removed to West Bloomfield, N. Y., where he died May 13, 1825, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Federalist originally, and dur. ing the later years of his life a Whig. On De- cember 24, 1772, he married Catherine Alvord, who was born November 21, 1750, and the following record of their family of children gives the names and dates of birth: Erastus, June 3, 1775; Olive, May 5, 1777; Lucy, October 6, 1778; Ambrose, August 14, 1780; Abram, May 12, 1782; Elisha, June 23, 1783; Theron, July 9, 1785; Catherine, June 29, 1787; Chauncey, May 5, 1789, and Nathaniel, October 26, 1791.

Chauncey Beach, father of Charles E., was born in Goshen, Conn., where he received the earlier part of his education, and, as will be seen, was about twelve years old when his parents moved with their fainily to West Bloomfield, N. Y. After leaving school he learned the trade of cabinet maker, but abandoned it to take up that of his father, milling, which, having mastered, he carried on in West Bloomfield until 1836, when he moved to Parma, N. Y., thence to Ohio, to a place now known as Kent. There he remained seven years, at the end of which time he went to Painesville; then after a few years he proceeded to West Cleveland. At the latter place he resided but six months, when he moved to Akron, and thence, after three years, came to Monongahela City, all the time engaged in the milling business until old age compelled him to retire from active work. On August 19, 1813, Mr. Beach married Matilda Eggleston, of

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West Bloomfield, who became the mother of four children, viz .: Catherine, born August 2, 1814; James W., born October 2, 1816; Charles E., born January 31, 1819, and Cordelia, born August 29, 1821. The mother passed from earth July 21, 1866, the father May 19, 1870. He was a Whig until the change of the party was consummated, when he became a Republican.

Charles E. Beach was educated at the public schools of his native town-proving a deep and diligent student. When a young man he entered his father's mill, and remained there several years. In 1847 the family moved to Monongahela City, Penn., where he and his father bought the flouring mill, but in 1867 sold it, and then, in company with his father, bought an interest in the lumber yard and planing mill in Monongahela City, now owned by Blythe & Co. On account of poor health he sold his interest in 1876, and retired from

business. On September 23, 1858, he married Emma Pierce, and the children by that union were Matilda E., M. Edith and Amanda S., of whom the first and last named are deceased. The mother of these children died January 1, 1866, and March 29, 1870, Mr. Beach was married to Eliza- beth, daughter of Thomas Heslep. One child, Nellie, was born to them. Our subject was a stanch Republican in his political views, and was recognized as a leading and enterprising man in the community. His widow is still a resident of Mo- nongahela City.

Thomas Heslep, father of Mrs. Elizabeth Beach, was born in Chester county, Penn., in 1801, a son of John Heslep, a native of the same county, who married a Miss Grant, and had by her several children, of whom the following names are obtain- able: Robert, John, George and Thomas. John Heslep came to Washington county at an early day, and purchased a farm in Carroll township where he died. He was a Whig in politics, and in Church connection a Baptist. Thomas Heslep was reared partly in Washington county, partly in Pittsburgh. He married Margaret McCormick, of Pigeon Creek, and they then settled on a farm in Somerset town ship, where he died in 1860; his wife is also dead. He had two children. Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles E. Beach) and John. Mr. Heslep was first a Whig, afterward a Republican, and in church connection he was a sound Presbyterian.

D R. W. H. ALEXANDER, a rising young physician of Washington county, is a grand- son of Joseph Alexander, whose father, Samuel, was born in Ireland, whence, in 1763, he emigrated to America, locating at Chadd's Ford, Chester Co., Penn. He was married to a Miss Wilson, who bore him three children, and in 1785 they moved to Allegheny county, same State.

He patented 360 acres of land, lying two miles from Bridgeville, Penn., and both he and his wife died on this place.

Joseph Alexander, son of Samuel, was born in 1766, on the home place at Chadd's Ford, Chester Co., Penn., and in 1807 was united in marriage with Elizabeth West. The following year he bought and moved upon 140 acres in North Stra- bane township, this county, and died there March 23, 1828. The wife and mother passed away in 1869, leaving the following children: Mary (wife of James Mahood), Samuel (married to Mary Van Eman), Elizabeth (Mrs. John Dixon, of Milan, Rock Island Co., Ill.), Joseph W., West, and Susan (wife of William McQuail, a farmer of North Strabane township).

Joseph W. Alexander was born April 5, 1815, on the home place in Canonsburg, and from earliest youth was an earnest, vigorous student. His in- clinations and natural ability soon led him to choose the medical profession as his life work. He entered Jefferson College in 1835, taking a full course with the exception of Greek. In 1838 he entered the office of Dr. Leatherland, and there studied medicine, at the same time teaching school. In 1840 he completed a thorough course at Jeffer- son Medical College, and then began to practice his profession in Eldersville, Washington Co., Penn., thence moving to Hillsboro, where he re- mained several years. On June 18, 1844, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Morrison) Horner. On August 6, 1861, Dr. Alexander passed the State Medical Examination, and in January, 1862, passed the examination as a surgeon. He was ap- pointed surgeon of the Twenty-sixth P. V. I., serving three years, and after the battle of Fair Oaks was made surgeon of the Eighty-fifth P. V. I., then served in the same capacity with the Fif- teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the army of the Cumberland, until mustered out June 21, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. He was physician of the Mor- ganza Reform School for many years, and passed the latter portion of his life in Canonsburg, enjoy- ing an enviable reputation as one of the most dis- tinguished physicians of Washington county. In August, 1885, he lost his wife, who had borne him children as follows: Laura (deceased), Elizabeth (wife of Thomas Yates), Margaret (Mrs. James F. Ray), Joseph H., Lola and William H. Dr. Alexander was originally a Whig, uniting with the Republican party upon its organization ; was chair- man of the first county convention, and served as a member of the Legislature in 1853. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as elder for many years. The influence of Dr. Alex- ander will long be felt in the community where much of his life work was accomplished. He passed to rest April 20, 1892.

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W. H. Alexander, a son of the eminent physician above mentioned, was born in Canonsburg, Penn. He is a worthy representative of his honored father, whose unfinished work it has become the sacred duty of the young physician to take up. W. H. Alexander entered Jefferson Medical Col- lege at the age of twenty-two years, and, graduat- ing in 1885, commenced practice with his father in Canonsburg .. He is a stanch Republican, work- ing earnestly for the success of his party, and is undoubtedly destined to become as distinguished in his chosen calling as was his father.

J AMES WATSON. In recording the names of the prominent and influential citizens of Washington county, our list would be incom- plete were to be omitted the name of this, in his lifetime, well-known eminent attorney.

James Watson was born in Canonsburg, Waslı- ington Co., Penn., a son of John and Mary (Miller) Watson, both of whom died in Canonsburg. They were the parents of six children, of whom only one survives, a daughter, Mrs. Miller, now living with her son in law, Mr. Haft, in Houstonville, this county. Our subject received his primary educa- tion at the common schools of his native town, af- ter which he attended Canonsburg College, from which he graduated. Immediately after gradua- tion he came to the borough of Washington and commenced the study of law in the office of Thomas McKennan, under whose preceptorship he studied until he was admitted to the bar in 1833. Soon afterward, Mr. McKennan being admitted to Congress, Mr. Watson was received into partner- ship with him in the practice of law, and during his absence our subject had complete charge of the office and business. His entire legal life was at the Washington county bar, and at first his practice was a general one, but later in life he would take no criminal cases. On April 15, 1875, Mr. Watson passed from earth at the age of sixty- six years. He was a member of the United Pres- byterian congregation of Washington, and in politics he was a Republican. On January 15, 1835, he was married to Miss Maria Woodbridge Morgan, daughter of George and Elizabeth Aldrich (Thomp- son) Morgan, and ten children were born to them. viz .: Elizabeth Thompson, living with her widowed mother; Mary Baynton, widow of Rev. Alexander Reed, late of the Presbyterian Church (she resides in Washington, Penn.): George (deceased); . Jane Gilman, living in Allegheny; David Thompson, a prominent attorney of Pittsburgh; Matilda, wife of A. G. Happer, in Washington, Penn .; James, an attorney in New York City; William Morgan, part- ner with his brother, David T., in law business, in Pittsburgh, and two that died in infancy. Mrs.

Watson still resides in Washington. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

George Morgan, father of Mrs. James Watson, was born in 1780 in Princeton, N. J., a son of Col. George Morgan who was married in Philadelphia to Miss Mary Baynton (daughter of a merchant of that city), by whom he had children, John, Ann, George, Thomas and Maria. Col. George Morgan came with his family to Washington county, set- tling on land in North Strabane township, said land being a portion of what is known as the "Morganza tract." Col. George Morgan died in 1810, his wife surviving him fifteen years, and they were both buried in the family ground at Mor- ganza, and afterward removed to the cemetery at Washington, Penn. Their son George was edu- cated at Princeton (N. J.) College, and came west in 1796, after he had finished his studies. He married Elizabeth A., daugliter of David Thomp- son, of Delaware, in which State the daughter was born, and the young couple then settled on the old farm at Morganza, on which they resided many years. The family of children born to them were as follows: David T. (deceased), Mary B. (de- ceased wife of Rev. William McCombs), Elizabeth McKennan (deceased wife of Luther Edgerton, of Marietta, Ohio), Nancy Gibbs (widow of William D. Morgan, and now living in Washington, Penn.), Maria Woodbridge (since Mrs. James Watson), George (deceased), Matilda Bowman (first wife of William D. Morgan, of Washington), Dr. William McKennan (deceased), and Lauretta Thompson (residing at Washington). The father died sud- denly while on his way home from a visit to Ohio, the mother passing away several years after, in Washington, at the age of seventy years. The family is one of the best known and most highly connected in the county.

M UNSON POST was born in the State of New Jersey. He married and lived in Essex county, where he reared a large family, and thence removed to Washing- ton county, Penn., settling in Morris town- ship about the year 1781. He brought his family and household effects in wagons, and they were several weeks on the way. One incident of their journey has been handed down to the present generation, which is about as follows: They brought two or three cows with them, the boys of the family taking turns driving and herding them. When they camped for the night the cows were milked night and morning, and as they moved on, the jostling of the wagon churned the milk, thus saving the time and labor of churning the milk. Politically Mr. Post was a Democrat, which is largely the characteristic of his descendants. Just what his religious faith was, is not known,

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but he is supposed to have been a member of the Church of England.

Jeremiah Post, son of Munson Post, was born in Essex county, N. J., September 10, 1769, and at the age of twelve years came with his father's family to Washington, Penn. He received a limited education, and in January, 1794, was married to Martha, daughter of Dr. Charles Cracraft, and she bore him four children: William, Deborah, Charles and Joseph. For his second wife he married, October 25, 1804, Mary, daughter of Abraham Enlow, who resided in East Finley township, this county, and their children were Martha, Jemima, Martin, Jesse, Luke, Sarah, Mary A., James R. and Phoebe. Mr. Post for a short time after he was married lived on a small farm which he owned near what is now Van Buren, which he sold and then bought the home farm, it being a part of a tract of land called "Content," situated on the headwaters of Ten Mile creek, owned by Dr. Charles Cracraft, where he after- ward resided. Politically he was a Democrat; in religious faith he was a Cumberland Presbyterian, and was one of the charter members of the Bethel C. P. Church. He died June 1, 1848, and was buried in the Bethel cemetery; his wife died November 30, 1854, and rests beside him.

William Post, son of Jeremiah Post, was born November 12, 1795, and grew up on the home farm. He married Miss Margaret, daughter of Benjamin Lindley, of Morris township, and they live in different parts of Washington and Greene counties, also in northern Ohio. They reared a large family of children. He was a farmer by oc- cupation at the time of his death, which occurred January 2, 1866, on the farm owned by his son B. L. Post in Donegal township, where he was then living; his remains were buried in the Bethel cemetery near Van Buren. His wife followed him to the grave in March, 1884, and her remains rest by his. Their son B. L. Post, of Donegal township, is an enterprising and successful farmer. Deborah Post grew up on the home farm, and was married to John, son of Luke Enlow, of East Finley township. They lived for many years on the home farm where the Pees brothers now reside, it being his father's farm. They reared a large family, and migrated to southern Illinois. Mr. Enlow was a millwright by occupation, but after they removed he engaged in farming which he carried on successfully as long as he lived. Mrs. Enlow was something over seventy years of age at the time of her death; her remains rest near her western home. Charles Post was brought up on the home farm, and learned the millwright's trade with Charles Cracraft, and worked at same for a number of years. He married Miss Elizabeth Bryant, and then went to Allen county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm, built a mill thereon,

and engaged in farming and milling which he carried on until overtaken by the infirmities of age. They reared five children, four of whom are settled near their old home at Spencerville, Allen Co., the fifth being settled in Jasper county, Mo. Mr. Post in politics was a Republican, in religious faith a Methodist Episcopal; he died at his home March 28, 1884. Joseplı Post when a young man engaged in mercantile business. He married and lived near Batavia, Ohio, and reared two children: Samuel P. and Mary E., who became the wife of Hon. Darnell, of Van Wert, Ohio. Mr. Post died when comparatively a young man; his widow is at present residing with her daughter at Van Wert, Ohio.

Martha Post became the wife of George Eng- land, of East Finley township, and was the mother of two children, Samuel, and Mary A., who became the wife of G. W. Craft, of Morris township. Mrs. England died when about thirty-one years of age. Jemima Post married John, son of Elliott Enlow, and they lived on his father's farm near the Stony Point M. E. church in East Finley township. Their family consisted of four daughters and one son-John M-an enterprising furniture dealer in Claysville. Mrs. Enlow was an exemplary member of the M. E. Church at Stony Point; she died May 6, 1883, aged seventy-five years, and her body rests beside that of her husband in the Stony Point cemetery. Martin Post was born June 22, 1809, and passed his youth on the home farm in South Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., re- ceiving his education in the common schools. He married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Hugh and Ruth Montgomery, of East Finley township, and they had three children: Sarah M. (deceased), Mary E. and John M. They began life on the home farm where they passed the rest of their days. Mr. Post was a successful farmer, which · occupation he followed as long as he lived. He was a great reader, and kept himself informed in most of the leading topics of the day. Politically he was a Democrat; in religious faith he was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; he was one of the charter members of the Bethel C. P. Church. On February 2, 1840, he was or- dained ruling elder of the above-named church, and from his ordination until his death he was clerk of the Session - a period of some forty-five years. One of the leading characteristics of his life was his great desire to always be right and do right. He died January 30, 1885, and his body was laid to rest in the Bethel cemetery, by that of his father and mother. After his decease his widow lived on the home farm until her death, and she managed the farm successfully, being a woman of great perseverance and energy. She also was a member of the Bethel C. P. Church. She died February 23, 1892, in her seventy-first year, and

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was buried beside her husband. Their daughter Mary E. resides on the home farm. John M. is a prominent farmer and business man of East Fin- ley township, and is a justice of the peace in said township. Jesse Post was born December 2, 1811; he married Margaret Dickerson, of Morris town- ship, and after living for a number of years in East Finley township, at what is known as Post's Mill,he removed to Washington county, Ohio, and purchased a farm near Beverly, where he engaged in farming. They had no children. He died July 11, 1879; his widow is still living. Luke Post was born August 13, 1813. He married Mar- tha McKoy, of East Finley township; was a farmer by occupation; in politics a Democrat, and in relig- ious faith a Cumberland Presbyterian. He died October 29, 1855, and was buried in the Stony Point cemetery; his wife is still living, and is now the widow of Richard Mounts, of Donegal township. Sarah Post died when about twenty-one years of age, unmarried; Mary Ann became the wife of John Finley, of East Finley township, and was the mother of seven children, namely: Jeremiah P., Sarah J., James M., John A., Phoebe M. (de- ceased), Robert C. and William B. The parents lived in East Finley township. The mother was truly a Christian woman, and as to her good qual- ities her neighbors could testify. Her kindness has relieved many of the hungry poor of her com- munity. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Claysville. She died December 8, 1877, and her body rests in the Claysville ceme- tery. James R. Post died in infancy. Phoebe Post was born September 5, 1823, and became the wife of Cyrus Sprowls, of East Finley township. They began life on the old home farm now owned by Mrs. Simeon Sprowls, and they had three chil- dren, two of whom are living: Jesse P. and Mary A. Mrs. Sprowls was an exemplary member of the Bethel C. P. Church. She died July 31, 1849, and was buried in the Stony Point cemetery. Her husband lived many years after her decease. Their son, J. P., is a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, now at Salem, Ill .; Mary A. is the wife of Jacob Rockey, of Burnsville, this county.

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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 37

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