Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 5

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 5

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This ancestor was a prominent citizen of Lanark, Scotland, and lived there during the year 1710. Among his children a son, John, born about 1700, was married to Margaret, daughter of Ronald Glasson, a resident of Glasgow, Scotland. Relig- ious persecution was then raging, and many ad- herents of Presbyterianism fled to other countries. Among this number were John and Margaret Alexander, who sought a refuge in the County Armagh, Ireland, remaining there a few years. In 1736 the entire family, comprising the parents, three sons and two daughters, accompanied by Hugh and James Alexander (two nephews of Mr. Alexander), and Mrs. Polk (a niece), set sail for America. Their first landing place was either at Philadelphia, Penn., or at New Castle, Del .; their first settlement was made about thirty miles west of New Castle, Del., near the Maryland line, on the eastern side of Octorara creek, in Nottingham, Chester Co., Penn. The party resided in this lo- cality a few years and then separated, the two nephews with Mrs. Polk moving to Mecklenburg county, N. C. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, with their son John and two daughters, moved to a farın near Carlisle, Penn., which they afterward sold, locating near Chambersburgh, Penn., where the parents died about the time of the Revolution. Of the children born to this pioneer couple the fol- lowing is a record:

Hugh, the eldest son, was born about 1724, in County Armagh, Ireland, and in early life learned the wheelright and carpenter trades, which he fol- lowed in Chester county, Penn. In 1752 he was united in marriage with Martha Edmiston, daugh- ter of David and Margaret (Donnel) Edmiston. Mrs. Alexander was born about 1734. Her chil- dren were Margaret, John, Mary, David and Hugh. The mother died, and in 1773, Mr. Alexander was married to Lettice, widow of James Thompson. Three children were born to this union: James, William and Emily (twins). The parents finally moved to a farm in Sherman Valley, Perry Co , Penn., where he died in March, 1777, and in 1797 the widow, with her two children, James and Emily, moved to Mckeesport, Penn. The chil- dren were there married, and the mother died in Butler county, Penn., at the home of a son who was born to her first marriage.

James Alexander, second son of John and Mar- garet (Glasson) Alexander, was born in 1726, in the County Armagh, Ireland, having been but ten years of age when the family came to America.

He was married in Cumberland county, Penn., to Rosa, daughter of Robert Reed. James Alex- ander possessed an indomitable spirit of energy and enterprise. He longed for more " worlds to conquer," and resolved to explore Pennsylvania, which was, at that time, a pathless wilderness. Undaunted by the warnings of his less courageous neighbors, the young pioneer began his perilous journey. He first ascended the Susquehanna river, then along the Juniata, and following the course of the roaring waters of Kiskacoquillas, soon found himself in the heart of a mighty wilderness, over one hundred miles from home, an easy prey to the prowling brute or lurking Indian foe. He had ascended the latter stream but a short dis- tance, when a beautiful and fertile valley, hemmed in by mountains and covered with heavy timber, greeted his delighted eyes. Here he determined to found a new settlement, and in 1755 took out the patent for 1,000 acres of mellow, lime- stone soil, in the beautiful but lonely wilderness. On returning to Carlisle, Penn., he pictured in glowing colors the beauties and advantages of the country, but his enthusiam failed to infuse the necessary courage for so hazardous an enterprise. One friend, however, proved himself a kindred spirit, so accompanied by their families and chat- tels, William Brown and James Alexander took possession of the fertile valley. Mr. Brown located near the entrance, and James settled five miles west, his nearest neighbor having been Logan, the famous chief of the Mingo tribe. With stout arms and hearts the heroic pioneers fell to their hercu- lean task of clearing away the forest, which was only accomplished after many years of toil. Al- though deprived of church and educational privi- leges, the truest heart-worship was found in these lowly homes, for as Bryant has truly said, "The groves were God's first temples; ere man learned to hew the shaft and lay the architrave, here he worshiped," and more sincere worship never rose to the Creator, than ascended from the humble al- tars of the pioneers. The cabin of James Alex- ander was indeed a very Bethel-morning and night the word of God was read, and the sacred notes of song and prayer rose to the pure sky above. The Sabbath was a time of rest, and prayer- ful study of the Bible, the catechism and confession of faith, and every evening a veritable "Cotter's Saturday Night." In this wild country a little church was finally erected, with which James Alexander was prominently identified. The whole valley was at one time known as Armagh town- ship, in honor of his birthplace. Soon after Mr. and Mrs. Alexander had settled in the valley, the Mingo chief, Logan, visited their cottage during the absence of the husband, and having won the con- fidence of a little son, carried him away to his own cabin, the terrified mother not daring to resist.

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Several hours passed, and the almost frantic woman decided to follow and attempt to rescue her child, when to her unutterable relief she met the friendly chief returning with the little fellow in his arms, his tiny feet shod with beautiful beaded moccasins made by the distinguished warrior. During the winter of 1777-78 James Alexander served in the commissary department of the Colonial Army at Valley Forge, receiving for that service 1,600 acres of land, in Clearfield county, Penn. He died in 1791, and was buried at the brick Presbyterian church at West Kishacoquillas. The following children were born to this family: Jane, born in 1763; Robert, born in 1766; Elizabeth, born in 1768; John, born in 1769; James, born in 1772; Hugh, born in 1773; Joseph, born in 1776; Rachel, born in 1780; William B., born in 1782; Rosanna, born in 1784; and Reed, born in 1786, also others who were deceased in youth.

John Alexander, youngest son of John and Mar- garet (Glasson) Alexander, resided on the old es- tate in Chambersburgh, Penn., which he inherited from his father. He was a prominent military man, and served as an officer in the first company formed in Franklin county, Penn., November, 1776. Rachel Alexander, eldest daughter of John and Margaret (Glasson) Alexander, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and came to America with her parents. In 1763 she was united in marriage with Joseph Vance, a resident of Martinsburgh, Berk- eley Co., W. Va. The young people first located in the Kishacoquillas Valley, afterward moving to a place near Honeywood Mills, Berkeley Co., W. Va., where they died, leaving six children, namely : Samuel, Alexander, Rachel, John, Joseph and Jane. Margaret Alexander, youngest child of John and Margaret (Glasson) Alexander, lived to an adult age, but was never married.

Robert Alexander, the eldest son of James and Rosa (Reed) Alexander, was born in October, 1766, and grew to manhood on the home farm. After the death of his father he located near Stone Mountain, in the Kishacoquillas Valley. On April 8, 1790, he married Elizabeth McClure. Her mother was a Miss Scott, a native of Scotland, her father was born in Ireland, and, afterward immi- grating to America, settled in East Kishacoquillas, Penn., where Elizabeth was born March 8, 1768. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander began life on the home farm. He was a man of incorruptible integrity, possessing a sound judgment and remarkable power of memorizing, having been able to repeat a sermon verbatim after once listening to it. His disposition was so averse to disputes, that during forty-five years of service as justice of the peace, he tried but two cases, settling those without costs. In 1823 he was elected to the Legislature by the largest Democratic majority ever given in his dis- trict, but no persuasion could induce him to accept

the nomination for reelection. He was an earnest and zealous member of the Presbyterian Church, and died in August, 1843, having been preceded by his wife in 1832. She had borne him children as follows: Elizabeth, born July 7, 1791; James, born January 17, 1793; Mary, born July 13, 1795; Robert Mc., born November 1, 1797; Nancy, born June 29, 1800; Robert R., born November 2, 1802; William, born March 3, 1805; Cyrus and Silas (twins), born September 30, 1807; and Celia, born March 8, 1810.

Cyrus Alexander was born in Union township, Mifflin Co., Penn. On February 6, 1835, he se- lected a life companion in the person of Mary Brown, who was born February 4, 1814, in Armagli township, Mifflin Co., Penn. The children of this marriage were Robert Mc., born August 2, 1836, deceased November 8, of the same year; James B., living in Indiana, born November 7, 1837; Robert B., born March 9, 1840, deceased May 6, 1882; Cyrus R., born August 20, 1842, deceased July 16, 1883; Adolphus F., whose sketch follows; Samuel R., born February 10, 1847, deceased April 7, 1847; Ira, born July 30, 1849, deceased February 10, 1850; Sidney, born February 17, 1851, de- ceased March 27, 1851; and Lot, a practicing physician of Pendleton, Ind., born August 28, 1853. Cyrus and Mary (Brown) Alexander began married life on the old homestead, but afterward purchased a farm near by, where their lives were passed. Politically, he was a Whig and Repub lican, but preferred the quiet duties of private life to the turmoil of politics. He and his wife were active workers in and zealous members of the Pres- byterian Church. He died January 6, 1884, fol- lowed by his wife January 10, 1892. Both parents are buried in the Milroy cemetery.

Adolphus F. Alexander, the subject of this sketch, was born November 7, 1844, in Kishaco- quillas Valley, Mifflin Co., Penn. He attended the common schools of the district, also spending a short time at the Kishacoquillas seminary. On August 21, 1861, he enlisted at Lewistown, Penn., in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment, P. V. I., serv- ing three years and ten months. He took part in the engagements at Cold Harbor, South Mountain, Antietam, and siege of Knoxville, having been all through the campaign around Petersburgh, Va., and in numerous minor engagements. He re- turned at the close of the war, having escaped in- jury save a slight wound received at Cold Spring, Tenn. After the war Mr. Alexander resumed his literary studies at Milroy, Penn., soon afterward entering Washington and Jefferson College. He then began the study of law under Orvis & Alex- ander, of Bellefonte, Penn., and in 1870 was admit- ted to the bar at Lewistown, Penn. He then practiced a short time at Pittsburgh, and in 1875 entered the Western Theological Seminary of Alle-

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

gheny, graduating in 1879. After graduation he ac- cepted a call to the Church at Pre-emption, Mercer Co., Ill., where he remained until 1883, and then took charge of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church at Florence, Penn., which has since been his field of labor. On March 11, 1886, he was united in mar- riage with Flora Anderson, niece of G. W. and Mary Conn, who bore him two children: Mary and Cyrus C. Mrs. Alexander died October 10, 1890, leaving the sacred memory of a beloved wife and mother, and a Christian woman. Rev. Alexander is an earnest worker in the harvest field of his Master, and his friends are numbered among every denomination.

A LEXANDER H. LITLE, retired, was born August 25, 1827, in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., a son of William and Mary Ann (Patterson) Litle. The former was a native of eastern Pennsylva- nia, whose ancestors came to America at an early date; the latter was a daughter of James Patterson, who came from Ireland to Washington borough, where he followed his trade of wheelwright, and died at a good old age.

William Litle, father of our subject, came when a young man to Washington borough. working at carding and fulling. About the year 1823, he bought the land and moved to Buffalo township, where he carried on farming, and on this farm he died, October 18, 1887, at the patriarchal age of fourscore and ten years, being one of the oldest men in the township; his mother died in West Vir- ginia, also at the age of ninety years. He was a member of the M. E. Church; and in politics a Democrat. He held only local offices. His wife died September 16, 1879, at the age of eighty years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom five are living: Henry, a farmer in Kan- sas; Robert, a farmer in Buffalo township, this county; Jane, wife of Stewart Litle, in Kansas; Kate, married to William McCreary, living on the old Litle homestead, and Alexander H. Four mem- bers of this family died on the old home farm.

A. H. Litle remained at the family homestead in Buffalo township until he was twenty-four years of age, attending school and learning the trade of cabinet maker. In 1853 he and his brother Henry bought out the furniture business of A. B. Wolf. and for fifteen or sixteen years they continued together. when our subject assumed entire control and carried the concern on alone-until 1888, when he sold out to Ed. Alexander and retired from bus- iness after a period of thirty-five years' close ap- plication to work in Washington, which brought him well-merited success and a generous com- petency. In 1882 Mr. Litle was married to Miss Mary, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wolf)

Shannon, the former of whom died in Washington county, in July, 1889, while the latter is still liv- ing on the old Shannon home place in South Stra- bane township. To our subject and wife has come one child, William A., born March 21, 1885. The home of the family is on North Main street, Wash- ton, the residence having been built in 1880. Mr. Litle owns various tracts of land in the State of Kansas, aggregating between eight hundred and nine hundred acres. He and his wife are mem- bers of the M. E. Church at Washington, and in politics he is a straight Democrat.

HE HOPKINS FAMILY are prominent in the history of Washington county, and de- serve a conspicuous place in this biograph- ical record.

John Hopkins was born in Scotland, and after coming to America (with his brother Ricli- ard) settled in Maryland and was married to Eleanor Wallace, daughter of Herbert Wallace, of his adopted State, who bore him eleven children, viz .: Herbert, whose children, Mary and Jarrett, lived in Baltimore; William, married to a Miss Briscoe; Richard, moved to South Carolina; Alex- ander, married to Rosa Laird, whose children were John, Thomas, Eliza, Rosa, Polly and Nancy; James, married to Mary Goe, who bore him six children: John, William, Dorcas, Elizabeth, Mary A. and Thomas; John, married a Miss Wallace, who had three children: Charles, Nancy (Mrs. Butler) and George; Thomas, whose sketch follows; Nancy, wife .of Mr. Fleming, their children being John, White, Nellie, Catherine, Elizabeth, Anna and Mar- garet; Elizabeth. wife of William Wallace, and mother of Ellen (wife of George Bentley), Fanny (wife of H. Bentley), Peggy (a Mrs. Grier) and Pat- tie (Mrs. Smith); Annie married Mr. Parker-he was accidentally drowned; and Eleanor married Andrew Boggs, and bore him one son.

Thomas Hopkins, son of John and Eleanor, was born in Maryland. Subsequently he removed to Washington county, Pa. He was a member of the Legislature when it met in Lancaster. On May 22, 1794, Major Hopkins selected a life companion in the person of Catharine Hurd, who was born near Londonderry, Ireland. Catharine was brought to America by her father, when she was about fif- teen years of age. and was married to Major Thomas Hopkins about a year afterward. She was a woman of strong character, of good education, of great amiability, and of renowned piety. For many years she was an active and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To this couple were born ten children, of whom the following is a brief record: (1) Andrew, born April 30, 1795, married Ann Townsend, who bore him five children, viz. : Edith Elma (Mrs. Coyle), Catliarine (Mrs. Hiesy), .

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Sabina (Mrs. Wilcox), Townsend and Thomas. (2) Catharine, born April 25, 1796, was married to Joseph Wright, and bore him ten children. (3) Eleanor, born November 7, 1799. (4) Thomas H., born February 5, 1801, was united in marriage to Elizabeth Moffitt; she had four children, viz. : Mof- fitt, Eliza (Mrs. Lanning), Thomas and Catharine (Mrs. Krepps). (5) John, born August 22, 1802, was married to Jane Moffitt, who bore him one daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Dr. E. A. Wood, of Allegheny county. (6) William (whose sketch fol- lows) married to Rachel Herron. (7) White F., born May 15, 1806, was married to Hannah Wilson, and they had three children: Araminda, Thomas C. (living in East Bethlehem township) and Joseph Wright. (8) Margaret, born March 13, 1808, was first married to Thomas West, to whom she bore three children: Thomas, Catharine and Jonathan; she was then married to William Moffitt, and their children were: John; Eliza Jane, Joseph. Hop- kins and Margaret. (9) Alexander, born January 8, 1810. was never married.

Col. William Hopkins was born September 17, 1804, in this county. Although he received only such education as the schools of that day afforded, he was a reader, an observer and a thinker, as his career fully showed. He learned the tannery busi- ness, which he followed several years. On Jan- uary 1, 1824, he was married to Rachel Herron, who was born December 10, 1804. She was the only daughter and the youngest of ten children of James Herron, who when a mere lad came from Ireland with his father Charles Herron. The mother of Mrs. Hopkins was Rachel Reed, of Lancaster, Pa. Honor, integrity and inde- pendence were characteristics of the Herrons. Mr. and Mrs. Herron were the parents of the following children: Charles, born June 3, 1785; John, born April 4, 1787; William, born February 24, 1789; James, born April 4, 1791 (has a son living in Peters township); Robert, born January 15, 1793; John. born December 16, 1795; Joseph, born Jan- uary 2, 1797 (has two sons living in North Strabane township); Thomas, born December 17. 1799; Samuel, born March 17. 1801; and Rachel. The mother died May 15, 1821, followed by the father November 22, 1822. The only daughter, when young in years and experience, kept house for the large family of brothers (until her marriage with Col. Hopkins), two or three of the eldest having gone out from the paternal roof to homes of their own. Mrs. Hopkins was a woman of remarkable personal beauty, much of which she retained through life. Her character was a lovable one. She was always patient, bright and sweet-tempered, considerate of others, utterly unselfish in all things. She considered no service too onerous, no sacrifice too great for those she loved, always ministering

to the happiness of others, never thinking of her- self.

William Hopkins was one of the most prominent Democrats of his time, and in 1827 was appointed justice of the peace of Pike Run township, by Gov ernor Schultz. In 1834-36-37-38-39 he was elected to the State Legislature, and was Speaker of the House during the sessions of 1838-39-40. He was first chosen Speaker at a time of the great est public excitement, known as the Buckshot war. Military surrounded the State-house, and a bloody collision was imminent. Referring to Col. Hopkins in this connection, Hon. George W. Woodward, in the Constitutional Convention said: "You sir, and many of the members of the Convention will refer to a period in our civil and political history of great interest, when but for the wisdom and firm- ness of this man, our Commonwealth might easily have been involved in civil war. I have always felt that the public owed more to those qualities of that individual man for averting those calamities than to all other influences which were in opera- tion at the time." In 1840 Col. Hopkins was ap- pointed commissioner of the Cumberland road, by Governor Porter, which office he filled until 1842, when he was called into Governor Porter's cabinet as Secretary of the Land-office. Subsequently he held the office of Commissioner of the Cumberland road for five years. In 1844 and again in 1848 he was a candidate for Congress. Although the Dis- trict was strongly Whig, so great was his personal popularity that he came within thirty-eight votes of being elected in 1848. In 1852 he was elected Canal Commissioner, and served in that capacity for three years, with that ability and integrity for which he was distinguished. When not employed in more enlarged spheres of usefulness, he was in- terested and active in local affairs, and never re- fused his services to his friends and neighbors. In 1849 he served as a member of the Borough Conn- cil. In 1850 he was elected Burgess. In 1857-58 he served as assistant Burgess. In his later years he was engaged in the banking business. He was deeply interested in the public-school system, and served as school director many years. In 1861 he was again elected to the House of Representatives, and was re elected in 1862. In 1863 he was elected to the State Senate, and for three years was recognized as the leader in that body. He was through life an ardent Democrat. In 1872 Col. Hopkins was elected a member of the convention to revise the Constitution of Pennsylvania. He was chairman of the committee to revise and report amendments to the declaration of rights. It was he who penned the preamble, which was unani- mously adopted in these words: "We, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, recognizing the sovereignity of God and humbly invoking His

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

guidance in our future destiny ordain and estab- lish this Constitution for its government. " While a member of the Constitutional Convention, Col. Hopkins started for a short visit to his home. On the cars he contracted a severe cold, which settled upon his lungs in the form of pneumonia, of which he died on March 5, 1873, after only a few days' illness. The marriage of Mr. Hopkins at so early an age proved an exceedingly happy one. No household was ever presided over by a more affec- tionate wife and devoted mother. Much of Col. Hopkins' success in life was due to the fact that he had a wife "whose price was above rubies." He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, consis- tent and exemplary in his deportment, and faith- ful in the preformance of every duty. He was tenderly and devotedly attached to his family, and at home found his greatest enjoyment.

The most marked traits of the character of Col. Hopkins are those grouped by Rev. J. I. Brown- son, D. D. " Such a man could not but be exten- sively known and respected. In fact his mental force, discriminating judgment, urbanity, integ- rity, and kindness, joined with facility as a writer and speaker, rising above the defects of early edu- cation, were a continual pledge of public favor and success. He was very firm in adhering to his own views, but considerate also of the opinions and feelings of others. In co-operation or in opposition he commanded respect. In private life. also, it was impossible not to realize the power of his po- liteness and his delicate regard to the sensibilities of all about him. His fondness for children seemed to increase with his years, showing itself both in a desire for their enjoyment and for their good. His fine business capacity was often taxed for the benefit of others, especially widows and orphans. In the hallowed circle of home he was the central object of uncommon reverence and af- fection. But better than all is the witness he leaves behind him in his confession and life as a disciple of Christ. and in the repose of his heart upon the divine promises when called down into ' the valley and shadow of death.'" Another said of him: "His judgment was remarkably sound and accurate, and, with his inflexible honesty, made him in public a leader of men, and in private life a trusted and confidential advisor and counselor. Few men in this county, or indeed in the State, bave managed so many trusts, public and private. as were committed to him during his long and eventful life, and still fewer have discharged so many trusts so skillfully, so judiciously, and so successfully." In the Constitutional Convention Judge Black, referring to the death of Mr. Hop- kins, said: "I do not underestimate the very high qualities of my surviving associates in this body. I do not think, indeed, that any man here appre- ciates their various abilities and virtues more than

I do; but I devoutly believe that there is no man in this convention that we could not have spared better than him who has gone. I do not propose to give an analysis of his character, and it is not necessary to repeat his history. I may say, for I know it, that he was in all respects the best bal- anced man that it was ever my good fortune to know. His moral and personal courage were often tested; he was one of the most fearless men that ever lived. yet all his measures were in favor of peace, and every one who knew him testifies to the gentleness and kindness of his manner." Mr. Biddle said: "I well remember being struck with the commanding figure and strongly-marked coun- tenance, in the lineaments of which were unmis- takably written simplicity and directness of pur- pose, integrity and unswerving firmness. . He has rounded off a life of great moral beauty, of great usefulness, of great dignity by a fitting end, and he has fallen before decay had begun to impair his faculties."

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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 5

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