Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 52

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 52

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ment, now valued at $1,000. His interesting museum is open to the public, who are always welcomed and courteously treated.

R OBERT BIDDLE PATTERSON. This prominent business man represents one of the oldest families of Washington county. His grandfather, John Patterson, was born of Irish parents in eastern Pennsylvania, and came to Washington county when a boy. He was reared and educated in this county, where he grew to manhood, was married, and reared a family of fourteen children. In politics he was a member of the Democratic party, and in religion was con- nected with the Presbyterian Church.

James Patterson, his father, was born and reared in Washington county, and attended the public schools of Nottingham township, where he mar- ried Ann 'McVay, of Union township, a daughter of Thomas Mc Vay. To them were born the follow- ing children: Thomas, John, Mary Jane, Hannah Z., Robert B., J. Kerr, S. R., William C., and Annie. They resided in Nottingham township for twenty years after their marriage, where he fol- lowed farming and stock raising; moved in 1862 to Westmoreland county, Penn. ; resided there for six years; then went to Greensburg, where he lived in retirement. He was an active member of, and for many years an elder in, the Mingo Presby- terian Church. In political opinion he was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles.

Robert B. Patterson was born November 16, 1845, in Nottingham township, attended the com- inon schools and after moving, with his parents, to Westmoreland county, attended the schools there, and also the academy at Salem. He learned the tanner's trade, which he followed but a short time, and afterward taught school four or five years. At the expiration of that time he opened a general store at Greensburg, Penn. In 1880 he moved to Monongahela, where he purchased a grocery store of George Scott, and conducted that business until 1892. There he was married to Miss Agnes Painter, August 30, 1881. Mrs. Agnes Patterson's father's name was G. W. Painter; her mother's, Mary A. Painter; her grandfathers', Tobias Painter and Christian Weaver, all of Westmoreland county, Penn. In 1892 he became interested in the Gra- ham Foundry Company, and is now taking an active part in that enterprise. Mr. Patterson pos- sesses the characteristic spirit of energy which has pervaded all who bear the family name, and has been the architect of his own success. Politically, he is an ardent worker in the Democratic party, and in religion is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Monongahela. The children of this family are: Robert J., Mary W., Edgar M., Cath- erine E. and Kenneth McVay.

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A BRAHAM L. ASHBROOK. This gentle- man claims descent from Simon Ashbrook, a soldier in the German army, one hundred and twenty years ago, who left the Father-

land for America at the time of the Revo- lutionary war. In this country he was employed, during that struggle, in drilling recruits for the American service. His death occurred in Lancas- ter county, Penn., where one of his sons, also named Simon, was born. This son, Simou, about the year 1778, when he was in the neighborhood of twenty-one years old, came to Washington coun- ty and purchased land in Buffalo township, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1849 at the age of eighty-two years. He had married Mary Fennell, who departed this life in Washing- ton county in 1856, at the age of eighty-eight years. They were members of the Baptist Church.

Absalom Baird Ashbrook, son of Simon and Mary (Fennell) Ashbrook, was born June 3, 1808, and was reared on his father's farm. He mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Braddock, of Franklin town- ship, this county, a daughter of John Braddock, and after marriage they made their home in Buf- falo township up to 1884, when they came to the borough of Washington, here to pass their declin- ing years. They were the parents of the following naned children: Mary, wife of Robert Lytle, of East Finley township; Simon F., in Buffalo town- ship; John, who died at the age of seven years; William, died when twelve years old; Abraham L., subject of this sketch; William A. and John B., both deceased; Sarah Margaret, wife of W. P. Hastings, of Washington, Penn., and Solomon Luther, deceased (a dentist who practiced in Buf- falo township). The mother of this family died at the home of her son, Abraham L., in 1886, at the age of seventy-four years.

Abraham L. Ashbrook, of whom this sketch chiefly relates, was born March 31, 1847, in Buf- falo township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his education at the common schools of the dis- trict. In his youth he commenced the study of dentistry, which he supplemented with a course of study at the Dental College, Baltimore, Md., dur- ing the sessions of 1885-86, from which he gradu- ated in the latter year. He then came to Wash- ington, where he has since remained in active practice, a prominent and popular leader in the profession. In 1871 Dr. Ashbrook was married to Miss Mary E. Stewart, of Buffalo township, daugh- ter of John Stewart, and one son was born to them, named John Stewart, now living with his father. Politically the Doctor is a Democrat; socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in religion is an adherent of the Second Presbyterian Church. The Ashbrook family have, as a rule, been long- lived; Margaret (Howell) died when ninety-eight years old; John, when eighty-four; Solomon, when

ninety-three; Nancy Huston, when ninety-one; William, when eighty-five-all brothers and sisters of Absalom B. Ashbrook, father of Dr. Abraham L. Ashbrook.

EORGE H. REYNOLDS. The family, of

which this gentleman is an honored mem- ber, is well known and highly respected in

South Strabane township, and the name has been an honored one from the time of the settlement of the family on American soil.

About the year 1676 James Reynolds, in com- pany with a brother, emigrated from England to the New World, and settled near Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Penn., where the old landmarks of that noted family still remain. One son of this pioneer, also named James, was a famous Indian fighter in his day. He had a family of six sons and four daughters, and at the commencement of the Revolution five of these sons enlisted in the patriot army, serving all through the war under Gen. Washington. One son, Benedict, who was born near Shippensburg, served in Capt. Potter's company, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill, re- maining with Washington all through the many trials and privations until the close of the war. A few years after the conclusion of peace he married Elizabeth Harmon, and a year later took up his residence, along with four of his brothers, near Baltimore, in Anne Arundel county, Md. In 1785, in the early spring, he and his wife, two small children (the eldest but three years old) and one of his brothers, set out from Maryland with all their goods and chattels, including four horses and a cart, to cross the Alleghany mountains into west- ern Pennsylvania. When they reached where now stands the town of Cumberland, near the old fort built by Gen. Washington, one of the horses died, so they had to abandon the cart and carry their household effects on the other horses, in pack-sad- dles. Thus they continued their journey over the mountains, frequently meeting with snow block- ades and Indians, until they reached where is now Hopwood, in Fayette county. Here they met one of Mr. Reynolds' old friends, and together they all pushed forward into Washington county, landing in Amwell township, near what was called Mount Nebo, a landmark now obliterated. One year later Mr. Reynolds purchased from the Darby es- tate the farm on which he permanently settled and passed the remainder of his days. With the ex- ception of his three horses he had no property whatever, but by energy and perseverance he suc- ceeded in securing a home, which he worked and cleared up, paying for same in rye and corn, as there was but little or no money in circulation at that time, and soon he became comfortably settled. He reared a family of nine children in a log cabin

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having but one room 16x20 feet, afterward build- ing an addition. As there were no school-houses in those days in that region, he used a part of his cabin for school purposes, and here his son Zach- ariah, then but sixteen years old, taught subscrip- tion school, receiving from each scholar as a fee for one term's tuition (about three months) a bushel of rye. Seven of the nine children born to this brave old pioneer were Henry, Zachariah, Mary, Susan, Lloyd, Benedict and Sarah, all now passed away, Sarah dying in 1885, the last of the nine. Mr. Reynolds was generous and kind-heart- ed to a fault, ever willing and liberal in helping im - migrants to make a start in his neighborhood, and he was always anxious to see the community in a prosperous condition. As a citizen he was honored, and, being an old soldier, was readily recognized as a friend among veteran comrades he might chance to meet; indeed, he would rather recount reminiscences of the Revolutionary war to his friends than talk on any other subject. He would never accept office, but was always looked to for advice in matters requiring judgment and care. At the advanced age of ninety-one years he passed from earth, a lifelong Democrat. [Written by his grandson, Col. George H. Reynolds. ]

Henry, the eldest son of Benedict Reynolds, lived in a house that was put up by a man named Kirk, one of the earliest settlers in the county. It was built of brick in 1800, one of the first of the kind in the county, and is still standing. Henry Reynolds' family, born and reared in this house, were Isaiah, Joseph, Sarah, Elizabeth, Belinda, Emily, Rebecca, Margaret and Benedict.

Major Zachariah Reynolds, second son of Bene- dict the pioneer, was born in Anne Arundel county, Md., and was about two years old when the family crossed the Alleghanies. He was reared in South Strabane township, and was self-educated. At the early age of sixteen he commenced teaching school, a vocation he followed for forty years, the school-houses and their furnishings during a por- tion of that time being of the most primitive de- scription. The floors and seats were made of puncheons, the windows of greased paper, and a log was made into a bench, while a plank fastened against the wall with wooden pins served as a writing desk. At the age of eighteen, during the days when all the men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five were enrolled in the militia, he was chosen captain of his district, and was called out to muster and drill at least three or four times every year. Finally he rose to the rank of major, his commission being signed by the gov- ernor of Pennsylvania, in the year 1810 or 1812, and was held in reserve in the war of 1812-15. During that period Major Reynolds, being a self- made man, roused the admiration of the citizens of Washington county, and as a consequence was

elected to many positions of trust. He was a fine penman as well as an active business man, and in 1836 was appointed county treasurer, which office he filled for two terms of three years each, after which he served as prothonotary in 1839. Mr. Reynolds was twice married: first to Mary, daugh- ter of Moses Little, of South Strabane township, but she died a little over a year after her marriage, leaving one child, David L., now residing on the farm then owned by his grandfather. Mr. Rey- nolds, for his second wife, was united in marriage with Mary Raney Huston, whose father, Joseph Huston, settled on and owned part of the site where the borough of Washington now stands. After this marriage Mr. Reynolds retired into pri- vate life on the farm in South Strabane township, and there passed the remainder of his heretofore busy life, dying November 8, 1865. He was a Democrat in politics, and liberal in church mat- ters. The children by his second wife were named George H. Mary E. and Seth H.

George H. Reynolds, eldest son of Maj. Zacha- riah and Mary (Raney) Huston Reynolds, was born in Washington, Penn., in 1840, was educated in the common schools, and reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm in South Strabane township. During the war of the Rebellion he en- listed in Company F, Twenty second P. V. C., known as the Ringgold Battalion, and served until the close of the struggle. He served in the army of West Virginia, and participated in many of the battles and engagements in which his battalion was concerned. On April 1, 1869, he married Rachel Austin, a native of Bellaire, Ohio, daugh- ter of James Austin and granddaughter of Gen. Charles De Hass. The children born to this union are Frank S. De Hass, Eva Maud, Blanche, Birdella, Lizzie Artemesia and Georgia Pearl. Col. Reynolds is a Democrat in his political pref- erences, following, in this, in the footsteps of his' forefathers. He has been engaged in various occu- pations, and at the present time is general mana- ger for the Electric Belt Co., of Washington, Penn- sylvania.

R OBERT W. IRWIN, one of the most elo -. quent pleaders at the bar of Washington county, is a son of Ephraim and Margaret (Richey) Irwin, the former of whom was a native of the county. The grandparents on both sides removed to this county from the North of Ireland early in the present century. The children born to Ephraim and Margaret Irwin were: Elizabeth, married to W. J. Meloy; Esther A., married to Jonas Mills; William R .; J. B .; R. W. and Sadie M., and one son who died in infancy.

Our subject was born April 25, 1858, in West

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Finley township, this county, and his early life was passed alternately in working on the farm and'in attending the common schools of his district.

When he was sixteen years of age the family moved to Buffalo, same county, where they re. mained two years; then spent one year in Cross Creek, when, in 1877, they moved to Hopewell township, where the parents now live. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Irwin commenced to teach school in Washington county, a vocation he followed six winters, his summers being occupied in improving himself at the Normal Schools of Claysville and Alexander. In November, 1877, he registered with Boyd Crumrine, Esq., as a student of law, previous to which he had studied Latin with Rev. Walkenshaw, one summer. On June 15, 1881, he was admitted to the bar of Washington county, and he has since practiced his profession in Wash- ington with more than average success. In court, when pleading a case or addressing a jury, he is the "observed of all observers," so forcible, clear and impressive is his eloquence, each argument or point being delivered with a grace and ease that invariably commands the attention of his hearers. For this gift Mr. Irwin modestly admits that he is indebted to his connection in earlier life with de- bating societies in the country, at the time he was teaching school.

On December 24, 1884, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Carrie N., daughter of William Fowler, of Westmoreland county, and niece of William Smith, of Smithville, in Somerset township, this county. When she was but a young girl, her mother was called from earth. To Mr. and Mrs. Irwin have been born four children: Nellie May, now (1892) six years old; Earl Wilson, who died at the age of eight months; Ray Wilson, who died at the age of one year, and Frances Margaret, aged one year. Politically Mr. Irwin is a Democrat, and has been a hard worker in the interests of his party. In- 1883 he was a candidate for the office of district attorney, but the county being strongly Republican, he was defeated. For four years he has served as president of the school board. On the retirement of Judge Acheson from law practice, at his request the present firm of Acheson & Irwin was formed. Mr. Irwin is an elder in the Third Presbyterian Church, of the Sunday-school of which he has been superintendent for some time. His residence is No. 85 Highland avenue.

S AMUEL P. FERGUS, the well-known ex- tensive oil operator, is a native of the county, having been born in South Strabane town- ship August 17, 1843.

He is of Scotch descent, the first of the family to come to this country being John Fergus, great- grandfather of our subject, who was married in 1€

Scotland and emigrated with his family to America, settling in Huntingdon county, Penn., where he died. His family consisted of three sons-Thomas, John and Samuel. Of these Samuel married Mary Paxton, and had the following named children: Hugh, Mary (Mrs. Andrew Hart), Margaret (Mrs. Thomas Maxwell), John, Martha, Thomas, Sarah (Mrs. Hugh Fergus), Jane and Nancy. The father of these died April 14, 1853, aged ninety years, and the mother on February 18, 1861, aged ninety-three years. Their son, Thomas, was born November 2, 1802, on the old homestead taken upby his father in South Strabane township, this county. On May 3, 1831, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John D. Roberts, of that township, and the children born to them were John D., Mary, Susan (deceased), Hannah J., Maria, Isabella, Samuel P. (subject), Addison R. and Sarah M. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fergus took up their residence on Mr. Roberts' farm, where they remained seven years, and then came to their present residence in South Strabane town- ship.

Samuel P. Fergus, whose name opens this com- memorative sketch, was educated in the schools of his township, continuing on the home farm until the fall of 1861, when he entered Washington Col- lege, remaining there one year. He then enlisted in Company C, One - Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., in which he was, some time later, promoted to corporal, serving as such until the fall of 1864, when he was transferred to the Twenty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry with rank of second lieutenant, being afterward promoted to first lieutenant. He served on the Potomac, and participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, in which latter engagement he was shot through the right hip with a bullet, which necessitated a twelve- months confinement in hospital. His wound hav- ing healed, he returned to his command, and he was in the front of Petersburg, then at the siege of Richmond, until 1864, when he took part in the engagements at Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson, Wil- mington, North East Station, and in many skir- mishes; was in pursuit of Gen. Johnson up to the time of the latter's surrender. Throughout his service he was in the army of the Potomac, for some time under Gen. Terry, and toward the last with Gen. Sherman. After the disbandment of the ariny, his regiment was ordered to Wilming- ton, Del., where it lay ten months, he being a member of the court-martial held there. The regiment was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, and our subject returned and resumed farming in South Strabane township. In the fall of 1874 he was elected, on the Republican ticket, treasurer of Washington county for one term of three years. Since the beginning of 1878 he has been engaged in the oil business. Oil was found in South Stra-

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bane township, where an uncle of his had lived, and he has been operating some wells there, be- sides several in other States. In 1888-89 he erected his beautiful residence on East Beau street, in the borough, generally conceded to be the finest in the place. On December 17, 1873, Mr. Fergus was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of William Patterson, of Indiana county, Penn., but who died in April, 1876, her babe having been taken from her by the Grim Reaper the day pre -. vious. For his second wife, Mr. Fergus married, October 9, 1878, Miss Margaret L., daughter of Thomas Weir, of Somerset township, this county, and by this union there have been born children as follows: Thomas H. W., Hugh Earnest and Margaret Josephine, all three living at home, and John Addison and David S. L., both deceased. Mr. Fergus has been a member of the U. P. Church since 1870, and he is an elder in the same. Politically he is a stanch Republican.

C YRUS MORROW. Some writer has said that the most prominent characteristics of the Scotch-Irish are stern integrity, high sense of duty, hatred of tyranny, the de- fense of liberty and the love of God. Of such a grand old race is the subject of this memoir descended, William Morrow, his great-grandfather, the first of the family to come to America, having been born in the North of Ireland, where he mar- ried a native of the same locality. Here some of their children were born, and in an early day the family immigrated to the shores of Columbia, making their way westward to Washington county, Penn., where they found a settlement near Hills- borough, in West Bethlehem township.

George Morrow, grandfather of Cyrus, was born in the North of Ireland, and came to the United States with the family. His earlier life was passed in Bethlehem township, his later days in Donegal township, this county, he having settled on a farm on Dutch fork of Buffalo creek, about one mile above where it empties into Big Buffalo creek. Here he successfully followed farming during the rest of his pioneer life. In West Bethlehem town- ship he had married Hester Poole, who bore him

children, as follows: David, Abraham, Noah, Thomas, Elizabeth, Matilda and Mary, all of whom attained adult age, except Thomas, who died young, and three of them are yet living, viz. : Matilda (mar- ried to Milton Lamborn, of Washington, D. C.), and David and Noah (both residents of Licking county, Ohio). Some time after his marriage George Morrow brought his parents from West Bethlehem to his farm in Donegal, where they peacefully ended their days.

Abraham Morrow, father of Cyrus, was born in 1816, in West Bethlehem township, this county,

where he was reared to farm life, his education being secured at the subscription schools of the locality of his birth. About 1841 he married Jane De France, a native of Washington county, born on Raccoon creek, June 19, 1821, a daughter of Allison De France, and to this union were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Cyrus; Salem and Parmelia Ann (both living with their widowed mother); Ellen, deceased at the age of twelve years; a son that died in infancy; Perry, living with his mother, and Albert, a farmer in Donegal township. After marriage Abraham Morrow resided for some years in the last named township, near Atchison post- office, then moved to Licking county, Ohio, near Kirkersville, whence, after a residence of a few years, he returned to his native county and finally settled on the home farm. Here, on February 12, 1888, he passed from earth, and here his widow, now aged seventy-one years, is calmly awaiting the final summons. Abraham Morrow during his life- time was one of the best-known men of his town- ship. As a citizen he was public-spirited, and in- terested in the advancement and welfare of the community. Quiet and unassuming in his way, kind and charitable in disposition, an exemplary Christian, he won universal respect and esteem. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Christian (or Disciple) Church. In Licking county, Ohio, there was no organized congregation of this church, and he, with a few others, became the founder of one; he was chosen elder, and later he, in company with a few others, at a considerable personal sacrifice built a meeting house. After his return from Ohio, he was an elder in the church here until his death. He was also instrumental in the erection of the Dutch Fork church and par- sonage.

Cyrus Morrow was born February 3, 1844, in Donegal township, this county, near the present postoffice of Atchison, and here, under his father's careful tuition, he learned the art of husbandry, and received a very fair common-school education. On August 26, 1874, he was married to Elizabeth Condit, a native of Amwell township, this county, born July 1, 1853, a daughter of Cephas and Mary (Bane) Condit, of that township. This union has been blessed with seven children, all yet living under the parental roof, their names being Minnie E., Franklin S., Garfield B., Albert G., Earle, Ethel and Elizabeth J. After marriage Mr. Mor- row remained on a farm near Atchison postoffice, in Donegal township, until 1880, in which year he purchased the George W. Guy farm, situated on the Dutch fork of Buffalo creek, a short distance from where it empties into Big Buffalo creek. Mr. Morrow is not only a general farmer on a large scale, but also one of the most extensive wool growers in his township. As the eldest of a family of boys who work together, he has had the care

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and responsibility of some large deals, and by his business sagacity, excellent judgment and well- known ability as a financier has been instrumental in keeping the family estate in a highly creditable shape. Despite the financial crisis of 1857 which crippled so many, including Mr. Morrow's father, they succeeded by strenuons efforts in pulling through, and placing their affairs once more on a solid foundation. To-day the "Morrow boys," as they are familiarly known, have few equals in the county for industry, economy, honesty and public- spiritedness. In his political predilections our subject is a stanch Republican, influential in the party, and bas filled various offices in his township with eminent ability.

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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 52

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