Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 53

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 53

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HOMAS FLEMING BIRCH, one of the leading attorneys of Washington, whose practice is for the most part in the civil conrts of the county, is a native of Claysville, Washington Co., Penn., born May 18, 1856. His father, John Birch, was one of the enterpris- ing men of Claysville.

Our subject received a thorough English ednca- tion at the common schools of his native borough, which was supplemented with a course of study at Washington and Jefferson College. He began the study of law in the office of Alexander Wilson, and in 1880 was admitted to the bar of Washing- ton county. For three years he was in the prac- tice at Washington and in 1883, formed a partner- ship with Mr. Albert S. Sprowls, under the firm name of Birch & Sprowls, which continued until 1888, when it was dissolved, since when Mr. Birch has again been practicing alone. Mr. Birch is un- married. In politics he is a stanchi Democrat; socially he is a Knight Templar.

HE BRADY FAMILY are numbered with the earliest pioneers of Washington county, one John Brady having settled in this county about the beginning of the present century. He became prominently associated with the political history of the county, and died after a useful life, leaving no family. He was a distant relative of Capt. John Brady, of Revolu- tionary fame, who was a native of New Jersey, and died soon after the war, leaving several children, of whom are named: Freeman; Moses, an attorney, in Canada, where he inherited an estate from his father; Andrew, an M. E. minister, deceased in Livingston county, N. Y .; William, deceased in Virginia, and Jane, deceased wife of William Gourley, of Livingston county, N. Y.

Freeman Brady was but four years of age when his father died, and his mother (who was afterward married to a Mr. Welch) died in 1840, in Living-

ston county, N. Y. Before the death of his mother, Freeman Brady went to live in Centre county, Penn., with his uncle, George Brown, of whom he learned the trade of mason. In 1816 he left the home of his uncle, and coming to Wash- ington county took contracts for building the Na- tional pike, also serving in the capacity of super- intendent for John H. Ewing. In 1820 Freeman Brady was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Martha Means. Her father was a native of New Jersey, and settled about 1796 in South Strabane township, Washington county, where he died in 1816; his widow passed away in 1859, at the age of over ninety years. They reared a family of ten children, all now deceased. To the union of Freeman and Mary (Means) Brady children were born as follows: Sophia, wife of James Simmons, in Washington, Penn .; John, also living in Washington; Andrew, deceased in 1875; Freeman, deceased; . Martha, deceased in 1845; Samuel, a resident of Washington (a sketch of whom follows); James, also living in Washington; David, deceased, and Benjamin, who was killed on the streets of Washington, during a war riot. The father was actively identified with the Demo- cratic party, and served in various local offices; by President Buchanan he was made postmaster at Washington; he was a Freemason. In 1840 he erected the court house and old stone jail of Wash- ington county, and also put up many other prom- inent buildings. He died in 1876, his wife in 1875, having passed away at the age of eighty-five years. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.

John Brady, son of Freeman and Mary (Means) Brady, was born November 20, 1821, on the home farm in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn. He learned of his father the trade of mason, which he followed over fifty years. and has worked on many of the public buildings of his na- tive county. He laid the foundation of the court- house of Washington county, and also assisted with the brick work. In 1856 John Brady married Esther, daughter of James Thompson, of Canons- burg, and she died one year after their marriage, leaving one son, John, who is now a railroad man. In 1863 Mr. Brady was married to Sarah, daugh- ter of Timothy Ross, a native of West Bethlehem township, this county, and their children were Hetty, wife of Samuel Traster, of Washington; Mattie, married to James S. Williams, also of Washington, and Alexander, living at home. The mother died in 1867; the father is now living on the home place, which is cared for by his daughter Hetty. In politics he is identified with the Dem- ocratic party, and has been a member of the I. O. O. F. He attends the Presbyterian Church.

Freeman Brady (deceased). third son of Freeman and Mary (Means) Brady, was born September 20,

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1827, in Washington, Penn. After attending the subscription schools he took a course at Washing- ton College (where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity), graduating in 1851. He then became one of the first telegraph operators of Washington, Penn., and in 1855 served as deputy sheriff. In 1856 he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Samuel Donley, and sister to the late Mrs. James Brady. They began mar- ried life on West Wheeling street, and in 1857 he was elected recorded of deeds, occupying that position three years; he served several terms as chairman of the Democratic County Committee. In the meantime he devoted his leisure time to the study of law under the guidance of John L. Gow. In the May term of 1860 he was admitted to the bar, and formed a partnership with Hon. George S. Hart, which continued until 1876, when Judge Hart was elected to the bench. After that event Mr. Brady achieved an' enviable reputation as an able lawyer, conducting a large and lucrative business. He was made by his party a candidate for State senator at a special election, but as the party was largely in the minority he was defeated. In 1867 Mr. Brady united with the Second Pres- byterian Church of Washington; his wife was a member of the First Church before her marriage. He was never absent from services when it was possible to be present, and lie filled the offices of deacon and elder in the congregation. He died May 14, 1891, and one hundred and four carriages followed his remains to the grave. Resolutions were passed by his associates of the legal profes- sion, who mourned the loss of a brilliant lawyer, a Christian man and a true friend. He left a widow, and five children, named as follows: James; Charles, employed at Caldwell's place of business; Freeman, working in Smith's establishment; Robert, in a jewelry store; and Lydia, living at home. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Brady and her children have continued to reside in the old home, situated on South Main street in Washington.

James Brady, the seventh child of Freeman and Mary (Means) Brady, was born January 31, 1833, in Washington, Penn., where his boyhood was passed. He attended the common schools of his native town, and learned the trade of mason, which he has since successfully followed, having assisted in the erection of many of the public buildings of the county. In 1860 he married Julia A. Donley, daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Rettig) Donley, of Washington, the former of whom was lost in an explosion on the lower Missis- sippi, while returning from the Southwest, whither he had gone on a lookout excursion. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brady made their home continuously in Washington, and here, on January 5, 1889, she passed from earth at the age of fifty- six years. Mr. Brady has been a lifelong Demo-

crat, and under Grover Cleveland he was ap- pointed, October 7, 1886, postmaster at Washing ton, which office he acceptably filled three years and six months; he was the first Democratic post- master to follow his father, who was appointed to that position in 1861. He is a member (as was also his wife) of the Presbyterian Church, and he now attends the Second Presbyterian. Five chil- dren were born to this couple, of whom the follow- ing is a brief record: (1) George V. was born De- cember 11, 1861, and was married to Tillie Miller; he is one of the leading jewelers of Washington, Penn.

(2) EDGAR L. BRADY was born in 1866, and his education was received at the common schools. Entering the office of the Review and Examiner, in Washington, he served his time at and mastered the printer's trade. He then for a time worked on the Commercial Gazette, from which office he went to the Burgettstown (Penn. ) Call. Upon his father becoming postmaster of Washington he re- turned to his native town to fill the position of as- sistant postmaster, and has since been connected with the office, as head clerk since the appointment of the Republican postmaster, Underwood. In 1887 he was married to Miss Mellie Perrine, daugh- ter of John Perrine, member of an old and promi- nent family of Cross Creek township. To this union two children have been born: Edgar and Ray Grayson. (3) Leda D. is caring for her father's home. (4) William H. is at home. (5) Richard D. is a butcher, of Washington, who in 1890 married Miss Lydia Uhler, of Washington county. James Brady, the father of this family, has been a strong, robust man all his days, and still has good health. The home wherein he now resides, No. 66 West Wheeling street, has been the home of this branch of the family since Mr. and Mrs. Brady were married.

Samuel Brady, sixth child of Freeman Brady, Sr., was born in 1830, in Washington, Penn. He learned the trade of saddletree maker, when such work was all done by hand, and constituted an ex- tensive business in early times; this business he followed several years. He is now carrying on a general store in Washington. Mr. Brady was twice married, first time to Sarah Rankin, who died, leaving three children, viz .: William, Harry and Elizabeth, all living in Washington. Mr. Brady's second wife was Deborah Lopp, of near Brownsville, this county, by which union there are no children.

W B. MOORHEAD, one of the most suc- cessful business men of Cecil township, was born November 18, 1825, on the farm in Cecil township, which is yet his home.

He is a grandson of Samuel Moorhead, who

Eg'm. H.B. Hall: Son! New York

Majonhead

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was born in 1745, in Scotland, and when about twenty-one years of age left his native land for a home in America. He first located in eastern Pennsylvania, coming to Cecil township, Washing- ton county, in 1775. In the following year he was married to Elizabeth Sproul, a native of east- ern Pennsylvania, and a sister of Sarah Sproul, who married James McBride, grandfather of John B. McBride, whose biographical record appears elsewhere. After their marriage the young peo- ple located on the timber covered farm in Cecil township (now occupied by the W. P. Rend Coal Co.), where at night they, in connection with other settlers of the neighborhood, were obliged to re- sort to blockhouses, in dread of the Indians. They finally removed to the farm located where the subject of this sketch now lives. Here they erected a one-story cabin, built of round logs with the bark on. In this rude but happy home six sons- John, James, Francis, David, William and Robert- and one daughter-Elizabeth-were born, all of whom moved to Ohio with the exception of John. The father took an active part in the Whiskey In- surrection, and other questions of the day, Samuel Moorhead was one of a number of neighbors who went turn about over the mountains from eastern Pennsylvania, to carry salt in sacks on horseback, riding one horse and leading two, and carrying as much salt in one trip as would last the company one year, and he was a prominent actor in the many scenes of danger so common to frontiersmen. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Sproul, lived to the advanced age of one hundred and four years. He passed away in 1805, and his widow when she was ninety-two.

John Moorhead, father of subject, was born in 1785, on the home farm in Cecil township, where he grew to manhood, receiving a subscription- school education. In 1810 he was united iu mar- riage with Sarah, daughter of John Buchanan, a native of Scotland, who settled in Robinson town- ship, this county, and five children were born to this union: Samuel (first settled in Washington county, then moved to Beaver county, Penn., where he died in 1890), John (deceased in 1886 in this county), Eliza Jane (deceased at the age of twenty-one years), W. B. (whose sketch follows), and George B. (deceased at the age of twenty- one years). The mother of this family died in 1828, and in 1837 John Moorhead was united in marriage with Priscilla, daughter of John Aiken, a pioneer settler, and she bore him two children: Isabelle and Sarah (both deceased in youth). Mr. Moorhead was an ardent Aboli- tionist, taking an active part in politics, and serv- ing his township as justice for many years. He and his wife were members of the Associate Re- formed Church at Robinson's Run, later uniting with the U. P. Church at Venice. He died in 1861, and his widow was afterward married to

David McKee, of Mt. Pleasant township, this coun- ty. She died in 1871.

W. B. Moorhead was reared on the home farm in Cecil township, receiving his elementary edu- cation at the schools of the neighborhood, which was supplemented with a partial collegiate course of study in Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio. On February 9, 1871, he was married to Margaret Johnston, who was born on the farm in Robinson township, which afterward became the site of McDonald village. Her father, Thomas Johnston, was born in Chester county, Penn., and in early life was married to Susan Scott, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, who came here in an early day. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnston settled on the home farm in Robinson township, where the mother died in 1847, and in 1869 the father was also laid to rest. Mr. and Mrs. Moorhead have resided on the home farm,' containing 200 acres in Cecil township, which is included in the oil belt. He has made many im- provements, erected a good house and barn, and is operating seven oil wells, two more being now under way. Mr. Moorhead is an active business man, and has settled many estates. In politics he cast his first vote for the abolition of slavery, giv- ing his assistance to the " Underground Railroad " for the purpose of shipping fugitives to Canada; he has since united with the Republican party, and has served his township as justice of the peace and in various other ways. In religious faith he and his wife are members of the U. P. Church at McDonald. The children of this well-known and influential couple are as follows: Rosena E. and Melicent Scott, attending the academy at McDon- ald, and Tolbert Buchanan and Romulus Johnston, living at home.

Mr. Moorhead is noted for his sympathy for people in distress, or the unfortunate from any cause. He is much famed for his success in com- promising troubles between neighbors, and carry- ing people through when in straitened circum- stances; for securing the liberation of people who may have been put in jail for trivial offenses, to await their trial. Another feature of his sympathy for the unfortunate is his attending sheriff sales, buying in property and turning it over to its original owner, and giving him his own time to pay for same, Such acts of kindness and generosity have endeared Mr. Moorhead to the community, espe- cially to the poor, who look upon him as of a verity "a friend in need."

A NDREW J. FORD, a representative self- made, prosperous citizen of the borough of Washington, now living retired, is a native of Pennsylvania, born December 23, 1828, in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county. Andrew Ford, father of our subject, was of

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Irish extraction on his father's side, of Scotch descent on his mother's. and was, it is believed, a native of New Jersey. He was left an orphan at an early age. and coming soon thereafter from Mt. Pleasant to Washington, this county, he learned the trade of wagon maker. He married Miss Martha, daughter of John Lennox, a shoe- maker by trade, who had come to Washington county over a century ago, where he died. An- drew Ford returned with his young wife to Mount Pleasant, where they remained some six years, and then once more came to Washington, the subject of this sketch being at the time not three years old. Here the father worked at his trade for many years with "old John Morrow." He died in 1873, at the age of seventy-four years, a life- long Democrat. His widow is yet living in Wash- ington, at the patriarchal age of ninety-three years. Eleven children were born to them, ten of whom were the following: Sarah, widow of Samuel Eckles, in Washington, Penn .; David, de- ceased; Martha, deceased wife of C. C. Turner, in Washington county; Mrs. Margaret Lennox (widow). living in Washington; Andrew J .; Sid- ney: John, in Monongahela, this county; Mrs. Emily Wheatley (widow); Mrs. Ann Eliza Boggs. and Mrs. Mary Ellen Hutchinson.

Andrew J. Ford, whose name opens this sketch, received his education at the common schools of Washington, and early in life entered the arena of business. Of his father he learned the trade of wagon maker, which he followed for some time, and then commenced that of brickmaking with one Bushfield, in the meantime working at gunsmith- ing during the winter months. For thirty-five years he carried on a brick yard in Washington, supplying the brick for many of the principal buildings in the borough. In 1874 he formed a partnership with G. W. Moninger, in the lumber trade, which continued thirteen years. when it was dissolved, our subject carrving on the business alone; but in 1888 he sold it to Pollock & Baker, and retired. In 1880 he built his present dwell- ing house on West Chestnut street.

On March 20. 1851. Mr. Ford married Miss Sarah Mackey, only child of Joseph and Ann Mackey; the father died when Mrs. Ford was a child, and the mother passed away at the home of our subject, in 1890, at the age of eightv-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have no children of their own, but several years ago they adopted a little girl, who, in their home, grew to womanhood, and then, marrying, left, it; she died in 1876, leaving two children, a boy and a girl, who were taken care of by Mr. and Mrs. Ford. The boy, . Andrew Ford McConhew, was taken from them by the hand of the Reaper on October 9. 1888, when almost fifteen years of age; his sister, Annie, is now living with our subject and wife. Mr. and

Mrs. Ford are adherents of the First Methodist Protestant Church of Washington, of which he has been a member for thirty years, and is at pres- ent a trustee. In politics he is a Democrat, has held town offices, and has been member of the council several times. Mr. Ford owns a fine farm in Amwell township, comprising 106 acres, all under cultivation.

HARLES ALEXANDER SCOTT, M. D., was born April 12. 1866. in Monongahela, Penn. His paternal great-great-great- grandfather was William Scott, who came from the North of Ireland and landed with his family in America. September 6, 1796. He settled near Dunningsville, Washington county, soon after, in the same year.

Thomas Scott, son of William, was twenty-two years old when the family landed in America, and came with his parents to Washington county. On March 16, 1802, Thomas Scott married, in same county, Miss Margaret Turner; he had settled in 1800 on Mingo creek, in what is now Carroll town- ship. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. Thomas Scott was a man of sterling principle, one who enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. He was educated in Ireland, and was better informed than most of the farmers of his neighborhood. He owned two mills, both on Mingo creek, and the second mill building is at present owned and used, by the Harrison Brothers as a distillery. Mr. Scott built and owned the brick house, now the property of Mark Borland, on Main street, Monongahela. where he resided during the latter part of his life. He died Feb -. rnary 24, 1856. Margaret, his wife, on December 24, 1849. They had a numerous family. their names and dates of birth being as follows: Re- becca. February 1, 1803: William, March 16, 1804; Joseph, January 14, 1806; Alexander. November 29, 1807; Moses, October 12, 1809; Mercy. Octo- ber 15. 1811; John. August 22, 1813; James, April 15, 1815; Matilda, March 8, 1817; Eliza- beth, January 22, 1819. and Jane, January 2, 1821. Of these, Alexander. born in what is now Carroll township, this county, was married July 31, 1827, to Miss Sarah Clause, of Washington county, Penn., and they had twelve children, viz. : Melinda, born March 19, 1829, died October 7, 1835; Arabella. born January 8, 1831, wife of Isaac Keeney; Benjamin F .. born September 24, 1832; Patterson, born March 2. 1834. living in Ohio; Moses T., born December 13, 1835, residing in Cleveland, Ohio; Mary E., born December 3, 1837, married to Thomas Kemp, and residing at Ironton. Ohio; Thomas O., born December 5, 1839, residing in Monongahela (he enlisted in Company

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K, Sixty-second Regiment P. V. I., served three years, re-enlisted, and served until the close of the war; he was wounded three times); John F., born August 24, 1841, deceased; Joseph, born May 23, 1844, deceased; Margaret, born March 4, 1846, married to Bernard Clinton; Melinda, residing in Pittsburgh, and William. The father of this fam- ily was a member of the M. E. Church, the mother of the Presbyterian.

Benjamin F. Scott, eldest son of Alexander and Sarah (Clause) Scott, became a painter. He was married July 3, 1856, to Miss Jennie Hogan, of Spartanburg, S. C., born in Columbia, S. C., danghter of Daniel A. and Sarah (Lawler) Hogan, the former of whom was a cotton manufacturer of Spartanburg. They were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and, what was very remarkable, there was but twelve hours difference in their deaths; he was born in the evening and died in the evening, while she was born in the morning and died in the morning. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of one son and four daughters, viz. : Jane, Catherine, Elizabeth, Joseph A. and Theresa. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Scott are the parents of two children: Rosanna A. and Charles A. Of these, Rosanna was mar- ried twice, first to Frank Miller, a farmer of Wash- ington county, Penn., by whom she had two chil- dren: Daisy M. and F. Earl. Mr. Miller dying, she afterward married William Moose; they reside on their farm near Woodsfield, Monroe Co., Ohio. William Moose is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Charles A. Scott, whose name introduces this sketch, attended the common schools, and com- pleted his education at Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Penn. He read medicine with F. P. Scott, M. D., Monongahela, and one year later entered the Western Pennsylvania Medical College at Pittsburgh, whence he gradu- ated March 27, 1891. Immediately thereafter he located in Monongahela, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and where he ranks among the leading physicians. He was married January 2, 1891, to Miss Melissa Messenger, who was born on her father's farm on Hoge's Summit, Washington county, Penn., a daughter of Hon. John C. Messenger, who was admitted to the bar of Washington county, but does not practice. Mr. Messenger married Miss Sarah Wilson, and they reside on their farm on Hoge's Sunmit. Dr. Charles A. Scott and wife have one child, Pauline Keys. Dr. Scott is a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, and of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and enjoy the respect and confidence of all who know them.

HE COFFEY FAMILY. To "Caledonia, stern and wild," whose hardy sons and daughters are to be found in every clime where it is possible for a man to live, Amer- ica is indebted for a large portion of her most industrious, most useful, most thrifty and most loyal citizens, and among these stand promi- nent the Coffey family, of whom this sketch re- lates.

George Coffey, a wagon maker by trade, whichi he had learned in his native land, Scotland, was the only child of George Coffey. He was married there to Miss Agnes, only daughter of Alexander Dickey, who came to America and made a settlement in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., where he died at an advanced age; he was a typical son of Scotia, sturdy and tenacious of life, and it is said of him that a few months before his death he journeyed on foot to Pittsburgh in one day. Mr. and Mrs. George Coffey, after several years of mar- ried life in their native land, at the desire of Mr. Dickey followed him to his adopted home in Wash- ington county, where for a time Mr. Coffey car- ried on his trade at Rankintown, on the National pike. He then moved to Buffalo township, and for fourteen years was recognized as the leading wagon maker within a radius of many miles. Re- tiring, however, from his trade, he took up the farm where his son George now lives, located at a point on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, known as "Coffey's Crossing," where he engaged in' agri- cultural pursuits up to the time of his wife's death, in 1883, when he came into the borough of Washing- ton and here passed his remaining days. He died in 1884, at the age of seventy-three years, after a busy life, in which by hard work he had to make his own success. When he first came to the county there was much in his line of trade to do, repair- ing the heavy wagons used in the construction of the National pike, besides a vast amount of other custom, that came to his shop from far and near. In the building up of the home the several mem- bers of the family had to do their respective parts, and, when they moved from the shop to the farm, even the daughters would often work in the field, in all kinds of weather, and many a day under a broiling sun do as much work as a man. In one day Miss Annie Coffey and her sister cut and tied about four acres of heavy corn. In those times it was customary for the farmers, who had prod- uce to sell, to proceed early in the morning to Washington market, take their places and patiently wait for customers; and frequently Miss Annie Coffey and her mother would work in the sugar bush until late at night, then go to the house, change their clothing, and start on foot for Wash- ington, a distance of five miles, carrying heavy jugs of maple molasses, which having sold, they

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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 53

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