Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 54

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 54

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would walk home, again change their garments, and once more go to work in the sugar camp. Thus, with little sleep or rest, did the brave women of those early days unrepiningly labor to build up a home for coming generations, and materially assist in the growth and advancement of the country.

To Mr. and Mrs. George Coffey were born seven children, as follows: Alexander, in Iowa; Mag- gie, deceased; Annie, in Washington; William, deceased; Jennie, married to Daniel Clemens; George, on the old home farm in Buffalo township; and Agnes, deceased. Of this family Miss Annie, with true filial devotion, always remained with her parents, comforting them in their declining years, and reverently closing their eyes in death. She has always enjoyed good health, and it is the ear- nest prayer of her many friends that she may be spared to them for many happy years to come. Her home in Washington is peaceful and pleasant, as is the life she leads in it. She is a devout mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, the faith of her forefathers.

H ENRY B. STANTON. Thadeus Stanton was born February 10, 1817, in Wheeling, Va., and when a small boy came to this county, making his first home here near Ten- Mile village. In Washington he learned the harness making trade, serving an ap- prenticeship of five years with Jacob Shafer. He then moved to Hillsborough, same State, where he resided several years, and, returning to Wash- ington, continued the saddlery and harness busi- ness until 1850, in which year he took the census of the county. . In 1852 he ran for treasurer, but was defeated; nothing daunted, however, he ran again at the next election, and was elected for one term ou the Old-line Whig ticket; later he became a Democrat. At the close of his term as treasurer he resumed his trade, and continued it almost up to the time of his death; he died of dropsy April 5. 1873, at the age of fifty-five years. On July 8, 1841, he was married by Rev. George S. Holmes, in Washington, to Miss Jane Ann, daughter of Joseph Mahaffey, who came from County Down, Ireland, to Washington county, where he died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife, Jane Ann (Patterson), followed him to the grave at the age of seventy-three years; they had a large family of children, three of whom are yet living: Mrs. Stanton, and Mrs. McConahey (widow of John), in Washington, and Joseph, in Harshaville, Beaver Co., Penn. The children born to Thadeus and Jane Ann (Mahaffey) Stanton were seven in number, viz. : Susan, Letitia, Elizabeth and Sarah Agnes (all four deceased), Henry B. and J. A., in Washington county, and J. C., in Canton, Ohio.

The widowed mother, after the death of the father, made her home with her son, Henry, in Washington, until her death, April 5, 1893, in the seventy fourth year of her age.

Henry B. Stanton, whose name opens this sketch, was born October 2, 1845, in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., his education being re- ceived at the public schools of the borough. In 1861 he commenced to learn the trade of saddle and harness maker with his father, remaining with him till the latter's death, except a few years be was working for others. In 1875 he opened out in the same line of business for bis own account, and has since successfully carried it on, doing a large trade and enjoying a wide patronage. On Novem- ber 4, 1875, Mr. Stanton was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of Daniel Liggett, of this county. Politically, our subject is a Democrat, but has no time to aspire to office, his business de- manding and receiving all his attention.

HARLES W. TOWNSEND, M. D. The Townsend family, of which Dr. Town- send is a well-known member, is of English descent. Many years ago three brothers, Elijah, John and Isaiah Townsend (cousins of Glen Townsend, of Quebec), left the shores of England for America, where they settled in Egg Harbor City, N. J., and here Elijah reared a family of children, among whom were Daniel, Isaiah, Japhet and Elijah. Isaiah owned a line of boats to Cape May.

Daniel Townsend was born August 14, 1747, in Egg Harbor City, N. J., where he grew to man- hood and engaged in the lumber business. In 1776 he entered the Revolutionary war, serving about two years. He took part in the battles of Trenton, Princeton. Brandywine and Monmouth, and in 1779 came to Washington county, Penn., where he bought 400 acres of land of Joshua Wright, settling permanently on that tract. He married Lydia Sawens, of Massachusetts, and of this union the following children were born: Cath- erine (Mrs. John Baird, of Beaver county), Naomi (Mrs. Uriah Burton), Julia (wife of Peter Sharp),. Margaret (wife of William Chisler, of Ohio), Rebecca (Mrs. John Hazen, of Mercer county, Penn.), Ruth (Mrs. Stephen Higby, in Ohio), Lydia (wife of Arthur Devore, also in Ohio), Elijah (a lieutenant in the war of 1812, died in 1871), and Joseplı, all of whom were married, and are now deceased. The father of this family was a Democrat in poli- tics. He died September 1, 1833.

Joseph Townsend, son of Daniel and Lydia (Sawens) Townsend, was born March 1, 1796, on the old place in Washington county, Penn. He lived at home until fifteen years of age, when he entered the war of 1812 as a fifer, but was brought

Carlos Townsend

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home by his father. A few years later the juvenile warrior had so far modified his views as to prefer rural life, and became an excellent farmer, de- voting much attention to sheep raising. In early life he was united in marriage with Nancy, danghter of Col. William Blackmore, and grand- danghter of Samuel Blackmore, who owned 400 acres on the site of the city of Washington, D. C. The property was leased for ninety-nine years, which expired in about 1876, the heirs having lever claimed it. William Blackmore, son of Samuel, came with the father from Washington, D. C., to Washington county, Penn., and there reared six children, viz. : Thomas, Charles, Nancy (Mrs. Townsend), Eliza, Ellen, and Arabella, all of whom are deceased, except Arabella. To Joseph and Nancy (Blackmore) Townsend were born three children, namely: Charles W., Daniel B., and William (deceased in youth). The mother died December 5, 1833, and in 1834 Joseph Townsend married Nancy, daughter of Robert Flack, whose father was born in Ireland, came to America about 1800, and settled on Chartiers creek, in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn. To Joseph and Nancy (Flack) Townsend were born three children, viz. : Robert (deceased), Elijah T., and Margaret J. (Mrs. J. W. Boyer, of Finleyville). The father voted with the Democratic party, and in religion was a member of the Baptist Church. He died on his seventy-fifth birthday, March 1, 1871, and was followed by his wife in August, 1874, in her seventy-fifth year.

Dr. Charles W. Townsend was born April 27, 1822, on the old farm in Peters township, Wash- ington Co., Penn. He received an excellent educa- tion, was for some time a surveyor in Washington county, doing much work, and then read medicine for four years with Dr. W. B. Lank, finally graduat- ing from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1849. In that year he began to practice his profession in Peters township, and in 1854 he married Margaret A., daughter of Rev. Joseph Wright, of Peters township, this county. To this union have been born the following children: Joseplı (a civil engineer), Catherine (wife of Dr. Boyd Emery), William, Jennie L. (Mrs. Obediah Higbee), Chatham, Charles, Nellie and Nancy, of whom Charles and Nancy died in youth.

The Doctor has resided on a beautifully im- proved farm, on which are six large orchards of fruit trees, situated near the old homestead. In his chosen profession as a skilled physician lie has obtained a most remarkable record of success. In one epidemic of typhoid fever approaching one hundred and fifty cases, every patient recovered, and in two other extensive epidemics of the same fever success was equally fortunate; during a gen- eral and extended practice of over forty years, he has not lost a lady in obstetrical practice, a fortu-

nate achievement. Such history surely rests on the foundation of solid elementary principles, and careful thought, and now engaged in raising stock as a specialty, he still adheres to and loves his pro- fession. In politics he is faithful to pure Demo- cratic and Jeffersonian Republican principles, and on one occasion, in 1883, to give him a rest, his friends elected him to the Legislature without a single effort on his own part. With firm belief in the orthodoxy of the Trinity, he faithfully accepts the substantial philosophy of future entitative exis- tence.

The following is a copy of an old deed given by Hugh Sharp to Elijah Townsend, of Great Egg Harbor, county of Gloucester, province of New Jersey, the date thereof being June 26, 1739. It is written in old English on sheepskin two and a half feet long. This Elijah Townsend was the father of Daniel Townsend, Elijah Townsend, Isaiah Townsend and Japhet Townsend of Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey:

This Indenture, made 26th day of Jnne, 1739, in the thirteenth reign of onr Sovereign George the 2nd of Great Britain, King, etc., between Hugh Sharp of the township of Worthingborough, in the county of Burlington, prov- ince of New Jersey, yeoman, of the first part, and Elijah Townsend, of Great Egg Harbor in the county of Glou- cester, aforesaid, province of New Jersey, yeomen, of the other part. Now this indenture forever witnesseth that the said Hngh Sharp for and in consideration of the sum of fonr pounds current money of province of New Jer- sey to him in hand paid by the said Elijah Townsend at or before the ensealing and delivery of said property, the receipt whereof to the said Hugh Sharp doth hereby ac- knowledge paid in full for every part and parcel thereof, doth hereby acquit, release, exonerate and discharge the said Elijah Townsend, his heirs, executors and adminis- trators and every of them forever by these presents, hath granted, bargained and sold, aliened, enfeoffed, released, conveyed and confirmed, and doth by these presents fully clearly and absolutely grant, bargain, sell. alien, enfeoff, release, convey and confirm nnto the said Elijah Towns- end and his heirs and assigns foreverall that tract of land situated near Great Egg Harbor River on a branch of the South River in the County of Gloucester, in the Province of New Jersey, being in two tracts, the first bounded as follows: Beginning at a maple tree on the west side of said river, being corner of a former survey of said Hugh Sharp, then by the said river N. W. twenty deg. six chains, then N. E. six deg. fourteen chains W. O. by the said river, thence S. 58 deg. W. thirty-four and half chains to a post, thence S. 32° E. seventeen chains to post, N. 58" E. 24 chains to Maple post named containing forty-five acres with allowance for highways. The other tract be- gins at a W. O. on the other side of the said South River, some distance from the first tract, thence south 63º E. five chains to post S. 20° E. sixteen chains S. 62 W. six chains and half to South River by which it is bounded northwest to the beginning containing 15 acres and allow- ance; both tracts contain sixty acres, recorded in the Sur- veyor General's office in Burlington, in B. M. folio 97. Reference being therennto had will more at large appear together with all the minerals, mines, woods, fishings, fowlings, hawkings, huntings, and all other royalties, propts, commodities, hereditaments, appurtenances to the said sixtv acres of land and provisions belonging, or in any wise pertaining, and all the estate, right, title, inter- est, property, claim and demand whatsoever of the said

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Hugh Sharp in law and equity of into or to the said granted and bargained sixty acres of land and premises, and every part and parcel thereof with their heirs, exec- utors and the revisions and remanders thereof part and parcel, to have and to hold the said two tracts of land containing sixty acres and allowance and every part and parcel thereof and appurtenances unto the said Elijah Townsend, to the only proper use and behoof of him, the said Elijah Townsend, heirs and assigns forevermore. And the said Hngh Sharp and his heirs doth covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Elijah Townsend, his heirs and assigns forever by these presents in man- ner and form following: that is the said Hngh Sharp at the time of the entailing and delivery of these presents is lawfully and rightfully with absolute anthority to grant, bargain and sell, alien, enfeoff, release, convey and * confirm the land confirmed, granted and bargained the sixty acres of land and premises and every part and par- cel thereof and appartenances nnto the said Elijah Townsend, his heirs and assigns forever, according to the tennre purport and intent and meaning of these presents, and that the land is free and clear and clearly acquired and discharged from all former gifts, grants, bargains, sales, mortgages, wills, entails, dowries, judgments, or any other plea that may in any wise hurt the land. And that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Elijah Townsend his heirs and assigns from time to time and at all times for- ever hereafter by value of these presents to have, hold, occupy to vest and enjoy all and singular the said two tracts of land containing sixty acres and premises by these presents mentioned with the appurtenances with- out erection, ejectment or any other intrusions of the said Hugh Sharp his heirs and executors or any other person whatsoever claiming or pretending to claim the same or any part or parcel thereof. In law whatsoever for the better and better and more perfect assurance making, conveying and confirming the said granted and bargained two tracts of land containing sixty acres and allowance with every part and parcel thereof with the appurten- ances nnto the said Elijah Townsend, his heirs and as- signs forever, according the tenure purpose to the intent and true meaning of these presents. In witness whereof the said Hugh Sharp, party first above named in this present indenture have unto these presents set his hand and seal the day and year above written 1739. The above tract of land was conveyed by Thomas More and Johanna, his wife, to the above named Hugh Sharp bear- ing date 9th day of April, 1715, which record will more fully and more at large appear upon the public records in the province of New Jersey.

This twenty-sixth day of ye sixth month of June, 1739. [Some words illegible.] I Hugh Sharp being one of ye judges of ye common pleas for ye county of Burlington do acknowledge that I signed, sealed and delivered ye above said instrument as my only act and as is above des- cribed as witness my hand.

Signed, sealed and (Signed) HUGH SHARP [SS.] delivered in the pres- ence of

MARY M. OSGOOD, H. H. Cox, CHARLES SCOTT. [SS.]

C HARLES L. DRIEHORST, SR., one of the leading business men of Washington, is a native of the "Fatherland," born August 14, 1816, in a small town on the river Weiser, "Lauenforda," Kingdom of Hanover. His father died in 1845, his mother some time later.

Before leaving his native land our subject had

learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked there for a time. Then, having de- cided to seek the New World, he set sail in April, 1841, landing on June 21 in Baltimore, whence he at once proceeded to Washington county, Penn., where a sister had already settled. He immedi- ately began work at his trade, and being desirous of obtaining, as quickly as possible, a thorough knowledge of the English language, he spent the winter months in school. On October 10, 1842, he went squirrel hunting, and one of those little rodents, which he had shot, having lodged in a tree, he climbed to get it, but unfortunately slipped, and fell to the ground, whereby he received inju- ries, which confined him to the house for several years. He was first taken care of by a sister, and afterward by the family of Judge Wotring, where in his affliction he found a home. By the time he was able to resume work, all his savings, laid away by careful thrift, were completely exhausted, and he had again to begin life at the bottom of the ladder. In November, 1845, he set sail for the "Fatherland," where he remained until the spring of 1846, and on his return he again landed in Balti- more in June. On July 7, 1846, he married Miss Amelia Klieves, in Wheeling, who was also from the same place in Germany. She died August 15, 1861, leaving six children, as follows: Theodore, Rosanna, Matilda, Charles, Lewis and Louisa. On March 5, 1863, Mr. Driehorst was married to Augusta Klieves, sister of his first wife. He worked as contractor at his trade till 1864, after which he entered the clothing store of J. B. Reckers as clerk, in which capacity he worked for thirteen years. In 1877 he began the grocery business on his own account, opening a small store on his prop- erty on West Wheeling street; the following spring he added to it a bakery, which by industry and strict attention to business, and the wants of his customers, he has built up, till it is the leading es- tablishment of the kind in the town. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and has served both as assessor and collector of taxes in the borough of Washington. In church connection he is a Lu- theran, and has ever been faithful to his church and its interests.

M ATTHEW BLAINE, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Beallsville, Penn., is also a representative of one of the oldest families of Washington county. His grandfather, John Blaine, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, where he was married, and reared the following family: John (who came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, and heartily espoused the cause of his. adopted coun- try, after the close of the war settling in Venango county, Penn.), James, Leonard, Matthew, Robert

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and a daughter, who died on the voyage to Amer- ica. The four younger brothers came with their mother to America in 1779, and after a three months' voyage landed in New York. They first located in East Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., then purchased a small farm in Som- erset township, same county, where Indians were very numerous. Robert, Matthew and Leonard then moved to Venango county, where the two for- mer passed their lives. After coming to America, Leonard Blaine (who was born in 1761, in County Antrimu, Ireland) resided in Venango county for about eight years, then came to Washington county, and was there married to Margaret Isehart. The young people settled on the wild tract of land in Somerset township. this county. and reared the following children: Margaret, deceased wife of John Jones: Elizabeth, deceased wife of Joshua Craven; William, deceased; Leonard; Jane, mar- ried to David Fleming; Mary and Matthew. The father was a very well educated man, and taught school until the present educational system was organized. The schoolhouse was of the usual primitive style, furnished in a meager way, and the text-books then used were limited to the " United States Speller " and the "Western Cal- culator." The terms of tuition were $1.25 per pupil for a term of three months, but many were taught by Mr. Blaine without payment, and no charge was made for old pupils. Politically he was a Democrat, and served as clerk of the Wash- ington county commissioners; in religious faith he was a member of the Seceder Church at Pigeon Creek. He died in 1848, followed by his wife in 1850, and both were buried on the home place.

Matthew Blaine was born February 14, 1819, on the home farm in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn., and attended the subscription schools of the locality. He began life for himself at the age of fifteen years, and on May 14, 1843, married Mary, daughter of Bennett and Ann (Hill) Morton, natives of East Bethlehem township, this county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Morton were as fol- lows: Mary, wife of Matthew Blaine; Stephen; Joseph, who enlisted in the Ringgold Battalion, was captured and first taken to Libby Prison. thence to Andersonville, where he died; John; Eleanor, wife of William C. Sargeant; Moses, and Elizabeth. wife of Daniel Zellars. The father was a Whig in politics, and in religion a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Blaine resided on the old homestead until 1872. when he pur- chased a farm iu East Bethlehem township, this countv. remaining there until 1890, then came to their present home in Beallsville. He has always followed agricultural pursuits. In political opin- ion he is actively identified with the Democratic party, and has served as justice of the peace; in religion he is a member and steward of the M. E.

Church. Mrs. Blaine passed away July 1, 1889, leaving two daughters, Elizabeth J., wife of John Aiken, and Margaret M. A., married to Stephen W. Hill.

W ILLIAM H. WITHERSPOON, one of the most prosperous wool and grain merchants of Burgettstown, traces his lineage to a well-known family of Scotland.

John Witherspoon was born and reared in the old country, where he was also married. After the birth of their eldest son the young couple came to America, and resided in Maryland for sev- eral years, and prior to 1800 they moved to Wash- ington county, and in 1824 he purchased a small unimproved tract of land in Robinson township, upon which a log cabin was erected. Their chil- dren were as follows: Jonathan, John, Azariah, Joshua and Elizabeth. The father of this family was a Democrat in politics, and in religion he be- came one of the first members of the Associate Reformed Church, in which he was an elder many years. After the death of the father, the sons purchased 200 acres of land, and Jonathan finally sold his share to Joshua. The rest of the tract is the property of Thomas Biggert and Isaac Don- aldson.

Joshua Witherspoon was born in 1802, in Rob- inson township, this county, and passed his boy- hood on the home farm, attending the subscription schools during the winter months. On January 3, 1824, he was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of John Hooper, of Allegheny county, Penn. John Hooper was born December 26, 1777, and his wife, Elizabeth, was born February 26, 1776. Their children were as follows: Nancy, born March 4, 1799; Jennie, born March 4, 1801; William, born June 15, 1803; Peggy, born October 2, 1806; Eleanor, born December 13, 1811; and Elizabeth, born January 28, 1817. The parents were members of the Sharon Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Hooper was a Democrat.

Joshua and Jane (Hooper) Witherspoon began married life on the home place in Robinson town- ship, this county, which became their permanent home. The children born to this union were John (a resident of Robinson township), Elizabeth (de- ceased wife of William Gilliland, of Beaver county, Penn.), William H. (of whom a sketch follows), James W. (a muinister of the Fifth Presbyterian Church of Allegheny, Penn.), and Samuel (resid. ing on the home place). The father was an active worker in the Democratic party, and in religion was from early youth a member of the Associate Reformed Church at Robinson, serving as ruling elder for some time. He died April 16, 1858, and was followed by his widow August 9, 1888; both are buried in the church cemetery at Robinson.

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William H. Witherspoon was born August 3, 1831, on the old homestead in Robinson township, where his youth was passed, and he received a good common-school education. On December 28, 1854, he was married to Mary, daughter of William Hood, of Hanover township, this county. The young people resided on the home place in Robin- son township seven years after their marriage, then moved to Hanover township, and six years after- ward settled in Burgettstown, Smith township, where they are now living. On coming to Bur- gettstown, William H. Witherspoon opened a gen- eral store, and also carried on a business in grain and produce. In 1884 he made a new departure, sold the store, and began dealing extensively in both wool and grain, making a specialty of the former, purchasing wool in different parts of Washington, Allegheny and Beaver counties, Penn., as well as in the State of Ohio. In politics he is an influen- tial member of the Republican party. His was the first business house established on the west side of the railroad track in Burgettstown. Mr. Wither- spoon was one of the building committee of the U. P. Church at Burgettstown, and gave liberally of his time and money to its erection. He was for- merly connected with the Associate Reformed Church, which afterward merged into the U. P. Church, of which he has been an elder for many years, also serving in that capacity in the churches at Robinson and Frankfort Springs.

H UGH PATTERSON, one of the oldest, most respected and prosperous citizens of Jeffer- son township, was born November 7, 1807, near Eldersville, Washington Co., Penn., in an old log cabin which is yet standing. James Patterson, his father, was born, reared and educated in Ireland, and coming to America soon after the Revolution, remained with his brother John and three sisters, for some months near Philadelphia. The two brothers were, for a time, employed in " flailing " wheat, getting one-tenth as his share, making the sum of 333 cents per day. Afterward they moved to Allegheny county, where they rented a farm, remained a short time, and then came to Washington county and purchased a farm in Jefferson township. Hugh was married to Sarah Given, prior to locating in Washington county. To them the following chil- dren were born: John, Mary (wife of William Moore), James, Sarah (married to Robert Pogue), Elizabeth (deceased wife of Erasmus Cooper, and mother of H. C. Cooper), Hugh and William, all now deceased except Hugh. The father died at the age of ninety-three years, a few months after his wife's decease. In politics he was first a Jack- sonian Democrat, and then an anti-slavery Whig. In church matters he was a stanch Methodist, and,

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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 54

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