Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 55

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 55

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for many years, was a class-leader. A liberal con- tributor to all worthy enterprises, he died esteemed by all. He held the office of school director for six years and treasurer of Jefferson township school board for a decade.

Hugh Patterson grew to manhood on the old farm which had been bought of William Wells, of Wellsville, Ohio, and passed his youth thereon, caring for his aged parents. He began mercantile business in Eldersville, Penn., in company with William Wilson for some fifteen years, and retired about thirty years ago. Mr. Patterson is about five feet eleven inches in stature, healthy and well formed, possessing a remarkably clear mind, and writing a steady hand for one of his years. In politics his first vote was cast for Joseph Ritner, as governor of Pennsylvania, for whom he again voted three years later, aiding in gaining the elec- tion, also voting for him a fourth time. His first Presidential vote was cast for Jackson. Mr. Pat- terson was an anti-slavery man, and of recent years has been an advocate of the principles em- bodied in the Republican party. In 1842 he was postmaster of Eldersville, also served one term after Taylor's election, finally resigning the office. He has been tendered other positions, among which were those of justice of the peace and county commissioner, but declined to serve in either capac- ity. Mr. Patterson is now reaping the reward of early toil, and is held in high regard by all who have known him.

W ILLIAM M. GEORGE, the proprietor of an extensive lumber business and feed store in McDonald, Penn., was born Feb- ruary 13, 1835, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county. He is a son of John, and grandson of Robert George, the latter of whom was born in Ireland, and was married to Christiana Plance in eastern Pennsylvania, and moved to Miller's Run. She bore him thirteen children. The young couple first settled on the Miller's Run farm, and cleared and improved the pioneer home. They were progressive citizens and among the earliest members of the Covenanter Church, hold- ing their first meetings in a small log cabin. The names of the family of Robert George are as fol- lows: Thomas George, of Jefferson county, Ohio; Robert George, Carroll county, Ohio; David George and Jacob George, of Washington county, Penn. ; Alexander George, of Illinois; John George and Mar- garet Slater, of Washington county, Penn .; Eliz- abeth McMasters, Carroll county, Ohio; Hannah Robinson, Pittsburgh, Penn .; Ann Ramsey and Jane Robb, of Washington county; Robert George, of Miller's Run, died August 15, 1819, aged sev- enty-five years.

John George was born in January, 1808, on the

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home place in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and passed his youth there assisting in the farm work, and attending the subscription schools of the vicinity. In early manhood he selected as his life companion Sarah, daughter of William McCrea, of Cross Creek township, and brought his bride to the old home farm January 3, 1832. Two chil- dren were born to this union: Robert Jamison and William McCrea. The mother died August 3, 1836, and for his second wife Mr. George was mar- ried in September, 1837, to Margaret Roney, who died May 29, 1838. His third wife, to whom he was married August 6, 1841, was Jane Slater, who bore him children as follows: Christiana; Martha A., who died May 1, 1843; Robert J .; M. G. Tag- gart; Margaret A. Slater; M. E. Coleman; and Mary E. Carithers. Mr. George was a farmer and stock raiser and an energetic business man, and in religious connection a stanch member of the Cove- nanter Church.

William M. George was educated in the district schools, and on December 25, 1872, was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Robert Speer, of Ohio. The children born to this union are: John Ralph Speer, Robert Howard, William Mc- Crea, Arthur Melville, Louella Blanche and Mary Edna. Mr. George learned the carpenter's and builder's trade in early life, following it several years. In 1873 he came to McDonald, and opened a lumber business and a grist-mill, having recently given his whole time to the former occupation, in connection with a feed store, recently added. He has the most extensive business of the kind in Mc- Donald, the old firm name, George & Wallace, being succeeded by W. M. George & Co. (limited). Their success is due to arduous effort. The prin- ciples of the Covenanter Church were inculcated in the mind of Mr. George from childhood, and he has ever been a strong advocate and earnest supporter of that Society.

W ILLIAM B. McCORKLE is a son of Thomas McCorkle, who was born in Washington county, and married to Anna Mccullough, also a native of the county, born in 1833. Thomas and Anna Mc- Corkle reared the following family of children: William B., Colwell (a farmer of Somerset town- ship), David, Lizzie, Minnie, Retta, James and Samuel, of whom the last three are now deceased. The father died on the home farm in 1882; he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. On August 12, 1886, Mrs. McCorkle was united in marriage with Frederick Whitely, of Somerset township.

William B. McCorkle was born December 19, 1858, on the home farm in this county, and on

April 5, 1888, was united in matrimonial alliance with Miss Martha J. Bebout, who was born Janu- ary 7, 1868, in Washington county, Penn., and is a daughter of David and Dorothy (McMurray) Be- bout, who reared the following family of children: Catherine (wife of Weir McNary), James, Belle, Frank, Martha J. (Mrs. McCorkle), Elizabeth, and Dora (the last named being deceased). Her father is a farmer in Cecil township, this county, and both her parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McCorkle resides on the pleasant and fruitful farm of 106 acres, where he was born. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and he is a Democrat.

OHN PATRICK DARRAH, a leading re- tired agriculturist and a representative self- made man, is a native of County Antrim, Ire- land, born in 1826. His father, William Darrah, was married in the "Emerald Isle" to Jennie McMuller, and they had born to them a family of eight children, viz .: Archibald, who died in Kansas; Alexander, who died in the East Indies; George, who died in East Liverpool, Ohio; John, who died in Glasgow, Scotland; John Pat- rick; William (deceased); Annie, married to Michael Parker, and died in Pittsburgh, and Mary, who died in Glasgow, Scotland. The parents both died in Ireland long since.

John P. Darrah came to America about 1843, with his brother George, landing in Montreal, Canada, whence, two years later, he proceeded to Buffalo, N. Y., by way of the St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario, etc., and thence at once went to Pitts- burgh, Penn., where he remained, however, but one year, when he came to Washington county. He was a poor boy, without means to pay for stage hire or any other mode of conveyance, so he had to walk the entire distance from Pittsburgh to the town of Washington. Here he soon ob- tained employment on the National pike, in course of construction between Washington and Wheel- ing, and this was his first start in life in the land of his adoption. Mr. Darrah has been a resident of Washington county ever since. He industriously worked at various employments, practicing strict economy, until he was enabled to buy, in 1861, a farm in Morris township. This he sold, and then bought, in Franklin township, the farm now owned by Nelson Hathaway, where he remained some sev- enteen or eighteen years, when he moved into the city of Washington, having erected his present commodious residence, on the edge of Franklin township. On October 29, 1855, Mr. Darrah was married to Miss Catherine Naughten, a native of Galway, Ireland, whence her family had come to Washington county, her brother John having

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been an early settler here, but they are all now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Darrah were born seven children, of whom the following is a brief record: George B. is a prominent contractor and builder in Washington, Penn .; Alexander E. is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, and for three years was a professor of Greek and Latin in Beech Grove College, Beech Grove, Tenn. (he is now principal of one of the ward schools in the city of Nashville, Tenn., where he resides); John R. is a law student in the West; Alexander and Robert Emmet both died young; Jennie F. and Anna M. are at home with their father. Mrs. Darrah (the mother of these chil- dren) died August 2, 1889, at the age of about sixty years, and is buried in the Catholic cemetery, near Washington. Politically, Mr. Darrah has always been a Democrat, but never a partisan, and he is a member of the Catholic Church. He and his wife were the first couple to be inarried in the old Catholic church building in the borough of Washington.

When Mr. Darrah first came to what is now the borough of Washington he found it an old, dead-looking place, without any improvements to speak of. When night-time came the place was covered as with a pall, the darkness was so impen- etrable, the only light visible being from a chance tallow candle placed in a window here and there. Candles were brought to the town by the wagon load from Wellsburg, Mr. Darrah himself having at one time brought a load. It was dangerous to walk the streets at night, owing to the deficiency of lights and the rude condition of the streets. The stage coach was a daily visitor at the place, and its arrival and departure produced about the only excitement the staid inhabitants had an op- portunity of indulging in. Taking horses East, "over the mountains," to sell, was at the time a source of considerable revenue. The animals would be taken in large droves, "double-tandem " fashion, with a long, stout rope between each row, to which they were fastened, and every sixth horse had a rider in charge. Mr. Darrah had his share of the hardships incident to those pioneer days, and experienced many privations, but by a life of industry, perseverance and strict temperance he succeeded in overcoming all obstacles and evolving a handsome competence from a commencement of nothing, save a pair of willing hands and a stout heart.

W ILLIAM H. MARTIN, a leading farmer and breeder of fine cattle and sheep, of South Strabane township, was born September 9, 1842, on the farm where he now resides.

Peter Martin, grandfather of subject, was born

in 1759 in York county, Penn. He was a son of Samuel Martin, who emigrated from Scotland along with his son James, and was the first of the family to settle in York county, where he followed farming and died. He had five daughters and two sons. Peter Martin, Sr., purchased a farm of Jacob Shively (the original patent for which, writ- ten on sheepskin, is now in the possession of his grandsons). Peter Martin, who had been a farmer all his days, died May 12, 1843, aged eighty-four years, a member of the old Seceder Church. He had four children, and among the younger mem- bers of the family was James Martin, who was born in York county, Penn., May 12, 1792. He was but a child when his parents came to Washington county, and purchased the farm in South Strabane township. James Martin was married, April 19, 1821, in Washington county, to Miss Mary White, who was born April 19, 1800, on her father's farm in North Strabane township, not far from Canons- burg. He was a farmer, and he and wife were members first of the Seceder Church, then of the United Presbyterian. Their children were as fol- lows: Peter, born February 4, 1822, married to Mary J. Clokey, died December 23, 1862; Samuel, born January 24, 1824, married to Sarah Herron; James, born December 12, 1825, married to Eliza- beth Clokey; John W., born January 11, 1828, married to Elizabeth Allison; Matthew A., born December 7, 1829, unmarried; Mary J., born September 21, 1832, died September 13, 1855, un- married; Ebenezer H., born June 21, 1834, died unmarried (was a soldier in the Civil war, and was drowned in the Appomattox, June 23, 1864, while serving in the signal service corps); Ann E., born November 2, 1837, died September 5, 1838; Will- iam H., our subject, aud Thomas Jefferson, unmar- ried.

William H. Martin was educated in the common schools of his township, and was united in marriage January 17, 1867, with Miss Anna M. Thome, who was born in North Strabane township, a daughter of James Thome. They have two children, Abbie E., wife of Rev. W. A. Jones, of Knoxville, Pitts- burgh, Penn., and Willis J. William H. Martin and his brother inherited the old homestead farm of their father and grandfather. They now own 325 acres in South Strabane township, most of which is under cultivation. They raise grain, but pay chief attention to the raising and breeding of fine cattle and sheep. William H. Martin is one of the board of directors of the Western Pennsyl- vania Fair Association. He has held various local offices of trust, and is now a school director, hav- ing held that office for a number of years. He and his wife are members of the U. P. Church, and he is an elder in the church at Pigeon Creek. In politics lie has always supported the Republican party.

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D R: J. C. MCCULLOUGH, a well-known physician of Amwell township, with resi- dence at Lone Pine, is of Scotch-Irish de- scent. His grandfather, William McCul- lough, born in West Bethlehem township, this county, was married to Rebecca Dunn. He passed all his life in that township, following the vocation of a farmer, and died at the age of about eighty- seven years,

David McCullough, son of William and Rebecca (Dunn) Mccullough, was born February 21, 1818, in West Bethlehem township, remaining there till March, 1843, when he was united in marriage with Catherine Lancaster, by which union there were born the following children: Hiram, who enlisted in the One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., and died in prison; Sarah Jane (Mrs. Wood), a resi- dent of Greene county, Penn .; Rebecca, who was killed by a falling tree when eight years of age; John Cary; Mary Elizabeth (Mankey), residing in Washington; Joanna (Mrs. Horn), a resident of Amwell township; Samuel (deceased about the year 1888), who in his lifetime was a skillful wagon maker and blacksmith; Emma (Mrs. Scott), living in Washington county; Ella; William Ells- worth, who died of typhoid fever in 1883; Spencer and Newton, residents of Amwell township, both farmers. After his marriage David McCullougli moved into Amwell township, east of Amity, near Big creek, and in 1849 located on the hill near the Baptist church, on the Clarktown road. He after- ward moved to his father's farm, remaining there until the spring of 1855, when he went to Aleppo township, Greene county, and purchased a farm which he sold in the spring of 1876; again coming to Washington county in 1883, he bought the place where he now resides, near Amity. For more than forty years he has been a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, and he has been a lay delegate to the Presbytery. Politically, he was formerly a Whig, then a Republican, but has never accepted any official positions.

Mrs. McCullough was a daughter of Samuel Lancaster, and was brought up by the Spencers near Clarksville. They formerly lived near Phila- delphia, and old Mrs. Spencer heard the firing of the guns at the battle of Germantown, during the Revolutionary war.

J. C. Mccullough was born on the farm east of Amity, Washington county, July 2, 1849, and re- mained at home until eighteen years of age, when he began teaching. He taught during the winter time, and was thus enabled to pay the expenses of his attendance at the summer terms at Jackson- ville Academy, and at Waynesburgh, Greene coun- ty, until he was twenty-four years of age. Leav- ing college in the junior year, he began studying medicine at Cameron, W. Va., with Dr. S. B. Stidger, the leading physician of the county, and

under his instruction remained two years, teaching in the winters. At the end of that time he went to the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, where he spent the winter of 1875-76. He then prac- ticed four years in Marshall county, W. Va., after- ward returning to the same college, where he grad- uated with honors March 1, 1881. He took one of the prizes offered to the graduating class of 105 pupils (a case of instruments), and stood second in the branches of chemistry and anatomy. He then returned to Marshall county, and on March 19, 1884, was there united in marriage with Miss Jen- nie Kittle, a daughter of Samuel and Caroline (Wellman) Kittle, at Cameron, W. Va., where he practiced medicine eight years. Their union has been blessed with three children: Loyal C., Myra J. and Samuel Smith.

In the spring of 1889 Dr .- Mccullough came to Lone Pine, where he has already secured an ex- cellent practice. He is a thorough, earnest stu- dent, and has evinced great pluck and persever- ance, richly deserving the success which has crowned his efforts. In his political opinion he is a Republican, and he was a member of the board of health of Marshall county, W. Va., two years. In religious connection both he and Mrs. McCul- lough are members of the M. E. Church.

OSEPH WILLISON. On January 4, 1827, one Daniel Houston purchased 256 acres of land in Chartiers township, and after the Chartiers Valley R. R. was completed, laid out Houstonville. The fertile valley was a pleasant site for the proposed village, and lots were soon purchased; the work of building progressed rapidly, and ere long a beautiful little town had sprung into existence. Among those who were charmed with the location and appearance of the place was Joseph Willison, a native of Allegheny county, Penn. He is a son of Isaac Willison, who was born in Cumberland county, Penn., and reared on the home farm. In early manhood Isaac Willi- son selected a life companion in the person of Martha, daughter of Stephen Long. She died at Noblestown, Allegheny Co., Penn., leaving three children, namely: Catharine, Eliza and Joseph Willison, Catharine was married to William Chis- holm. To this union one son was born, and in process of time he became Dr. I. W. Chisholm, of New Concord, Ohio. Eliza married John Cooper, of Venango county, Penn., and to them were born two sons and two danghters.

Joseph Willison was born August 24, 1823, near Noblestown, Allegheny county, and when yet a boy hired out as a farm hand for one year at $7 per month. His mother died when he was but two days old, and at the age of fourteen years he was left an orphan. At the end of his first year's work

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on the farm he made another bargain, and worked on a farm the following six years for $10 per month, the highest wages then received. His education was obtained at the subscription school, Moon township, Allegheny county, and the Moore school, near Hickory, this county, where he received in- struction at the rate of 2 cents per day-not being a regularly enrolled student. A hard life was that of the homeless orphan lad, but bravely, uncom- plainingly, he struggled on, rewarded at last for his indomitable spirit of persevering industry. At the age of twenty-one years he went to work in a flouring inill at Canonsburg for $10 per month, with his Uncle Butler Willison (who was a cousin of Gen. Ben. Butler), remaining there until he had learned the business. He then went to Pat- ton's mill, working there two years for $12 per month. In 1849 he returned to Canonsburg and took charge of the flour mill (owned by James Berry) on shares. At that time the mill was not paying expenses, but when, fourteen years later, he retired on account of ill health, they were doing a very prosperous business, and 10,000 bushels of grain were in the mill. On February 12, 1850, this enterprising young business man decided that a permanent partnership was essential to the high- est success in life, and to fill that important posi- tion selected Elizabeth, daughter of William and Ellen Black. Children were born to the union of Joseph and Elizabeth Willison as follows: Anna Belle (wife of Charlie Jones), born January 9, 1851, died April 30, 1880, leaving one son and one daugh- ter; Ellen Clara, born January 2, 1852, deceased Oc- tober 30, 1852; and Lizzie, born February 23, 1853, deceased August 31, 1877. The mother passed away March 4, 1853, and on June 22, 1854, Joseph Wil- lison was married to Anna, daughter of James and Nancy Lyons, of Beaver county, Penn. To this marriage the following children have been born, of whom the following is a brief record: Linda P., born October 7, 1855, is the widow of John B. Miller, who owned the grain cradle factory; since the death of her husband Mrs. Miller has not only conducted the business with admirable success, but has enlarged the capacity of the mill. Homer I., born May 24, 1857, is now operating his father's farm; he is married to Dorrit, daughter of Andrew Russell. William Oscar, born August 1, 1861, is engaged in putting down gas and oil wells; the maiden name of his wife was Jennie Taggart, daughter of Samuel Taggart. J. Knowles was born May 1, 1863, and died December 30, 1880. Walter D., born October 25, 1866, is foreman in the grain cradle factory for his sister, Mrs. Miller. Charlie B., born September 18, 1870, is also em- ployed in the same factory.

In the year 1863 Joseph Willison purchased a farm of 127 acres, situated one mile west of Hous- tonville, Chartiers township. This place is under-

laid with a heavy vein of coal, and contains some of the best buildings within the limits of Wash- ington county. In 1886 Mr. Willison sustained a very heavy loss by fire, his barn and grain being utterly destroyed; but he, at once, erected a new barn with the best modern improvements, costing him over $3,000. He deals very extensively in stock, having first invested in breeding the Black- Top Dickson sheep, which has since been his favorite breed. He has been very successful in this special department of stock raising, and the demand for his sheep is greater than the supply. He sells at various prices, always realizing a hand- some profit from his stock, which is of the finest quality, all being registered. In political opinion he was a Whig and a Republican, and since the or- ganization of the "Prohibition party " has been one of its most ardent devotees, having cast the first and only vote in his district. He also favors woman's suffrage, and is interested in all the pro- gressive and educational movements of the day. In 1851 he united with the Presbyterian Church, and twelve years later joined the United Presbyterian Society at Canonsburg, with which Mrs. Willison is also identified. Their home in Houstonville is of the most modern style, lacking no comfort or luxury which a cultured taste can suggest.

AMES S. McNARY. Of the McNary family in Washington, the first (of whom there is any record) was James, by trade a shoemaker, who was born in Scotland about the year 1711, and, according to tradition, moved with his family to the North of Ireland. After sojourning there for a time he and his wife emigrated to America, bringing with them their four sons and one daughter, some of whom had married in Ire- land.

In the year 1760 (as records show) James Mc- Nary bought a tract of land in York county, Penn., in which county he remained for a number of years. He was made an elder (as was also his son John) in the Seceder Congregation of Guinston, one of the oldest congregations of that denomina- tion in America. His sons were: John, James, Thomas and David; his daughter, Jane, married William Robison, and remained for life in York county. The son John came to Washington county in 1801, and bought the tract of land in North Strabane township on which James S. now lives, revisited York county in the fall, expecting to return with his family in the following spring, but died during the winter. All the other sons of James McNary also came to Washington county, Thomas buying land in North Strabane township; James in Chartiers township, and David in Hano- ver township. Their father came also, and lived, up to the time of his death, with his son, David,

Hennes & M' Nobuy

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dying in 1796 at the age of eighty five years; he was buried in the Seceder churchyard near Paris, Washington county.

John McNary, son of the honored old Scotch pioneer, James, and grandfather of James S., died as already stated in York county, after a visit to and a purchase of land in Washington county. His family consisted of wife (Esther Bogle, a native of Ireland), daughters: Elizabeth (wife of William Douglas), Jane (wife of Robert Mckibben), Mary (wife of John McCoy), Margaret (wife of James Martin), Esther (wife of Thomas Ewing, and grand- mother of Judge Ewing, of Pittsburgh), Agnes (wife of William Pollock) and Jennet (wife of James Marshall); and sons: James, Malcolm, John (father of James S.), Thomas and Alexander.

John McNary, father of subject. in company with his brother Alexander, came into possession of the tract of land their father had bought in Washington county, and removed to it from York county in 1802. John returned to York county and settled up his father's estate there before lo- cating permanently in Washington county. The other brothers, James and Thomas, and all the sis- ters, with their husbands, came to Washington county except Elizabeth Douglas, who raised her family in York county. Jennet Marshall subse- quently went to, and raised a family near, Mans- field, Ohio. After John had closed up his father's estate, he came to his farm, and soon after mar- ried Jane Hill, who had but recently come from Dauphin county with her sister, Mrs. James Thome, who had settled on a neighboring farm. After their marriage, which occurred on New Year's Day, 1805, he settled, in company with his brother Alex- ander, on the farm bought by his father, the same on which his son James S. now lives. This farm had been patented by James Gott, in 1784, sold by him to Samuel Smith, and by Smith to John Mc- Nary. In a short time Alexander sold his interest in the farm to John, and moved to and became permanently settled in Jefferson county, Ohio.

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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 55

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