Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 59

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 59

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Demas M. Letherman, son of John and Chris- tina Letherman, was born March 8, 1817, in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn. His elementary education was obtained at the sub- scription schools of the neighborhood, and after attending the educational institutions of Belle Vernon, Washington Co., Penn., he taught school and did some farming on the home place. In early manhood he was married to Jane B., daughter of Joseph Munce, and she bore him eight children, namely: Florence, deceased wife of Adam Tombaugh; John A. ; Joseph W., a physi- cian of New Market, Ohio; Milo F., of Fallowfield township; Horace Biddle, deceased; Lucy B .; Ida, deceased wife of Daniel Gayman, and Demas V. Mr. and Mrs. Letherman always resided on their farm in West Bethlehem township. He was act- ively identified with the Republican party, and in 1872 was elected to the Legislature from the districts of Washington and Beaver counties; serv- ing two terms. In religious faith he was a zeal- ous member of the Dunkard Church. He died in 1878.

Dr. John A: Letherman was born February 28, 1848, on the home place in West Bethlehem town- ship, Washington Co., Penn. After attending the liome schools he entered Waynesburg College, and one year later came to the normal school at California, remaining there two years. He tlien went to Long Island College Hospital at Brook- lyn, N. Y., graduating in 1873, and finally took a course at Bellevue Medical College, receiving his degree of M. D. in 1874. After his professional training was completed, Dr. Letherman came, to California, Penn., in July, 1874, and entered into partnership with Dr. James McDonough (his pre- ceptor, who died not long afterward), in the prac- tice of medicine. Since the death of his col- league, Dr. Letherman has filled his place, and ac-

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quired a large practice. On December 25, 1879, he was married to Berta A., daughter of James Ward, of Coal Centre, and she has borne him one son, Ralph W. Politically Dr. Letherman is a stanch Republican, and has served his borough as a member of the council and school board al- most continuously.

HE VANCE FAMILY were among the earliest pioneers of Washington county, and as nearly as can be ascertained, are perhaps the oldest settlers of Smith township. The first ancestor of these prominent citizens, of whom we have an accurate history, was one Maj. William Vance. Maj. Vance was born in 1718 in Scotland, and came to Virginia in early life, after- ward moving to Washington county, Penn., where he died April 8, 1788. His son Joseph was born about 1750, near Winchester, Va., where he was married, and coming to Washington county, Penn., about 1773, located three miles sonthwest of Bur- gettstown, in Smith township, on a large tract of land. This land was then an unbroken wilderness, or, to quote a pioneer phrase: " There was not a stick amiss," but it has since been divided into nine of the finest farms of Washington county. As soon as a rude shelter had been erected for the family, Joseph Vance, in company with a few of his widely parted neighbors, began the erection of what was known as "Vance's Fort." This was intended to protect the settlers from the murder- ous onslaughts of the treacherous Indians, who were yet numerous in the territory, and bitterly resented the encroachment of the palefaces upon their hunting grounds. The fort was situated but a short distance from the cabin of Joseph Vance, and stood for many years, the only signs of its ex- istence now visible being a piece of brick-colored ground. At the gates of Fort Vance, under a white oak tree, on October 14, 1778, the Rev. James Powers preached the first sermon in English known to have been heard west of the Alleghany mount- ains in Pennsylvania. On this wild tract Joseph Vance and his wife passed their lives, with the ex- ception of occasional visits to his birthplace, and, as immigration increased, property rose in value. The vast tract of land, once seemingly almost worthless, became very valuable, and the pioneers reaped the deserved reward of early years of toil, privation and danger. The first wife of Joseph Vance died many years ago, leaving him six chil- dren, viz .: William, John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jan- ett and Mary. Of this family one son, Joseph, re- turned with his father on a visit to Virginia, then went West and his fate was never known. For his second wife Mr. Vance was married to a native of Winchester, Va., who died soon after their mar- riage, and he made a third choice in the person of

Mary Moore, a native of Winchester, Va., who bore lim two daughters: Anna Mary (wife of William Brady, Ohio county, W. Va.), and Hannah (mar- ried to Edward Morgan, Ohio county, W. Va.). The father died May 6, 1832, and in 1852 his faithful wife was laid beside him.

William Vance, eldest son of Joseph, was born November 30, 1775, on the old "Fort Vance farm " in Smith township, where his boyhood was passed in the usual duties of pioneer life, a large portion of them falling to his share as the eldest son. On December 24, 1799, he was married to Rachel Patterson, who was born June 3, 1781, daughter of William Patterson, of Cross Creek township, this county. To the union of William and Rachel Vance children were born, of whom the following is a brief record: Cynthia, born March 8, 1801, gave her hand in marriage to Will- iam Van Ostran (they moved to Wayne county, Ohio, where she died in 1884); Joseph, born Sep- tember 18, 1802, was a farmer in Smith township, and died in 1864; James, born July 23, 1804, fol- lowed agriculture in Jefferson township, this county, and died in 1881; William P., born "Sep- tember 4, 1806, lived on a farm in this county for some time, thence moved to Hardin, Ky., and is now a retired farmer of Caldwell county, Mo .; Al- lison, born December 14, 1808; Elizabeth was born February 17, 1811, and is now living in Burgetts- town, Penn., the widow of David S. Walker; Ann was born November 8, 1812, and was united in marriage with Norris Walker (she died leaving a large family of children); David was born April 14, 1815, and died in infancy; and Rachel was born December 28, 1816 (she was married to Josiah N. Scott, and is now deceased). On January 9, 1817, the mother of these children passed from earth, and on June 12, 1818, Mr. Vance was mar- ried to her sister, Hannah Patterson, who was born in 1786. Five children were born to this union, namely: Thomas P. (deceased farmer of Cross Creek township), born July 15, 1819; Mary (unmarried, living in Rome, Ga.), born June 1, 1821; Caroline (deceased wife of R. S. Caldwell, Hopewell township, this county), born December 30, 1824; John S., born June 7, 1827; and Jane (wife of J. S. Young, of Ohio, died in Rome, Ga., where they resided), born September 7, 1830.

During his earlier life the father resided on the home farm in Smith township, in company with his brother John, wliose interest he afterward pur- chased. In 1816 William Vance was elected as representative of Washington county, in the State Legislature. He was an enthusiastic member of the Whig party, being a counselor and adviser among his friends, and having favored the tariff bill from its infancy. After the term of office had expired, Hon. William Vance returned to his farm, having made a signal success in the performance

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of his duties. He was a liberal contributor and attendant of the Presbyterian Church with which his wife was connected. He died April 18, 1856, and in 1878 his widow followed him. Both are buried in the Cross Creek Cemetery.

Allison Vance, the fifth son of William and Rachel Vance, was born on the " Fort Vance farm" in Smith township, receiving a limited subscription- school education, which he afterward supplemented by study and observation, eventually becoming a well-informed business man. On May 30, 1839, he was united in marriage with Margaret Camp- bell, who was born February 1, 1814, daughter of Robert Campbell, a pioneer of Smith township. Allison and Margaret Vance were the parents of seven children: John (a farmer of Smith town- ship), born July 2, 1840, died August 14, 1884; William P., born September 1, 1842; Rachel, born February 28, 1845, died October 2, 1860; David, born October 7, 1847, died October 11, 1860; Robert C. (an extensive farmer of Cross Creek township), born June 19, 1850; James L. (now living on the old Fort farm), born October 23, 1853, and Leander, born October 21, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Vance located on a part of the original Vance tract in Cross Creek township (now owned by his son Robert), and in 1859 settled perma- nently on the original tract. A worthy representa- tive of an honored and successful family, Allison Vance was no exception to the rule, but on the contrary became even more prosperous than those preceding. Politically he was first a Whig, then a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Cross Creek Church, to which he contributed liberally. His wife died December 10, 1889, and March 8, 1890, the husband and father was also called home. Both were buried in the Cross Creek cemetery. A singular fact is here recorded in connection with the death of Allison Vance. For the past four generations, the male ancestors of the Vance family have attained an advanced age. The first ancestor, Maj. William Vance, died at eighty-two; his son Joseph died in his eighty-second year; William, the son of Joseph, died at the same age, and, lastly, Allison Vance breathed his last, after having passed his eighty- first year.

W ILLIAM WALKER PRICE, an enter- prising and well-known citizen of Canton township, is a native of the same, born March 27, 1853. He is a grandson of Joseph Price, a native of France, who in early youth immigrated to America, settling in Washington, this county, where he passed the greater part of his life.

William Price, son of the pioneer Joseph, was born in Washington, Penn., and received his edu-

cation in the schools of his native city. He mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of John Horn, of Buffalo township, this county, and immediately thereafter the young couple commenced life upon a farm, where industrious and frugal habits brought well- merited success. The following children were born to them: William W., Ansodon and Silas. Mr. Price was a member of the Republican party, and took a deep interest in Christian work. He died February 17, 1863, and was buried in Wash- ington cemetery.

William Walker Price, son of William and Elizabeth (Horn) Price, passed his early years upon the home farm, and received a liberal educa- tion at the schools of the vicinity of his home. On June 15, 1875, he was married to Lucinda, daughter of Uriah Clark, of Buffalo township, this county, and the following named children have been born to them: Charles, Lulu, Rose, Bessie and William K. Mr. Price is a member of the U. P. Church at Buffalo, Hopewell township, and in his political preferences he votes the Independent ticket. He has always resided on the home place.

H USTON PAUL, an honored member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of South Strabane township, was born No- vember 10, 1805, in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn. His father, Will- iam Paul, also a native of the county, was here reared to agricultural pursuits, and educated at the subscription schools of the district. He mar- ried Hannah Slaught, a resident of the same county, and they then settled on a farm in Amwell town- ship, where they lived many years. The children born to them were James, Huston, Nathan, Sarah (Mrs. Abel McFarland), Rosa (Mrs. Christopher Venum), Andrew, Daniel M., Lavinia (Mrs. Michael Schulser), John, William, Philo and Adaline Mrs. Thomas Reese). The father of this family died in November, 1840, in his sixty-third year, at the residence of his son Nathan P., in Delaware, Ohio; he was a progressive, self-made man, a Whig in politics, and a liberal supporter of all public en- terprises. The mother passed away in February, 1865, in her eighty-second year, and is interred in Lone Pine cemetery; she died at the home of her son Philo, who lost his life at the battle of the Wilderness in front of Richmond.

Huston Paul, whose name opens this sketch, was carefully brought up on the home place, and early trained to practical farm life, attending during the winter months the subscription schools of the dis- trict. On October 4, 1827, he was married to Nancy, youngest child of Martin and Catherine (Battenfield) Heckathorn, who moved from Lan- caster county, Penn., to a farm near Waynesburglı, Greene Co., same State. Martin Heckathorn died

Huston Paul

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near Nineveh, Greene county, his wife at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Phebe Iams, in Dayton Ohio. They were the parents of eight children, viz .: Elizabeth, Eva, Daniel, George, Catherine. Jacob, Phebe and Nancy. For five years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Huston Paul resided at the mill property, one mile below Amity, in Amwell township, and in the autumn of 1833 moved to the farm in South Strabane township now occu- pied by Mr. Paul and members of his family. The children born to him are Hannah (Mrs. John C. Hastings), Catherine Jane, William and Nancy E., all yet living. Their mother departed this life in February, 1888, in her eighty-fourth year, having lived the life of a modest, kind and devoted wife and mother, and her body is laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery at Washington.

Mr. Paul for some five years carried on a grist- mill with success, and has prospered in all his un- dertakings; he at present owns 240 acres of well- improved land. In politics he was at first an Old- time Whig, and since the organization of the party has been a stanch Republican. Now far advanced on life's journey, he is calmly awaiting the sum- mons that shall call him from the cares of the world to a home where there shall be no more pain or sorrow.

W ILLIAM PAUL. Of the names that re- main permanently associated with the more recent development of the grand agricultural interest of Washington county, there is none deserving of a more prominent place in this volume than that of this gentlemen.

William Paul was born in South Strabane town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., June 19, 1834, a son of Huston and Nancy (Heckathorn) Paul. His early life was passed under the parental roof, during which time he was attending the common schools of the district, where he received a liberal English education, which was supplemented by a course of study at Washington College. He continued to reside on the old homestead in South Strabane township, assisting in the general work of the farm, until 1870, when he moved into Franklin township and bought the Hon. R. R. Reed man- sion, together with 110 acres of the very core of this vast estate, to which he has since added thirty acres. Upon this land there are several valuable producing oil wells. Some time ago, no other spot in the neighborhood of Washington being found desirable, the borough officials, in order to obtain pure water supply for the city, secured some eleven acres of Mr. Paul's farm for that purpose.

From his elegant and commodious residence a delightful view of the surrounding country is to be 18

had, the calm and peaceful fertile farms, " the or- chard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood," having, ever and anon, glimpses of another kind of existence, as the trains of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad rush past, awakening momentary visions of great far away cities teeming with life and seething with commercial enterprise and activ- ity. In addition to his general farming inter- ests, Mr. Paul does an extensive dairying busi- ness, the market for his product in this line being mainly in the borough of Washington; and in this, as in all his other undertakings, he has met with eminent success-in fact, it may without preju- dice be said of him that in the dairy business he is the leader in the county.

On September 10, 1861, Mr. Paul married Mar- tha, the refined and accomplished daughter of Samuel and Mary (Fife) Vance, of South Strabane township. Samuel Vance was a native of this county, born in Somerset township in 1791, of stalwart, truth-loving Scotch Irish lineage. He died in 1874, a man of noble impulses, strict in- tegrity and high character, qualifications that shed their influence for the public good wherever and whenever called into requisition by the people who honored him with many positions of trust. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul: Philo V., Isaac E., Mary R., N. Alice and Mattie, living, and Samuel Huston and Cary Bell, deceased.

In the early taking away by death of these two much-beloved and promising lads, Samuel and Cary, the family and friends received a great shock, and a bitter disappointment to their high hopes. Samuel Huston Paul was born June 13, 1865, and died at 1 o'clock on the morning of September 26, 1886, after an illness from typhoid fever of three weeks. By those who once knew him, his fine, manly face will be no more seen. In the home, where he was so tenderly loved for his obedience and kindness, there is a melancholy vacancy. Among his many friends, with whom, because of his unflinching integrity, he was ever popular, he is spoken of with love and honor, as of one who could never be tempted away from what he thought was right. While yet the fond hearts of the family were in deep sorrow over the death of Samuel, there came another stroke, all the more severe because of being so sudden. On De- cember 25, 1886, Cary, in his boyish playfulness, went out of the house, saying that he would " give a Christmas salute." Soon afterward a loud report was heard, and poor Cary, a few moments before the life and soul of the family circle, cheerful and full of play, was found lying on the ground with his life blood fast flowing from a wound in the neck. He had bored a hole in a log and charged it with powder. The explosion must have been premature-evidently while he was bending over the log-a splinter entered his neck and severed an

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artery. Tenderly they carried him into the house and laid him on a lounge, but nothing could be done; he died in a few minutes afterward. Cary was within a few weeks of his eighteenth birthday, having been born January 17, 1869. Endowed with an unusual amount of good common sense, a cheerful, generous nature, kind and companionable in disposition, he has left to the grief-stricken family and his friends naught but pleasant memories of him. "Why these twin afflictions?" the soul asks. " What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."

There is no flock, however watched and tended, But one dead lamb is there; There is no fireside, howso'er defended, But has one vacant chair.

In his political preferences Mr. Paul is a stanch Republican, always taking an active interest in the public affairs of his township and county, and is a warm advocate of all measures tending to the ad- vancement of educational interests. In religious matters he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder for twenty years, and on the organization of the Third Presbyterian Church, in 1891, he became a member thereof and an elder in same.

J M. K. DONALDSON. As the lives of our leaders in literature, politics and religion have imparted inspiration to humanity and civilization, so will the record of conscien- tious, energetic and successful men from the com- mon ranks of life be of infinite value both to their contemporaries and descendants. Especially is this an evident fact, when we read or write the bi- ographies of our early pioneers, whose history is filled with the romance of "truth stranger than fiction."

Jacob Donaldson was born in 1763, in Ireland, and came to America in early manhood, locating in Washington county, Penn. He was married to a Miss Mckinney, and first settled on a farm in Hopewell township, thence moving to the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, which is yet owned by his . descendants. He was a member of the Seceder Church at Hickory, this county, afterward uniting with the U. P. Church. In April, 1850, he moved to the village of Hickory, where he died in August of the same year, having been preceded by his wife, who had borne him children as follows: William (settled in Somerset township, this coun- ty), James (deceased, settled in Buffalo township), Richard (a tailor of Hickory, afterward bought a farm in Cecil township, and was killed while on his way home from Noblestown), Andrew (resided in Mt. Pleasant township), Isaac (lived in Mt. Pleasant township), Margaret (deceased on the

farm of her brother, J. M.), and Mary (deceased wife of James Ackleson, Hanover township).

Andrew Donaldson was born in 1802, in Hopewell township, this county, and passed his early boy- hood on the place of liis birth, afterward moving to Mt. Pleasant township. In early life he was united in marriage with Ellen Wilson, a native of Cross Creek township, where the young people lived a few years, finally settling on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township. Their children were as fol- lows: Esther (wife of A. V. McGuyin), Eleanor L. (married to Leman McCarrell), J. M. K. (whose name opens this sketch), Sarah Jane (wife of W. W. McCarrell), and W. W. (living on the home farm), all of whom are living in Mt. Pleasant town- ship. The father and mother were first members of the Union Church at West Middletown, then joined the Presbyterian Church at Buffalo, finally uniting with the Society in Mt. Prospect. He died in 1880, on the old homestead where his widow is yet living.

J. M. K. Donaldson was born March 5, 1843, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, receiving his elementary education in the district schools, and then attending the Academy at Buffalo village for three terms. In October, 1869, he married Margaret McDowell. Her grandfather, James McDowell, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and coming to Mt. Pleasant township, this county, when a young man, was married to Mary McKnight. They settled on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and he died in 1815, followed by his widow in 1853. They attended the U. P. Church at Cross Roads, then known as Union Church, Chartiers township.

John McDowell was born in 1811, on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, where his boyhood was passed. In 1837 he married Miss Margaret Miller, who was born in 1810, in Chartiers township. They were members of Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church. He died in August, 1886, having been preceded in 1866 by his wife, who had borne him eight children, one of whom is deceased. Those yet living are James W. (an attorney in Washing- ton, Penn. ), Jacob F. (living in Mt. Pleasant town- ship), Margaret (Mrs. Donaldson), Rebecca (wife of James Agnew), John (living in Canonsburg, this county), Sadie P. and Lizzie.

J. M. K. and Margaret (McDowell) Donaldson located on a place in Mt. Pleasant township, and in February, 1875, moved to the farm they now occupy, containing 140 acres of good land. He has made many improvements, having erected a pleasant dwelling and a good barn, 60x40 feet. He is an active member of the Democratic party, which he has served as a member of the school board, also as judge of elections. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are members of the Mt. Prospect Pres- byterian Church, of which he is treasurer. They have two children: J. Alfred and Margaret M.

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R OBERT SCOTT. The Scott family were early pioneers of Washington county, and are of Scotch descent. Joseph Scott, the oldest representative, was born about 1761, in Scotland, coming to America during the latter part of the eighteenth century. He first located in York county, Penn., where he was married to Martha Paden, who was born in 1763. Prior to 1788, when Washington county was very sparsely settled, he came hither, and made a home in the eastern part of Hanover township, near Rac- coon creek, securing control of an immense tract of wild land. A cabin was erected which furnished them with protection, and although deprived of many of the luxuries of life, they were soon able to build a comfortable liome.

The story of the struggles, hardships and priva- tions of early pioneers has often been told, and the lives of this earnest and self-reliant couple were similar to those of their comrades, who undertook the arduous task of making the wilderness "to blossom as the rose." Industry finally was re- warded; they became wealthy and highly respected citizens, passing the remainder of their lives sur- rounded by children and friends. They died at a ripe old age, in full connection with the "Old- School Presbyterian" Church, in which they had been reared from infancy. Politically, the grand- father was a Democrat. To this worthy couple were born two sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to an adult age.

Robert, son of Joseph and Martha (Paden) Scott, was born in Robinson township, Washington Co., Penn., and in early life followed the carpenter's trade, being naturally inclined to mechanical work. He was twice married, his first choice being Fanny. daughter of Edward Jackson. She bore him children as follows: Alexander, a wagon maker by trade, who first lived in Florence, thence moving to Armstrong county, Penn .; Joseph, a carpenter of Burgettstown, Penn .; Josiah, a black- smith of Burgettstown; Andrew F., a blacksmith, moved to Galesburg, Ill., thence to Nasliville, Tenn .; Elizabeth, Mrs. Finley Wilson, of Arm- strong county, Penn .; and Margaret, wife of James Work. Of this family Andrew F. is the only one living. For his second wife Robert Scott was married to Mary Kerr, of Allegheny county, Penn., who bore him the following children: Samuel, a pattern maker of Wheeling, W. Va .; Fannie, widow of George Jackson, living in Flor- ence, Penn .; Catherine, unmarried, is living with her brother Robert; and Robert, whose sketch follows. After his first marriage Mr. Scott located near Candor, in Robinson township, where he re- sided for some time, then settled near Paris, in Hanover township, and in 1856 came to Florence. The latter part of his life was principally devoted to work in the carpentry line, as his skill was well

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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 59

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