Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 68

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 68

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James Provines was early trained to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed that vocation. He was first married November 13, 1851, to Mary Campbell, of Smith township, Washington Co., Penn .; she was born January 4, 1817. After their marriage the young people settled on the home farm, and four children were born to them, namely: Mary S. (living with her parents); Rebecca H., wife of W. P. Shillito; John C., and Margaret, the two latter being deceased. Mrs. Provines died November 20, 1856, and Mr. Provines was after- ward married March 7, 1861, to Mary L. Mort- land, who was born January 16, 1824, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Provines) Mortland, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. Politically Mr. Pro- vines is an active Democrat, although not a strict partisan. He has been an earnest member of the United Presbyterian Church of Burgettstown for many years, and is one of its most liberal sup- porters.

C APTAIN J. FULTON BELL, a gallant officer of the Civil war, was born near Jeffer: son, Greene Co., Penn., August 23, 1841. His father's ancestors in this country were of Scotch descent, and his paternal grandmother was a near relation of Harrod, of Boone county, Ky., fame, hence the bravery and daring of the descendant.

The parents of Capt. J. F. Bell were both natives of Pennsylvania, born in Morgan township, Greene county, the father, Levi Harrod Bell, on March 12, 1807; the mother, Sarah Fulton Bell, on July 2, same year. They were married February 2, 1826,

4. 7. Rell

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and had a family of three sons and ten daughters, as follows: Mrs. Catherine Greenlee (deceased), born August 9, 1828; Rachel, born January 4, 1831, died September 19, 1837; Jane, born March 15, 1832, died November 2, 1852; Mrs. Elizabeth Galbraith, born March 20, 1834, now living in Des Moines, Iowa; Mary, born July 23, 1836, died March 22, 1837; Sarab F., born December 31, 1837, married to Col. Hiram Milligan Miller , late of the Second Missouri Cavalry, and now in Kahoka Mo .; Mrs. Letticia Reynolds (deceased), born December 1, 1839 (she was a student at Lewisburg (Penn.) Seminary (Baptist), now Buck- nell University, and graduated from same); Capt. John Fulton (subject of sketch); Mrs. Eliza- beth Hughes, born July 7, 1843, now living near Des Moines, Iowa (she was a student at same sem- inary as her sister Letticia); Isaac, born February 24, 1845, now in Kahoka, Mo .; Mrs. Margaret Anne Shaw, born December 15, 1846, now a resi- dent of St. Paul, Minn .; James McVay, born April 13, 1848, residing in Morgantown, W. Va .; and Emma, born July 15, 1850 (deceased). The father of this family died in 1862, in Amwell town- ship, Washington county, and was buried at Mt. Hermon; the mother passed away in 1871 at St. Francesville, Mo., and her remains lie interred near that place. Mr. Levi H. Bell was ordained one of the deacons of Jefferson Baptist Church, and on his removal to Washington county was ordained a deacon of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church.

Capt. J. Fulton Bell lived near Jefferson, Greene county, until he was nineteen years of age, and in the summer of 1860 he attended George's Creek Academy, Fayette county, Penn. He removed with his father to Washington county in Novem- ber, 1860, the latter having purchased what is known as the old "Paul Farm," it being a portion of the old "Cook Patent." On August 22, 1862, he enlisted at Amity, Washington county, in Company D, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., and was promoted June 21, 1863, from the rank of corporal to that of sergeant. On Novem- ber 1, 1863, he became first sergeant; on July 20, 1864, near City Point, Va., he was commis- sioned, by Gov. Andy Curtin of Pennsylvania (known as the "War Governor"), first lieutenant. On May 17, 1865, he became captain of his company, in which capacity he remained until mustered out May 31, 1865, near Alexandria Va. Having been promoted from the ranks, he was afterward known as "the boy who went out as eighth corporal, and came back as captain." The regiment in which he served (One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I.) ranked third in casualties, and was perhaps entitled to the first place in regard to enlistments and length of time in service. On the second day at Gettysburg, near Little Round Top, or "Devil's Den," this regiment lost 276 officers

and men in less than an hour, Col. Richard P. Roberts and Capt. David Acheson, senior captain, being among the number. This regiment was in service thirty-three months, and took part in some twenty-five engagements, beginning at Chancellors- ville and ending at Appomattox. After his return from the war Capt. Bell engaged in farming (having purchased in 1868 the home farm) and stock raising, of which he has made a success.

On May 6, 1868, the captain was married to Lydia Ross, daughter of Judge Benjamin and Hannah (Johns) Ross, of Ruff Creek, Greene Co., Penn., who were born March 17, 1802, and June 9, 1811, respectively. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Mrs. Catherine Cox (deceased), born September 20, 1829 (she was educated at a school in Chester county, Penn.); Mrs. Rachel Dunn (deceased), born July 7, 1831; Thomas, born October 8, 1833 (crossed the Plains to California in 1858); Elizabeth Ann (deceased), born December 2, 1835; Abner, born March 30, 1838 (he is ex-State senator and ex-sheriff of Greene county), Jacob, born July 17, 1840 (he served in the Anderson troops in the Civil war); Mrs. Lydia Bell, born January 6, 1843; Benjamin F., born November 18, 1846 (he spent several years in the mines of Colorado) ; Nathaniel (deceased), born August 12, 1849; Hannah Maria (deceased), born June 9, 1853; and Heath J., born July 12, 1858 (is at present district attorney of Greene county). Capt. Bell and his wife have five children, Benjamin Harrod (was for two years a student of Monongahela College), Sarah Frances (educated at Waynesburg College), now engaged in teaching, Lyda Emma (attending Washington Fe- male Seminary), Abner Ross, and James Franklin.

Politically the Captain has always been a Repub- lican, and with the exception of one year has been commander of Philo Paul Post No. 458, G. A. R., ever since it was organized, in October, 1884. In 1890 he was enumerator for the second precinct of Amwell township. Capt. Bell is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Washington county, enjoying the record of an honorable career in the service of his country, and he has faithfully dis- charged his duties of a private citizen in all times of peace. Both the Captain and Mrs. Bell are members of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church (Wash- ington county), as are their three eldest children, the former being elected to the office of Deacon several years ago. On the contemplating of the building of the Waynesburg & Washington Narrow Gauge Railroad, Capt. Bell was a member of one of the soliciting committees to raise money and procure the right of way, and was in a measure successful, subscribing several shares of stock. After the completion of the road he was elected one of the directors and reelected for two suc- cessive terms.

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OHN FRESHWATER, a leading farmer and small fruit grower of Hanover township, is a native of Brooke county, W. Va., of which lo- cality his ancestors were early residents. This gentleman and his family are descended from three brothers who came into West Virginia soon after the beginning of the present century, and located in the territory which is now Brooke county.

The brothers were named, respectively, Reuben, Archibald and David, who came from east of the mountains, and were born east of the mountains. Of these, Archibald was the grandfather of our subject. After locating in West Virginia he was married to Sarah Gardner, a native of Jefferson township, Washington county, who bore him the following children: John, who went to Armstrong county, Penn., afterward settling in Pittsburgh, Penn. ; Archibald, of whom a sketch is given; Will- iam, moved to Van Buren county, Iowa; Fanny, married to Josiah Jones, a resident of Wellsburgh, W. Va .; David, moved to Wood county, W. Va .; and Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Wright, resided near Chambersburgh, Penn. Of this family David is the only one living. The parents passed their lives on the farm in Washington county, where the father was a successful agriculturist, and where he died in 1856 at a ripe old age. After his death his widow remained for some time on the home place, then went to Wood county, W. Va., and lived with her son, David, until she too was called to enter the "valley of the shadow of death."

Archibald, son of Archibald and Sarah (Gardner) Freshwater, was born March 16, 1814, in Brooke county, W. Va., remaining on the farm during his boyhood and attending the subscription schools. In 1837 he was married to Elizabeth Truax, who bore him the following children: William, a farmer of Hanover township, born July 22, 1838; Archi- bald, deceased farmer of Hanover township, born October 6, 1839; Sarah Ann, deceased wife of David Smith, of Hanover township, born February 28, 1841; David, born June 9, 1843; Elias, a black- smith of Paris, Penn., born March 22, 1845; John, whose name opens this sketch; Mary Jane, of Col- liers, W. Va., born September 22, 1849; Elizabeth Amanda, Mrs. James Caldwell, of Hanover town- ship, born March 5, 1852; and James, a farmer of Hanover township, born December 5, 1854. After his marriage Archibald Freshwater rented a farm in Hancock county, W. Va. ; remaining there for some time, then went to Brooke county, W. Va., and in 1853 came to Hanover township, Washington Co., Penn., where his latter days were passed in agri- cultural pursuits. He died in 1883, having been preceded by his wife in 1876, and both now lie buried in the Paris cemetery. Mr. Freshwater was a member of the Methodist Church, his wife hav- ing been identified with the Baptist Society. In politics he was a Democrat.

John Freshwater was born February 10, 1847, and when but six years of age came with his par- ents to Washington county. He attended the com- mon schools of the home district, and when a young man began to learn the blacksmith trade, but after serving three months of an apprenticeship gave up the trade, and later was employed on the P., C. & St. L. R. R. for two years. On December 15, 1870, he was united in marriage with Margaret Wells, who was born June 23, 1847, in Brooke county, W. Va., a daughter of James and Margaret (Crall) Wells. The Wells family were among the leading pioneers of Brooke county. The children of John and Margaret Freshwater are as follows: Lawrence A., Fred C., Emma F., Harry B., John W., Oscar C., Beulah J. and Lydia E., all of whom are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Freshwater be- gan wedded life on a farm in Hanover township. In 1881 he purchased the "Matthew Russell"' farm, where he has ever since resided. In addition to farming he is extensively engaged in the raising of small fruits and berries, and belongs to the pro- gressive, wide-awake type of agriculturists. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a highly esteemed citizen of the community. Mrs. Freshwater is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

R EZIN C. WOODFILL. Among the pre- Revolutionary settlers of Washington county was Joseph Woodfill, who was born September 17, 1754, and six years later came to East Bethlehem township, Wash- ington county. Here he studied after the fashion of boys of that period, and became a Methodist Episcopal preacher. His marriage with Miss Cath- erine Gudshell took place October 20, 1777, and to this union the following named children were born : Joseph, Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth, Rezin and John.

Rezin Woodfill was born December 20, 1792, in East Bethlehem township, and there was reared to manhood in a pioneer log cabin. His educational advantages were necessarily limited, as opportuni- ties were few, and time was money in those early days. On December 4, 1817, he married Miss Sarah Dotson, and to this union were born: Jo- seph D., July 30, 1819 (a farmer of East Bethlehem, who married Mary White, November 7, 1844, and they are the parents of Andrew, Margaret, Ella, White, Oliver, Mary and Bert Woodfill); John B. (a farmer of Fayette county, Penn.); William M. (a grocer in Washington borough); Mary (widow of S. Bromfield, of Fayette county, Penn.), Andrew (who died while at college, Meadville, Penn.); James (who died at California, Penn.); Melinda (de- ceased); Charles W. (a physician, who died in Preston county, W. Va.); Rezin C. (the subject of this notice) and Lizzie Ball. The father of this

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family voted with the Republican party, and in re- ligious affairs affiliated with the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Both parents are numbered with the majority.

Rezin C. Woodfill, son of Rezin and Sarah Wood- fill, was born July 9, 1833, on the home farm. Having received the education which the schools of the district afforded, he set out for Iowa with the intention of remaining in that State; but his health failing, he returned to Pennsylvania, and worked for his father on the home farm; after his mother's death he bought the interests of the other heirs in the estate. On October 11, 1862, Mr. Rezin was married to Maggie C. Ridlingshafer, of Browns- ville, Penn., and to this marriage were born Will- iam J. (a carpenter), Charles R., John C., Frank G., Jesse S., Ollie B., Le Roy, Sallie J., Annie L. and May L. With the exception of John C. and Frank G., who are clerks at Brownsville, all re- side with the parents. All are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Rezin C. Woodfill is a Repub- lican. The home farm embraces seventy-six acres of fertile land, which is devoted to agriculture.

C HRISTIAN HOOTMAN is a well-known and prosperous representative of one of the pioneer families of Washington county. He is a grandson of David Hootman, who was of German birth, and as a Hessian soldier, in the pay of the British, came to America in the Revo- lutionary war. No sooner did an opportunity offer, than the brave young German deserted from the British ranks, and enlisted as a drummer-boy with the patriots in their struggle for liberty.

After the close of the Revolution, he remained in America, and it is supposed located in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., about the year 1780, where he remained until his deatlı, in 1859, after a life of nearly a century. He was married in Washington county, and to this marriage were born: Henry, Jacob, John, David, Christopher, Mrs. Fannie Miller, and Mrs. Catherine Shaler. Mr. Hootman was a Democrat, and held several offices in the township.

David Hootman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1793, in Donegal township, this county, where he passed his whole life. He attended the rate schools, and became a very well- informed and successful man. When about fifteen years of age he learned the blacksmith's trade, and after an apprenticeship of four years, opened an office on the Monongahela pike. In 1815 he mar- ried Nancy, daughter of Benjamin Parkson, of Nottingham township, and she bore him nine chil- dren: Benjamin, David, John, Clarinda, Polly, Mrs. Nancy Hill, Christian, William and Anderson. David Hootman began life with 64 cents, and at his death the estate was valued at $40,000. For

many years he was captain in the State militia, and at one time was a candidate for the State Leg- islature, having been a prominent man in the Jef- fersonian Democratic party. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. Mr. Hootman died in 1868, followed by his wife in 1878. Washington Parkson, a brother of Mrs. David Hootman, was a prominent actor in the Whisky Insurrection, and the pardon which he re- ceived from George Washington is still in the pos- session of Mr. Hootman's brother.

Christian Hootman was born in 1828 in Notting- ham township, and attended the home schools during his boyhood. When a young man he was united in marriage with Ursula Myers, who has borne him the following children: David H. (deceased), William W., James P., Jerry M., and Dora A. Mr. Hootman has served his township in various offices, and votes the Democratic ticket. He owns 120 acres of the old home place, having remained at home until the death of his parents. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek.

(AMES C. WALKER, a wealthy and influen- tial farmer of Jefferson township, is a son of James Walker, whose grandfather, David, was born in New Jersey, and was there married to Elizabeth Elliott, of the same State. Soon after their marriage David and Elizabeth Walker moved to Huntingdon county, Penn., and, about 1772, settled near a little town called Burnt Cabins. Here the following children were born and reared; Alexander, John, David, James, Martha, Sarah (Mrs. Cree), Susan, Polly and Isa- belle, all of whom are now deceased.

Alexander Walker was born May 10, 1773, in Huntingdon county, Penn., and worked on the home farm until 1795. He then came to Wash- ington county, settling in Jefferson township on the place now owned by his son Samuel. Here Alexander Walker was married, October 26, 1800, to Elizabeth Norris, who was born December 8, 1778. The young people settled on the home farm, which Mr. Walker managed in connection with distilling, the latter being at that time as im- portant an industry as milling. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Walker were as follows: Elizabeth, born February 22, 1802; John, born June 8, 1803; David, born September 19, 1804; James, born January 1, 1807; John N., born June 24, 1808; Susanna, born December 22, 1809; Alexander, born June 21, 1811; Mary Ann, born February 7, 1814; David S., born July 6, 1816; Isabella, born November 17, 1818; Drusilla, born February 16, 1821; and Samuel, born April 18, 1823. The father of this family died September

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8, 1854, and was followed by the mother Decem- ber 17, 1855.

James Walker (the father of subject) passed his youth on the old Walker homestead, and October 9, 1828, was married to Elizabeth Graham, a native of this county. They have passed all their wedded life in the old house on the home farm, where six children have been born to them, namely: Olivia, born in March, 1830; John G., born in August, 1831; Alexander, born in August, 1833; William W., born in August, 1836; Ann D., born August 28, 1838; and James C., born August 14, 1842.

James C. Walker was born and reared on the old farm, and in early manhood was united in marriage with Eliza, daughter of William Vanord- strandt, a native of Washington county. After his marriage James immediately bought out the inter- est of the other heirs in the homestead, and made it his permanent home. One daughter blessed this union: Anna E., born in 1862 (now married to B. B. Stroud, of Independence). The mother died October 12, 1862, and Mr. Walker married Hannah E. Caldwell, November 21, 1867, of Hanover town- ship, who bore him two sons: Norris, born Novem- ber 24, 1868, and James, born February 5, 1873. Mrs. Hannah E. Walker died January 26, 1875, and March 20, 1878, Mr. Walker married Belle Sutherland, of Smithfield, Ohio. They have three children, namely: Mary M., born May 3, 1881; John Sherman, born January 9, 1883; and Bessie Graham, born April 19, 1884. Mr. Walker is a farmer and stock raiser, and owns 200 acres of fine land, upon which he has erected a handsome resi- dence. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and in religion a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church.

A M. HANLIN. The Hanlin family for al- most a century have been identified with the progress and development of Hanover town- ship. They have assisted in the advance- ment and support of all enterprises which have served to place this township in its present position among the magnificent galaxy of town- ships contained in Washington county, Penn.

The present generation of this family trace their ancestry to four brothers, John, William, James and Alexander, who were children of Alexander and Nancy (Stewart) Hanlin, and natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. The father dying in County Ty- rone, the family, consisting of the widow, four sons and three daughters (Elizabeth, Nancy and Jane), came to America in 1792. Their first loca- tion was in Lancaster county, Penn., where the sons engaged in various kinds of employment. Energy and health formed their sole capital. One daughter, Nancy, was married in eastern Penn- sylvania, and there passed her days. Between 1795 and 1800 the other members of the family came

farther west, locating on the waters of Buffalo creek, in Washington county, on the "Lawton Farm." The brothers continued to work in part- nership until the beginning of the present century, when James purchased land near Paris, Hanover township, this county, and followed the river, making trips to New Orleans. He was married to a Miss Mills. William, John and Alexander jointly purchased of one John Campbell a large tract of land near Harmon's creek, in Han- over township, to which they moved. William was affianced to Anna, daughter of John Fulton, of Hanover township, and his wedding day was set, but he died before the marriage was consummated. John Hanlin was born in 1771 in County Tyrone, Ireland, and in 1823, married Nancy Hanlin, a distant relative and native of Ireland. Her parents came to America, locating in Steubenville, Ohio, leaving their infant daughter with an aunt in Ire- land, with whom she crossed the ocean when but two years of age. To the union of John and Nancy Hanlin the following children were born: A. M., Margery (unmarried, living with her broth- er in Hanover township), William, John (a farmer of Hanover township), James (deceased) and Eliza (unmarried, living with her brothers). After his marriage John Hanlin located on that por- tion of the original tract which the three broth- ers had purchased, where he resided the re- mainder of his life. He died in 1846, a respected citizen, kind-hearted and generous. In 1878 his widow passed away at the advanced age of eighty- six years. She was buried beside her husband in St. John's Protestant Episcopal cemetery, Brooke county, W. Va. They were both members of that church.

A. M. Hanlin was born June 18, 1824, on the old farm which is yet his home, where he was reared to manhood, and attended the country schools of the time. He married Rowena Swear- ingen May 1, 1860. She was born in 1832, and was a daughter of Capt. Samuel Swearingen, of Beaver county. Their children are fol- lows: Lewis S., Anna E., Samuel A., James L., and Maud L., all of whom are living at home. Mr. Hanlin has always resided on the old place, being engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has given considerable attention to the sheep in- dustry. He was first a Whig, then a Republican, having taken an active interest in politics, but now gives way to the younger politicians. Both he and his wife are members of the Disciple Church.

J HE ANDERSON FAMILY are among the most prominent and esteemed citizens of Cross Creek township. They trace their ancestry to one Francis Anderson, of Butler county, Penn. He was of Scotch parent- age, and when a young man came west to try the

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hard and perilous life of a hunter. In this vo- cation he soon achieved a reputation as one of the most skilled and successful hunters of the day. In a short time, he had saved a portion of his earnings, and buying a small farm, com- bined agricultural pursuits with his former vo- cation. As old age drew near, the excitement and danger of life among the forests lost its power to charm, and he longed for the more quiet, if less eventful, life of the home. He retired from the ranks of Nimrod's followers, being at that time the owner of over 1,000 acres of land, and devoted the remnant of life to agri- cultural pursuits. With his children and grand- children around him, the old hero would then relate exciting tales of adventures with panthers, bears and other wild animals of the forest. Thus living again the hunter life, he would for the time forget his surroundings, and with flashing eye and panting breath describe some fierce contest with savage beasts. In peace and comfort the old man passed his declining days, and died at a good old age, leaving children as follows: John, Francis, Robert, James, Samuel, Elizabeth, Jane and Sarah, of whom Elizabeth and Sarah are living.

Robert Anderson was born June 17, 1809, in Butler county, Penn., where he grew to manhood on the farm. At the age of nineteen years he began working on the Pennsylvania Canal, thus earning enough money to enter an academy, which he attended for some time. He then entered the Jefferson College, of Canonsburg, Penn., graduated in 1832, and began the study of medi- cine under the celebrated Dr. Jonathan Leather- man, of Canonsburg. While pursuing his medical studies, the young man frequently taught short terms of school, finally graduating from the Jeffer- son Medical College, of Philadelphia. He began to practice his profession in the town of Hickory, Washington county, but soon after came to Cross Creek village, remaining there until his death. Robert Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Cochran, a native of Canonsburg, a daughter of the late Henry Cochran, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of that place. The chil- dren born to this union were: Henry C., Jane, Lizzie, Francis, James E., Robert and Joseph. Mr. Anderson was a member of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a stanch Republican, being one of the leaders of that party. In the year 1860 he was elected to the State Legis- lature, holding that office two years, meanwhile winning a reputation for strict integrity and lionor as well as intellectual power. Of his children there are yet living: Henry C., Robert and Joseph.

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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 68

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