Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 69

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 69

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Henry C. Anderson (the eldest son) was born November 9, 1834, at Canonsburg, and when but two years of age was brought to Cross Creek vil- lage by his parents. He passed his youth on the

farm which his father purchased soon after arriv- ing in Cross Creek, and attended the academy at that place for several terms, thus laying the foun- dation for the extensive literary work in which he has been employed. After leaving school he selected as his life companion, Margaret J. McFar- land, daughter of Andrew McFarland, a tailor of Grant City, Mo. Their children are as follows: Flora, Francis, Emma, Charles E., Cassius B., Hattie May, Laura Jeanette, James L., Sarah Isadore and Robert Harold. Henry C. Anderson is an ardent Republican, is connected with Grange, and for many years has been a correspondent of the Farmers' Friend, of Mechanicsburgh, also of the Presbyterian Banner, of Pittsburgh. He has written much valuable history for the county pa- pers, and in church work has been superintendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath-school four years.

ROBERT ANDERSON was born October 8, 1846, in Cross Creek village. He remained on the farm during boyhood, assisting in agricultural work, and receiving a common-school education. He afterward attended the Duff Business College, from which he graduated in 1865. He married Sarah N. Stephenson, of Smith township, Wash- ington county, daughter of Mark Stephenson, a prominent farmer of that neighborhood. They have three children: Nannie I., Robert S. and Edna O., all living. at home. After his marriage Mr. Anderson settled on the place in Cross Creek where he has since resided, with the exception of three years, during which time he kept store in Cross Creek village. The farm consists of 120 acres of good land. Robert Anderson is a mem- ber of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, to which he gives liberally. In politics he is a Re- publican, being an active and influential member of that party, having served his township as road supervisor and census enumerator. Mr. Anderson is one of the most respected citizens of the com- munity, and a successful, honorable business man.

EORGE JEFFERSON LONG. This well- known citizen of East Pike Run township was born at Brownsville, Fayette Co. Penn., November 9, 1826. He is descended from the early Irish colonists of Maryland.

Luke Long, paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Harford county, Md., early in the eight- eenth century, and there passed his entire life, as an agriculturist. His wife was a Miss Whittick, also a native of Maryland, who bore him three sons and two daughters: John (father of George Jefferson), James (who when a young man took a trading boat down the Ohio, and was never after heard of), Isaac, Mary and Priscilla, all of whom died un- married except John. In religious faith these children were Methodists, and in political affilia-

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tions the sons, like their immediate antecedents, were Democrats. The father of this family died at the patriarchal age of ninety-seven years, the mother at the age of fifty-six.

John Long married Eliza, daughter of Jonathan and Jane Worrell, who were the parents of chil- dren as follows: Stephen, Samuel, George, Na- than J., Leonard, John, Eliza, Jane and Elmira. Of these Stephen (of Lancaster county) died leav- ing four children-two daughters, and two sons George and Leonard; Samuel married a Miss Mc- Clain, and had five children; George wedded a Miss Hall, and had two children; Nathan J. married a Miss Hall and had children as follows: Albert, Jane and Samuel; Leonard married Melley Stew, and died leaving no heir; John wedded Hannah Worrell, and had by her the following named children: Hiram, Nathan, William, Dix, John, Samuel and Ann; Jane was married to Robert Raley, and had children; Elmira became the wife of John Bowers, and their children were Frank, John and Mary. The Worrells were of Dutch descent, Whigs and Republicans in their political predilections. Shortly after marriage John and Eliza (Worrell) Long moved to Brownsville, Penn., where children were born to them as follows: Isaac, Mary Jane (married to Isaac Wright and had children of whom Luke, William, Samuel, Eliz- abeth and Mary survive), George J., John H., Sarah Ann (married to I. N. Duval, and has chil- dren), and James L. The last named, who is a resident of Reynoldsville, Penn., and a carpenter by trade, married Louisa Powell, of California, this county, and has one daughter, Kate V., with whom her father resides, her mother having died in 1888. John H. and James L. both served in the Civil war. John Long, the father of this family, was a painter. He was born in Hartford county, Md., died at Coal Centre, Penn., April 2, 1864.

George Jefferson Long was, as has already been stated, but a child when his mother died, and the family, bereft of a loving mother's care, were all separated and widely scattered, to live in new homes. On New Year's Day, 1839, then a lad of some thirteen summers, our subject became one of the family of Isaac Ailes, in the house where now resides Coleman Ailes, and here the orphan boy found a home in truth; so kind to him were these noble people that a stranger could not distinguish, from any word or act, that he was other than one of their own progeny. Here he remained until at- taining his majority, in the meantime learning the trade of carpenter, which he followed to some ex- tent in after life. In 1861 he commenced the busi- ness of undertaker at Coal Centre, which he has since successfully carried on, although he is now comparatively retired.

At the age of thirty-five Mr. Long was united in marriage with Frances, daughter of Andrew H.

and Mary Holmes, and one son blessed their union, named Walter A., now in the coal business at Cin- cinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Long was called to her final rest May 13, 1883. She, as has always been her husband, was an earnest supporter of the M. E. Church. Mr. Long united, June 22, 1869 with the Pike Run I. O. O. F., at California, and was a charter member of Vista Lodge at Coal Centre; he has filled all the Chairs in the Lodge, and is a member of the Encampment. In politics he acts with the Republican party.

A LBERT R. COLWELL traces his geneal- ogy to his grandfather, James, who was the first of his family to locate in America.

James Colwell was born, reared and married in Ireland. Emigrating to Amer- ica, be located near Paris, in Hanover township, Washington Co., Penn. In the midst of the forest his cabin was erected, and he passed the remainder of his life as a "tiller of the soil." He and his wife died, and were buried in the Paris cemetery. James Colwell was a prominent man, highly re- spected by all, and was elected squire by the Democratic party, of which he was an enthusiastic supporter. The children of his family were as follows: Samuel; whose life was passed on the home farm; William lived in Carroll county, Ohio; Jo- seph resided in Hanover township, this county; Elizabeth married Matthew Russell, of Hanover township; Thomas; Jane, Mrs. Parks; Andrew; Robert and James. All are now deceased.

Andrew Colwell was born in 1808 on the farm where his father located on coming to this county. His active, energetic spirit became apparent from childhood, and when a young man he took charge of the home farm, which prospered under his care. In 1838 he married Isabella McGon- nigle, who was born about 1811, in Hanover town- ship. She was the daughter of William McGon- nigle, a native of Ireland, who was there married, and coming to America located in Maryland, and came to Hanover township about the beginning of the present century. Five children were born to Andrew and Isabella Colwell, namely: Robert, residing in Brooke county, W. Va .; James, of New- ton county, Mo .; Albert R., our subject; William H., living in Brooke county, W. Va .; and Martha E., Mrs. John Freshwater, of Toronto, Ohio. After his marriage Andrew Colwell continued to reside on the old farm until 1854, when he went to Han- cock county, W. Va. Beginning life with little capital, he improved every opportunity, and at the time of his death owned over 400 acres of land in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He was among the first to engage extensively in the wool industry, in which he was very successful. Politically he was a Democrat until the time of Henry Clay's

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nomination for President, when he joined the Whig party, finally becoming a Republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1870, and was buried in the cemetery at Paris, this county, where his wife was also laid to rest in 1880.

Albert R. Colwell was born February 27, 1842, in the old home in Hanover township, which he now owns. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and worked on the farm until his enlistment, August 9, 1862, at Wellsburg, W. Va., in Company K, Twelfth West Virginia Infantry. His first active engagement was at Winchester, Va. He was wounded June 9, 1864, at New Mar- ket, having been shot through the side, and was sent to the hospital at Martinsburgh, remaining there three months, then rejoined his regiment, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, and returned to Brooke county, W. Va. On May 29, 1877, he was married to Mary Criss, who was born in 1854, a daughter of Nicholas and Nancy (Wilson) Criss, of Hanover township. The young people first settled in Brooke county, W. Va., on a farm owned by his father, and in 1891 came to the old home place where he was born, and is now residing. Mr. Colwell follows general farming, and is a leading agriculturist of Hanover township. In politics he votes the Re- publican ticket, but devotes his principal attention to private business. Mrs. Colwell is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church of Eldersville, Penn. They have one daughter, Nancie Evelyn, who was born November 13, 1879.

E LMOR H. GRIFFITH is a member of one of the oldest leading families of Washington county, and is himself a prominent, progress- ive citizen of East Bethlehem township.

Some time between the years 1682 and 1690, over a couple of centuries ago, there left their na- tive Welsh home and well-to-do parents, five brothers named Griffith, who, having set sail for America, landed, after a tedious and stormy pas- sage across the Atlantic, at New York. Here they remained together for a short time, and then sep- arated, drifting in various directions, William, one of the five, coming westward and making a perma- nent settlement in what was then Newcastle county, Md., at that time the home of the "Pennamites." Here he passed the rest of his life, dying at the advanced age of one hundred and five years.

William Griffith, son of this avant-courier of the family under consideration, was born in Newcastle county, Md., in 1714, and in 1735 he moved to Beaver Creek, York Co., Penn., where the re- mainder of his days was passed. He married Esther Hussey, daughter of Richard and Marion Hussey, the former of whom died in 1785, the

latter in 1807. William Griffith departed this life September 21, 1778, his wife having preceded him to the grave in the spring of 1762. He was a rigid and zealous follower of the faith of the Society of Friends, scrupulously honorable in himself, and severely exacting that the same quality should exist in all others. He and his wife reared a large family of children.

Jacob Griffith, son of William and Esther (Hussey) Griffith, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born February 27, 1757, in Pennsylvania. In 1796 he came to Washington county, Penn., when, as one of the pioneers, he en- dured all the hardships incident to the clearing and opening of a new country. He was somewhat small in stature, but nevertheless strong and ath- letic, quick of foot, and even when an old man he could walk with greater rapidity and apparently less exertion than when he was many years younger. When he came here he was in very moderate cir- cumstances, but was able to buy a small farm in what is now West Pike Run township. On April 16, 1778, he married Lydia Hussey, who bore him children as follows: David, Isaac, Israel, Jason, Esther and Amos, all long since deceased. The father of this family died August 2, 1841, on the home farm in West Pike Run township. Like his father, he was in religious faith a Quaker. His wife met with an accident four years prior to her death which crippled her for the rest of her days. In fact, she never left her bed until death relieved her of her sufferings September 21, 1843. Of their children, Israel, father of Elmor H., was born December 28, 1784, in York county, Penn., coming to this county in 1796, where he received a good education at the subscription schools, which he supplemented with close study and a considerable amount of reading at home. In early life he was trained to the arduous duties of farm life, and when old learned the trade of a cooper, and later that of miller. For several years he owned and conducted the West Pike Run saw and flouring · mills, and during the winters of his earlier life taught the district school, which was held in an old log cabin, furnished with the most primitive seats, desks, etc. On November 27, 1826, Mr. Griffith married Letitia Shaw, who was born De- cember 14, 1784, a daughter of Samuel Shaw, an early settler of eastern Pennsylvania, and the fol- lowing named children were born to them: Eliza, born September 30, 1807, now living in Marshall county, Iowa, the wife of Milton Marsh; Joel, born October 13, 1809, who, a miller by trade, con- ducted his father's mill (he was the father of a large family, who are now residents of Alliance, Ohio); Eli R., born June 14, 1811, also deceased; Hannah, born January 25, 1818, married John Marsh, and now lives in Marshall county, Iowa; Israel, born May 29, 1820, also a resident of that

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county, and Elmor H., the subject of these lines. The mother passed away August 30, 1849. Polit- ically, Israel Griffith was originally a Whig, and afterward, on the formation of the party, a Repub- lican. In religion he followed in the footsteps of his forefathers, and he was a man remarkable for his extremely temperate habits, sturdy manhood and sterling integrity, commanding the esteem and respect of all with whom he came in contact. He died in 1862.

Elmor H. Griffith was born December 23, 1827, on the old homestead farm in West Pike Run town- ship, where he was reared, and where he has passed his entire life with the exception of the summer of 1844, which he spent visiting the homes of his brothers and sisters in Iowa. He at one time en- tertained an idea of moving to and making a new settlement in the "Far West," but ill health dis- suaded him. In his boyhood he attended the com- mon schools of his district, and being an apt scholar succeeded in securing an education better than the average in these early days, so that he was well qualified to teach school, which he did with emi- nent success during some of the winter months in his earlier manhood, the remainder of the year be- ing occupied in the cultivation of the farm products, and in the management of his father's mills. In 1856 Mr. Griffith married Cynthia, daughter of Thomas Heald, of Columbiana county, Ohio; by which union there were no children. Mrs. Grif- fith departed this life May 25, 1883, and our sub- ject married, in 1885, Miss Emma McConnell, who was born March 22, 1846, a daughter of Austin and Edith McConnell, the result of this union being three children, as follows: Austin Oliver, born April 29, 1886, died April 24, 1891; Edith, born January 2, 1888, and Carrie Augusta, born May 20, 1891. Mr. Griffith is a "dyed-in-the- wool" Republican, and at this writing is filling the office of justice of the peace. In 1865 he em- barked in general mercantile business at Centre- ville, which he is still conducting, at the same time devoting some attention to the repairing of clocks, watches and jewelry, a varied stock of which he always carries. He is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Church which he attends, while his wife, a devout Christian lady, is a faithful mem- ber of the Society of Friends.

D AVID WAUGH is a native of County Down, Ireland, having been born there May 24, 1828. He is a son of James Waugh, who was also born in County Down, Ireland, about 1778, and grew to manhood on the home farm. On February 18, 1798, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Cummings, a native of the same county, and then settled upon a farm of his own, where the following children were born

and reared: Elizabeth, Jane, Mary (living in San Francisco), Margaret (deceased), Susanna (living in Ireland), James (also living in Ireland), Jobn (deceased in Ireland), Isabella (living in Australia), David (subject of this sketch), Joseph and Alex- ander. The parents of these children passed their entire lives in the Emerald Isle, toiling for the welfare of their children, and were long since laid to rest.

David Waugh assisted his father with the duties of the farm until he attained the age of twenty years, when he came to America, landing in New York with 25 cents, which he spent the next day to get a tooth extracted. He located in Mont- gomery, a town situated about ten 'miles from Philadelphia, Penn., which home was but a few rods from the present residence of John Wana- maker. Five years later he came to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he lived eleven years, and finally made a permanent home in Washington county, Penn. While living in Montgomery he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Dougan, daughter of William Dougan (a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, where Catherine was born), and they have had four children, of whom the following is a brief record: James resides in Allegheny City. Penn., and is a veterinary surgeon; William is living in Texas, and is a veterinary surgeon of the Third United States Cavalry; Maggie J. is married, and living in Taylorstown, Buffalo township, this county; David remains at home, and assists his father on the farm. Since the day Mr. Waugh landed in New York, and began work for a farmer near Montgomery, he says he has found no time for one idle day. By perseverance and the prac- tice of strict economy, he now owns 156 acres of land, and has given his children a good start in life. He is a Republican.

HE WEIR FAMILY of Pigeon Creek. In July, 1770, there arrived in Philadelphia, Penn., a company of emigrants from County Antrim, Ireland, among whom were Robert Robinson (born 1739, died June 23, 1836, aged ninety-seven years), his wife, Rachel Weir (born 1738, died October 21, 1823, aged eighty- five years) and Samuel Weir (brother of Rachel) and his wife, Lavina Robinson, sister of Robert Robinson. These families remained near each other, tarrying in Lancaster and Dauphin coun- ties, finally proceeding to Big Sewickley, West- moreland county, where they separated about the year 1777, Robert Robinson settling four miles north of Saltsburgh, Indiana county, and Samuel Weir coming to the vicinity of Zollarsville, Wash- ington county. Here he tarried for a while, but finally settled on Pigeon creek near the present town of Vanceville, where he died in 1821. His

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wife, Lavina (Robinson), died about 1816. They are buried in Pigeon Creek churchyard. Their children were (I) Thomas, (II) Jane, (III) James, (IV) William, (V) Elizabeth, (VI) Adam, (VII) Lavina and (VIII) Samuel.

(I). Thomas Weir married Nancy Whitehill, and died in December, 1848, in his eighty-third year; Nancy, his wife, died August 31, 1822, aged fifty- four. Their children were Samuel, died August 1, 1855, aged fifty-seven; Margaret, died August 28. 1853, aged forty-nine; Lavina, died April 20, 1860, aged fifty-five; Jane and Eleanor (twins), the former of whom died February 23, 1884, aged seventy-eight, the latter dying March 16, 1885, aged seventy-nine; Nancy, died June 12, 1887, aged seventy-three; Robert, born May 7, 1808, married Sarah L. Donley, who was born December 25, 1808, and died without issue March 4, 1878, Robert dying April 19, 1886; Eleanor married her cousin, Col. Samuel Weir, son of (III) James; Nancy mar- ried Robert Erwin, who was born October 4, 1814, and died May 14, 1874, leaving issue-James, who died September 22, 1883; Thomas; Margaret; La- vina; Nancy; Susan and William. Of these, Mar- garet married Joseph Smith, and had children as follows: Iva Sella, Lola Siretta, Robert Erwin, Margaret Cook, Lavina Elizabeth and Edna Myrtle. Lavina married Robert Morrow (now deceased), and had issue-Nannie Ellnora and Thomas Weir; Nancy married William Cook, and have issue- Margaret Reed and Nannie Maude; William mar- ried Bell McIlvaine, and had a son James (William died May 10, 1886).

(II). Jane Weir married James Robinson, and had issue-John, who died August 28, 1864; Eliza- beth W., who died in November, 1868; Samuel W. and Margaret. Their father died July 13, 1856, their mother November 3, 1856. This family lived near Donegal, Westmoreland Co., Penn.

(III). James Weir first married Mary Lawrence, who died September 2, 1808, aged fifty-six, leaving issue-Col. (1) Samuel and (2) Joseph; the second marriage of James was to Sarah Jenkins, daughter of Eliezer Jenkins, Esq., she died March 15, 1829,. aged fifty-five, and their issue-(3) Thomas, (4) Mary, (5) Rebecca, (6) Lavina. Their father died December 5, 1827; aged fifty-seven years. Col. (1) Samuel, born April 3, 1800, died June 5, 1892; married his cousin, Eleanor Weir, daughter of (1) Thomas, and had issue-(1) James, (2) Nancy (died September 6, 1863, aged thirty-three), (3) Mary, (4) Thomas, (5) Sarah, (6) Eleanor, (7) Joseph, (8) Samuel, (9) Susan M. (died January 6, 1870, aged twenty-two), (10) Martha and (11) Robert. (4) Thomas, born January 19, 1838, was married on January 1, 1860, to Lavina Hasting, who was born January 16, 1833, and died June 28, 1886, leaving issue-(1) William E., born May 29, 1862, and (2) S. W. Grant, born March 13, 1865. 21

Of these, (1) William E. married on November 16, 1882, Emma F. Jennings, born October 6, 1861 (they have issue-Nora M., born March 3, 1885; Mary, born July 11, 1887; John Blaine, born No- vember 3, 1889; Minnie, born October 27, 1891). (2) S. W. Grant married January 6, 1887, Mar- garet McCallister (issue one daughter, Mande (living), and a son Frank (deceased). (8) Samuel, born May 27, 1842, married, September 27, 1866, Lottie Evans, born September 1, 1843 (they have issue-Emma E., born September 24, 1868); Joseph M., born September 28, 1872; Emma E., married John H. Huffman, September 24, 1890 (issue-Homer Russell, born December 28, 1891). (11) Robert married Miss Kale (issue-Ellsworth and Pearl).

(2) Joseph Weir, son of (III) James, married Mary Smith, who died August 31, 1886, aged eighty-seven; issue-George, died April 1, 1830, aged sixteen months; Mary, Margaret, and James. Margaret married, and lives in Muskingum county, Ohio, and James was Presiding Elder in the Meth- odist ministry in the London (Ohio) Circuit in 1891. (2) Joseph, Sr., emigrated from Washing- ton county, Penn., to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1837, and now lives in Perryton, Licking Co., same State.

(3) Thomas, son of (III) James, was born March 21, 1811, married February 2, 1832, Mary Denniston, born August 6, 1808; Thomas emi- grated to Carroll county, Ohio, in 1834, where he died March 1, 1863; Mary (Denniston) died Octo- ber 28, 1889. They are buried at Mechanicstown, Carroll county, where he was a member of Session in the Presbyterian Church of Corinth. He was prominent in the civil affairs of that county in his day. He had children as follows: (1) James R., born February 15, 1833; (2) Andrew D., born January 21, 1835; (3) Sarah Ann, born November 30, 1836; (4) Elizabeth, born March 8, 1839; (5) Nancy Jane, born September 12, 1841, died Janu- ary 6, 1843; (6) Samuel, born October 13, 1843; (7) Rebecca Jane, born March 31, 1846; (8) Will- iam Thomas, born July 1, 1848; (9) Robert Brough, born August 19, 1851. Of these, (1) James R. married Rebecca Cameron (now dead), and had issue-Addison, Durell and Charles. Of these, Addison married Catharine Wilcoxon; they have issue-Rebecca Jane; Durell, married to Mary S. Stevens (they have a daughter, Grace); Charles, married to Jennie Moore (they have issue -Ellis McCoy and Lila Belle); (1) James R. Weir's second wife was Mrs. E. L. Huston. (2) Andrew D., son of Thomas and Mary (Denniston) Weir, married Emily Figley; they have issue- Thomas Corwin, William Figley and Mary Luella, of whom, Thomas Corwin married Frances E. Rob- inson, May 10, 1883; they have issue-William Clyde, born March 6, 1885; William Figley, mar-

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ried Mattie J. Barr, October 29, 1889 (they have issue-John S. Barr); William Figley is a Pres- byterian minister in Toronto, Ohio; Mary Luella married James Smith' (they have issue-Chal- mer, Roy, Edna, Corwin), (3) Sarah Ann, daugh- ter of Thomas and Mary Weir, married Samuel Stenger (they have issue-William Thomas, Rob- ert Grant, Eddie Elmer, George Weir, Charles Otis, Mary Venetta, Maggie Maud); of these, Robert Grant married Ida Johnston (they have is- sue-Alta Bell); Mary Venetta married Grant Al- lison (they have issue-Leila Maud, Lowell Mont. and Mary). (4) Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Mary Weir, married - - Croxon, and lives in Nebraska. (6) Samuel, son of Thomas and Mary Weir, married Mary Jane De Ford (Issue- Oliver C., Edwin V., John B. and Thomas D.). (7) Rebecca Jane, daughter of Thomas and Mary Weir, married Alex Boyd, and died July 30, 1874 (Issue -Mary A.). (8) William Thomas, son of Thomas and Mary Weir, married, February 2, 1871, Sarah E. Marshall, born October 24, 1848 (Issue-Calvin R., born March 8, 1874; Albert M., born April 9, 1876; Willard Orvin, born December 27, 1879; Elsie M., born April 9, 1882). (9) Robert Brough, son of Thomas and Mary Weir, married Eljaretta Fran- ces McLain, April 11, 1878.

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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 69

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