Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 73

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 73

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The business of the subject of this sketch has been farming and stockraising (principally sheep). In politics he was first a Whig and Anti-Mason. He was a deeply interested observer of the forma- tion of the Republican party, attended as a spec- tator its first National Convention, approved its principles, has given the party his support, and is proud of its general record. At the age of seven- teen he united with an infant Church of Christ (Disciples), now known as the Peters Creek Church of Christ, which church had been organized two years previous (1836). With six members it met in a private house until the fall of 1839, when the Church commenced worshiping in a brick meeting- house just completed by it. It became necessary to rebuild in 1858. With this Church he wor- shiped about fifty years, during about forty years of which time he was an elder. From 1882 to 1888 a most determined effort was made to intro- duce into this Church what were usually termed "progressive views and practices." The effort was only too successful. Many were leavened with the new doctrines. Those opposed to these innovations, as subversive of the faith and practice of the Church, became objects of abuse and slan- der. Strife ensued. The subject of this sketch being. an elder, and unyielding in his opposition to a new order of things, was particularly the subject of these attacks, which resulted in an effort to re- move him from the eldership and finally led to the withdrawal of himself and family and a number of others from the Church. He claims for himself to be open to conviction on every important subject coming before him, but nothing but convincing evidence will satisfy him. Fidelity to principle, and a conscientious discharge of duty-these have been, in an eminent degree, the characteristics of his ancestors, running through five generations up to our Puritan ancestry. May we not claim it as the potent effect of their transmitted blood ?

If the Higbee family, among the pioneer families of this county, with their descendants, have con- tributed in any measure in bringing in the present advanced, enlightened, civilized and religious state of society of which this biographical history is to be a record, it is because of deep convictions of

right, and a courage "to do their duty as they saw it." This is the legacy they would leave behind them and commend to those coming after.

[Mr. Higbee has furnished his portrait and biographical sketch for insertion in this work on the assurance of the biographer that he was selected as one among the representative men of Peters township.

E H. DENNISON. Among the progressive wide awake, and prosperous agriculturists of Donegal township, the name of this gentleman is very prominent. He is a son of James S., whose father, Thomas Dennison, was a native of Ireland, and was united in marriage with a. lady of Scotch birth. The young couple immigrated to America soon after their marriage, locating in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and three children were born to them, viz .: Maria, wife of Washington Bennett, a prominent iron manufact- urer, of Wheeling, W. Va. ; Thomas, living in Ohio, and James S., father of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Dennison passed the remainder of their lives in Virginia, and died there at an advanced age.

James S. Dennison was born in 1801, in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and there received his early training in farm work, obtaining an educa- tion, which, though of the usual primitive log- cabin type, afforded a basis for the general infor- mation and practical knowledge of his riper years. When a young man he came to Washington county, Penn., locating in Claysville, where he became acquainted with, and was married to Mrs. Catherine (Stevenson) King, widow of William King. By her first marriage Mrs. King had one son, W. C. (now cashier of the National Bank of Claysville, Penn). She was born in 1803, and was the daughter of Hon. James Stevenson, a member of one of the oldest and best families of Washington county. He was a prominent pioneer settler of Donegal township, and a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He died in Harrisburg, Penn., while a member of the Legislature. To Mr. and Mrs. James S. Dennison were born the following children: James (living in Claysville, Washington Co., Penn.), Jane E., John (a saddler and harness-maker, now farming in Warren county, Ill.), Eldridge (residing in Claysville) and E. H. Mr. Dennison resided a short time after his marriage on the farm now owned by his son E. H. He afterward began the hotel business in Claysville, thence moving to Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., where he was engaged in business until his tragic death in 1851. This sad event occurred when on a business trip to Brownsville. He was thrown from the stage upon which he was riding, receiving injuries which soon resulted fatally. Politically he was a Democrat, but not an active politician, and was respected by all who knew him. After the death of her husband,

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Mrs. Dennison returned to Donegal township, Washington county, and located on the "Old Stevenson" tract, lying one mile west of Claysville, which was part of a vast amount of land once owned by Hon. James Stevenson. Mrs. Dennison was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and was a very popular lady. She continued to reside on the farm until her death, which occurred October 7, 1889.

E. H. Dennison was born July 4, 1840, in Done- gal township, in the same house which is his present home, and received a common-school edu- cation. His father died when he was a inere boy, but this event did not impede his progress in life, for the instructions of his mother almost compen- sated for the loss of the father. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Salena Reed, who was born January 5, 1845, daughter of Rev. William Reed, D. D., an eminent Presbyterian divine of western Ohio. The following children were born to this union: Katherine, Edith, Joseph D., Harry C., William R. and Edwin H., all of whom are living with their parents, the eldest daughter being employed as a stenographer in Washington, Penn. Mr. Dennison has always lived on the place of his birth, which is situated one mile west of Claysville, along the National Pike, and is an exceptionally desirable location. He is a farmer and is exten- sively engaged in stock dealing, having made a success of the latter business by shrewd and skilful management, combined with fair and honest deal- ing. Much credit is due to this enterprising and public-spirited citizen for the success with which he has conducted both his own affairs, and the business which others liave intrusted to his care. Mr. Dennison is ever interested in any movement tending to advance the interests of the community, and in politics is a Democrat. He and his wife, a deservedly popular lady, are members of the Pres- byterian Church.

S T. CHESTER. Among the prominent agri- culturists of Allen township, none are more deserving of special mention than the pros- perous gentleman whose name has from an early time been associated with the best interests of Washington county.

Many years ago Joseph and Elizabeth Chester, natives of eastern Pennsylvania, came to Washing- ton county, and there made a home on a tract of land which he patented. Among the children born to this pioneer couple, one son is named S. A., whose brothers were Morrison, now residing in Guernsey county, Ohio, and Benjamin, who died in California. S. A. Chester was born August 18, 1818, on the home place in Allen township, Wash- ington county. He was there married to Margaret Jackman, who was born on the home farm De-

cember 24, 1814. Mr. Chester affiliated with the Whig and Republican parties, and served in many local offices. Mrs. Chester died November 8, 1872, leaving the following children: Joseph W. (who died in 1873 in Vernon county, Mo.), John A. (living in Moundville, Vernon Co., Mo.), Elizabeth Ann (deceased at the age of eight years), J. J. (born July 3, 1847), James Harvey (deceased in 1875, in Allen township), Margaret Ann (deceased wife of Irvin McKenna, of Fayette City), Jane A. (deceased wife of Allen Ailes, of Columbus, Kans.) S. T. (whose name opens this sketch) and Fremont, (born July 4, 1857, died February 20, 1865). Af- ter the mother of these children died, S. A. Ches- ter married Mary Stevenson, who is now living in Fayette county, Penn. He died March 15, 1888.

S. T. Chester was born March 8, 1853, in Allen township, Washington county, and has continued to reside on the old place. In June, 1879, he made choice of a life companion in the person of Ollie J. daughter of O. D. and Mary (Allen) Latta, all of whom were natives of Allen township, this county, where the father died, Mrs. Latta making her home with Mrs. Chester. Mr. and Mrs. Chester have always resided on the homestead, which con- tains 177 acres of well-cultivated land, equipped with two substantial brick edifices. He has made a specialty of raising blooded stock, having a num- ber of fine driving and draft horses of Clyde, Nor- man and Ethan Allen breed, also a fine grade of Alderney and Shorthorn cattle. In political opinions he advocates the principles embodied in the Republican platform. Mrs. Chester is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mount Tabor, and the sympathies of Mr. Chester are the same. They have four children, namely: Charley L., Montie Ray, Harry and Ralph.

H UGH M. GLASS is one of the most enter- prising and prosperous young agriculturists of Robinson township, and is, as are so many of our thrifty and successful citizens, a descendant of Irish ancestors. His grand- father Samuel Glass, came from Ireland and settled in Allegheny county, Penn., where he was soon afterward united in marriage with a Miss Stewart, of the same place, who bore him eight children, four of whom are now living, namely: William, Hannah (Mrs. Stewart), Elizabeth (Mrs. Cubbage) and Sarah Ann (Mrs. Logan).

William Glass was born November 9, 1811, in Allegheny county, Penn., growing to manhood on the home place. He was then married to Miss Sarah McCurdy, who was born in the year 1817, also a native of Allegheny county, and daughter of Andrew McCurdy, a prominent farmer of that vicinity. To William and Sarah (McCurdy) Glass, nine children were born, of whom are now living:

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Elizabeth (Mrs. Spears), Samuel S., Hugh M., Letitia J. (Mrs. McCormick), Rocsa Lenia and Emma Leah. Mr. Glass has owned 340 acres of land, but since becoming advanced in years has disposed of the greater part of his real estate, having retained a farm of ninety-six acres upon which he is now residing. He has been a member of Session of the U. P. Church for forty years. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, then joined the Know-nothing party, finally becoming a Re- publican, being now identified with the latter party. He has served in various capacities, having been tax-collector over twenty years, and school director forty years.

Hugh M. Glass was born April 8, 1843, and passed his youth in attending the common schools of the home neighborhood. On December 30, 1863, he entered the army, enlisting in Young's Inde- pendent Battery, where he remained until the summer of 1865, then receiving his discharge from the hospital by the War Department. After the war he returned to Allegheny county, and on December 9, 1869, was united in marriage with Miss Evaline Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Glass lived on a part of the old place for twenty years after their marriage. They then purchased 170 acres of good land in Washington county, Penn., where they are now living. Their children are Albert P., born September 26, 1870; Samuel J., born March 1, 1873; William H., born June 10, 1877; Robert J., born September 20, 1881, and Sarah E., born March 31, 1884. Mr. Glass votes the Republican ticket, and in church connection is a member of the Robinson United Presbyterian Church, of which he is treasurer.

M RS. BYRON PAINTER. Thomas Stock- ton died at Mercersburg, Penn., May 31, 1795, aged about eighty-six years. He had lived near Chambersburg with his son Robert, and was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. In his will he mentions his children: Thomas, John, David and Robert, Elizabeth Waddell, Isabella Neilson, Mary Bard and Margaret Johnson.

Robert Stockton, his son, was born in 1737, and was married in 1761 to Mary Makemie. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Rocky Spring, near Chambersburg, Penn., and served in the Revolutionary war with a company formed from that church, with their pastor, the Rev. John Craighead. After the war, in 1784, he emigrated to Washington, Penn., and in July purchased 340 acres of land of Peter Jolly, named in the survey "Beaver Dam." It is situated in Franklin town- ship, three and one-half miles west of Washington, and still occupied by his descendants. He was one of the four elders of the Presbyterian Church

when organized, and the first delegate to the Pres- byterian at old Redstone. His children were Thomas, married to Sarah Graham; Margaret, married to Col. John Cotton; Francis, married to Charles Stewart; Jane, married to Rev. John Brice; Col. Robert, married to Miss Gallion; John, married to Margaret McCombs; Rev. Joseph, married to Esther Clark, and Elizabeth, married to Rev. James Cunningham.

In colonial times, about the middle of the eighteenth century, when the country about the base of the Kittatinny Mountains was yet a primeval forest, James Clark, from the North of Ireland, took up a tract of 220 acres of Government land, to which he gave the appropriate name of "Clark's Fancy," in accordance with a custom of the times. This tract embraced the land upon which the town of Upper Strasburg was subse- quently built. In 1787 he received a patent for his lands from the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, in which it is described under the title already specified. In 1787 the State made a public road over the mountain through "Clark's Gap," and some of the broad stones with which it was built are yet visible below the mountain near Strasburg. Clark sold part of his tract to Dewalt Keefer, by whom the town of Strasburg was laid out in 1789. James Clark came to America with his brother Thomas, who settled in one of the Southern States (probably Georgia), and Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines was a descendant of Thomas. James Clark purchased a large tract of land near where the city of Harrisburg now stands, after he arrived in this country. Here he settled and married a Miss Nancy Reed, of Lancaster, Penn. Afterward he settled at "Clark's Fancy," then purchased a large tract of valuable land lying south of the town of Mercersburg, where he died. He was buried in the Slate Hill cemetery, located about a mile east of Mercersburg, a short distance from the turnpike. In 1789 this pioneer visited Washington, Penn., and purchased a 400-acre tract styled the "Big Level," a 300-acre tract at Candor, and in Canton township and Clark's Mills, for his children. David married Hannah Baird; Thomas married Jane Caldwell; John mar- ried Miss McDowell, and all settled in Washing- ton county. James married Mary Murry, and remained on the home farm at Mercersburg.

R OBERT WYLIE (or better known as “Bob Wylie, the wool buyer"), the subject of this sketch, is of Scotch-Irish descent. His an- cestors were known as leaders in the ref- ormation of the Church of Scotland, and several of them were banished from Scotland and Ireland for their adherence to the principles of the new Church. His grandfather, Robert Wylie,

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was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1743, and came to America with several of his half-brothers about 1761. They first stopped in the east, and further west, at Thompsontown, on the Juniata river, he married, about the close of war of the Revolution, Jane Thompson, daughter of John Thompson, and sister to Col. William Thompson and Capt. Isaac Thompson, of the Revolutionary army.

About 1780, with his wife, he came west to Washington county, and took up a tract of 600 acres of land (the main body of which is now owned and occupied by the four sons of the late David McClay, of Canton township), and on this land he built a log house in which he lived for some years, or until about 1800, when he put up the stone house which still stands, and is the pres- ent dwelling of Samuel McClay. Through this farm was the main Indian trail from the west to the dwelling of the great Chief Catfish, whose cabin stood on the bank of Catfish creek, at the foot of what is now Main street in Washington. (A chief watering place was a spring on this farm, where the wandering Indian always stopped to quench his thirst). He built a trade mill and dis- tillery, thus opening a market for the grain raised in the neighborhood; he was also largely interested in salting pork for many years; later he started a wagon train, hauling products east, principally to Baltimore. He was a member of the Associate Reformed Church, and for many years an elder in the church at North Buffalo. In the burying ground around this old church his and his wife's remains lie at rest. Their family consisted of three sons-Robert, William and John-and five daughters-Ann (Brownlee), Jane (Humphreys), Sarah (Hodgens), Elizabeth (Moore) and Mary (Crothers). Many of the descendants of his daughters reside in Washington county and eastern Ohio. John Wylie married and settled in Ohio, where he became a successful stock dealer and farmer; William and Robert remained at home until 1834, when William sold his interest in the home farm to Robert; later, Robert sold the farm to David McClay and Bros., and soon followed his old partner in business, John Garrett (they having been associated together for several years in a store at West Middletown), to Baltimore, Md., ·where he acquired a considerable fortune. He died in 1872, unmarried.

William Wylie, father of Robert Wylie, Jr., was born on the old Wylie farm, September 25, 1800, and received a good education, having at- tended Washington College several terms. In 1829 he was married to Mary, daughter of James Clark, of Hopewell township, and after marriage he remained on the home farm four years, having in the meantime built a frame residence a short distance from the old stone house. In 1834, three

years after the death of his father, he moved to the Razor Town farm of 210 acres, which he had purchased a year or two before. Razor Town, from which the farm took its name, was a village of twenty-six houses and cabins, with one good- sized tavern having a dozen rooms, and a blacksmith shop, race-course, etc. This point was known as a horse-trading post, and from the fact that many sharp deals were made there the place took the name of "Razor Town." William, thinking that creditable neighbors could not dwell in such houses, immedi- ately set about to remove them, and in a few years the little town passed out of existence. On the spot where the old tavern stood he put up a set of weigh scales, which continued in use until 1878; he built the present farm house, and occupied it until his death in 1877. His occupation was that of a farmer, and for many years he killed and salted about 1,000 hogs annually at his home. He was also a stock dealer (buying stock in West Virginia and Ohio), driving it east to Philadelphia and New York, and strange to say he never made but one trip over the mountains with his stock, as he trusted them to employes until his son Robert was old enough to take charge of them, which he did at a very early age. In partnership with his brother-in-law, David Clark, he owned and kept a general store for fifteen years in what is now known as the "Howe building" on Main street, Wash- ington, between Chestnut and Beau streets. He hoped to make a store keeper of his son Robert, but the latter strongly objected to being tied down so closely to business. He sold the store in about 1849. He also dealt in wool, and in 1845 he built the frame warehouse on West Chestnut street, which is now occupied by R. Wylie & Sons, in the same business. William Wylie was a member of church for fifty years, first at North Buffalo and then at Washington, and was one of the organizers 'of the U. P. Church at Washington, of which he was a member. In politics he was originally a Whig, afterward a Republican. He was never an aspirant for office, but nevertheless was recognized as one of the best posted men of his time in matters political, and always took an active part in the issues of the day. His hospitality was widely known, and his table never wanted for guests. His rifle shooting was the one thing upon which he prided himself, and stories of putting three out of five bullets in a cap box (about two inches in diameter) with his old squirrel rifle, at one hun- dred yards distance, off-hand, are familiar ones to his grandsons and nephews. The children of William and Mary (Clark) Wylie were Robert; Jane (Beall), wife of John Stricker Beall, banker of Wellsburg, W. Va .; Mrs. Annie E. Thompson, living in Washington, widow of Rev. Joseph R. Thompson, late of the Associate Reformed Church; and James Clark, who died at the age of twenty years.

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ROBERT WYLIE, the subject proper of this narra- tive, was born August 25, 1830, on the old Wylie farm in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn. He attended the district schools, and later took an irregular course at Washington College. He was not a rugged boy, and could not stand close con- finement at school, so he early took to the roads where he might breathe a more free air. At the age of thirteen years his father intrusted to his care a drove of cattle and sheep to be driven across the mountains and sold in Philadelphia, the money to be brought back by him in saddle-bags on horse- back. He liked this business better than going to . school or staying in the store, so he continued at same for some years, at first driving to Philadel- phia and New York, later to Harrisburg. When the Pennsylvania Railroad was being finished to Pittsburgh, he early took advantage of this means of transport, being one of the first shippers on the road passing over the nine inclines through the Alleghany mountains. In 1861 he moved with his wife and family to a farm in Cumberland town- ship, Greene Co., Penn., where they resided until 1865, when he purchased the Dr. Stevens farm in Canton township (340 acres), situated two miles west of Washington on the Taylorstown road, upon which he erected all the buildings which now stand upon it. He now resides there, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. With farming he combined the wool commission business, in which connection he is probably best known, his figure being a familiar one in his own and adjoin- ing counties-in fact, to the people within a radius of fifty miles of his home his is a well-known, welcome face. His two sons, William and James B., became associated with him in business some four years since, the firm name being Robert Wylie & Sons, and the amount of wool bought and handled by them runs well toward a million pounds annually, the bulk of it being bought by the senior member of the firm, who gives to this branch of the business the greater part of his time. He is now sixty-two years of age, but looks younger, and is yet in the prime of life. In his rides through the country he fears no kind of weather or roads, nor does the worst seem to affect his iron consti- tution.

On February 3, 1857, he married Elizabeth, daughter of James and Mary McCormick Beall, of Independence township. James Beall was a farmer and storekeeper in Wellsburg, W. Va., for some years, and before the time of railroads he rode to Philadelphia on horseback to purchase dry goods. His wife's father, who was also a merchant, lost his life in one of his trips to New Orleans, whither he was traveling to buy sugar, having, while en route overland on horseback, been murdered in Ken- tucky, supposedly for the money on his person, having a considerable amount at the time. The

Bealls were among the early settlers of Baltimore county, Md., and Mrs. Wylie's grandfather and grandmother Beall both came from Baltimore; her grandfather was a soldier in the early war, and his wife was a sister of Gen. Stricker, who so ably defended Baltimore against the British in 1814. They came West about 178-, and purchased a farm on the edge of West Virginia, near Inde- pendence, Washington county, where they raised a large family, whose descendants are now widely scattered both east and west, though many of them are in Washington county, W. Va., and east- ern Ohio. A brief record of the children of Robert and Elizabeth (Beall) Wylie is as follows:

WILLIAM WYLIE, born November 10, 1859, in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn., up to the age of fourteen years attended the common schools of his district, and then went to Washington and Jefferson College, where he remained four years. Returning home he en- gaged in the wool business with his father, and at the age of nineteen entered the Iron City Business College at Pittsburgh, Penn., where he graduated. He then embarked in the wool and farm implement business with his father, which they carried on for three years, when his younger brother James B. entered the business with them. They then abandoned the farm imple- ment branch of their business, and have since been engaged exclusively in the wool business, which they have greatly enlarged, having extended their operations over a half dozen of the adjoining counties. They do business under the firm name of R. Wylie & Sons, and they are among the heaviest wool dealers in western Pennsylvania, enjoying the confidence of the people far and wide, to which their proverbial fair dealing justly entitles them. On June 16, 1885, William Wylie was married to Mary W., daughter of Joseph C. Gist, of Brooke county, W. Va., and they have been blessed with two children: Lizzie B. born October 6, 1887, and Clara V. born November 21, 1891. After marriage Mr. Wylie settled on his farm in Canton township, two miles west of Wash- ington, Penn., where he still lives. He is a mem- ber of the U. P. Church at Washington; and in politics is a Republican.

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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 73

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