Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 74

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 74

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Mrs. William Wylie was born August 27, 1861, in Brooke county, W. Va. Her father, J. C. Gist, was born March 16, 1820, in the same county. He was a large farmer and was engaged in the breed- ing and sale of fine sheep all his life. He was a Republican, and served one term in the West Vir- ginia Legislature; was in the Senate in 1861, at the time of the war, one term. He was also talked of for governor of his State at one time, but for some reason best known to himself he did not run, although his friends assured him he would win. He died November 22, 1892. On August 10, 1848,

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J. C. Gist married Elizabeth Culver, of Jefferson, Penn., born February 12, 1826, at Jefferson, Greene Co., Penn., daughter of Thomas Culver, a farmer. Mrs. William Wylie has three brothers and one sister living: Samuel C. Gist, J. W. Gist, and J. C. Gist, Jr., all living in Brooke county, W. Va., and Mrs. John C. Roseborough, of Brown- wood, Tex. Mrs. Wylie's great uncle, Christer- phor Gist, was a member of Gen. George Wash- ington's staff in the Revolutionary war.

James Beall Wylie, second son of Robert and Elizabeth (Beall) Wylie, born September 24, 1862, married June 24, 1890, Helen Cornelia, daughter of William D. and Elizabeth (Williamson) Rose- borough, of Sardis, Miss. William Roseborough was a cotton planter, as were his father and grand- father before him; they were formerly of South Carolina. Her grandfather lived in Chester, S. C., and was clerk of the courts for fifty-two years; his wife, Eleanor (Key), was a daughter of Martin and Nancy (Bibb) Key, of Albemarle county, Va .; her great-grandparents came from Ireland to South Carolina about the time of the Revolution, and their families were both of French Huguenot ances- try, who left France about the middle of the seventeenth century; her great-grandmother Rose- borough's maiden name was Gaston, and she was a daughter of William Gaston, of Cloughwate, Ireland, who was a grandson of the Duke of Or- leans (the leader of the Huguenots, banished from France in 1642; some history says 1652), brother of Louis XIII and son of Henry IV, King of France and Navarre. J. B. and Helen R. Wylie have one child, a daughter, named Marion Marguerite Wylie, born May 14, 1891. Their home is in Canton township.

Laura Virginia, the only daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Beall) Wylie, was born October 7, 1867, and was married October 1, 1890, to Joseph C. Gist, Jr., son of Hon. J. C. Gist, of Brooke county, W. Va., where they now reside. They have one child, a son, born June 11, 1892, named for his grandfather, Robert Wylie.

W ILLIAM KNOX, a progressive and suc- cessful farmer and business man of Buf- falo township, is a son of John Knox, an early settler in the county, whose father, Thomas Knox, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and came in 1811 to Washington county, with his wife, and died there at the age of eighty-five years.

John Knox was born in 1777, in County Antrim, Ireland, whence, in 1811 he emigrated to the shores of Columbia, landing at New York. After about two years, moving from place to place and prospecting, he settled in Washington county, Penn., in 1813, where he purchased 110 acres of land at $10 per acre, having ten years in which to pay the amount.

This tract was then nearly all wildwood, but, night and day the ringing blows of the woodsman's mer- ciless axe might be heard felling the giant mon- archs of the forest, clearing the way for the van of civilization's mighty army. Thus by toil, energy, judicious economy and good management, in course of time the stern and uninviting haunts of the Red- man, and the savage wolves, were made to "blossom as the rose," and smile with radiant meadows ripe with corn. To day for beauty and fertility, this farm is second to none in Washington county. Mr. Knox, before leaving the "Green Isle of Erin," had married Margaret Mckay, a lady of Scottish birth, and in the round-log cabin on their American home- stead were born to them the following children: Jennie (wife of Dr. Milliken), residing in Texas; Nancy (deceased wife of Alexander Gabby); Thomas, now a resident of Kansas; Robert (deceased); Jane (deceased wife of Jacob Alter); Elizabeth (deceased wife of John Danley); William (subject); John, residing in Claysville, Washington county, and Margaret (Mrs. George Smith), in Buffalo town- ship. The mother was gathered in by the "Grim Reaper " in 1837, when she was forty seven years old, and the father in the spring of 1866. They were faithful, God fearing members of the United Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Knox was an uncompromising Democrat, his first vote in the land of his adoption being cast for Andrew Jack- . son.

William Knox was born April 29, 1827, in Buf- falo township, this county, and here he was reared to practical farm life, which was relieved by occa- sional attendance at the schools of the locality, which education he supplemented with a consider- able amount of reading and home study. In Oc- tober, 1856, he was married to Wilhelmina Maloy, a native of Lewistown, Penn., and their union has been blessed with the following named children: Margaret Jane (now the wife of Thomas Caldwell, of Washington county), John (living at home), William (dead), Minnie (now the wife of William Ellwood), in Franklin township, Robert Welch (a student at Washington and Jefferson College), Mary Jeanette, Annie Elizabeth and Thomas Ed- ward, all at home. On October 13, 1876, the mother departed this life in her thirty-sixth year. After his marriage Mr. Knox took charge of his father's estate, which he successfully conducted for several years, his home being a log house which is still standing. There he lived until 1875, in which year he erected his present handsome and commo- dious residence, and moved into it. In fact, he has put up all the new buildings on the property, and made many other substantial improvements. As a result of thrift, enterprise and good manage- ment, Mr. Knox is now the owner of six farms, aggregating 800 acres of prime land, in which have been sunk as many as forty oil wells. In addition

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to general farming he is an extensive stockman and grower of fine wool. He and the family are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church, and in his political views Mr. Knox is a supporter of Protec- tion at Presidential elections, but at other times he casts his vote for the candidate he deems best fitted for the office, regardless of party interests.

D AVID CRAFT, prominent in Morris town- ship, was born in Washington county, September 9, 1824. His father, William Craft, was a grandson of John Craft, of whom mention is made in connection with the his- tory of the Craft family in the sketch of William E. Craft.

William Craft, born 1789, was the eldest of four sons born to Lawrence Craft. He married, in 1811, Mary Elliot, born in 1794, a daughter of William Elliot, of Morris township. They became the parents of eleven children as follows: Betsey, Law- rence, Annie, William E., Martha, Malinda, Jane, David, George W., Mary and Isaac. William died in 1856, and his wife in 1871. David Craft, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm and spent his boyhood in attending the district school and assisting with the farm work. His education was thus necessarily limited, though it has been greatly improved by reading and observation. He married, in 1861, Sarah Lindley, a daughter of Zebulon Lindley, of Morris township, born Sep- tember 26, 1837. Their union has been blessed with eight children, as follows: Flora J., wife of J. N. Winget, of Pittsburgh; William L., at home; Mary H., wife of S. J. Bell, of Claysville; Homer L., Lillie M., Maurice D., Lizzie S., and Forest Z., all at home. Mr. Craft is one of the influen- tial and prosperous farmers of his township. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat. . Both he and his wife are members of Mt. Zion M. E. Church.

H ARMON H. RAINEY was born March 14, 1841, in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn. His paternal grandparents were natives of Ireland, coming to this country at an early day, where James Rainey fol- lowed farming, and served several years as justice of the peace.

James Rainey, son of James, was born Septem- ber 3, 1803, on the farm now owned by heirs of James Rainey. At the age of nineteen years the former learned the tanner's trade, but followed it only a short time. In 1836 he was united in mar- riage with Jane Thomas, who was born November 11, 1811, in Nottingham township. Their children were Lydia A. (Mrs. Dabout), Sarah E. (Mrs. Hyde), Mary J. (wife of William McGregor),

Harmon H. and one deceased. The father owned and managed a large stock-farm containing 222 acres of land. He died in September, 1875. Mrs. Rainey passed away August 11, 1890.

Harmon H. Rainey passed his youth on his father's farm, attending the schools of Somerset township, this county. On October 10, 1872, he was married to Lucy B. Hixon, daughter of Capt. James Hixon, of North Strabane township. They have a son and daughter: James H. and Retta A. The father lives on and owns the home place, and devotes his principal attention to raising sheep. He is an advocate of the principles embodied in the Democratic party. For fifteen years he has been school director, and recently was given a new lease of this office. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Rainey are members of the United Presbyterian Church. H. H. Rainey also served as one of the managers of the Morganza Reform School for four years, under appointment by Gov. Pattison.

E DWARD G. CUNDALL, of the firm of E. G. Cundall & Sons, dealers in clothing and gents' furnishings, Washington, was born November 7, 1832, in what is now Canton township (then part of Chartiers), Washington Co., Penn. His father, also named Edward G., was born in 1791, in Rhode Island, where he was mar- ried to Patience R. Bailey, of Newport, that State, who bore him eight children, of whom three are yet living, viz. : Mrs. Mary E. McIlroy, of Wash- ington, who has been a widow since 1854; Emily M., wife of S. P. Morgan, residence, Jefferson avenue, Washington; and Edward G. One daugh- ter (now deceased) was married to R. W. Miller, who recently died. Mr. Cundall, Sr., came to Washington county, bringing his wife and two children, and purchased property in Cross Creek township, whence after a time they moved to Chartiers township. In April, 1865, they came to. Washington, where the father died December 4, 1866, aged seventy-four years; the mother passed away in 1881 at the age of eighty-two.

The early life of our subject was passed on the old homestead in Canton township, his education being received at the common schools of the dis- trict. In 1866 he removed to South Strabane township, and in 1870 to Buffalo township, where he owns a farm. In November, 1891, he purchased the clothing and gents' furnishing business of W. C. Baldwin, and now has an extensive trade, his place being one of the best known in that line in the city. On October 5, 1854, Mr. Cundall was united in marriage with Miss Martha W., daughter of W. H. Cook, of Canton township, and to this union five children were born, viz. : Maggie R., wife of Deforest Wilson, of Taylorstown; Emma J., wife of William McManus, of Taylorstown;

E Ir. Cundall

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

W. G., on a farm in Buffalo township, married to a daughter of Thomas Clark, of Chartiers township; Edward M., a dentist in Washington, and W. Harry, with his father in the store. On December 10, 1889, the mother died at the age of fifty-six years. Politically Mr. Cundall is a Republican, and he has served as school director in Canton township. On April 2, 1877, he was appointed superintendent, secretary and treasurer of the County Home, in which position he served fourteen consecutive years, when he resigned.

W ILLIAM BRIMNER, proprietor of one of the oldest business houses in Burgetts- town, is of Scotch descent. William Brimner (the grandfather) was born and reared in the Highlands of Scotland. When a lad of but twelve years he resolved to see for himself the wonderful country of which so many exciting tales were told, and escaping from his friends em- barked on an American-bound sailing vessel. He landed in New York, and came immediately to Berks county, Penn., there passing his youth in agricultural pursuits. In early manhood he was married to Elizabeth Burnett, a Quaker lady of the same county. They soon afterward moved to west- ern Pennsylvania, carrying all their worldly pos- sessions on pack-horses. He first settled in Han- over township, this county, and purchased the land patented by Mr. Bavington. At that time the tract was covered by forests, and the young pioneer was compelled to clear a space for the log cabin, which was then erected. The cooking was all done in one frying pan, and the other household uten- sils were similarly utilized as necessity required. But time brought conveniences within their reach, and ere many years the rude homes of the fron- tiersmen were adorned with many of the comforts though but few of the luxuries, of our modern life. Children came to bless the home of William and Elizabeth Brimner, and were named as follows: John, Mary A. (Mrs. Hugh Barton), Robert and James. In politics the father was an active work- er of the Democratic party, holding various town- ship offices. In religion he was one of the first members of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, now called the Florence Presbyterian Church. He died in his ninety-second year, in 1850, on the place where he first located, and his wife passed to her rest in her eighty-ninth year.

James Brimner, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1800, on the home farm in Hanover township, this county, receiving a meager education in the rude log-cabin school-house erected in the heart of the mighty forest, and furnished with slab seats, paper windows and puncheon floor. Much of his boyhood was passed in farm duties, and on March 10, 1832, he was united in

marriage with Martha, daughter of William Dun- bar. After their marriage the young people set- tled on the home farm, where children were born and reared as follows: Mary (wife of Samuel Scroggs, Lenox, Iowa), William, Thomas (residing in Hanover township, this county), Eliza J. (Mrs. James Russell), James (living in Robinson town- ship, this county) and Rebecca S. (Mrs. J. J. Campbell, of Wilkinsburgh, Penn.). Politically Mr. Brimner was a Jacksonian Democrat, and he was a prominent, enterprising citizen. He served for years as a trustee of schools. He was a mem- ber of the Florence Presbyterian Church, giving that body a liberal support. He died in 1848, and. in 1883 Mrs. Brimner was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Florence cemetery.

William Brimner, son of James and Martha (Dunbar) Brimner, was born November 12, 1836, in Hanover township, on the old homestead of his grandfather, and passed his boyhood on the farm, . receiving a common-school education. After the death of his father he assumed the management of the home place, having since that time won success by his own efforts. On November 15, 1860, he married Susan, daughter of James Aiken, of Law- rence county, Penn. They have three children, namely: Ethie (Mrs. J. A. Mckeown), Thomas R. (electrical engineer in Philadelphia) and W. F. (a book-keeper at Pittsburgh, Penn.). In 1875 Mr. Brimner became engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Burgettstown, where he is still one of the leading business men. In church connection he is a Presbyterian.

S. ESPEY. The Espey family were origi- nally natives of Scotland, the pioneer settlers of the name having emigrated to America about the time of the Revolution, settling in Pennsylvania.

James Espey, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born, in 1780, in Allegheny county, Penn., and was married to Jane Fife, who was born September 18, 1782, in the same county. The young people settled in Upper St. Clair town- ship, and always remained in their native county. James Espey was an active politician, and served as postmaster at Upper St. Clair, also as a justice of the peace. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1853, he was a member of the U. P. Church at St. Clair; his wife passed from earth in March, 1852.

James Espey was born July 23, 1815, in Alle- gheny county, Penn., and was reared and educated on the home farm. In 1838 he was married to Susan Sill, who was born March 7, 1816, in West- moreland county, Penn. James and Susan Espey first located on a farm in Upper St. Clair town- ship, Allegheny county, and in 1867 moved to a

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farm in Cecil township, this county, finally settling, in 1875, in Canonsburg. James Espey was active- ly interested in politics, and voted with the Whig party, serving some years as justice of the peace. He and his wife were members of the Presby- terian Church, in which he was ruling elder at Upper St. Clair, Cecil and Canonsburg. He died at the last mentioned place July 11, 1883; his widow is yet living in Canonsburg. They were the parents of the following children: Jane, mar- ried to Moses Hickman, of Cecil township, and died April 1, 1888; J. S., subject of our sketch; Ann Emeline, married to Joseph E. McCabe, of . Peters township; James Thomas, living at Centre- ville, Washington Co., Penn., married to Millie Jones; Maria Margaret and Laura, both at Canons- burg. Laura was married to J. C. Bebout, near Canonsburg.

J. S. Espey (whose name opens these lines) was born July 16, 1841, in Allegheny county, Penn., and received his education in the dis- trict schools of that county. In April, 1861, he enlisted at Pittsburgh, Penn., in the three months' call for troops, and on July 4, 1861, reenlisted, this time for three years, or during the war, in Company H, Sixty-second P. V. I. He was mustered into the service at Pittsburgh, and assigned to the Second Brigade, First Divis- ion, Fifth Army Corps, soon thereafter being promoted to the rank of sergeant of the company. He participated in the following engagements: battle and siege of Yorktown; Hanover C. H., May 27, 1862. Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862; Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862; Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862; Harrison's Landing, July 31, 1862; Gainesville, August 27, 1862; Antietam, Septem- ber 17, 1862; Blackford's Ford, September 20, 1862, Kearneysville, September 29, 1862; Fred- ericksburg, December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 1, 2, 3, 1863; Gettysburg. July 2, 3, 1863; Funkstown, Md., July 12, 1863; Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863; New Hope Church, November 28, 1863; Mine Run, November 30, 1863; Wilderness, May 30, 1864. At the battle of Spottsylvania Court House Mr. Epsey was wounded on the left shoulder; on account of which he was confined in Lincoln Hospital, Washington, D. C. He went home on a furlough, but returned to Washington, and on July 13, 1864, received an honorable discharge at Pittsburgh, Penn. He then returned to Allegheny county, and on De- cember 27, 1866, was united in marriage with Sarah A. Woods, a daughter of Samuel Woods, who was born in 1798, in " Allegheny county, and was married to Elizabeth Fife, born, in 1800, in the same county. Samuel and Eliza- beth Woods made a permanent home in Snowden township, Allegheny county, where he died in 1867, having been preceded by his wife in 1865.

J. S. Espey and his wife came to Cecil township, in 1868. In 1874 he bought an improved farm of fifty acres in Mount Pleasant township, moved upon it same year, and has since been engaged in farming and stockraising. The following chil- .dren have been born to this couple: Minnie L., born September 3, 1867 (married December 31, 1890, to Howard Herriott. She died February 14, 1892, leaving one child, Joseph Roy Herriott, born February 8, 1892); Ada S., born August 25, 1870, a teacher in Washington county; James J., . born February 9, 1876; Carrie May, born May 1, 1879, and Joseph W., born November 15, 1880, died May 25, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Espey were formerly members of the U. P. Church, in which Mr. Espey was a member of the Session, but they are now adherents of the Presbyterian Church at McDonald. In politics he votes the Republican ticket, and is one of the commissioners of Mount Pleasant township.

J HOMAS W. ELLWOOD is a son of William Ellwood, who was born in Ohio, and coming to Washington county, Penn., when a boy, was here reared to manhood. William Ell- wood was twice married: first time to a Miss Greer, who bore him six children, viz. : William, Clarissa (wife of Harrison Bishop), Martha (mar- ried to Harrison Thompson), Margaret, and two who died in childhood. For his second wife Mr. Ellwood married Ruth, daughter of Thomas Lilley, a native of East Pike Run township, this county, and their children were Thomas W., Robert and Jefferson. Mr. Ellwood learned and followed the blacksmith trade, oftentimes working day and night, until by years of patient toil he secured a comfort- able competence. He afterward became a farmer. He voted with the Democratic party, and took an active interest in all publicmatters. His first wife was a member of the Presbyterian Church. . His second wife was raised a Quaker.

Thomas W. Ellwood was born May 29, 1848, in East Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn. He first attended the common schools of that local- ity, then entered the Southwestern State Normal School, at California, afterward taking a commercial course at the Iron City College. On February 13, 1868, he was united in marriage with Rachel, daughter of Thomas Richardson, who was born in Scotland, and coming to America at an early date, settled near Port Perry, Allegheny Co., Penn., later coming to Lock No. 5, Washington county. He was a farmer, and also served as lock-keeper on the Monongahela river. He was married to Janett Clendenning, who bore him the following children: James, Thomas, John and Rachel (wife of Thomas W. Ellwood). His second wife was a Miss George. Thomas W. and Rachel Ellwood began wedded life

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on a farm in East Bethlehem township, Washington county, where they resided thirteen years. He then sold the place and came to a farm in Fallowfield township, upon which he lived twelve years, finally moving to his present home in Charleroi, where in 1892 he opened, in partnership with Gus Mount- ser, a feed, grain and produce business. He affili- ates with the Democratic party, and has served in many local offices; in religion he is a member of and ruling elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Charleroi. Mr. and Mrs. Ellwood have three children: Clara J. (wife of Alpheus C. Scott), William T. and Lorena M. The family are all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. William T. Ellwood engaged with the Charleroi Plate Glass Co., to learn the machine trade, on June 2, 1891.

J R. WINNETT, a representative farmer of Fallowfield township, is the eldest child of Lot Winnett, who was a son of William Winnett, and was born and reared in Fallow- field township, where he married Hester, a daughter of Joseph Budd. They settled on the home farm, and children were born to their union as follows: J. R., the subject of this sketch; Hannah, married to Henry Cooper, and their children are Peoria (wife of Abraham McCracken), Lizzie (wife of Franklin Bly, of Charleroi), Hester, Grant, Clinton, Jennie and Hannah; Rachel, wife of James Stillwell; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Cooper (of Lock No. 4), now deceased (they had children as follows: Flora Bell, Ida J. and Canada); Christina, who married Charlie Reed (their children are Joseph, Rachel, Lot, James, Lissie, Ory and Elsie); . Hester, who married Frank Harrison, and their children were John, Dezzie, Anna and Allie (the mother died in 1888); Isabelle, married to Ellis Allman, of West Pike Run township (their children are Josephine,

. Etta, Anna Mary, Willie and Bessie), and Joseph, who married Malissa Sphar, and had the following children: Cora Jane, Bertie, James, Hettie May, Stella and Ollie. The father of this family was a stanch advocate of Whig and Republican principles, and filled many local offices. He and his wife were originally members of the Free- Will Baptist Church, afterward uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Society, and finally espoused the cause of the Disciple Church. He died in 1890, at the age of seventy-six years; his widow is yet residing on the home place.

. J. R. Winnett was born in 1839, on the place in Fallowfield township where he is yet living. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of Joseph Sphar. Her parents were born in Washington county, where the father died, the mother having passed away near West Newton, Penn. Mr. Winnett has passed his life in tilling

the soil on the place of his birth, which now con- tains eighty-five acres of well-cultivated land. He is an active member of the Republican party, and is now serving as a member of the school board. He and his wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Ebenezer. Their children are Lot, Olive May (wife of Paul Hughus, of Clarion, Penn. ), Charles and J. Kingsley.

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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 74

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