Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 76

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 76

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AMES L. PATTERSON, banker, Burgetts- town, is one of the most prominent citizens and successful financiers in the northern part of Washington county.

The family have been residents of Pennsylvania for many years, and Josiah Patterson (grandfather of subject) was born, about the year 1750, on a farm in the Cumberland Valley, eastern Pennsyl- vania. He was there united in marriage with Mary , and in 1806 came with his wife and four children to Washington county, the journey being made in an emigrant wagon, which carried the family and all their worldly goods. He purchased and located upon a farm of 197 acres in Smith township, near Burgettstown, the land having been a part of the Samuel Whittaker tract. Of the children born to Josiah and Mary Patterson, Eliz- abeth was married to Ebenezer Smith, and died in Guernsey county, Ohio; Mary was never married, and took care of her mother until the death of the latter (this daughter died in her eighty-third year); Robert is spoken of farther on. Josiah Patterson always followed farming, and in religion was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1823, and was buried in Cross Creek cemetery. The farm was left to his son Robert, and the wid-

owed mother then resided with her daughter, pass- ing away in 1856, at the patriarchal age of ninety- seven years. Before the death of Mrs. Mary Pat- terson, there were four of the same name living together at one time: grandmother, daughter, granddaughter and daughter of James L. Patter- son, the subject proper of this sketch.

Robert Patterson, son of Josiah and Mary Pat- terson, was born in 1786, in the Cumberland Val- ley, Penn., and when twenty years of age came with his parents to Washington county. He enlisted in the war of 1812, serving a short time, and in 1814 was married to Mary, daughter of James Linn, both of whom were born in the Cumberland Valley. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pat- terson located on his father's farm near Burgetts- town, Penn., and he followed the profession of surveyor. He became a very successful business man, settling up various estates and dealing exten- sively in wool. In political opinion he was origi- nally a Whig, then a Republican, and served as justice of the peace for many years. In religious faith he and his wife were members of the Presby- terian Church at Florence, at which place he was elected an elder in 1832, and served in that capac- ity until the organization of a Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, in 1849, to which place he trans- ferred his membership; he was made an elder there also, and served in that office until his death, which occurred in February, 1861. He was regarded as the founder of the church in Burgettstown. Mrs. Patterson died of consumption in 1854, and was first buried at Florence, but her remains were af- terward interred in the cemetery at Burgettstown, where they now rest. Three of their daughters died of consumption, viz .: Eliza, at the age of twenty-two; Sarah, who had been married but six months, and died aged twenty, and Jane, who had been twice married, and died at the age of thirty.

James L. Patterson was born November 12, 1824, on the farm in Smith township where he is yet living. After attending the common schools, he entered the academy at Florence, then took a course at Washington College, graduating there- from in 1842. He always excelled as a pupil, having read Latin at the age of nine years, and graduated when but seventeen. After leaving col - lege he read medicine at home a short time, and about the age of nineteen years he taught school in Burgettstown one winter. In 1849 he began business in a general store, remaining there three years, thence returning to rural life. On April 20, 1854, he was united in marriage with Sarah A., daughter of William Linn, of Cumberland Valley, Penn., and she has borne him the following chil- dren : Robert and William (both deceased in infancy), Mary (at home), Addie J. (instructor of instrument- al music in Richmond College, Jefferson county, Ohio) and Elizabeth K. (of whom special mention

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is made further on), J. Fred. (clerking in the Bur- gettstown National Bank) and Anna (living at home). Miss Elizabeth K. Patterson was in Au- gust, 1890, taken by her father to Paris, France, in order to be placed under the far-famed instructor of vocal- music, Madame Marchesi, and here she has since remained. Miss Patterson possesses a fine soprano voice, and bids fair to become promi- nent in her profession. She was three years at Forest Park University, St. Louis, building up the music department, of which she was instructor; and so efficient was she in her duties that the managers of the university, after she had gone to Paris, wanted her back even to the extent of cab- ling her to return. Mr. Patterson was elected an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown in 1862, and still holds that office. The member- ship of that church is 430 at the present time.

In 1865 Mr. Patterson was appointed the first agent of the P. C. & St. L. R. R. Co. in Burgetts- town, also of the Express company, and opened a store at "the station" as it was then called. In 1867 he left the railroad company, and again began farming. In 1872 he organized the Burgettstown Savings Bank, of which he was secretary and treasurer, and in 1879 (the bank having become the Burgettstown National Bank), was made cashier, which position he has since held. He has been the sole manager of the bank business in Burgettstown, and has been the prime mover in the success of the institution. The bank is in a remarkable state of prosperity, having materially thriven under Mr. Patterson's management. It has a deposit of $300,000, and surplus and undi- vided profits of $65,000, the capital stock being $80,000.

Our subject inherited a tendency to consumption, and at the age of twenty years was examined by Dr. Lane, of Washington, who decided that he had symptoms of tuberculosis, and that, to pre- serve his life, he would have to go South. Agree- able to the advice of his physician, he set out in search of health, journeying to Louisiana in 1844. He arrived there in November, and engaged in teaching school in the vicinity of Baton Rouge, re- turning to his home the following spring. In June, 1845, he fell from a cherry tree, on his father's farm, spraining his left hip joint, from which he has never recovered. Soon thereafter he started with crutch and cane on a Southern trip. He pro- ceeded to the eastern sea-board, and at Wilming- ton, N. C., embarked on a vessel for Charleston; thence sailed to Savannah, and after spending some time on the trip returned to his home, sup- posing he had not long to live. On June 18, 1892, he fell from a street car in Washington, and again injured his hip, besides having his shoulder injured, from which he suffered for a considerable time. Mr. Patterson has been a victim of dyspepsia all 23

his life, and has not been a day quite free from pain. He is a man five feet nine inches in height, weighing 144 pounds. Has sandy hair, now tinged with gray, and is possessed of a pleasant Roman cast of countenance. He still lives on the farm where he was born, and which he now owns.

A LEXANDER A. GUNN. A biographical record of Washington county would be in- complete were not prominent mention made of the distinguished Gunn family, who have been connected with the history of the county from its earliest settlement.

The Gunns, of whom we now write, trace their ancestry to Holland, whence, at the close of the fourteenth century, a branch of the family mi- grated to Scotland, where they found occupations, some as weavers, others as herdsmen. There, amid the beautiful and romantic scenery of the High- lands, were, for the first time, opened to the light of day the eyes of Alexander Gunn, who became the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and who was the first of the family of whom there is any definite record. He never left the mother country, but died among his heather-clad hills at an advanced age. His son, William, was the first of the family to emigrate to America. He was a native of Aberdeenshire, where he married, about the year 1770, Anna Gunn (no relative). One child, Neil, was born to them prior to their leaving their native land. Sailing from Glasgow, this little family, after a voyage of nine weeks and three days, landed at Philadelphia, Penn., where they re- mained some little time, and here was born, in 1778, John Gunn, father of the subject of these lines. In 1780 the family, now consisting of father and mother and two children, set out for the then "Far West," over the mountains, the mother seated on a horse, on either side of which was hung a hickory basket, like a pannier, in which each of the children was placed. In this manner they reached Washington county, where they settled near where Brownsville now stands, in the wild forest, from which they hewed out for themselves a primitive home, and developed the fertile farm that is now the property of A. G. Patterson. When Gen. Wayne started out on his expedition against the Indians, William Gunn joined him at Cincinnati, and remained with him until the expe- dition came to an end in 1792. During his ab- sence the Indians raided his home, but his wife fortunately escaped in time with her two children, Neil and John, to Roney's blockhouse, less than a mile distant. The raiders did little damage, how- ever, merely killing a couple of cows, and carrying off part of their carcases to their camp. After his return Mr. Gunn lived upon his farm until his death, without being further molested by the

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Indians. He died in 1826. He had a family of eleven children, all now deceased, their names being as follows: Neil, John, William, Levi, Eliza and Christian (twins), Mary, Alexander, Marquis, Ad- dison and David.

John Gunn assisted his parents in the arduous work incident to the clearing up of a new farm in those early days, until 1814, when he became united in marriage with Martha McClure, a native of Washington county, and a graduate of Washing- ton Seminary. Eight children were born to them, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Margaret Ann, 1816; William, 1818; Denny M., 1821; Mary Jane (Mrs. Carroll), 1823; Neil, 1825; Alexander A .; Catherine (Mrs. J. H. Carroll), 1830; Martha E., 1832; of these, three are deceased: Margaret, in 1869; William, in 1862, and Martha E. in 1852. John Gunn, the father of these chil- dren, died in West Finley township, October 8, 1848, the mother on March 26, 1833.

Alexander A. Gunn was born October 14, 1828, in West Finley township, Washington Co., Penn. He attended school in the old-fashioned log school- house of those days, a few weeks in winter time, the remainder of the year being occupied in assist- ing his father in the general duties of the farm. On March 18, 1851, he was married to Mary Burns, who was born October 18, 1830, on the farm where she and her husband now reside in West Finley township, a daughter of John and Martha Burns. Ten children came to bless this union, of whom the following is a brief record: John B., born Jan- uary 12, 1852, died in 1855; Martha, born in 1854, married Rev. W. J. Fisher; Will R., born Decem- ber 8, 1856, married Miss Belle Pattison; R. D. A., born March 10, 1859, is a practicing physician in Cleveland, Ohio; Mary L., born April 29, 1862; Ada B., born August 8, 1865; Sadie E., born June 25, 1868; Lottie B., born October 9, 1870; Lynn C., born February 9, 1872, and Robert, born July 9, 1874, died July 5, 1879. After his marriage Mr. Gunn rented an unimproved part of his father-in-law's farm in West Finley township, on which he erected a cabin, and then proceeded to clear the land of the timber and underbrush, and make for himself and bride a comfortable though primitive home. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Gunn enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth P. V. C., serving until March, 1863, his term of enlist- ment having expired, and he was discharged from the service with the rank of second lieutenant. During his absence with his regiment his house and barn were destroyed by fire, and on his return he moved to Buffalo township, where he resided six years, engaged in agriculture; he then came to the farm on which he now lives, in West Finley township, and which comprises 250 acres of fine land, all in a good state of cultivation; Mr. Gunn

is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Burnsville.

Mrs. Gunn is a granddaughter of Alexander Burns, who was born in Ireland, and who at the age of fourteen years was " pressed " on board a British man-of-war on which he served as "powder boy " for seven years. At the end of that time, his ship being in the New York harbor, he made his escape, and in that city he lived seven years before he could find a favorable opportunity to return to his native land. When he did at last get there, he found his mother had died, his father married again, and his brothers and sisters all gone from the old home-some dead, others mar- ried. Finding his old home so different to his ex- pectations, he decided to return to America, which he accordingly did, settling about the year 1783 in Washington county, Penn., on the farm now owned by Alexander A. Gunn, the subject proper of this memoir. Here he built himself a rude cabin out of hewn logs, which still stands-a mute yet elo- quent relic of the past-and commenced to clear sufficient land whereon to grow enough grain to maintain himself and horse (his only companion) until the following summer. But all his pains were dissipated "like castles in the air;" for not long after he had begun to hew out his little farm from the dense forest, he was captured by Indians who carried him off to their camp, where he was tried before a "council," and condemned to be burned at the stake. He was then taken to the place of execution, and tied to a tree, wood being piled around him, and set on fire; but before the consuming element had made much headway, an old squaw, who had lost a son in battle a short time before, interceded for his life in such strong terms that the victim was released and given to the old woman. He was then put through some "purifying " process (Redskin fashion) "to drive the white blood out of him," and attired in Indian raiment, feathers being about the most prominent article in the wardrobe. With this tribe Mr .. Burns remained four years, at the end of which time he managed to effect his escape after a good deal of strategy. In order to reach his pioneer hut which he had built in Washington county, he had to journey on foot from near where the city of Toledo, Ohio, now stands, but he got home, at last, in safety, footsore and weary, and then found his faithful old gray horse browsing near the cabin just as he had left him four years before. He then set to work and completed the clearing up of his land, soon afterward marrying Miss Jane Carroll, of East Finley township, who had lately come from Ireland in company with her brother Hamil- ton. They had been married about one year, during which time they had seen no hostile Indians, till one morning Mr. Burns came running in from

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the field, shouting: "Jennie, the Indians are upon us. We must go to Lindley's blockhouse, or we'll be murdered inside of an hour!" At once they set out, and had not proceeded far in their flight, when they heard the savages shoot the dog whichi had been left behind. This added fresh impetus to their speed, and the fort was soon reached in safety, when the inmates and surrounding settlers were warned of their danger. During the night succeeding this eventful day, Mrs. Burns gave birth to her first-born, an infant boy, whom they named James, and who in after life became the uncle of Mrs. Alexander A. Gunn.

OSEPH RITNER CUNNINGHAM. Fore- most in the ranks of those who have hewed their way to success, and are now standing in positions of honor and trust, stands the subject of this sketch. He is a worthy representa- tive of a cultured and intellectual family, who were of Irish ancestry. Dr. Cunningham was born in the Emerald Isle, and received a thorough medical education at Dublin University. He came to America at an early day, and settling in Washing- ton borough, Penn., soon obtained a lucrative practice, leaving a considerable property to his children.

Gustavus Cunningham was a son of Dr. Cun- ningham, and learned the tailor's trade. In early life he was married to Elizabeth, a sister of Gov. Joseph Ritner, and she bore him four children, viz. : Sarah (wife of James Denny, Iowa), Matilda (married to David Le Fevre, Cumberland county, Penn.), Catherine (widow of Henry Canarr, of Iowa) and Joseph Ritner. The father died when his youngest son was yet an infant, and the mother married again, giving her babe to the care of his uncle, Joseph Ritner, of whom a sketch is given.

Joseph Ritner was a son of Michael Ritner (ma- ternal grandfather of Mr. Cunningham). Michael was born in Germany, and after coming to this country, adopted the cause of the persecuted colo- nists. He enlisted in the Revolutionary war, fight- ing gallantly under Gen. Washington, and at the battle of Long Island, swam across the sound, car- rying his musket by its strap in his mouth. He then returned to Schuylkill, Penn., and followed the weaver's trade for some time; but his martial spirit rebelled against the monotony of private life, and once again the German patriot shouldered arms in defense of his adopted country. He participated in the siege of Yorktown, and was present at Corn- wallis' surrender in 1781, the crowning triumph of the war. Joseph Ritner was born March 25, 1780, on the Schuylkill, in a village now included in the city of Philadelphia. He soon proved himself a worthy son of his brave and patriotic father, and when the war of 1812 began he was numbered

with the earliest volunteers, serving six months with Harrison and Scott. Soon after his marriage, Joseph Ritner came to Washington county, and purchasing 140 acres began, with characteristic energy, the task of clearing it. His early neigh- bors afterward loved to tell how the sound of his axe was heard far into the night, as his stout arms cleared the forest, while the faithful wife, no less persever- ing than her husband, stood by his side, burning brush, that he might see to work. Such an indom- itable nature as he possessed knows no such word as fail, but ever climbing higher and higher, pauses not till the pinnacle of success is attained. Pros- perity came to Joseph Ritner. Fortune smiled upon him, and his axe was heard no more in the forest, for men had need of the mighty intellect which had been fitted and strengthened for hercu- lean tasks by early development of the muscular powers, no less than by intellectual training. Great questions were before the people, a crisis in the history of the United States and of the New World was rising before the people, and confusion reigned supreme. Leaders must be found, men of power who could guide the swaying mass of struggling humanity into at least a semblance of order, and such men are ever rare. Among the few who instantly responded to the agonized call of their suffering country, and bending all their powers of soul and body to the mighty task, brought some order out of the chaos and a faint light from the midnight darkness of the impending rebellion- among these heroes is enrolled the name of Joseph Ritner. From the beginning of the struggle, his influence was exerted on the side of freedom, being bitterly opposed to the extension of slave trade, and eventually opposing secret societies. He was elected to the Legislature six times in succession, serving three times as speaker, and having once been elected by the unanimous vote of the House. It is said that while serving as speaker, not one of his rulings was ever reversed, an enviable and un- usual distinction for a man in that position, and especially among the exciting scenes then trans- piring. He was afterward elected as governor, evincing in that responsible position the same traits which had characterized his services in minor offices. He was a member of the College of Elect- ors on the Whig ticket of 1840, taking an active part in the campaign of that year. He possessed the warm personal friendship of Gen. Harrison, who, after his inauguration as President appointed him treasurer of the Mint. The Senate declined to confirm the appointment, an act said to be due to Gov. Ritner's opposition to the Masonic Frater- nity. At last the storm, which had been gathering for years above the Nation's sky, burst with tre- mendous violence, all the pent-up rage, jealousy and pride of a divided people swept furiously over the puny barriers erected, wrath and passion ruled

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the hour, Ft. Sumter fell, and the great Rebellion had begun at last. Gov. Ritner had then grown old in the service of his country, his hair was whitened with the snow of more than eighty years, but the fire of youth flashed from the eyes of the aged veteran as he sprang to arms when the cannon of Fort Sumter sounded on his ears. Eagerly the gallant soldiers rallied around the standard of their white-haired colonel, who led them to Harrisburg, Penn., and there tendered his services to the Gov- ernment. But his age proved an insurmountable objection, and the noble warrior-statesman was forced to accept the less dangerous, and yet scarcely less important, position of an honored counselor to the active workers in the great struggle. Although prohibited from active participation, the veteran continued to watch the terrible conflict with una- bated zeal. His attitude toward the belligerent States is best illustrated by an extract from a letter which he wrote March 22, 1863, to Mrs. Cunning- ham. He wrote as follows: "If I live until the day after to-morrow I will be eighty-three years old. My health is good, I am free from aches and pains of all kinds. God has been very kind and good to me thus far, and I hope and trust that He will permit me to live to see this wicked, unhely, Godless and causeless rebellion crushed, so that I may leave the world and my country in peace, united and prosperous under the best government vouchsafed to man in any part of the world." His prayer was answered, and he passed away in his ninety-fifth year, having seen the end of, the great . struggle which had filled so much of his life. Gov. Ritner possessed deep and sincere piety, more than ordinary intelligence, remarkable per- ceptive power, and was firm in every conviction of duty. He had an iron constitution, robust frame, and wonderful vitality. Words can not do justice to the life of this heroic patriot, brilliant states- man, valued citizen and consecrated Christian man.

Joseph Ritner Cunningham was born Septem- ber 18, 1824, in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., and remained with his illustrious un- cle during his minority, receiving a good English education. In 1839 he went with his uncle to Cumberland county, Penn., returning to Washing- ton county in 1846. He then worked six months for William Jamison for $60, receiving $9.50 per month the latter part of the year. From these scanty wages he managed to save some money, and the next year rented the farm and fixtures, which he worked for one-third of the crops, re- ceiving $10 per month when not busied with the crops. The following year he rented the farm for three seasons, paying an annual cash rent of $250. At the expiration of that time he rented a farm near West Middletown, this county, and marrying Miss Nancy Meloy, November 19, 1857, began housekeeping. The young people resided there

three years, when he purchased a farm in Buffalo township, this county, where he lived three years, then selling out, bought his present well-cultivated farm of 179 acres, situated near Buffalo village. Mr. Cunningham has been a very successful busi- ness man, having amassed a comfortable com- petence, but unlike many who have achieved suc- cess in this life, he has not neglected to prepare for a future home, and lay foundations for a " house not made with hands." He and his wife are de- voted members of the United Presbyterian Church at West Middletown, Penn., taking an active in- terest in both church and Sabbath-school work. He has served as a member of the board of trustees, also attended to much of the financial business of the church, and has ever given liberally to the sup- port and upbuilding of the cause of Christianity. Political life has no charm for Mr. Cunningham, although he evinces an intelligent interest in the leading questions of the day. He was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party espoused its principles, being a strong op- ponent of slavery. Mrs. Cunningham is a cult- ured and refined lady, highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance.

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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 76

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