Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 77

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 77

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W ORKMAN HUGHES, a retired agricult- urist, than whom none is better known in his township, or more highly respected, is a native of the county, born Febuary 5, 1822, in South Strabane township.

John Hughes, grandfather of Workman Hughes, was a native of New Jersey, born of Irish ancestry, and when a young man moved to Carlisle, Penn., where he enlisted in the Continental army; in July, 1775, his company was formed, with eight others, into a battalion of riflemen. Mr. Hughes partici- pated in the disastrous expedition to Canada under the command of Col. Arnold, and was present at the attack on Quebec. He remained in the army to the close of the struggle, rising from the ranks to captain. After the war he came to Washington county, where he subsequently (in 1784) bought a tract of land on what is known as Hughes' branch of Ten-Mile creek. In 1802 Mr. Hughes pur- chased a lot on Main street, Washington, and in 1809 two lots on Maiden street. He was a car- penter by trade, which he followed at Washington for a considerable period from 1784, and also at Ten-Mile creek. For some fourteen years he was captain of a company that guarded the Surveying Corps. On retiring from active life, he settled in Amwell township, where he died September 15, 1818, aged sixty-eight years.

Samuel Hughes, father of Workman Hughes, was born January 23, 1786, in Amwell township, this county, where he was married to Mary Work- man, who was born January 13, 1786, in the build-

Workman Houghes sen

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ing that afterward became the first depot for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Washington; she was a daughter of Hugh Workman, who settled in the borough many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes after marriage made their home in Wash- ington borough until 1820, in which year they came to South Strabane township, where they re- mained until 1850, and then went to Iowa. The names of their children are Margaret, Elizabeth, Hugh W., Samuel, Sarah, Mary, John, James, Workman, Martha and Jackson. Mr. Hughes, in addition to his farming interests, followed carpen- tering for some years. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Disciple Church of Wash- ington, and in politics he was an active Democrat. He died October 2, 1862, aged seventy-six years, his wife, Mary, on March 10; 1802, aged seventy years.

The early life of the subject of this memoir was passed at the paternal home, his education being secured at the subscription schools of the neighbor- hood, which was held in an old, abandoned log dwelling. On June 3, 1847, he was married to Rachel, daughter of Matthew Taylor, and their union has been blessed with the following named children: Samuel T., James W., John H., Will- iam, Mary (Mrs. B. F. Closser), Nannie J. and Rachel (Mrs. William Myers). The mother of these children dying May 12, 1862, Mr. Hughes married, March 15, 1864, Miss Margaret, daughter of Samuel Vance, but she departed this life August 22, 1879, and in December, 1880, the bereaved hus- band took unto himself a third life partner in the person of Miss Martha, daughter of John Scott.

After his first marriage Mr. Hughes remained on the old home place till 1850, when he moved to the other farm and resided there until 1863, in which year, having bought the old McGiffin prop- erty, he removed to Ten-Mile, where he made his home until 1879, when he came into the borough of Washington, and has since resided, having built his present commodious residence. The family are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Washington. In politics Mr. Hughes has been a life-long Democrat, and in 1870 he was elected director of the poor for a three years' term; he has also held various township offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.

C HARLES O'CONNOR, one of the best- known representative citizens of Donegal township, claims his descent from one of the kings who, at an early period of the history of Ireland, governed the provinces, and who were subject to the "Ard-Righ," or monarch of the whole, who usually resided at Tara, in the County Meath, Province of Leinster.

The grandfather of our subject (also named

Charles O'Connor) was a native of County Kildare, Ireland, born about the year 1740, and was there married to a Miss Simpson, also a native of the Emerald Isle, who bore him three children: Patrick, John and Mary Ann. This wife dying in 1788, Charles O'Connor married, for his second wife, a Miss Hughes (an aunt of the late Archbishop Hughes), of New York, and by this union three children were born: Martin, Bridget and Winifred.

The parents both died in Ireland, the father in 1832, and all the children emigrated to America, except Martin, who died in his native land.

John O'Connor, who was the second son of Charles O'Connor by his first marriage, was born in 1786 in County Kildare, Ireland, where in early life he learned the trade of a weaver, serving a seven years' apprenticeship, afterward following same there until 1816 when he came to America. Landing at Philadelphia, he there carried on his trade one year, and in 1817 moved to Pittsburgh, thence to Washington borough, this county, where he secured work as a laborer on the National pike, then in course of construction. Here his steady habits and honest dealings were soon recognized, and it was not long before he was promoted to overseer of the work between Washington and West Alexander, a position he held with great credit until the comple- tion of the road, frequently being entrusted with large sums of money for the "pay sheet." In 1820 he was married to Eliza Aston, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1800, and the chil- dren by this union were fifteen in number, as fol- lows: Samuel (died in 1889 in South Dakota), and Charles, John, George and Martin, all of whom died young; Charles (our subject); Mary Ann, who died in 1858; one that died in infancy unnamed; John, in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road Company, and living near Claysville; Mar- garet, living near Dunlap, Iowa; Elizabeth, a spinster; a son deceased in infancy unnamed; Teresa, deceased wife of William Coyne, died December 28, 1887; Martha, who died in 1865 while attending Mount-de-Chantal College, near Wheeling, W. Va., and a twin sister to Martha who died young. After leaving the National pike Mr. O'Connor purchased a farm about two miles northeast of West Alexander, known as the " Old Higgins farm," where he followed agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred March 22, 1872, his wife following him to the grave May 1, 1875. They were both mem- bers of the Catholic Church, and in politics he was a Whig originally, but in later years voted the Democratic ticket. John O'Connor was a cousin of the eminent lawyer, Charles O'Connor, late of the New York bar.

Charles O"Connor, of whom these lines chiefly treat, was born September 8, 1830, in Donegal township, this county, where he was reared to farm

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life, receiving his rudimentary education at the common schools. He then attended, for two years, the academy at West Alexander, under the head preceptorship of Rev. Father McClusky, after which he was for some time a student at St. Vin- cent College, near Latrobe, Westmoreland Co., Penn., which is in charge of the Benedictine Order. On April 15, 1857, Mr. O' Connor was mar- ried to Margaret Hickey, a native of County Kil- kenny, Ireland, born in 1836, to which union there are no children. She died October 25, 1888. After marriage our subject settled on a farm in Donegal township, one mile east of West Alexan- der, immediately adjoining the National pike, where he is yet living, carrying on general farm- ing with marked success. His home is a model of neatness and good order, entirely attributable to his good taste and untiring energy. Mr. O'Connor is a typical representative of the race from which he sprung, and, although over sixty years of age, can do as good a day's work as many a younger man. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic, being one of the substantial support- ers of the Claysville Church.

A W. CUMMINS is a well-known citizen of Chartiers township, Washington county, having achieved an eminent and unusual success in his chosen vocation as an auc- tioneer. He has followed this business over eighteen years, his first trial having been made in March, 1874. Mr. Cummins is of Scotch descent (a country noted for the thrift and energy of her people, is "Bonny Scotland "), his grand- father having immigrated to America many years ago. He settled in Mt. Pleasant township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., rented a farm of Mr. McElroy, who was blind, but had perfect confidence in his tenants who lived there for thirty-three years. Mr. Cummins was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Miller's Run.

Robert Cummins was born August 19, 1836, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and in early life was married to Maria Dougherty, who was born on a farm that stood exactly on the line be- tween Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Dougher- tys were early settlers of Virginia, where John Dougherty (father of Maria) grew to manhood and was married to Margaret Wilson. They lived and died near the Pennsylvania line in Virginia. To the union of Robert and Maria (Dougherty) Cum- mins three children were born: A. W. (subject of this sketch), Elizabeth (wife of John Patterson, of Cross Creek township, this county), and Thomas (living on the farm with his brother, A. W.). The mother died in 1859, and for his second wife Robert Cummins was married to Esther Jane,

reared in Chartiers township, daughter of John Howell, an early pioneer of Finley township, who passed his life in this county, dying about the year 1882. He was a strong and powerfully built man, in robust health, and died very suddenly. His widow is yet living in McConnell's Mills. Robert Cummins followed farming in both Chartiers and Mount Pleasant townships. In politics he was an ardent Republican, and in church connection a. Presbyterian.

A. W. Cummins (the subject proper of this sketch) was born June 15, 1853, in Mt. Pleas- ant township, this county, being reared on the farm and educated in the country schools. On February 22, 1876, he was united in marriage with Jane Ann, daughter of Hugh and Jane (Shaw) Sprowl, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Harrison county, Ohio. Hugh Sprowl was born in 1823, and at the age of twelve years came with his parents to Harrison county, Ohio. In early manhood he was married to Jane Shaw, and settling on a farm in Harrison county, re- mained there all his life. He died in 1874, fol- lowed by his wife in November, 1881.

After his marriage to Miss Sprowl, A. W. Cum- mins attended Duff's Commercial College for some time, and in 1877 settled at McConnell's Mills, engaging in the mercantile.business, which he con- tinued until 1885, soon becoming an expert sales- man. He then began his prosperous life as an auctioneer and agriculturist, the latter vocation serving to aid the former profession, as a farmer would naturally know whereof he spoke, in esti- mating the qualities and value of an animal. In April of 1889 Mr. Cummins moved to the old Mc- Elroy homestead of 103 acres, which was settled over a century ago, the house having been erected many years. His property has been acquired by tireless industry, vim and perseverance, coupled with an eloquent flow of language when describ- ing goods, which gift has proved a valuable acqui- sition both to himself and those who have needed his services. He began the world at an early age, and undaunted by the harsh experiences of life, has been a "hustler" from the first. He owns nearly all the good buildings in McConnell's Mills. He is dealing extensively in stock, making a specialty of raising the National Delaine Merino sheep, sell- ing nearly $2,000 worth of that breed last year. He is also raising Jersey cattle, and ships large quantities of both kinds of stock to all points north, east and west. He is an active member of the Republican party, being chairman of the Re- publican committee in Chartiers township. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins are members of the Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church at Chartiers. The children born to their union are as follows: Nora Belle, Andrew Irvin, George Dilworth, How- ard Leslie, Hugh Sterling and Laura Jane.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

R B. BELL is descended from an old Scotch- Irish family who fled from Londonderry, Ireland, to Scotland, during the religious persecution. From Scotland they emi- grated to New Jersey, where William, the first pioneer of the name, located. His wife's maiden name was Lea.

John Bell, son of the William Bell above men- tioned, was born in the year 1732. He was mar- ried to Elizabeth, a daughter of Robert Boyd, and on April 7, 1793, purchased from William Luckie a farm in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., where he spent the remainder of his days, and died in 1809.

Robert, son of John Bell, was born in Lancaster county, Penn. He served in the Revolutionary war, entering the service when about sixteen years of age. On May 29, 1788, he was united in mar- riage with Rachel Espy, by whom he had seven children. In the year 1793 he purchased from Anthony Boly the farm in Peters township, which is to this day in the possession of his descendants. He died October 17, 1849, aged about eighty-five. Of the seven children born to Robert and Rachel Bell, John married Nancy Porter, of Clarion county, Penn., to which county he removed soon after his marriage. Here he died, leaving behind him a large family. Thomas married Nancy Scott, and died in Clarion county. Elizabeth married Benja- min Coe, who moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, where she died. William married Jane Caldwell, and died in Richland county, Ill. Robert mar- ried Susannah Tidball. James married Sarah Reasoner, and moved to Richland county, Ill., where he died. Ann married William Barr, and spent the last years of her earthly pilgrimage in Nottingham township, this county.

Robert, son of Robert and Rachel Bell, was born and died on the home farm in Peters township. He first saw the light of day in 1801. He grew to manhood under the parental roof, and on August 28, 1828, married Susannah, daughter of Abraham Tidball, of Allegheny county, Penn. He died December 11, 1890. His children were: Rachel (died in infancy); John B. (married June 24, 1869, Sarah Ann Dunlap, of Cecil township, and have one son, Robert Francis Bell); Robert Boyd, unmarried, living at present on the home farm; Sarah, married June 19, 1864, to Robert Gillespie, M. D., and died August 29, 1868, leaving one son, Lorenzo James Gillespie; Abraham T., a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, class of 1870, also of Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Penn., class of 1872 (at the present time (1893), he is preaching in Indiana county, Penn .; was married May 8, 1872, to Mary Watson, by whom he has had two children, one daughter, Sarah Emma, is living); Susannah, married James John- ston, of Cecil township, Washington county,

November 24, 1874, and died March 7, 1892, leaving a husband and five children-three sons and two daughters. The farm is still in the possession of the family. It contains 105 acres of excellent land situated in a bend of and nearly surrounded by Chartier's creek. The Chartier's railway passes through and under a portion of the farm.

A HARPER SIMANTON. In tracing the genealogy of this prosperous agriculturist, we find that the family have been prom- inent residents of Pennsylvania for many years.

Peter Simanton (the grandfather) was born in Northampton county, Penn., and about the year 1795 was united in marriage with Margaret Mc- Farren, also a native of Northampton county, born December 26, 1764, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. Asa Dunham. In 1810 Mr. and Mrs. Simanton moved to Cherry Valley, Washington county, and September 9, 1811, bought 344 acres of the original Cherry tract, which be- came their home. He was a Whig in politics, and in church connection both he and his wife were members of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of three children, of whom the following is a brief record: Jennie, born in 1800, was married to Samuel Farrar, and died in September, 1882 (her children were John, deceased in Smith township; Robert S., living in Mt. Pleas- ant township; William McFarren, deceased in Jan- uary, 1892, at Cambridge, Guernsey Co., Ohio; Aaron, deceased in 1873, Mt. Pleasant township; Samuel L., deceased in 1891. Washington, D. C .; Julia A., deceased in 1885, wife of John McElroy ; and Simanton, living in Mt. Pleasant township); John (of whom a sketch follows) and Isabella (wife of Robert Johnston, of Smith township), died some years ago, having reared three children, viz. : Mar- garet A. (Mrs. Finley), William and John, all three now residing in Missouri. Peter Simanton was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He died in 1826, at the home of his grandson, and his wife passed away June 5, 1835.

John Simanton was born in 1802, in Northamp- ton county, Penn. In 1810 he came with his parents to Cherry Valley, Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county, where he was reared and educated. In early manhood he was married to a Miss Ramsey, and settled on the old home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, where three daughters were born to him: Margaret, wife of William Camp- bell, of Midway, Penn .; Isabelle, Mrs. Robert Pat- terson, of Bolivar, Westmoreland Co., Penn., and Martha Jane, who died when young. The mother died soon after the birth of her youngest child, and Mr. Simanton married, for his second wife, Eliza Allen, who was born in 1806, in Greene

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county, Penn., and came to Washington county with her parents in childhood. To this marriage one son, A. H., was born. Mr. Simanton was an active worker in the Whig party, afterward uniting with the Republicans, and serving the party by filling several township offices. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church at Can- dor, this county, in which he was a ruling elder for many years. He died in 1871, his wife in 1884.

A. Harper Simanton was born March 16, 1843, on his present farm in Mt. Pleasant township, passing his boyhood in attending the country school, and assisting with home duties. On Novem- ber 19, 1868, he was married to Ellen, daughter of Guyan McIlvaine who was born in 1792, in Somerset township, on the home farm, where his early years were passed. He was united in marriage with Jane Ferguson, a native of Somerset township, who bore him four children: Lydia (widow of John Phillips, living in Greene county, Penn.); William Greer (deceased in 1882, at Memphis, Tenn.), was married in Vickbsurg; Robert F. (residing in Rochester, Beaver Co., Penn.); and John M. (liv- ing in Mt. Pleasant township). Mrs. McIlvaine died in 1823, and in 1830 Guyan McIlvaine married Jane Bratton, a native of Lancaster county, Penn. In 1835 he settled in Mt. Pleasant township, on the home farm. To this union the following chil- dren were born: Harvey (residing in Kansas), Anna Eliza (married to William M. Campbell, of Cross Creek township), Joseph Lawrence (editor of the Advocate, New Philadelphia, Ohio), Boyd (a resident of South Dakota), Belle Jane (of Mt. Pleasant township), James A. and Martha Ellen (Mrs. A. Harper Simanton), both of Mt. Pleasant township, and Mary Esther. Mr. McIlvaine was first a Whig, then a Know-nothing, and afterward a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Prospect. He died in 1868, having been preceded by his wife in 1859.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Simanton settled on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, containing 200 acres of valuable land, to which his time is devoted. Four children have blessed their union, namely: Maud, Maggie Belle, Walter and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Simanton are members of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee. He is a Republican.

J AMES E. SMITH, a prominent farmer of West Pike Run township, is a son of Henry Smith, who was born in 1806, in Washington county, Penn., and was a farmer.

In early life Henry Smith was married to Nancy Norris, a native of this county, who was born in 1816, and they were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, namely: Mary A., wife of John Hilton, of Monongahela; Henderson; James E .; Nancy, mar-

ried to John Reed, of Lucyville, Penn .; Hannah B., wife of Joseph Bell, a Methodist minister lo- cated at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Joseph H .; Lydia, wife of George Flood; Roxanna, married to Edwin Sutton, of Chillicothe, Ohio; Tilly, wife of Nathan Thomas; Howard, living in Uniontown, Fayette county; Lizzie; Harrison and an infant, of whom the latter three are deceased. The father was a member of the M. E. Church, with which his widow is yet associated. He died May 10, 1880, and Mrs. Smith, aged seventy-six years, is now residing on the home place.

James E. Smith was born November 27, 1838, on the home farm in West Pike Run township, and grew to manhood with but few opportunities for securing an education. He was married on Octo- ber 21, 1877, to Aquilla Palmer, a native of this county, daughter of Ephraim and Hannah (Bren- ton) Palmer, natives of Fayette county, Penn., the father being born in 1817, and the mother in 1818. Their children were Aquilla, wife of James E. Smith; Sarah W., married to William Johnston, of Fayette county, Penn .; Addison R., a Method- ist minister of Champaign county, Ohio; Ephraim; Hannah P., wife of Daniel Moore, a Baptist min- ister of Washington county, Penn .; James; Sabria (deceased) and Cornelius (deceased). Mr. Palmer learned the trade of barber at Brownsville, Penn., and continued to follow same during most of his life; he died in 1890, followed by his wife in April, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Smith are residing on a pleasant, well-cultivated farm of thirty-seven acres. He is a member of the F. & A. M. at West Brownsville.

EORGE SWART. Among the many prom- inent agriculturists who have contributed substantially to the material prosperity of Amwell township, and indeed it may be said of the entire county, stands the worthy gentleman whose well-known name opens this biographical sketch.

He is a grandson of the noble old pioneer, Philip Swart, who emigrated from Germany to America, locating finally, during the early part of the pres- ent century, in Amwell township, this county, where he took up what is recognized by the family. as the "old home farm" of 315 acres. He had two children, Jacob and Susie (Mrs. Phillips), and died about the year 1811; his wife survived him many years, passing away at a ripe old age.

Jacob Swart, son of Philip Swart, was born near the old home in Amwell township, and was educated at the local schools of his early day. He was married to Sarah Evans, of the same township, and the children born to this union were: Dorothy (Mrs. Mustard), Philip, David, John, Polly (Mrs. Huston), Henry, Abraham, George, Hiram and

George Swart.

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Charlotte. Jacob Swart died in 1815 on the old home farm, his wife, Sarah, on June 11, 1846. He was an excellent business man, and during his comparatively short life accumulated much prop- erty, leaving a fortune as an unimpeachable wit- ness to his characteristic energy and sound judg- ment. At the time of his death he owned six farms aggregating 1,000 acres of land. Politically he was a Whig, and he was respected and esteemed by all who knew him.

George Swart, the subject proper of these lines, was born beside Ruff's creek, Greene Co., Penn., April 23, 1810, and when four years of age was brought by his father to the farm which is now the property of Andrew Horn, in Amwell township, this county. He received a necessarily meager education in the primitive schools of his early day, but he has been a diligent reader, and a devoted student of Biblical literature. Mr. Swart has been twice married, first on January 14, 1830, to Eliza- beth Smith, of Greene county, Penn., born October 9, 1814, and died March 4, 1876. Their union was blessed with twelve children: Jacob, born July 13, 1831 (deceased March 3, 1833); Harvey, born March 30, 1833 (was married February 22, 1877, to Jane Arnold); Dennis born Junuary 31, 1836 (was united in marriage April 30, 1857, with Lydia Huffman, and is now residing in Missouri); Simon, born January 29, 1838 (died May 3, 1848); Sarah, born June 19, 1840 (was married Septem- ber 15, 1859, to Harrison Sowers); Lucinda, born October 29, 1842 (March 11, 1864, became the wife of John Hopkins; deceased June 8, 1881); Hiram, born October 10, 1844 (died September 29, 1851); Elizabeth, born August 27, 1847 (died January 1, 1853); Emeline, born November 5, 1849 (was united in marriage October 30, 1873, with David Baker, and died March 26, 1884); George, born January 20, 1853 (died August 15, 1865); Deborah, born February 7, 1855, died March 13, 1883 (she was married February 10, 1875 to James Hughes); and Alice L., born April 20, 1857 (on November 16, 1876, she became the wife of John J. Hoffman). On December 4, 1877, Mr. Swart was united in marriage with Mrs. Ellen Hopkins, of Greene county, a very estimable lady, and who makes him a most congenial and lovable companion in his declining years.

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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 77

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