Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 78

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 78

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In February, 1831, Mr. Swart moved to his . present home, where he is now enjoying a well- earned peaceful repose from the labors of an hon- ored and useful life. The comfortable competence he possesses has been accumulated by years of assid- uous industry and indefatigable effort. Politically, Mr. Swart was formerly a Whig, afterward a Re- publican, and he has always taken an active inter- est in public affairs. He and his family have for many years been members of the Methodist Protes- ant Church.

S MITH McCREIGHT. Among the influen- tial and intelligent citizens of Hanover town- ship, none occupies or deserves a more prominent place than this gentleman, a native of Jefferson county, Penn., where he was born July 18, 1832. He is a son of Andrew McCreight. The father was born in 1787, in Ireland, and when but seven years of age was brought to America, and grew to manhood in Pennsylvania. In 1812 he was married in Armstrong county, Penn., to Ann Sharp, who was born in 1795. Her family were pioneers of Armstrong county.

The children of Andrew and Ann McCreight were: James, a wheelwright and carpenter, de- ceased in 1888, at the age of seventy-five years, in Armstrong county, Penn .; Sharp, a retired farmer of Indiana county, Penn .; Sarah (Mrs. Abraham Neil), of Jefferson county, Penn. ; Joseph, a farmer of Jefferson county, Neb., where he died; John, a farmer of Jefferson county, Penn .; Ann (wife of William Caldwell), of Clearfield county, Penn. ; Jane (Mrs. Joseph McNeil), of Clearfield coun- ty, Penn .; Thomas S., a farmer and miller of Jeffer- son county, Penn .; Smith, of whom further men- tion is made; Nancy, deceased in 1891 (married to Benjamin Hawk); Jamison, a farmer in Kansas; and Hannah, an unmarried lady, living in Kansas. The parents began life as tenants in a humble home located on Plum creek, Armstrong Co., Penn., where he worked as a tenant and cropper. By industry he prospered, and soon accumulating some money, went to Jefferson county, Penn., and purchased a tract of uncleared land, which was cheaper in that county. The young couple re- moved to their new home, and, after much hard work, succeeded in clearing enough of the land to carry on farming. With that undying spirit of pluck, which is the national characteristic of the true Irishman, he finally obtained enough property to provide all necessary comforts of life, which he enjoyed. In politics he was an Old-line Whig, and then a Republican, taking an active interest in the success of his party. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the U. P. Church. He died in 1861, his wife having entered the " valley of the shadow " in 1858. They were buried on the farm in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania.

Smith McCreight was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and there inducted into the myster- ies of agriculture. He attended the common schools, and in early life took charge of the home place in company with his brother, Thomas S., caring for the father and mother until they died. On March 14, 1863, Smith McCreight was married to Sarah E. Murphy, who was born in 1842, in Westmoreland county, Penn., a daughter of James and Susan (McMurray) Murphy. James Murphy was a tailor by trade, also working on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. McCreight have passed all their

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married life on the old homestead farm in Winslow township, Jefferson Co., Penn., and his brother Thomas S. followed lumbering in the winter sea- son and farming in the summer for some years. They afterward purchased one-half interest in a grist and saw mill, and the following year bought . the other half. As the business increased they made extensive improvements on the property, placing $1,500 worth of new machinery in the gristmill. Just when the business had become profitable the destructive fire of August 25, 1877, swept away all their property-1,500 bushels of grain and 100,000 feet of dry pine lumber. No insurance was carried. This was a terrible trial, but their energy and enterprise were indestructible, and before the smoke of the debris had ceased to curl upward they had begun the erection of a modern mill. It was rapidly pushed to comple- tion, and within four months of the date of the fire these "hustling brothers" were again ready for customers on a more extensive basis than before the fire. In 1881 the mill property was disposed of, and Smith McCreight began farming. In the autumn of 1884 he purchased and moved upon 200 acres of land in Hanover township, Washington county, known as the "Martin Tucker" farm, His enterprising and progressive spirit is evinced in the many improvements which have been made since his residence on the place. A handsome new dwelling was erected in 1890. It is located on an elevated spot, one of the highest in Wash- ington county, affording a most delightful view of the surrounding country for many miles. Mr. McCreight was a Whig, afterward uniting with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the U. P. Church at Paris, and their children are Thomas A., a farmer of Hanover township, liv- ing on the home place; Clara A., studying teleg- raphy; Anna, and Beulah S., living at home.

W. MORGAN is a son of William M. Mor- gan, whose father, William Morgan, was born in Maryland, and attended the schools of his native State, then learned the cooper's trade, becoming an expert in the finer parts of the business. When a young man he was married to Hannah Matthews, a native of Baltimore, Md., who bore him the following children: Oliver, Rachel, Miriam, William M., George, Ruth (wife of W. W. Jackman) and Esther (married to Ares- lead Carroll). In an early day they came to Greene county, Penn., and in 1830 moved to Wash- ington county, locating in East Bethlehem town- ship near Westland Church. Mr. Morgan kept a hotel on the National pike, near Centreville, for several years, and finally moved to Coal Centre, Washington county, where he died at the age of seventy- four years. He was a strong Abolitionist,

and in religion was a member of the Society of Friends.

William M. Morgan was born near Baltimore, Md., where his boyhood was passed. In early life he was married to Mary, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lewis) Whittaker, the former of whom was a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker had four children, viz. : Eliza- beth, Thomas L., John D. and Mary. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Morgan settled in Waynes- burgh, Greene Co., Penn., where he followed the trade of cooper. In 1844 he moved to Coal Centre, this county, and here continued in the same business until his death. He was a Democrat, favoring the Abolitionists, and in religion was a member of the M. E. Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were born the following children: L. W., Eliza J. (deceased), George (living in Oklahoma), Hannah (deceased), and Thomas P. (in Pittsburgh).

L. W. Morgan was born November 5, 1830, in Waynesburgh, Greene Co., Penn., and remained on the home place during early life. At the age of twenty years, in company with Solomon Sibbitt, he opened the first general store in California, Penn., conducting it for five years. On October 27, 1857, he was married to Ann J., daughter of John R. Gregg, and their children were Mary W., P. W., William W., John, Charles, L. L., Elizabeth and Albert T. Of these children P. W., Elizabeth and Albert T. are yet living. After selling the store in California, Mr. Morgan followed river traffic a. few years, then opened a grocery in Coal Centre, which he conducted but a few months, and return- ing to California invested in his present store, and opened a coal office. He has been a Republican, but has voted the Prohibition ticket since the organization of that party. In religious faith he is a member of the M. E. Church, of which he is steward and treasurer, and of the Sunday-school he has been superintendent twenty-six years.

EORGE TAYLOR was a son of Robert. Taylor, who was born in 1764, and emi- grated from County Cavan, Ireland, in 1810. Three weeks before leaving the old country he was married to Mary Pattison, a daugh- ter of William Pattison, a merchant of Belfast.

The young couple came to America to seek their fortunes, and locating upon a farm near Hills- borough, this county, Mr. Taylor began working it on shares, finally purchasing it in 1816. The children born to this pioneer couple were: Mrs. Jacob Shepler (deceased), William (deceased), George, Mrs. William Robinson, Mrs. Jacob Qualk, and Robert (deceased). Though receiving a somewhat. limited education in Ireland, Mr. Taylor was a very successful business man, and was especially admired for his benevolence. He was an Old-

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line Whig, but never accepted office, and was a devout member of the Church of England. After passing a useful life of nearly a century, he died in 1859. His widow, a member of the Methodist Church, followed her husband to the grave in 1862.

George Taylor, the subject of this memoir, was born January 27, 1816, upon the home farm where he now resides. He received a limited education, but was an eager reader until his eyesight failed. He remained on the farm until twenty-two years of age, when he took charge of a store at Hills- borough which he managed for three or four years, then sold to William Bell, and engaged in farming and buying stock. He has been very successful in this business, which he has continued to follow. In 1844 he married Charlotte Miller, daughter of Charles Miller, and their children are: Mary Eliz- abeth, born December 6, 1845 (deceased); Robert, born September 1, 1848; Mrs. Samuel Barber, born January 14, 1851; George William, born May 7, 1853 (deceased); Charles Taylor, born December 6, 1854; Clarence Raymond, born July 26, 1857 (deceased); George William, born May 13, 1861; Frankie Addison, born January 19, 1864, and Emma Jane, born August 4, 1866. Mr. Taylor was a decided Republican, and, in his younger days, one of the most active men in the county. When but twenty years of age, he was elected con- stable, and held that office several years. When about thirty-five years of age he was elected justice of the peace, which position he filled twenty years, and in 1859 was elected one of the county com- missioners for a term of four years. He was a member of the Methodist Church, with which his wife was also united until her death, September 8, 1887. He died September 2, 1892.

ADWALLADER BLAYNEY. A biograph- ical record of Washington county would be incomplete were not special mention made in its pages of the Blayneys, who have their descent from an illustrious family of that name, for many years residents of Ireland. Cad- wallader Blayney, a Welshman by birth, and a gallant officer in the British army of long ago, for meritorious services to his country was made a general, and soon thereafter was given an estate in Ireland, the mansion on which came to be known as "Blayney Castle," while the new occupant was raised to the peerage with the title of "Lord Blayney." This lord had a brother, a rector in the Established Church of England. For twelve generations Castle Blayney has been represented by a Cadwallader Blayney, that being the name of each succeeding son-in-heir, and the tenth Lord Blayney, the great-grandfather of the subject of this memoir, had several sons, one of whom, Cadwallader, became the grandfather. He was a

wealthy landowner, and in early pioneer times came to America, making a settlement in Ohio county, W. Va., but on the death of his wife he made his home with his son, Henry, during the remainder of his life.

Henry Blayney was born in Ireland in 1792, and was there married to Jane Rogers, by whom one child, Mary, was born in their native land. In 1832 Henry and his family came with his father to this country, and here were born to him six more children, viz. : Hannah, Jane Cadwallader, Margaret, Henry, John R. and Elizabeth Ann. Henry Blayney finally settled in West Finley township, where he died on his farm in February, 1873, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife died December 22, 1847. He was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church of West Alexander, and in politics was a stanch Democrat.

Cadwallader Blayney, the subject of these lines, was born July 12, 1829, in Ohio county, W. Va., where he received his education. When a young man he came to the farm in West Finley township, this county, where he has since resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits. When he first started out for himself, his uncle gave him a colt, and this was the beginning from which, by industry, per- severance and thrift he has achieved the success that brought him a competence for his declining years. His first purchase was an old water-power gristmill that is still standing, adjoining his resi- dence in Good Intent. This mill he operated eleven years, and then bought a farm near Good Intent, on which he lived six years, at the end of which time he moved into the village, and here embarked in mercantile business which he con- ducted nineteen years. He then sold out his store and retired to his farm above referred to. Mr Blayney was twice married: first time to Miss Elizabeth Rogers (January 13, 1853), who bore him eight children, viz. : John R., Henry B., William L., Ida Jane, Belleville C., Elmer E., Orange Griffith and Cadwallader, of whom the last two died in infancy. The mother of this family died February 2, 1872, and Mr. Blayney afterward married Miss Jennie Blayney, a cousin, a daugh- ter of John Blayney, a native of Ireland, whom the last Lord Blayney (who died childless) named as his heir, in his will. This John Blayney came to the United States in 1848, and there made his home until the death, in 1875, of his wife, whose maiden name was Fanny Alcorn, when he came to live with our subject. On the death of the last Lord Blayney, inquiry was made for "Uncle John," as the heir by will was familiarly known; they discovered, however, that a John Blayney, a minister, had died a few months before, and con- cluding that he was the last heir, returned to England, and made their report accordingly. The

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Blayney estate in Ireland, having thus no immedi- ate heir to it, reverted to the Crown. "Uncle John " Blayney is still living at the patriarchal age of ninety-four years, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. C. W. Blayney. By his second marriage Mr. Cadwallader Blayney had five children, as follows: Edward C., born July 13, 1873; Freddie L. and a twin, born December 4, 1875, both deceased, the former November 7, 1879, the latter in infancy; Harold L., born October 17, 1879, and Fannie, born May 25, 1883, died June 7, same year. Mr. Blayney has been very success- ful in all his business relations, and has accumu- lated a considerable amount of property, being now the owner of over 300 acres of prime land, also owning a storeroom and several dwelling houses in Good Intent. He is a member of the Windy Gap Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which he has served as trustee, and, socially, is popular and highly respected. Politically he has been a Demo- crat, but not active in his party, and during Hayes' administration, at the request of his Republican friends, he was appointed postmaster of Good Intent, which office he held until selling out his store. He also held various township offices conferred upon him by the people irrespect- ive of party.

W ILLIAM C. ROBISON, postmaster at Monongahela, is a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., and born of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Robert Robison, his grandfather, was born in Strasburgh, Penn., in 1789, and in 1825 moved to Pittsburgh, where he embarked in the wholesale grocery trade, conducting same until 1868. He

also carried on an extensive pork-packing business, purchasing green meats in St. Louis and Chicago. He was twice married, and by his first wife had two children: Samuel B. and Margarette (Mrs. F. F. Kernan); by his second wife (who was a Miss Eliza Cummings), he had three children: Robert, Lydia and Quincy. Mr. Robison was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he enrolled himself under their ban- ner; in religion he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Samuel B. Robison, father of William C., was also a native of Strasburgh, Penn., born in 1816. He became a partner with his father in the whole- sale grocery business in Pittsburgh, and after the latter's death continued the same under the firm name of S. B. Robison & Co. until his decease in December, 1870. In 1850 Samuel B. Robison was united in marriage with Rebecca Gallagher, of Pittsburgh, and the children born to them were Robert B. (in Pittsburgh), Emma, Samuel D., Will- iam C., Ida B., Charles W., B. Frank, Henry C. and Garnet G. Mr. Robison was a Republican. During the Civil war he was master of transportation of mil-

itary supplies from Pittsburgh, an office he filled gratuitously, although there was a salary attached.

William C. Robison received a liberal education at the schools of Pittsburgh, and was afterward engaged in business in that city until 1880, in which year he came to Monongahela City, where he has since resided. He is an active Republican, and in January, 1890, was commissioned post- master of that city. In 1870 Mr. Robison was married to Rebecca, daugliter of Silas Haley, and the children born to this union are Silas Robert and Frederick.

S AMUEL YOUNG, a prosperous farmer of Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., is a grandson of Thomas Young, who was born in Maryland in 1745. He was a Revolution- ary soldier. In 1809 he removed to a farm near Jefferson, Morris township, Greene Co., Penn., and there died in 1824. His son Thomas, father of subject, was born on the farm, and from there re- moved to Morris township, Washington county, where he died in 1866.

Samuel Young was born July 9, 1830, on what was called Crane's run in Greene county, Penn., and when about eight years old moved to Wash- ington county with his father. He lived at home until his marriage in 1854 to Rachel Carroll, who was born Sepember 18, 1834, daughter of Thomas Carroll, of Morris township, Washington county. He then moved to Morris township, Greene county, where he remained about fifteen years; then re- turned to Washington county, and lived on the home farm until the death of his father, when he again moved to Morris township, Greene county. Thence he came to West Finley township, Wash- ington county (near Wheeling creek), afterward returning to Greene county, remained some time at Nineveh. He then removed to Washington, this county, and was for a short time engaged in the hotel business, when lie moved to West Fin- ley township, and embarked in farming. In 1888 he purchased the well-improved farm near Mt. Zion M. E. church, in Morris township, this county, where he now resides. His children are: Samantha, wife of S. R. Rush, a prominent stock dealer of East Liberty, Penn .; Elizabeth, wife of Warren Clutter, also a prominent stock dealer in East Lib- erty, Penn., and Florence, yet living with her par- ents. Mr. Young raises a considerable amount of stock, and makes a specialty of breeding fine sheep. The farm on which Mr. Young now resides was taken up by Richard Carroll over one hundred years ago; he was a native of Ireland, also the grandfather of Mr. Young's wife, who is of the third generation that has owned this farm. Po- litically Mr. Young is a Democrat of life-long standing. Mrs. Young is a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church.

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H ENRY M. SNYDER is descended from a pioneer family of Washington county. He is a grandson of John and Margaret Snyder, whose early lives were passed in eastern Pennsylvania, where the grandfather fol- lowed the tanner's trade. He afterward moved to Washington county, and became identified with the earliest history of Fallowfield township. He was a Democrat in politics, and in church connection a member of the Lutheran Society. John Snyder died December 24, 1867, in his seventy-seventh year, and July 23, 1876, his wife was laid beside him, having passed her seventy-sixth birthday. They were the parents of six children. .

Peter Snyder was born February 23, 1833, in Fallowfield township, Washington county, Penn. He assisted his father in the tannery from early boyhood, and after receiving a limited education, followed shoemaking for thirty-five years. Upon attaining his majority he was married to Julia Ann Crabb, who bore him the following children: Jo- sephine (Mrs. Stacker), Alexander, Daniel, Lu- cretia (Beazell), John (deceased in 1891, at the age of thirty-five years), Henry M., George B., Frank- lin P. and James S.

Henry M. Snyder, son of Peter Snyder, was born February 22, 1860, on the home place in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn. He received a common-school education, and following the example of his forefathers, learned the tanning trade. In 1882 he was united in marriage with Cynthia V. (Bentley) Van Voorhes, and settled on the fifty acres of land on the Washington pike, in Carroll township, where he is yet living. He was formerly engaged in general farming, but of recent years has given his principal attention to the dairy business. The place is equipped with excellent buildings, and is a pleasant, elegant home.

H ENRY H. McDONOUGH, M. D. a leading physician of Washington county, was born October 30, 1836, in Somerset township, a grandson of Henry McDonough, a native of Baltimore, where the family had resided many years.

Henry McDonough had two brothers, also na- tives of Baltimore, who separated at an early age, the elder brother, John, going South, and, en- gaging in real estate speculation, became one of of the wealthiest citizens of New Orleans; as he never married, he bequeathed his property to New Orleans and Baltimore, each city receiving the same amount. The other brother, Thomas, left his native city in a merchant ship, and passed through varied scenes; he was with Perry at the battle of Lake Erie, and bore the title of "Com- modore McDonough." Henry, the youngest in the family, drifted westward, finally arriving in

Washington county, Penn., and, first settling near West Alexander, was among the earliest pioneers of that locality. He married, and two children were born to him, but one day while he was ab- sent from the house, clearing the land, the In- dians rushed down on the little home, and massa- cred his helpless wife and children. Heartsick and lonely, the bereaved husband and father traded his property for a mere trifle, and abandon- ing the desolated home returned to Baltimore, where he remained a few years. However, he again came to Washington county, and in 1783 purchased a farm in Somerset township, on which he resided until his death. Soon after returning to the county he was married to Jane Hamilton, a resident of the same, and to their union were born four children: John, Henry, Mary (Mrs. John Pangburn) and David. Mr. McDonough was an en- ergetic and enterprising man, and his life left a last- ing impression on the character of the community. In political affiliations he was a Whig, and served several years as justice of the peace in Somerset township. In religious faith he was formerly a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in later life united with the Baptists, in whose faith he died.

David McDonough, youngest son of this honored pioneer, always resided on the home farm in Som- erset township, at the subscription schools of which he received his early education, afterward reading current literature. In early life he was married to Lavina, daughter of Adam Weir, of West Bethle- hem township, this county, and the young people then settled on the home place, where the follow- ing children were born to them: Joseph, Thomas, Adam (who died at the age of eight years), and Henry H. Mr. McDonough was a Whig, and after the organization of the party became a faithful Republican, and active in the work, although rarely accepting office. He was administrator of various estates in the locality, and was frequently selected as guardian of children, every one having great confidence in his integrity and ability. In religion he was a member of the Disciple Church, in which he served many years as an elder, being one of the most hearty supporters of that Society.

Dr. Henry H. McDonough, youngest son of David McDonough, first received a common-school education, and then attended a select school con- ducted by Rev. Streator, near Washington. Hav- ing when quite young evinced an inclination to study medicine, he commenced reading with Dr. James McDonough, and with him remained some time, until called to take charge of the home by the death of his father. He managed the home place for several years, then returned to the study of medicine with Dr. Winnett, attending at the same time medical lectures at Long Island College. He completed his course at Cleveland, in March,

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1876, and then commenced practicing in Waynes- burg, Greene Co., Penn., remaining there, however, but four months, when he settled on the home place in Somerset township, this county. On October 22, 1861, the Doctor was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Win- nett. This wife dying March 6, 1879, he married, October 24, 1882, Margaret L., daughter of S. B. Lindley, and they have had two children: Ann Es- telle and Charles L. Dr. McDonough remained on the home farm fifteen years, enjoying a large and lucrative practice, and in 1891 he came to Claysville. In politics he is a pronounced and energetic Republican; in religion he is a member of the Disciple Church.

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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 78

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