Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 8

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 8

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

James Brownlee was born January 4, 1745, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and after coming to Amer- ica learned the trade of a millwright, which he followed for several years in eastern Pennsylvania, then settled on a farm in Canton township, Wash- ington county, where the remainder of his life was passed. In early manhood lie was united in mar- riage with Jane Leman, a member of a pioneer family of Washington county, who had emigrated from Ireland. The following children were born to their union: John, born October 15, 1777; Arch- ibald, born February 28, 1779; James, born Sep- tember 27, 1780; Hugh, born July 23, 1782; Eliza- beth (Mrs. David Brownlee), born May 17, 1784; William, born January 13, 1786; Thomas, born December 1, 1787; Samuel, born August 9, 1789; Joseph, born August 8, 1791; Jane (wife of Ken- neth McCoy), born April 20, 1793; and David, born April 8, 1797. The home of Mr. Brownlee was situated two miles west of Washington bor- ough. He was a member of and ruling elder in the Seceder Church at North Buffalo. In politics he was a Whig. He died in1822, and was buried in the North Buffalo cemetery.

Joseph Brownlee was born in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn., passed his early life on the home place, and was for some time engaged in hauling goods from Philadelphia. He was mar- ried to Esther, daughter of John Templeton, of Washington county, and in 1819 the young couple settled on a farm in Independence township, where their lives were passed and children were born as follows: Ann, James H. (living in Knoxville, Tenn.), Rev. John T. and Jane (Mrs. Jane B. Me- loy). Mrs. Brownlee died December 8, 1832, and Mr. Brownlee was afterward married in 1834, to Jane Auld, of Buffalo township, Washington county. Their family were David A. (living in Independence), Joseph W. (residing in Cross Creek township), Sarah M. (Mrs. Samuel Donaldson), Esther (wife of Samuel L. Moore, of Independ- ence) and Martin B. (a minister of the U. P. Church in Iowa). Mr. Brownlee was an energetic man, exerting a marked influence on the lives of the surrounding community. He was a member of the Mt. Hope U. P. Church, in which he served as an elder forty years. Politically he was for- merly a Whig and an Abolitionist, afterward becom- ing a Republican, and ever took an active part in all questions of public interest. He died Novem- ber 23, 1867, and was buried by the side of his wife in the cemetery at Mt. Hope.

Rev. Jolin T. Brownlee was born April 24, 1824, in Independence township, this county, and re- ceived his earlier education at the subscription schools of the neighborhood. At the age of fifteen lie entered Washington College, graduating in the year 1844, with the degree of B. A., and after- ward receiving the degree of M. A. In 1845 he

entered the theological seminary at Canonsburg, remaining four years, and then graduated. In 1849 he was licensed to preach, and after two years of missionary labor in the West and East was called to the Mt. Hope U. P. Church, where he has since remained. On May 3, 1853, he was united in marriage with Martha J., daughter of Benjamin B. Ashton, of Cambridge, N. Y., and their children are Mary E. (Mrs. W. C. McClellan), Sarah F., Jeanette L., Joseph (living in Omaha, Neb.), T. B. H., Jessie A., Charles A., Lydia J. (wife of Rev. William R. Wilson), Annie T. and John M. Politically, Mr. Brownlee was formerly a Whig, and since the organization of the party, has been a Republican.

AMES JEFFERSON LYLE. The Lyles trace their genealogy to an illustrious Scottish fam- ily, the first known ancestor of whom was one John Lyle, who lived during the reign of Charles II. A bitter persecution was then being waged against the Presbyterians, and resolv- ing to no longer remain in a land where bigotry and intolerance chained the minds of men, John Lyle left his Scottish home for County Antrim, Ireland, where he married and reared a family.

Of his children, two sons-Robert and John- sailed in 1741 from Belfast, Ireland, and after a long and tedious voyage landed at New York in the spring of 1742. Some time after their arrival the brothers purchased a tract of land near the present city of New Brunswick, N. J., where John died. In 1747 Robert Lyle was married to Mary Gilleland, a young lady of barely half his age (he was then forty-seven). They soon thereafter moved to Forks township, Northampton Co., Penn., where he died December 9, 1765, leaving a widow and the following children: John, Robert, Moses, Aaron, David, Jane, Elizabeth, Rosanna, Eleanor and Mary. Of this family all the sons excepting David served in the Revolutionary war, and in 1784 John (with his wife and two children), Robert (with his wife and child), and Aaron (with his wife and child) came to Washington county, Penn. They made the journey in covered wagons, passing through Bedford and Somerset counties, and crossing the Monongahela river at Monongahela City, arrived in this county about the middle of June, 1784. Their land was the tract which is sit- uated five miles south of Burgettstown, where the brothers passed the remainder of their lives. John served as county commissioner from 1802 to 1805. He died April 17, 1826. Robert died No- vember 25, 1843, at the advanced age of ninety years.

Aaron Lyle (paternal grandfather of the present generation) was born November 17, 1759, in Forks township, Northampton Co., Penn., and in April, 1782, was united in marriage with Eleanor Moore,

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

a resident of the same county. The young couple moved to Washington county soon after the birth of their first-born son. They were the parents of a large family of children, of whom the following record is given: Moses was born March 4, 1783, in Northampton county, Penn., and in early man hood was married to Sarah Kerr, a native of Wash- ington county, who bore him eleven children, all of whom attained their majority (he died June 10, 1840); James, born April 2, 1785, was united in marriage with Mary Campbell (deceased in 1867), who was the mother of nine children (he died March 5, 1860); Mary, born May 31, 1787, was the wife of John Campbell, and moved to Belmont county, Ohio, where she died September 25, 1853 (they were the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom lived to maturity); Agnes was born Au- gust 2, 1789, and died July 20, 1790; Robert was born June 3, 1791, and settled in Ohio, where he was a prominent physician, and died July 13, 1820; Jane was born October 3, 1793, and early in life was married to Samuel Ewing, of Cross Creek township, this county, and bore him nine children, among whom was Hon. Thomas Ewing, judge of common pleas court No. 2, of Allegheny county, Penn. (the mother died December 10, 1845, and December 12, 1862, her husband followed her to the grave); Margaret was born May 31, 1796, and was the wife of Hon. William Patterson, of Cross Creek township (seven sons and three daugh- ters were born to their union; the wife died April 2, 1883, her husband having passed away May 3, 1879); Aaron was born January 22, 1805, and died January 10, 1807. Aaron and Elizabeth (Moore) Lyle had two other children, whose names are un- known.

In personal appearance Aaron Lyle was some- what above the medium height, well built, having a prepossessing presence, of nervous, sanguine temperament, and cheerful disposition. It is said of him that he was known to be angry but twice during forty years of his life. He was one of the most influential citizens of the county, and took an active part in all public enterprises. In 1797 he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Legislat- ure, filling that position continuously until 1802, when he was chosen to the State Senate for a term of two years. In 1805 the district was changed, and Aaron Lyle filled the position of representa- tive one year, then became county commissioner. His enemies had arranged this election, hoping that he would resent the covert insult and decline acceptance. But they were disappointed. The ex-senator stepped with quiet dignity from the Legislative hall to the petty office of a county commissioner, holding the position and faithfully discharging the incumbent duties until 1809, when he resigned and again took his seat in Congress, having been elected in 1808 by a large majority of

enthusiastic admirers. He was a member of Congress during the critical period of the war with Great Britain, and the difficulties on the north- western frontier, serving eight years through Madison's administration. After his retirement from political life Senator Lyle passed his remain- ing days at his home in Cross Creek township, where, amid the tears of a multitude of friends, he passed away September 25, 1825. His widow lived on the home farm with her son, Moses, until his death, when she made her home with James, and died December 13, 1849.

James Lyle was born April 2, 1785, in Smith township, this county, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm, his education being received at the rude schools of the period, and supplemented by a thorough course of home study. In 1809 he married Mary Campbell, a native of Smith town- ship, born in 1788, who bore him children as follows: Moses (deceased), born March 19, 1810; James J., born July 12, 1823; William (deceased), born May 19, 1825; Robert (a twin brother of William); Eliza (widow of David McBurney), liv- ing in Carroll county, Ohio; Eleanor (deceased wife of James McLaughlin, of Carroll county, Ohio); Mary Ann (widow of John C. Rea, of Wash- ington county); and Margaret (deceased wife of Ebenezer Smith, of Cherry Valley, this county). James and Mary (Campbell) Lyle began wedded life on a farm near Candor, Smith township, after- ward moving to a farm lying about three miles and a half south of Burgettstown, and following farm- ing with marked success. Mr. Lyle was a well. read, intelligent man, a pleasant conversationalist, fond of company, and, though seldom leaving home to visit friends, always gave a hearty welcome te the many who loved to cultivate his acquaintance In personal appearance he was tall and slender and was of a retiring disposition, and a lover of home comforts. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party became an active worker in its ranks. He died in 1860.

James J. Lyle, the second son, who lived, of James and Mary (Campbell) Lyle, was born in what is now Robinson township, this county, coming when a lad with his parents to Smith town- ship. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education, and after- ward attending the Cross Creek academy for a short time. On October 17, 1848, he was united in marriage with Rebecca Robertson (who was born September 15, 1827), daughter of John and Elizabeth (Carr) Robertson, of Jefferson county, Ohio, pioneers of that county. Both died in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lyle have had the following chil- dren: Mary (deceased at the age of thirty-five years); John R., a farmer of Cross Creek township, this county (he was born in 1852, and January 11,

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

1883, he was married to Belle, daughter of Will- iam Dunbar, of Cross Creek township, and one child, Edna Belle, was born to them; John R. is a Republican in politics, and holds the office of road commissioner); James P., a Presbyterian minister of Eagle Pass, Tex .; Eliza C. (wife of Alexander Irwin, of Washington county, Ohio); William Henry (deceased in youth); Rucina E. (a school teacher, living at home); Ulysses L. (a Presbyterian minister of Venango county, Penn.), and Brainard C. (residing at home). James and Rebecca Lyle lived on the home farm some time after their marriage, then purchased and moved npon the well-improved farm where they are now residing. When they came to their present farm it was wild and uncultivated, and they have made all improvements.

A worthy representative of a noble ancestry, James J. Lyle is among the foremost of the highly esteemed farmers, not only of his township, but of Washington county. He has never cared to enter the turmoil of active political life in which his ancestors have made such brilliant record, choosing rather "the low of cattle and song of birds, and health with quiet and loving words." However, he voices his political opinions by his vote, having formerly been a Whig, now a Re- publican. He and his wife are members of and liberal contributors to the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek village.

W ILLIAM MALCOLM DINSMORE. The family of which this gentleman is a worthy representative is one of the oldest in Canton township, and comes of pure Scotch-Irish stock. The remote ancestor

was the Laird Achenmede, on the river Tweed, in Scotland, one of whose sons emigrated to Ire- land about 1690, and settled at Ballywattick, near Ballymoney, County Antrim. The first in America came from there in 1719, and settled near London- derry, N. H. His name was John Dinsmore, and he became the ancestor of a numerous and re- spectably posterity, several of whom attained emi- nence in public and business life. Two of his de- scendants have been governors of New Hampshire; W. B. Dinsmore (lately deceased), president of Adams Express, and a great railroad magnate; Col. Silas Dinsmore, of whom so much is said in Par- ton's "Life of Jackson," and who beat him at his own game, and others, were members of this family.

The direct ancestor of the Washington county branch was James Dinsmore, who was born at Ballywattick, Ireland, April 24, 1742. He emi- grated to America in 1761, and settled in York county, Penn. There he married, had three daughters, and buried his wife. In 1774-75 he re-

moved to Miller's Run, in what is now the edge of Allegheny county. There he married again, and had two sons and two daughters. At that time Pittsburgh was but a straggling hamlet, the country was a wilderness, swarming with savage beasts and wild men. That land is still owned by his descendants in the direct line, and it is situated not far from Venice. In 1794 lie bought, and in 1796 removed to a large tract of land in what is now Canton township, Washington county, and on that estate the fifth generation of his name and blood are living to-day; this land is situated six miles a little north of west from Washington. This James Dinsmore was a very bulky man, weighing above three hundred pounds; he died in 1817. He was eminent for saintliness, and was an elder in the Presbyterian Church for a great many years. He had two sons, John and James, be- tween whom his landed estate was divided.

John Dinsmore, the grandfather of subject, was born at Miller's Run, in Pennsylvania, July 14, 1779. When a boy he removed with his father to Washington county, as above stated, and there spent his life, dying July 12, 1858. He was a man of great force of character, an elder in the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian congregation for nearly fifty years, distinguished for piety and greatly respected. He was a thrifty man, and became a large land- holder. In 1808-10 he built the large, solid, old- fashioned house which has been the nest of the family for more than eighty years, and the chil- dren of its present owner are the fifth generation to live in it. John Dinsmore had four sons-Will- iam, James, John and Robert-and one daughter -Mary. They all settled at their birthplace (Will- iam inheriting the old homestead), and are all gone out of this world.

William Dinsmore, father of subject, was born October 14, 1801, and died March 31, 1883, on the spot on which he was born. He was an intel- ligent, upright, God-fearing man, very industrious, affectionate and greatly beloved by his neighbors, and especially by his family. He was the liberal friend of every good cause. He was married March 12, 1838, to Rebecca Anderson, daughter of Capt. James Anderson, of the army of the Revo- lution. Capt. Anderson was also an early settler in the same neighborhood, and the farm on which he lived and died afterward became part of the Dinsmore estate. William and Rebecca (Ander- son) Dinsmore had four children who lived to ma- turity, and one, James Anderson, who died when quite young; John Walker, the eldest in the fam- ily, was born March 13, 1839, and will have spe- cial mention further on in this sketch; Jane Melis- sa and Mary Virginia (twins), born May 1, 1841 (Jane Melissa married M. Wilson McClane, and lives near Washington; she has seven children. Mary Virginia married J. Hamilton M' Carrell, and

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

resides in Lawrence, Kans. ), and William Mal- colni, the subject proper of this memoir.

John Walker Dinsmore, eldest in the family of William and Rebecca Dinsmore, was educated at Washington College, and the Theological Seminary, Allegheny, and entered the ministry of the Presby- terian Church. He spent seven years in Wiscon- sin, six of them as pastor of a church at Prairie du Sac, and then accepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church of Bloomington, Ill. He continued the beloved pastor of that congregation (one of the largest and strongest in the State) for twenty-one years, up to September, 1891, when, owing to the ill health of his family, he was com - pelled to seek a milder climate. He accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church of San Jose, Cal., one of the strongest congregations on the Pacific coast, and now lives there. On December 23, 1862, he married Miss Ada Vance, daughter of Isaac Vance, Esq., of Allegheny county, and a graduate of Washington Female Seminary, and they have four living children: William Vance, born March 30, 1868, who graduated with distinc- tion at Princeton College, class of 1891, and who is now in business in Des Moines, Iowa; Dudley Fitz-John, born May 16, 1873, educated at Lake Forest, Ill., and now with his parents; Paul An- derson, born August 24, 1877, and now a student in the University of the Pacific, and Marguerita Adeline, born February 9, 1882, at present in the Normal School, San Jose, Cal.

William Malcolm Dinsmore was born January 25, 1848, on the ancestral estate in Canton town- ship where he now resides. On November 10, 1875, he was united in marriage with Maggie J. Dinsmore, daughter of W. W. Dinsmore, of near West Middletown, and they have four children: John A., Mary D., Adeline and Helen. Mr. Dinsmore is a stanch Republican in his political views, and is a member of the school board. Fol- lowing in the footsteps of his ancestry he is a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Well- known in the community in which he resides, he is highly respected as a substantial and wealthy agriculturist, owning farms in both Hopewell and Canton townships-in all 435 acres.

W ILLIAM B. CROTHERS. There is in the intensified energy of the successful man, fighting the every-day battle of ex- istence, but little to attract the attention of the idle observer; but to the mind fully awake to the reality and meaning of human exist- ence there are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man who, without other aid than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers ad- versity and closes the evening of his existence with an honorable competence, and leaves to his posterity the priceless legacy of a good name,

William B. Crothers is the eldest in a family of seven children, of whom three sons and three daughters still survive. His father, Samuel J. Crothers, was born in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, and came to Washington county, Penn., when twenty- one years of age. He married Jane Brownlee, a native of Washington county, and they settled near Taylorstown, where he passed the rest of his life. His widow still survives him.

W. B. Crothers is a native of Washington county, Penn., his birth occurring on the family homestead in Buffalo township, June 14, 1836. Here he was reared to manhood, surrounded by the limited advantages common to the youth of that period, his time for the most part being taken up between assisting his parents in the duties of the farm, and in attending, for a few months dur- ing the winter period, the little district school of his neighborhood. Nature dealt somewhat sternly with the youth of that period; they were reared in a mold of masculine character, and made fit to encounter and turn to account all vicissitudes. Early in life Mr. Crothers commenced to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, which have been his life vocation, and in which he has achieved an enviable position, for he stands to-day pre-eminent among his fellows as one of the leading agricult- urists of Buffalo township, and furnishes, in his career, a striking example of the success that comes to him who strives, and who with intrepidity faces the stern responsibilities of life, and achieves a triumph which is in no way the result of chance or happy accident, but of individual and continuous effort. . On February 28, 1861, Mr. Crothers mar- ried Miss Emma Maxwell, a native of Hopewell township, Washington county, and their union has proven a most happy one, for in her he has found not only a faithful, affectionate wife, but a real helpmate, ever ready to take her share of the bur- dens of their earlier days. Children have been born to them as follows: Anna (Mrs. Samuel Cle- land), Wylie F., Maggie (Mrs. Walter Coulson), Harry, Albert, James, Arthur and John.

James Maxwell, the father of Mrs. Crothers, was a native of Hopewell township, Washington Co., Penn., and during his lifetime was one of the highly respected citizens of the same. He mar- ried Margaret Grier, who was born near Car- lisle, Penn., and came to Washington county with her parents. They resided in Hopewell township until their deaths, both dying in their sixty-seventh year, the father on May 19, 1869, the mother on July 14, 1870. Eight children were born tothem, of which the youngest son yet occupies the old homestead, formerly the birthplace and home of Robert Fulton, whose name will ever appear in American history. Four of the children are yet living.

Immediately following their marriage, Mr. and

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Mrs. Crothers located on a farm in Buffalo town- ship, near Taylorstown, which property he had purchased in 1859. Here they have since resided, and by energy and judicious economy have in- creased it, until to-day the farm, one of the finest in the township, consists of 500 acres in a body. In their handsome, modern home, where happi- ness, contentment and genial hospitality are ever present, they are passing the sunset of their years, respected and esteemed by all. Politically, Mr. Crothers has always been an ardent supporter of the principles of Republicanism and Protection. He takes pride in the prosperous condition of American workmen, and sees in the protective tariff the lever which has placed them so far above the laborers of Europe. In the heat of the campaign he succumbs to the excitement, and has often been found in the thickest of the fray laboring zeal- ously for the success of the party. He is not, however, bound by party ties, but freely attributes to others the same rights he claims for himself- the right of an honest opinion-and many of his most intimate friends are his political opponents. When a young man, Mr. Crothers united with the Presbyterian Church, and has since remained a de- vout member and liberal supporter thereof. As a citizen he is public-spirited and generous to a fault, giving liberally of his means to charity without ostentation, and every movement toward the advancement of his section, educationally and morally, finds in him an earnest and ardent ad- vocate. Mr. Crothers was endowed by nature with a powerful frame and rugged constitution, and the passing years having left but few traces, he is still in the prime of life.

丁 HOMAS C. HUNTER (deceased) was exten- sively engaged in the milling business in connection with farming, and was a worthy representative of the prominent citizens in Hanover township. His father, John Hun- ter, was born in Maryland, where he learned the tailor trade, and then joined an expedition to west- ern Pennsylvania, his worldly goods consisting of a pair of scissors and a tailor's goose.

After his arrival in Washington county John Hunter married Rachel, daughter of David Cum- ley, a pioneer of Hanover township. When her father was obliged to leave home, Rachel would take her younger brothers and sisters into a neigh- boring thicket for safety from the Indians, who were then numerous. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter first settled near Cross creek, in Brooke Co., W. Va., where he followed his trade and worked on the farm. Some years later he opened a tavern in West Middletown, Penn., in which he was very success- ful, and finally moved to the home place in Han- over township, continuing his farm work in con-

nection with milling. At one time he owned and operated three mills, one near Bavington, on Rac- coon creek, one near Dinsmore Station, in Han- over township, and the third situated on Cross creek, Brooke Co., W. Va. The product of these mills was taken by river to New Orleans, and al- though beginning the business without previous experience, he realized an immense profit from this traffic. In 1818 he moved to Brooke county, where his wife died, leaving the following children : Nancy, Nathaniel (who was first a farmer in Smith township, then in Brooke county, finally moving to Ohio), Rachel (wife of John McCombs, a farmer of Brooke county, died at Allegheny, Penn.), John (a merchant and manufacturer of Steubenville, Ohio, died at Wheeling, W. Va.), Frances (wife of Camp- bell Tarr, a member of the Legislature from Brooke county), Ellen, William, Thomas C, and Eliza (Mrs. William Fleming of Wheeling, W. Va. ). All are now deceased. For his second wife John Hunter married Mrs. Jane (Trimmer) Hunt, a widow lady, who bore him one daughter, Clara (Mrs. William Jester, New Cumberland, W. Va.). After his second marriage Mr. Hunter returned to Hanover township. He was a self-made man, win- ning success by earnest effort and giving his chil- dren a liberal allowance. He died suddenly in 1840, and was buried by the side of his first wife in Wellsburg, W. Va., their remains afterward being interred at Steubenville, Ohio. His widow then married one Johnston, and died in New Cumber- land, W. Va. Mr. Hunter was an active, earnest Democrat up to the date of his death.

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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 8

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