Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 81

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 81

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Ohio county, W. Va., and died April 1, 1875, in West Alexander, this county, where his widow is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Blayney resided in Belmont county, Ohio, four years, then returned to Washington county, and died at the home of the subject of this sketch, he dying May 3, 1851, the mother some years later.

Joel Patterson Blayney was born April 13,1829, in Belmont county, Ohio, where he lived with his father until he was five years of age, when the family moved to Washington county, Penn., settling near Independence. After a four years' residence there they came to Good Intent, West Finley township, afterward moved to Marshall county, W. Va., and thence to the farm where he now lives in West Finley township. Here he was united in marriage April 27, 1854, with Joanna Frazier, daughter of Alexander Frazier, of whom the following interest- ing sketch appeared in the Pittsburghi Leader at the time of his death:

Alexander Frazier, the oldest man in Washington county, who died last week, was born in Donegal town- ship in 1792. When he was twelve years old he spent some time with his grandmother, Mrs. Nancy Ross. One morning he, for some childish reason, pleaded to go home, and was allowed to have his wish. That day Mrs. Ross was cruelly murdered by the Indians, and in all proba- bility her grandson would have met the same fate had he been with her. In his old age Squire Frazier still looked back at this as a providential escape. In 1799 he attended the first school taught in the township by Mr. McDonald, whose work consisted in teaching the pupils from "Diller's Spelling Book," the Bible and the shorter catechism. In 1811 he cast his first vote, and since that time has not missed an election, being all his life a strong Democrat, having voted for every Democratic nom- inee for President from Madison to Hancock. The

greater part of Mr. Frazier's life was spent on a farm between West Alexander and Good Intent. For a num- ber of years he was justice of the peace, and was a pioneer Squire Mayes. Once he was offered as a mar- riage fee a $1 bill, with the remark, "take your change out of this;" in another case, a backwoods bridegroom offered to split rails. In both cases the generous-hearted Squire refused the proffered payment. Mr. Frazier was married three times, and has ten living children, thirty- nine grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren, making a total of sixty-six descendants, many of whom are in the West. Squire Frazier was very generous with his means, and assisted generously in the building of three churches. No needy person asked aid of him in vain. He was a true Christian in profession and practice. We will not soon forget the familiar form and cheerful words of Squire Frazier, linked, as he was, with the in- fancy of our country.

It may here be added that the Fraziers are de- scended from Lord Alexander Frazier, a Scotch peer, who won fame in the seventeenth century by defending the rights of the Barony of Lovat.

To Mr. and Mrs. Joel P. Blayney were born eight children as follows: Albert, born in 1855, married to Dessie Malone; Sophia S., born in 1857, married to William B. Gibson; Lillie M., born in 1860, married to William Egan; Clement A .. born in 1862, died in infancy; and Edward E., Charles

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A., Lizzie A. and S. Rice, born in 1865, 1869, 1871, 1876, respectively, all living in the paternal home. Mr. Blayney is a living example of what patience, perseverance, resolution, steadfast integ- rity and strict attention to business will accomplish in the proper channel. He commenced life with but $700, to-day he is the owner of 535 acres of as fine land as can be found in the county, well stocked with cattle, horses, hogs and sheep; and all this is over and above losses he has sustained from time to time in speculation, forfeiture of bonds, etc., aggregating some $10,000. Mr. Blayney has always been a Democrat, and served in various township offices. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander.

SRAEL BREESE. Prominent among the re- tired men of Morris township, who have made life a success, is the subject of this memoir, so well and favorably known in the community. Israel Breese was born near Sparta, in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., January 20, 1817. His father, Henry Breese, was born near Mendham, Morris Co., N. J., December 2, 1783, and emigrated to Washington county, Penn., about the beginning of the present century. Phoebe Breese, mother of our subject, who was a daughter of Jonathan Hayden, was born near the place of her husband's nativity, November 15, 1785, and mar- ried in 1804. Henry Breese removed to Washing- ton county to look after the large estate of his father-in-law, near Sparta; but after a time re- sumed work at his trade, blacksmithing, which he followed the greater part of his life. He died in 1870; his wife surviving him six years. To them were born twelve children, five of whom are now living: Mary Ann (wife of Henry Brown), now re- siding in Athens county, Ohio; Phoebe Jane (wife of Joseph Vauscyoe, of East Finley township, Washington county); Silas F. (now a resident of Greene county, near Beulah); Henry (who has for thirty years resided in Iowa), and Israel, the sub- ject of this sketch.

After receiving but limited educational advan- tages, Israel, at the age of fourteen years, left home and started out to face the "stern realities of life" without a trade or other advantages, save his char- acter and energy, to commend him. He was not long in gaining a foothold, and his prosperity has been marked. In addition to a comfortable home in the town of Prosperity, where he resides, he owns a well-improved farm. He at one time con- ducted a successful mercantile business at Nineveh, Greene Co., Penn. His business capacity, integ- rity and genial disposition have commended him as a fitting subject for trusted public positions, which he has often been solicited to accept; but save one term of service as auditor of Greene

county, he has refused to be an office holder ex- cept in his own township. Through his business efforts, while serving as auditor, $16,000 of back taxes were collected, and methods were instituted which resulted in a reduction in the rate of taxa- tion. Many attempts were made to persuade him to accept other trusts, but he steadfastly refused. His political views accord with those of the Dem- ocratic party. Mr. Breese was married in 1842 to Miss Charlotte, daughter of Steplien Cooper, of Franklin township, and to this union ten children were born, viz. : Leroy Woods, William Cooper, Lavina, Mary Louisa, Silas Finley, Clara, James Henry, Lewis Campbell, Forest Adams and Charles Weaver, of whom the first five are deceased; Clara married, G. M. Wilson, of Morris township; James Henry married Bell Conger; Lewis Campbell mar- ried Florence Andrew; Forest Adams married Bertha Hayden, of Prosperity; Charles Weaver is unmarried and resides with his father. The moth- er of this family died in 1884, and October 14, 1886, Mr. Breese married Amanda J., daughter of George F. Wolfe, of Greene county, Penn., whose father, Christopher Wolfe, emigrated from near Morristown, N. J., about the beginning of the present century.

HOMAS M. PATTERSON, one of the oldest and most influential farmers of Cross Creek township, is a native of the same, having been born March 2, 1827, on the J. N. Wal- ker farm. He is a son of James Patterson, and grandson of Gen. Thomas Patterson, whose grandfather (James) was a native of Ireland. James Patterson (1) was born in Ireland in 1708, and coming to America in 1728, settled in Little Britain township, Lancaster Co., Penn. He married in Pennsylvania, and reared a family of ten children, the sons being named as follows: William, John, Samuel, James and Thomas.

William Patterson was born in 1733, and was first married to Rosanna Scott, who bore him chil- dren as follows: Mary, Moses, Samuel, Thomas and James. The mother of these died April 5, 1769, and on April 10, 1770, William Patterson married Elizabeth Brown, and ten children were born to this second union: John, Rosanna, Will- iam, Nathaniel, Rachel, Elizabeth, Josiah, Han- nah, Nathan and Eleanor. In 1779 the family re- moved to Cross Creek township, this county, set- tling on a farm now owned by R. M. Patterson. The father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He died June 29, 1818, and his wife passed from earth about the year 1828.

Gen. Thomas Patterson (grandfather of subject) was born October 1, 1764, in Lancaster county, Penn., and was about fifteen years of age when his parents removed to Washington county. In 1795

J. Mr. Patterson

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he was married to Elizabeth Finley, of Westmore- land county, Penn. ; and twelve children were born to them, those who lived to an adult age being William, James, Samuel, Mary, John, Thomas, Finley, Elizabeth, Moses and Rosanna. Mr. Pat- terson was a prosperous farmer and very influen- tial citizen, having represented Washington county in the United States Congress for several years. He died November 17, 1841.

James Patterson was born April 24, 1798, in Cross Creek township, and passed his life in the vicinity of his birthplace. On June 29, 1820, he was married to Eliza Walker, daughter of Alexan- der and Elizabeth (Norris) Walker, of Cross Creek township, and they had eleven children, two of whom are deceased. Those now living are Eliza- beth (Mrs. Russell T. Johnson), Mary (Mrs. Richard Wells), Thomas M. (subject), Alexander (who was a wool dealer of New York City, married Jane Hodg- ens, and died January 7, 1888), Jane (deceased wife of Robert Marquis), Ambrose (who lived in Nebras- ka, married Margaret A. Richey, and died October 15, 1886), James M. (living in Plattsmouth, Neb., and married to Eleanor Campbell), David F. (a lawyer of Allegheny, Penn., married to Mary Gardener) and Emily A. (Mrs. Samuel Latta, liv- ing in Cass county, Neb:). The father of this family died August 17, 1861, at the home of his son, Thomas M. In politics he was a Democrat, active to the interests of his party, and he was a wide-awake and prosperous business man, winning friends and success by his integrity. He was a de- voted member of the Presbyterian Church of Cross Creek township for nearly thirty-four years, and after a painful illness of several months he was laid "where the weary are at rest;" his widow died December 9, 1886.

Thomas M. Patterson (the subject proper of this sketch) was reared to manhood on the home farm in Cross Creek township, and in early boyhood evinced a passionate fondness for the equine race. At the age of fourteen he was given a six-horse team, which he cared for and drove many years. At that time it was necessary for him to make a trip to Pittsburgh nearly every week in order to exchange the farm produce for other necessary ar- ticles. On January 14, 1847, he was wedded to Miss Sarah J. Barber, of Jefferson township, this county, born November 18, 1827, on the old home -. stead, a daughter of John Barber (deceased), a prominent farmer of that vicinity. In 1857, Thomas M. Patterson bought a half interest in the store at Patterson's Mills, which he conducted, alsomanag- ing his farm until 1861. He then sold his interest in the store, and bought the two-hundred-acre farm upon which he has since worked. He keeps the land in a high state of cultivation, and gives much attention to sheep raising, doing an extensive busi- ness in that branch. Politically he has ever been

an active Democrat, and has served as justice of the peace, assistant assessor and in various other township offices. He is a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church of Cross Creek village, Mrs. Patterson being a member of that denomination.

OSEPH N. HENRY, a well-known resident of South Strabane township, is a son of John Henry, who was born October 14, 1825, in South Strabane township, on the farm now occupied by his brother, Robert D. John Henry passed his earlier years in attending to the duties of the home farm, but his inclinations led him to follow mechanical work, and he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade. After becoming familiar with each detail of the work, he made a business of general contracting and building, meanwhile managing a farm. He finally devoted his entire attention to the improvement and cultivation of the home place. On May 8, 1851, he was married to Jane N. White, a daughter of one of the pioneers of Chartiers township, and they had the following family of children: Ebenezer W. (residing in Iowa), Nicholas, Robert, Joseph N. and Lewis A., all living but Nicholas, who died when eighteen months old. John Henry was the architect of his own fortune, and owned over 400 acres of land in Washington county, Penn., also a farm in Iowa. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and afterward became a Republican, ever taking an active interest in the affairs of his party, and serving acceptably many years as school director in tlie township. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, and in religion was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church, which he served as a trustee. He died July 11, 1887, and was buried in the Washington cemetery. His widow, Jane N. Henry, died February 21, 1892, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband.

Joseph N. Henry was born May 21, 1859, on the home farm where his entire life has been passed, and received his early education in the common schools. On September 17, 1885, he was united in marriage with Emma, daughter of Charles S. Van Kirk, of Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., and they have had three children: Mary, John and Katharine E. Mr. Henry is an active member of the Republican party. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek.

AMES S. MOUNTS, a native of Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., was born May 6, 1835. He is a son of Joseph Mounts, who was also a native of Washington county, born Novembor 30, 1793, and passed his earlier years at home. On July 28, 1817, he was united

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in marriage with Elizabeth Montgomery, who bore him three children: Richard, Mary Jane and Eliza- beth. In April, 1824, the father was married to Nancy Mclaughlin, who was born April 7, 1808, a daughter of James McLaughlin. James Mc- Laughlin was born in Ireland, where he was mar- ried to Sarah Hawthorne, and soon afterward left his home in the old country to seek one in the New World. He finally settled in Washington county, Penn., where the remainder of his life was passed, and the following children were born and reared: Nancy, James, Sarah, Martha and Andrew.

After his marriage Joseph Mounts settled on a small farm in Buffalo township, Washington county, and remained there twenty-eight years, when he purchased the farm on which the remainder of his life was passed. His children were: Sarah (Mrs. James Coulson), Margaret (Mrs. Samuel Carson), Eleanor (Mrs. David Clark), Martha, Nancy C. (Mrs. James Prigg), James S. (subject of this sketch), Rebecca (Mrs. William Prigg), Martha J. (Mrs. John Logan), Maria A., Rachel and Joseph. Mr. Mounts was a Democrat, and took an active interest in public affairs. He died August 5, 1877, and was buried in Washington cemetery.

James S. Mounts spent his early life on the home farm, and received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. On October 20, 1861, he was married to Susan, daughter of Jacob Werich, and the following children were born to them: Melvin, Warren M., Fannie (Mrs. Ed. Elwood), Nancy and James. The mother of these children dying, Mr. Mounts was married February 4, 1892, to Lizzie, daughter of Marquette Wright, of Wash- ington. Mr. Mounts has always been a successful farmer, and is an enterprising citizen. In political opinion he is a prominent and earnest worker in his party. He was a member of the U. P. Church until the Civil war opened, when the Democrats were prohibited from fellowship, since which time he has been connected with no church.

(ONAS COOPER. Prominent among the old- est, best-known and most highly esteemed citizens of Washington county stands Jonas Cooper, who in his social and political life has proven himself in all respects worthy of the good name he bears. He is a native of the county, having been born May 30, 1814, on the farm where he now lives in Franklin township. His grand- father, Moses Cooper, was born August 8, 1727, in New Jersey, and there married Mary Doty, who was born April 30, 1733, and died November 14, 1823. The names and dates of birth of the chil- dren born to this union are as follows: Zebulon, January 13, 1752 (died December 22, 1835); Mo- ses, April 4, 1754 (died April 16, 1831); Mary, June 6, 1756 (died October 21, 1832); Elizabeth,

May 26, 1759 (died in 1844); Nathaniel, Septem- ber 21, 1761 (died April 16, 1848); Eunice, March 26, 1764 (died July 14, 1850); Lemuel, March 4, 1767 (died January 19, 1797); Penelope, Novem- ber 28, 1769 (died July 28, 1833); Ephraim, July 9, 1772 (died February 18, 1860); and Stephen, February 14, 1775 (died May 29, 1853). In 1778 the father, Moses Cooper, started with his large family from New Jersey for Washington county, Penn., but while on the way he died in Fayette coun- ty, Penn., where he is buried. He had sold his prop- erty in New Jersey, receiving in payment thereof "Continental money," which had so depreciated at the time of his death as to be comparatively worthless. The family, now almost penniless, continued their journey westward, arriving in course of time at their destination. Zebulon, one of the sons, had learned the trade of a tanner in New Jersey, and upon his arrival in Washington county commenced business in a very modest way in that line. He took his brother Ephraim as an apprentice, teaching him both the tanning and shoemaking trades, the first of which he (Ephraim) subsequently followed nearly his entire life. He commenced by tanning his own leather, and going from house to house, making shoes at 30 cents a pair. He soon, however, purchased the farm now occupied by our subject, and on it built one of the first tanneries in this section, which stood until 1890. On February 27, 1794, he married Marga- ret, daughter of Abram Van Voorhees, who bore him the following children: Daniel, born February 17, 1795, died June 26, 1877; Catherine, born June 17, 1798, died February 12, 1876; Nellie, born January 6, 1804, died December 16, 1878; Lany, born December 1, 1806; Pamelia, born Feb- ruary 28, 1811; and Jonas, born May 30, 1814. The father died February 18, 1860, the mother on March 6, 1859. Ephraim Cooper was an energet- ic man, and one who took a lively interest in the prosperity and growth of his county. He taught his trade to at least fourteen men and boys. In politics he was an active Whig, and in religion was first a leading supporter of the Upper Ten- Mile Presbyterian Church, of which he was one of the organizers, and in 1831 united with the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church.

Jonas Cooper passed his boyhood and youth with his parents, attending school occasionally. When old enough he learned the trade of a tanner, and after the retirement of his father from active life conducted the tannery which the latter had established. On November 3, 1836, Mr. Cooper married Sarah, daughter of Luther Axtell, of New Jersey, who came at an early date to Washington county. The children born of this union were: Daniel, born September 14, 1837, died January 27, 1875, in Jefferson county (he was educated at Waynesburgh College, and for many years was a

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minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church); Philip A., born February 12, 1839; Emeline (Mrs. Joseph Riggs, of Morris township), born July 8, 1842; Alva, born May 20, 1844 (he was educated at Waynesburgh College, and was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Bentley- ville, Washington county); Sarah J. (Mrs. Ira B. Baldwin), born April 13, 1848 (in Decatur county, Kans.); and Jonas J., born July 13, 1853, died at the age of ten years. Our subject has been from his youth a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. In politics he was first an Old-line Whig, then a Republican, but is now a pronounced supporter of the Prohibition party. His wife died August 23, 1885.

Philip A. Cooper enlisted in August, 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, which was first sent to Maryland to guard the railroads, and then joined Hancock's division. He participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the army of the Po- tomac, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Ford's Tavern, Deep Bottom, Charles City Cross Roads, Reams Station, Peters- burg, and many others, and was present at Lee's surrender. On his return home he commenced farming, an occupation he has since continued .. On January 4, 1870, Mr. Cooper married Ellen, daughter of Michael Slusher, of Amwell township, and of this union have been born the following children: Addie M., Ashton Carey, Nora B., Howard D. and Lewis C. Mr. Cooper is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist.

AMES S. ARTHUR, a prominent citizen of Chartiers township, is one of the three chil- dren born to William Arthur, whose father was also named William. William Arthur, the grandfather of James S. was born in Ire- land, and some time after his marriage came to Washington county, Penn., with his family. He settled on a farm in Chartiers township, where his two sons, William and James, were reared. The father died in 1840, having been preceded by his wife in 1838.

William Arthur was born in Ireland, and came with his parents to Pennsylvania when only four years of age, there growing to manhood. He then selected as a life companion Rebecca Foster, and after marriage the young people settled on the farm in Chartiers township, which is now occupied by the son James. Three children were born to their union: Elizabeth (wife of John McCarty, of Char- tiers township), James S., and Mary Anne, who died in her eighteenth year. William Arthur passed his whole life in this county. He was an active

worker in the Democratic party, and in religion a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He died about the year 1847, being followed by his wife in 1868.

James S. Arthur was born January 27, 1833, in Chartiers township, this county, and passed his early life on the home farm, being educated in the subscription and district schools of the period. On January 28, 1864, he was married to Sarah Jane Palmer, who was born in Washington county, September 24, 1843, a daughter of David and Hannah (Crawford) Palmer. David Palmer was born in July, 1816, in County Armagh, Ireland, and in 1833 came with his parents to Washington county, Penn., where in 1842 he was married to Hannah Crawford. After his marriage Mr. Palmer settled on a farm in this county, where the following children were born: Thompson (living in North Strabane township), Sarah Jane (wife of James S. Arthur), Margery (married to Newton G. Watson, and died in Iowa May 27, 1891), Mor- rison (deceased in May, 1868,) and Elizabeth (wife of Prof. S. W. Reed, living in Washington, Iowa). The father of this family died in July, 1890, having been preceded by his wife in May, 1872.

After his marriage to Sarah Jane Palmer, James Arthur settled on the homestead farm, consisting of 110 acres. This farm is underlaid with a valu- able six-foot vein of coal, and the mines have been opened on the farm for a number of years, Mr. Arthur's ancestors having been active coal mer- chants. The mines are still under operation by J. S. Arthur & Sons. Mr. Arthur takes an active part in politics, voting with the Democratic party, and is a well-known and enterprising citizen. James S. and Sarah Arthur have been blessed with a family of eight children, as follows: Ida May, William, Elizabeth Jeannette, Margarete, James S., David Clarence, John (deceased in infancy) and George Lawrence.

M RS. MARTHA G. BELL. Among the well-known and highly respected families of East Finley township none hold higher social position than that of the late Zadoc L. Bell. He was a son of Samuel Bell, a native of Fayette county, Penn., born in 1806, of Scotch-Irish parents.

When Samuel was yet a boy his father died, and his home was made with his widowed mother until he was fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to a blacksmith to learn the trade. With him he remained until he was twenty-one years old, when to his sorrow he learned that his employer was bankrupt, and he had to take an old, broken-down horse in payment of wages due him. Not discouraged, however, at this unexpected interruption to his prospects, Mr. Bell mounted

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his horse, then his only possession, and set out for the West. Horse and rider swam the Mononga- hela river, and then proceeded on to Van Buren, Franklin (then Morris) township, Washington county, where he rented a kit of blacksmith's tools, and purchased a leather apron on time, toward the payment of which the first 50 cents he earned in his new venture went. He worked hard, and was soon able to pay the balance and purchase the tools. He was married to Matilda Luellen, who was born January 14, 1810, and who became the mother of the following named children: Sarah, wife of A. C. Cracroft, of Franklin township; Thomas J., a farmer of East Finley township; Zadoc L .; Elizabeth, wife of M. A. McKeen, of East Finley township; Nancy, wife of David Gantz; Martha, who was married to Dr. T. P. Simpson, but is now deceased; and Robert, a farmer of Franklin township. The untiring energy, industry and perseverance of Samuel Bell soon enabled him to purchase a small tract of land, and afterward another, still larger. In 1840 he abandoned his trade and commenced farming, which he followed the rest of his life, doing, in connection therewith a large business in live stock, buying and selling, in all of which interests he deservedly prospered, and at the time of his death, in 1880, he was the owner of several hundred acres of the very best farm land in the county. He was a thoroughly representative self-made man in every essential. His widow died in 1890.

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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 81

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