Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 83

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 83

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J. L. Ronaft

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Matilda E. (wife of Samuel MacFarland, but now deceased). The mother of these children dying, for his second wife Mr. Duncan married Jane Knox White, daughter of Thomas White. They settled near Florence, Penn., and three children were born to their union, of whom the following is a brief record: Nancy D. was married to J. L. Proudfit, as above stated; Jane was the wife of David Van Eman, and became the mother of three children: Alexander, William W. and Jennie White; John W. (deceased) was married to Harriet Culley, who bore him the following children: George A. (deceased), Byers D., Addie J., Levi H., John C., James M., Hattie and Robert M. Mr. Duncan was first a Whig, afterward a Republican in politics, and in religion a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Florence.

John L. and Nancy Proudfit continued to reside at Burgettstown, where he dealt extensively in stock, giving special attention to sheep raising. When the Burgettstown National Bank was organ- ized, he was elected president of that corporation, at first of the Savings Bank connected with it, filling that office until his death, which occurred in 1882, when he was seventy years of age. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a Pres- byterian, and an elder in that Church, at the time of his death a member of the U. P. Church in Burgettstown. Mrs. Proudfit is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Since the death of her hus- band she has continued to reside at the old home, having a niece living with her.

W ILLIAM Mc. MCCULLOUGH, the only son of William, and a grandson of Isaac and Margaret Mccullough, was born Jan- uary 13, 1840, in Somerset township, this

county. The grandparents emigrated from Ire- land in an early day, and made their permanent home in Washington county, Pennsylvania.

William McCullough (son of Isaac) was born in 1813 on the home place in Somerset township, this county, and after his school days were over became a merchant in Vanceville, same county. He was married January 10, 1839, to Miss Elizabeth Has- sock, also a native of the county. He died July 5, 1840, leaving his infant son to the care of the widowed mother, who lived until 1884, when she too crossed "over the dark river."

William Mc. Mccullough was reared to agricult- ural pursuits, and received a district-school edu- cation in the schools of Somerset township. He resides on the old homestead, which consists of 155 acres of good land. The old place has flourished well under his care, for he has acquired an envia- ble reputation as a prosperous and practical farin- er, and makes a study of his chosen calling; he is also actively identified with all worthy enterprises 25

for the public good. He usually casts his ballot with the Republican party, but, being liberal in his views, votes for the men he considers most com- petent for township and county offices, regardless of their party preferences. Mr. Mccullough has filled the position of county auditor for several terms of office, and has been school director for the last two years. He is a member of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, Mr. Mccullough is unmarried.

W ILLIAM B. McKENNAN, an influential citizen of Washington, was born in Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn., March 4, 1829. His grandfather, Capt. William McKennan (son of the Rev. William McKennan, a Presbyterian minister of New Castle, Del.), was born in 1758. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John Thompson, and a niece of Gov. Thomas Mckean. Mr. McKennan entered the war of the Revolution, served as captain of a company, and was wounded in the engagement at Brandy- wine. In 1798 he came to West Virginia, thence moving, in 1800, to Washington county, Penn., and, being appointed prothonotary, in 1801 located in Washington borough. He was a trustee of Washington Academy and of Washington College. He died in January, 1810, leaving a widow and the following named children: William, Jobn T., Thomas M. T., David, James W. and Ann E.

John T. McKennan was born in Washington, this county, and there passed his early life. He received a good education, and graduated at Wash- ington College, afterward engaging in the tanning business at Brownsville, Penn. He was married to Harriet Bowman, who was born June 16, 1795, at Brownsville, and she bore him children as fol- lows: Isabella L., born July 27, 1818, died De- cember 18, 1841, at Brownsville; Elizabeth, yet liv- ing; Mary S., born August 6, 1823, died July 29, 1866, at Brownsville; Jacob, yet living; Annie B., born September 23, 1827, died March 7, 1830, at Brownsville; and William B., subject of sketch. John T. McKennan acted as cashier of the Nation- al Bank at Brownsville for some time. He was a Whig, and a member of and elder in the Presby- terian Church for many years. There is a remarka- ble coincidence in his and his brother's (Thomas M. T.) deaths, taking place in the same house, far re- moved from their homes. In September, 1830, while on business for the Bank of Brownsville, John T. McKennan was taken sick, and died on the 18th of that month at the house of his sister- in-law, Mrs. Bell, in Reading, Penn. In July, 1852, his brother, Thomas M. T., while in the East on business connected with the Hempfield (now the Baltimore & Ohio) Railroad, was taken sick and died at the same house of the same sister -.

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in-law. John T. was buried in the heart of the city of Reading, and an Episcopal church was built over his grave. There the body remained un- til the Reading cemetery was established, when the remains were taken to the cemetery, only a few years since. Mrs. Harriet (Bowman) McKennan, his wife, was called from earth March 8, 1832, at Brownsville, Penn.

William B. McKennan, son of John T. and Har- riet (Bowman) McKennan, passed his early youth at Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn., and received his education at Kenyon, afterward attending Washington and Jefferson College. On Septem- ber 4, 1860, he was united in marriage with Ade- line, daughter of Benjamin Ramsey. The young couple settled in Franklin township, Washington county, and the following children were born to their union: John T., Martha R. (wife of J. H. Moore), Benjamin R., Thomas R. and Mary S. Mr. McKennan has always resided on the same place, and is universally esteemed by his neigh- bors. In political opinion he is a Republican, and has served three terms as director of the county home. In religious faith, he is a member of the Episcopal Church of Washington borough.

H ARVEY LINDLEY. In recording the names of the prominent citizens of Wash- ington county, the list would be incomplete were that of Harvey Lindley omitted.

He comes of an old New Jersey family, from which State his grandfather, Levi Lindley, came to this county (in the year 1788), making the journey on horseback, finally arriving in Mor- ris township, bringing his family later and settling where the village of Lindley's Mills now is. Here, in the woods, he erected his log cabin, and under- went many hardships and vicissitudes of which the present generation know but little. About the same time his two brothers, Demas and Caleb, came to this country, each of whom sent a son back to Princeton College, where they graduated and both became Presbyterian ministers.

The three brothers were truly the pioneer set- tlers, and gave character as energetic, Christian men to the community in which they lived. They were the first to build a fort for protection against Indian invasions. Lindley's Fort, as it was known, was built on the farm of Demas Lindley, now owned by Isaac Connett, and was located just west of the present brick dwelling. They were, also, the prime movers in organizing and establishing Upper and Lower Ten Mile Presbyterian Churches. Demas erected and ran the first gristmill in Morris township. He kept the first postoffice in the town- ship, and it was the only office at that early date between Washington and Waynesburg. The mail was carried and delivered once a week on horse-

back. One by one the giant trees yielded to the pioneer's axe, and ere long the wild animals were driven back by the march of civilization. In most respects the country was comparatively safe, save when marauding bands of Indians made depreda- tory raids on the humble homes of the white man. While a resident of New Jersey, Mr. Lindley was married to a lady of that State, who bore him the following named children: Zabby, William, Benja- min and Timothy.

Benjamin Lindley, son of Levi, and father of Harvey, was born in New Jersey, July 28, 1779, and was eight years old when he came with his par- ents to Washington county. On May 27, 1800, he married a Miss Logan, who bore him two chil- dren: Experience, born February 8, 1802, and Margaret, born September 15, 1803. The mother of these children dying, Mr. Lindley married for his second wife, Jerusha Cooper, who was born Jan- uary 13, 1782, a daughter of Zebulon Cooper, and by this union there were the following named chil- dren: Zebulon, born August 11, 1808; Mary, born May 9, 1810; Sarah, born July 5, 1812; Cephas, born March 28, 1816; Demas, born August 9, 1818; Anna, born June 28, 1823, and Harvey, born April 15, 1826. After marriage Mr. Lindley remained a short time in Morris township, and then purchased the farm now occupied by Harvey Lindley, and which was materially improved by him and his de- scendants. After a long life of usefulness Benjamin Lindley passed from earth in September, 1869, in his ninety-first year, leaving a record that all may well emulate, his second wife having preceded him to the "other shore." He was one of the organizers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Bethel, in which he was an elder for many years, and in politics he was an Old-time Whig. He was five feet eight inches high, and weighed 165 pounds.

Harvey Lindley, whose name opens this memoir, is a native of Franklin township, born on the old home place where his entire life has been passed His boyhood and youth were occupied in assisting in the hard work of the farm, year in and year out, with the occasional relief of a few weeks attendance at the subscription schools in mid-winter. On No- vember 11, 1847, he was united in marriage with Harriet N., daughter of Dr. Henry Blachly, of Morris township, and the children born to this union were: Henry B., born February 2, 1849, married to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Dryden Vankirk, of Franklin township, died in his thirty- second year. Anna E., born March 19, 1853, mar- ried to Samuel W., son of Oliver Cozad, of Frank- lin township; they have one child, Orville O. Os- car F., born December 15, 1855, married to Miss Jennie, daughter of David Craft, of Morris town- ship, and living on a farm in Barber county, Kans. ; they have five children, Willis E., David H., Mary E., Harriet T. and Lutella. Howard A., born

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June 20, 1863, married to Miss Adeline, daughter of David Clark, of Buffalo township; they have three children, Laura M., Henry W. and Herbert S. Abraham Lincoln, born April 7, 1865, married to Miss Mary I., daughter of Stephen Post, Frank- lin township. Howard A. and A. L. are living at the home place, and caring for the farm which con- tains 300 acres prime land. The mother of this family was called from earth July 22, 1891, in her sixty-fourth year, and was buried in Prosperity cemetery. She was a noble, Christian woman, and her influence for good will long be felt among the numerous friends she left to mourn her departure from their midst. Both she and Mr. Lindley were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Bethel for many years, and he was an elder in the same for over thirty years. In politics he was originally an Old-time Whig, and since the organ- ization of the party, has been a stanch Republican; in school matters he has always taken a zealous in- terest, and was a director for many years. For several years Mr. Lindley has been in poor health.

L AWRENCE NOBLE is one of the young business men of Claysville, enjoying and deserving the esteem of the community. He was born December 5, 1865, in Jackson- ville, Greene Co., Penn., a son of R. L. Noble, who was born in Claysville, Penn., in 1823, and resided there till he was twenty-eight years of age. In 1845 R. L. Noble was married to Harriet Hoskin- son, of Greene county, and in 1852 they moved from Claysville to Jacksonville, Greene Co., Penn.

Our subject received his education in the Jack- sonville schools, and having acquired a good busi- ness training, he began life for himself at an early age, working at various occupations. In 1883 he accepted a clerkship in Claysville, in the furniture and undertaking establishment of Isaac Teal. In 1886 he bought out his employer, and in company with George M. Gray continued the business until February, 1891, when Mr. Gray was succeeded in the business by Y. M. Enlow. In 1889 Mr. Noble bought an interest in the hardware firm now known as James H. Noble & Co., and is at the present time a member of the firms of Enlow & Noble and James H. Noble & Co. Although a young man, Mr. Noble has achieved an enviable success, and has a good reputation as a business man. Politic- ally he is a Republican.

HOMAS J. MCCLELLAND. This gentle- man was a worthy representative of the Scottish patriots whose blood flowed in his veins. Many years ago, during the rebellion in Scotland, one William McClelland left his native heath and came to Ireland. There his

life was passed in agricultural pursuits, and three children were born to him, namely: Hans, James and William.

Hans McClelland was born in 1756, in Ireland, and there passed his boyhood. When a young man he emigrated to America, locating on a farm two and one-half miles from Canonsburg, Wash- ington Co., Penn., where he was engaged in distilling and general farming. He was married to Catherine Carson, a native of Ireland, who bore him the following children: William, James, Eben- ezer, John, Ann, Nancy and Sarah, all of whom lived to be over fifty years of age. The father died in 1818.

Ebenezer McClelland was born in 1772, in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and became one of the most extensive wool buyers in Washington and neighboring counties, his annual purchase of wool sometimes amounting to 1,300,000 pounds; and he was also one of the most extensive breeders of fine- wooled sheep in Washington county. In 1823 he was married to Esther, daughter of John Camp- bell, of Cecil township, this county. Her father was born in Scotland, and coming to Washington county in pioneer times, was often obliged to flee from the Indians. Her grandfather Campbell was killed May 26, 1782, at Crawford's defeat. To the union of Ebenezer and Esther (Campbell) McClel- land children were born as follows: J. C., Sarah J., Thomas J., William, Ebenezer, James and Catherine. The three yet living are James, Eben- ezer and J. C.

Thomas J. McClelland was born May 21, 1828, on the old home farm in Cecil township, Washing- ton Co., Penn. He was four years of age when the family moved to North Strabane township, where his education was received. He also attended Jefferson College, and assisted his father in busi- ness. On December 18, 1851, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Andrew Borland, who emi- grated from County Antrim, Ireland, and settled on Brush run, Peters township, this county. He was married to Elizabeth McClure, of South Stra- bane township, and resided on the old place until 1856, when he moved to Clokey, same county, where he died, leaving the following children: Alexander, Mary E. (widow of Thomas J. McClel- land), Rebecca, Margaret A., Ann, Elizabeth, Sarah, Andrew, Catherine, Rachel, Martha and James, of whom Rebecca, Catherine, Rachel and Martha are deceased. Mary E. was born July 2, 1827, on Brush run, Peters township, this county, where her girlhood was passed.

To the union of Thomas J. and Mary E. (Bor- land) McClelland, five children were born, viz .: Catherine M., Elizabeth (wife of Thomas Hill, Union township), Ebenezer E., living on the home farm (married to Georgia M., daughter of Hugh

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Flannigan, of Union township, has two children: Ethel B. and Helen J.), Thomas J. and an infant daughter. The father died March 13, 1884, in his fifty-sixth year. He was a stanch member of the Democratic party, and served as school director for fifteen years, as well as in various other capac- ities. The home place contains 188 acres of very fine land, and part of the rich coal vein underlying the farm has heen sold for $11,500.

REDERICK W. COOPER. Among the successful and popular citizens of Notting- ham township, none have been more promi- nently identified with the interests of the community than the Cooper family. Frederic Cooper, grandfather of the present generation, was an active business man, conducting a farm, distillery, carding-mill and gristmill, in which he was assisted by his sons Samuel F. and Frederick K. Cooper.

Samuel F. Cooper was born May 2, 1807, in Nottingham township, and received a good educa- tion at the schools of Waynesburgh, and assisted with the farm work, and other interests with which his father was identified. In 1831 he was married to Sarah Van Voorhis, who was born in 1814. Her father, Daniel Van Voorhis, was a prominent man, owning a large distillery and oil mill, and dealing extensively in stock. Five children were born to this marriage, namely: John P., Frederick W., Mary J., Clara E. and Van. Of this family, the latter three are deceased, and John P. moved to Tennessee in 1869, where he followed farming. The father was a Democrat, and filled almost every office in Nottingham town- ship. He possessed a remarkable memory, and was a well-educated man, enjoying the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was ex- tensively engaged in the fruit-growing business. He died May 3, 1875, his widow May 19, 1892.

Frederick W. Cooper was born March 31, 1837, in Nottingham township, this county, and passed his early boyhood on the home place. On January 4, 1860, he married Miss Maria L. Stewart, of Allegheny county, Penn., who bore him two children, both deceased in early infancy. The mother died April 20, 1864, and for his second choice Mr. Cooper married October 20, 1870, Mary W., daughter of John Manown. They have four children, namely: Frank A., Samuel F., Clara G. and Ella F., all living at home.

Mr. Cooper has been an extensive traveler. He left home when a young man, and herded cattle six months for his uncle Van Vanvoorhis, in Illinois, in 1854; then returned home, and in the autumn of 1856 went to Missouri and Kansas, arriving in the latter State just at the close of the Kansas troubles. He then traveled throughout the

West. In 1860 he and his wife moved to a tract of land in Iowa which his father had entered of the Government, remaining there three years, improving the land, when, his wife's health fail- ing, they returned to her home in Pennsylvania, where she died. He stayed at home the following summer, and in 1865 shipped a carload of horses to Illinois, sold his horses, organized a company with Mr. V. B. Ward, of Richland, Keokuk Co., Iowa, and on April 13, 1865, they started for California, in wagons, arriving at Salt Lake City, Utah, on the 4th of July following. They re- mained there one year, thence going to northern Montana, where they passed a year in the mines. He then entered the commissary and quarter- master's office as clerk in Montana, and was em- ployed there six months under James L. Fisk, afterward riding his horse 500 miles from Helena, Mont., to Walla Walla, on the Columbia river, thence going to San Francisco, Cal., where he sold books three months for H. H. Bancroft, finally re- turning to his present home in Nottingham town- ship. He is now proprietor of 160 acres, known as the "Nottingham stock farm," near Venetia post- office. The farm is principally pasture land, and he makes a specialty of raising fine Jersey cattle, also a good grade of roadsters. Mr. Cooper in his political affiliations is a Democrat.

H UGHES, JAMES M., WORKMAN, JR., SAMUEL L. and THOMAS McK., prominent citizens of Washington, are sons of S. L. and Susan (Workman) Hughes.

Barnabas Hughes was a native of Ireland, came to America in 1756, settling in what is now the State of New Jersey. He had two sons, Will- iam and John. John Hughes came to Carlisle in 1770, and after a few years entered the Continental army under Capt. Hendricks. The company in which he was placed was formed with eight other companies into a battalion of riflemen in July, 1775, and placed in command of Col. William Thompson. They encamped at Cambridge, August 13, 1775, and in the month of September Capt. Hendricks' company, with others, left for Canada under command of Col. Arnold, and took part in the attack upon Quebec. After this expedition Mr. Hughes was promoted from the ranks to a captain- cy, and he remained with the army during the re- mainder of the war, being present at the battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Mon- mouth. At the conclusion of the struggle he mar- ried, in 1786, Sarah Wiley, and came to Washing- ton county, Penn., with Timothy Ryan. They purchased large tracts of land on Fish creek (now in Greene county), patented to them in August, 1786; Mr. Hughes purchased Ryan's interest same year. During the year 1793 Mr. Hughes bought

Can't Go Vaphing

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

land on north branch of Ten-Mile creek, where he kept a store for about nine years, and in 1802 he removed to the town of Washington, where he con- tinued in the store business. After several years he returned to his land or farm in Amwell town- ship, where he died September 18, 1815, leaving six children: Mary Ann, James, Samuel, Thomas, John and Isabelle. Of these, James married Mary, daughter of Gen. Abner Lacock, and at their de- cease they left five children: Sarah, Susan, Mar- garet, Samuel L. and Ann Hughes. In March, 1837, Samuel L. Hughes married Susan Workman. He was a successful farmer, and served as justice of the peace for seven terms, in Amwell township. He died in November, 1880, his widow in May, 1885, leaving nine children, viz. : Ann F., Mary V., James M., Workman, Jr., John W., Elizabeth E., Samuel L., Susan R. and Thomas McK., of whom Ann F. Hughes was married in 1861 to Hiram Vankirk, and they have two children: James H. and Francis J. Vankirk.

JAMES M. HUGHES, eldest son of S. L. and Susan W. Hughes, at the age of eighteen years enlisted in the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment P. V. I., for three years, or during the war. He partici- pated in all the battles and skirmishes of his regi- ment from Chancellorsville to Appomattox, forty- three engagements in all. In 1867 he married Sarah E. Bane, and their family consists of two sons: Blanchard G. and Haldain B. Hughes, who were graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in classes of '91 and '92 respectively. They each selected the law as a profession. Blan- chard is a student at present in the Buffalo Law School, Buffalo, N. Y .; Haldain is registered with Messrs. Taylor & McIlvaine, Washington, Penn.

WORKMAN HUGHES, JR., second son of S. L. and Susan W. Hughes, was elected to the office of re- corder of deeds in November, 1878, and served six years, being the only recorder elected to that office for more than one term since 1842. During his term of office he, with the assistance of his broth- ers, James M., S. L. and T. McK. Hughes, made a complete index to the record of the office. When his term of office expired, January 1, 1885, he en- tered into the real estate and insurance business. On October 31, 1889, he married Hannah B. Win- gett, and they have two children: Susan W. and Howard W. Hughes.

John W. Hughes, third son of S. L. and Susan W. Hughes, became a master machinist. He mar- ried, July 16, 1877, Martha S. Good, of Illinois; they now reside in New York City. They had a daughter, Susan W., who died of diphtheria at Fair Haven, Vt., at the age of eight years.

SAMUEL L. HUGHES, fourth son of S. L. and Susan W. Hughes, was married November 11, 1883, to Minnie G. Spriggs, and they had three children: Margaretta, Susan W. and Thomas McKennan

Hughes, of whom Margaretta died of diphtheria July 3, 1890. Mr. Hughes has been engaged in the real estate and life insurance business, in con- nection with his brother Workman Hughes, Jr., since January 1, 1885.

THOMAS MCK, HUGHES, fifth and youngest son of S. L. and Susan W. Hughes, studied law with the former firm of McCracken & McIlvaine (the latter being the judge of courts of this county), and was admitted to practice in the several courts of the county at the June term, 1880. At the age of twenty-three, and since 1881, he has applied him- self to his profession, and is now enjoying a large and substantial practice.

Mary V., Elizabeth E., Susan R. and Thomas McK. Hughes live on West Chestnut street, Wash- ington, Pennsylvania.

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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 83

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