Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 88

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 88

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James Glenn was born September 3, 1798, near Carlisle, Penn., and March 29, 1836, was united in marriage with Maria McCoy, who was born May 15, 1804, in Chartiers township. The young peo- ple first settled in Canton township, this county, where he carried on farming for several years, and in 1867 moved to Washington borough, Penn., there living in retirement. He was a Republican in politics, and in religion a member of the Associ- ate Reformed Church, which afterward became the U. P. Society. He died May 9, 1873, followed by his wife October 17, 1881. They left two chil- dren: Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Miller), and James Dun- lap, who is married to Sarah S. Laird, and is living on the old homestead in Canton township.

They have four children: James H., Samuel D., Anna M. and Cora L.

On May 29, 1884, Elizabeth J. Glenn was united in marriage with Col. Robert W. Miller, son of Jacob and Jane (Filson) Miller. The father was a native of Chester county, Penn., and the mother of eastern Virginia. They came to this county in an early day, and settled on the farm now occupied by his youngest son. He was a wagon maker, and erecting his shop upon the farm, followed his trade until his death, which oc- curred in November, 1857. They had a family of twelve children, but one of whom is now living.

Robert W. Miller was born October 12, 1815, in Chartiers township, and received his early educa- tion in the district schools of the neighborhood. He afterward entered Washington College, where he was a member of the class of '36, but did not graduate. He taught eleven years in the schools of Washington county, being very successful in that vocation. In 1836 he was united in marriage with Abbie Gray Cundall, Rev. Dr. Eagleson offi- ciating at the ceremony. She was a daughter of Edward G. and Patience (Bailey) Cundall. Mr. Miller followed teaching for some time after his marriage, then settled on the farm now occupied by his son. He learned the trade of a wagon maker, also following carpentry. His wife died on the farm in March, 1882, leaving five children, one of whom, Emily M. (Mrs. Robert Bell, of North Benton, Ohio), is deceased, and those yet living are Jacob Filson (married and living in North Benton, Ohio); Jane (Mrs. William Anderson, living in South Strabane township, this county); Edward C. (married and residing in Baltimore, Md.), and Robert Bailey (who is married, and has two chil- dren). After the death of his first wife Col. Mil- ler was married to Elizabeth J. Glenn, continuing to reside on the old farm. He was colonel in the State militia, and in politics an active member of the Democratic party. He was an ardent member of the Presbyterian Church in Washington, and was always ready to do all in his power to further every worthy enterprise. While en route for Ni- agara Falls, he was suddenly taken ill at the "Hotel Spencer," Niagara, dying August 21, 1891. Col. Miller was a well-known and universally re- spected citizen, his demise being mourned by many friends. He was a man of fine personal appear- ance, six feet in stature, and well proportioned.

M RS. LILLIE M. AXTELL is the daugh- ter of John Gregg, and granddaughter of John and Nancy Gregg. Among the early settlers of Washington county, whose deeds are an undying monument to their memory, were the ancestors of this well-known family.

IM Axtell

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

In 1790 three brothers-Henry, William and John Gregg-left Ireland, the country of their birth, and crossed the ocean to America. After a voyage of sixteen weeks they all came to Washing- ton county, Penn., and settled in East Pike Run township, where Henry secured a tract of 349 acres called the " Burning Mine," now owned by a Mr. Duvall. Henry Gregg served as justice of the peace in 1796. He was married to Jane Dow- ler, and of their children were: John, Henry, Thomas and Edward. The parents died in 1834 in West Pike Run township. The second brother of the three who emigrated from Ireland was William Gregg, and he was married in the old country to a lady, who bore him the following children: Henry, John, William, Andrew, Robert, Christina (wife of John Crow) and Mrs. Jackman. John Gregg, the younger brother of the three who came to America in 1790, married in 1794, Miss Nancy Gregg, a native of Ireland. The names and dates of birth of their children are: James, August 8, 1795; Eleanor, May 22, 1797; Andrew, April 9, 1799; Mary, September 8, 1801; Henry, April 28, 1804; Sarah, September 8, 1806; Ann, November 9,1808; John, January 23, 1811; Margaret, Febru- ary 8, 1813, and Elizabeth, February 11, 1815. The father died July 20, 1841, followed by the mother April 14, 1844; she was a member of the M. E. Church. The three brothers who first set- tled in America were all members of the M. E. Church, and in politics affiliated with the Whig party.

John Gregg, son of John and Nancy Gregg, was born in Washington county, Penn., on the pioneer farm in East Pike Run township, where his boyhood was passed. On September 25, 1851, he was united in marriage with Sarah Conway, who was born August 31, 1824, and they were the parents of the following children: William H., born August 21, 1853; John E., born May 30, 1856; Simeon, born February 3, 1858; James, born June 3, 1861; Nancy J., born November 9, 1863; and Lillie M., whose name opens this sketch. Of these the four sons are all married, and live on farms in Vernon county, Mo., while Nancy J. lives with her sister, Mrs: Lillie M. Axtell, on the home place in East Pike Run township. The father passed his entire life on the homestead, and was an active worker in the Republican party. He died March 15, 1879, the mother on May 6, 1891. She was a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church.

Lillie M. Gregg was born January 23, 1865, on the home farm in East Pike Run township, and remained with her parents during girlhood. On April 29, 1886, she was united in marriage with Luther M. Axtell, a son of Rev. Luther Axtell, a Presbyterian clergyman, who was born and reared in Washington county, Penn., and there married

to Sarah Lincoln. Since his death, which occurred March 23, 1886, his widow has resided in Coal Centre. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Luther M. Axtell was born January 9, 1855, in Greene county, Penn., and was reared and edu- cated in the town of Coal Centre, this county. He graduated at the Southwestern State Normal School, California, Penn., in 1880, and afterward founded and conducted private schools with great success for several years, and became principal of the West Brownsville public schools, also serving in succession, and with the same degree of capa- bility, as principal of the Burgettstown and Coal Centre schools. As an instructor in the public schools he has never been surpassed. " He intro- duced into his school some of the finest points of the 'New Education,' and with the introduction came his marvelous success, which was the result of a determined and powerful intellect. He ended his brilliant career as a teacher at Grandville, Penn., and from the school at that place will come many who will show the power of his intellect." In 1891 he was elected county recorder on the Re- publican ticket, having from early life taken an active interest in politics. Mr. Axtell died March 18, 1891, at Washington, Penn. (whither he had moved soon after his election), leaving a widow, and one daughter, Sarah, who was born March 17, 1889. He had a long and severe illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude, and the end came quickly and peacefully, he remaining conscious until the last. His remains repose in Howe ceme- tery, near Coal Centre. Mrs. Axtell has a well- cultivated farm of 136 acres in East Pike Run township, where she has resided since the death of her husband.

S AMUEL McNARY (deceased). No family has been more prominently connected with the history of Washington county, and no name is better known than that of McNary. Samuel McNary is a grandson of Thomas McNary, and a son of David McNary, who was born in Scotland, and, coming to Pennsylvania when yet a lad, was afterward married to Jane Edgar, a na- tive of Ireland. Their son, Samuel McNary, was born January 22, 1822, and passed his boyhood in the usual pursuits of rural life. Two weeks after attaining his majority he was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of David and Margaret (Martin) Templeton, both of whom were natives of this county. Mr. and Mrs. McNary began wedded life as tenants, but when his father died he inlier- ited 140 acres in North Strabane township, to which they removed, and where they resided until Octo- ber 6, 1891, when they located in Houstonville, Chartiers township. They reared a family of

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thirteen children, as follows: Jane (wife of George Black), Margaret (deceased), Mary (deceased wife of James Pollock), Ann (living at home), Belle (Mrs. Samuel Berry), Lizzie (married to James Kelso), Ella (living at home), Edgar (married to Luella, daughter of William Morgan), David T. (married to Almeda Clark), John (married to Jen- nie Whitely), Joseph B. (married to Mattie Patti- son), James Martin (who married Lizzie Hess) and Emma (at home). Mr. McNary always took an active part in promoting the educational inter- ests of his community, and in politics was an ar- dent supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He was a member of the United Presbyte- rian Church, in which he served as elder for many years, and with which his family are connected. He passed away September 29, 1892.

A ARON HERVEY KERR, a prominent figure in Washington county business circles, is a grandson of Aaron Kerr, who was born June 4, 1776, in Maryland, and was married to Sarah Peppard (at the time living near Hackettstown, Md.), daughter of the late Rev. Francis Peppard, of that place. Aaron Kerr was a member of the Presbyterian Church from early manhood, and had been elected four times as ruling elder, first time in the Hackettstown (Md.) Church, when but twenty-one years of age. After their marriage Aaron and Sarah Kerr settled on Pigeon creek, this county, afterward moving to Washing- ton borough, where he was engaged in mercantile business; he was also a ruling elder in the church there. In 1831 he moved to Monongahela City, and there carried on commercial business until 1845, when he came to Cross Creek village, still engaging in mercantile pursuits. In politics he was a Whig, and from 1824 to 1828 was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. He served as a member of the constitutional convention in 1836, and was again chosen to the Assembly in 1840. He died May 1, 1854, at the age of seventy-eight.

Isaac Hampton Kerr, son of Aaron and Sarah (Peppard) Kerr, was born June 24, 1814, in New Jersey, and remained with his father until they came to Cross Creek village. He then married Miss Jane Lee, a granddaughter of Hugh Lee, who was born in Ireland, where he married Mary Elliott. In 1790 they emigrated to America, set- tling on the farm in Cross Creek township, Wash- ington Co., Penn., now occupied by a great-grand- son, W. C. Lee. Six children were born to this couple: James, William, Hugh, Robert, Ann and Ellen. Of these Hugh Lee was born in 1773, in County Donegal, Ireland, and came with his father to Washington county. He was reared to agri- cultural pursuits, which he followed through life. He was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Orr,

who was born in 1787, and to their union came children as follows: Mary, William, John, Mar- garet, an infant unnamed, Hugh, Hannah A. and Jane (Mrs. I. H. Kerr). The father was a very influential citizen, and used all the means in his power to promote the interests of others. In re- ligious faith he was a member of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, and in 1818 was elected an elder for life. His death occurred in 1837, in Claysville, while he was attending the Presbytery.

To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hampton Kerr were born three children, viz. : Leeanna (wife of Dr. T. C. M. Stockton, of Cross Creek village), Aaron Hervey (a merchant of Cross Creek village) and Milton Brainard (a merchant in southern Kansas). Mr. Kerr was a thorough business man, following mercantile pursuits during most of his life, and accumulating considerable property. He was a member, trustee and treasurer of the Cross Creek Church for many years. He died February 1, 1866; his widow is yet living in Cross Creek town- ship.

Aaron Hervey Kerr, the eldest son of Isaac H. and Jane (Lee) Kerr, was born May 29, 1850, in Cross Creek village. He passed his boyhood days in assisting his father in the store, and thus gained a knowledge of mercantile life, which has been the foundation of his career as one of the most success- ful business men of Washington county. He attended Duff's Business College, at Pittsburgh, Penn., from which he graduated in 1868. He then took charge of the extensive business of his father (who had died two years previous), having the entire management of the store. In 1867, when but seventeen years of age, Mr. Kerr made his first eastern trip to replenish his stock of goods. From the first he evinced traits which comprise the suc- cessful business man, and though young in years, he has achieved a reputation of which many an older and more experienced man might be proud. On May 27, 1874, Mr. Kerr was united in mar- riage with Miss Georgette Gault, daughter of David Gault, a prominent farmer of Cross Creek township. She is a graduate of the Steubenville Seminary, class of '68, and is actively interested in the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. They have two daughters: Janie Blanche, born March 31, 1875 (attending Hollidaysburg, (Penn.) school for girls), and Grace Matilda, born March 14, 1880. Mr. Kerr has been connected with the Burgettstown National Bank since its or- ganization, formerly as a stockholder and member of the first board of directors, then as vice-presi- dent, and is now president of that institution, hav- ing been unanimously elected at the January meet- ing of directors in 1887. In religion he is a mem- ber and treasurer of the Cross Creek Presbyte- rian Church. In politics he has always been a stanch member of the Republican party.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

W. SWART is descended from one of the oldest families of Washington county, and dates the immigration of his ancestors into Washington county to about the year 1740, when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania conveyed the land to colonists by the old, original patent, which was printed on parchment. His father was born on Ruff's creek, Greene county, Penn. He fol- lowed farming, and passed nearly all of his life near Amity, Amwell township, this county. His children were: John, Jacob, J. W., Henry Clay, Amos, Sarah Ann, Keziah, A. J. and Mary J.

J. W. Swart was born September 1, 1823, near the present site of Amity, Amwell township, Wash- ington Co., Penn:, and lived with his father's family until he was twenty-one years of age. He then moved to Greene county, Penn., and there took up and cleared 200 acres of land, to which he afterward added forty acres. On January 1, 1844, he was united in marriage with Sarah Sermon, who bore him the following children: William M., Mary Adelaide, Asena Ann, George Warren (deceased), Amos Philip, John Thomas, David, Hermon and Sarah Rebecca. In 1866 Mr. Swart returned from Greene county, and settling in Washington county engaged in agriculture, after- ward operating a mill at Amity, known as the " Hallam Mill." Mrs. Swart died March 18, 1865, and September 29, 1866, Mr. Swart was married to Rebecca Carter, who has borne him four sons: Ulysses Grant, Jesse Allfree, Samuel Jackson and Carter Blaine. Mr. Swart is highly esteemed in the community for his many good qualities and is a public-spirited man. In politics he was origi- nally a Whig, and since the organization of the Re- publican party has been an ardent follower under its banner.

W ILLIAM W. SPROWLS, M. D., the lead- ing physician of Houstonville, Penn., is a son of William and Margaret (Mitchell) Sprowls. The parents were natives of Washington county, Penn., and seven children were born to them, namely: Hiram (deceased), Sarah Ellen, Mary Jane, Margaret Melissa, Will- iam W., Mark Mitchell and Arthur Melville.

Dr. William W. Sprowls was born March 30, 1852, on the old place in Bentleyville, Washington county. At the age of seventeen he began teach- ing school, continuing in that profession for twelve years. He then began reading medicine withMcCar- rell & McElroy, of Hickory, this county, and gradu- ating at the Western Reserve University of Cleve- land, in the spring of 1844, began to practice that profession at McConnell's Mill, Chartiers town- ship. For nine years before practicing medicine he was engaged in the grocery business, and as postmaster at McConnell's Mill, this county. In 1886 he located at Houstonville, this county, and

in addition to his practice took a half interest in a. drug store with J. W. Lyle. They dissolved partnership during the autumn of 1887, and the following year Dr. Sprowls was given the care of the County Children's Homes. He was re- appointed in 1892 as successor to Dr. Weirich. Dr. Sprowls is a member of the I. O. O. F., is connected with the Jr. O. U. A. M., and is identi- fied with the Washington County Medical Society. On October 8, 1874, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Archie and Nancy (Wil- son) Wylie, and five children have blessed their marriage, namely: Nannie Margretta, Willie Wylie, Lloyd Sumney, Gemella Mary and one de- ceased in infancy. Dr. and Mrs. Sprowls are members of the M. E. Church.

OHN A. DICKIE, a prosperous and well- known farmer of Donegal township, is of Scotch descent. His grandfather, Alexander Dickie, was born in the west of Scotland, and followed a farmer's life. He was there married to a countrywoman, and their children were: Alexan- der, Robert, John, James (deceased in Scotland), Nancy, and one whose name is unknown. These children were all born in Scotland, and all save James accompanied their parents to the United States, in about the year 1832. They landed at New York, and moving westward, located in the northern part of Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn. Here Mr. Alexander continued to fol- low farming until his wife died, when he soon afterward went to live with his daughter-in-law, and at her home passed away.

John Dickie, son of Alexander Dickie, was born in Scotland, and passed his early years on his father's farm in Pennsylvania. He was married to Margaret Wilson, a native of Fayette coun- ty, Penn., and they had five children, namely: Elizabeth (living in Claysville, this county, the widow of John Mills), John A. (our subject), Ann (Mrs. Nelson McNeal, of Donegal township), Rob- ert (a farmer of Donegal township), and William (deceased in infancy). For a number of years af- ter his marriage Mr. Dickie followed farming in the northern part of Donegal township, and then moved to West Virginia, where he died in 1854. He was a Democrat in political opinions. His wid- ow is now living in Claysville.

John A. Dickie, the eldest son of John and Margaret (Wilson) Dickie, was born December 7, 1844, in Donegal township, and received his edu- cation at the country schools. At the age of ten years, his father having died, he went to live with Guyan Moore, of Donegal township, where he made his home, and assisted in the farm work, un- til the spring of 1862, when he remained a short time with William Lytle. On August 16, 1862,

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I .; he took part in the battle of Gettysburg, and being severely wounded on the second day of that fight, was obliged to remain in the hospital nine months. On recovering, he joined his regiment at Deep Bottom, Va., and the next day was again wounded. Mr. Dickie was un- fit for service during the remainder of the war, and when the struggle was ended, he returned to Washington county, Penn., and engaged in farm work. On January 27, 1869, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah Jane (Hicks) Miller; widow of William Miller, and a native of Marshall county, W. Va. To their union have been born three daughters: Margaret Elizabeth, Anna Mary and Fannie Esther, all of whom are living at home. After his marriage Mr. Dickie farmed in Donegal township, and in 1879 purchased his present well- improved piece of farm land, located about two miles west of Claysville, along the National pike, formerly called the "Ned Mclaughlin farm." He has erected a new residence, also a good barn, and these improvements have greatly enhanced the value and appearance of the place. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, in which Mr. Dickie is a ruling elder. Politically he is a lifelong Republican.

W ILLIAM W. KEENAN. This prominent and successful agriculturist, and highly esteemed citizen of Donegal township, where he owns one of the finest of the many excellent farms to be here seen, deserves more than a passing notice in the pages of this Bio- graphical Record. He was born March 19, 1832, in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., on the farm he now owns.

Henry Keenan, grandfather of subject, was a native of Belfast, Ireland, where he was twice married, his first wife bearing him two children: James and Samuel, and his second wife also two children: John and Martha. The father of this family, some time prior to the year 1800, came to this country with his wife and some of his children, settling in Independence township, Washington Co., Penn., where he passed the rest of his days. His son James was one of these pioneer immi- grants, and the first record we can find of him in Washington county is of his working as a day laborer on a farm in Independence township. In 1812 he was married to Elizabeth Smith, a native of Washington county, who bore him eight chil- dren, the following being their names and the dates of their birth: Jane, January 29, 1813; Henry, June 15, 1815; Mary Ann, September 11, 1817; John, February 7, 1819; George, September 14, 1822; Forgus, February 10, 1824; Samuel, June 25, 1828, and William W., March 19, 1832.

After his first marriage Mr. Keenan settled on a tract of land he had purchased in Donegal town- ship, near the confluence of Buck run and Buffalo creek, and here he followed agriculture all his life, meeting with hard-earned success, and increasing, year by year, his possessions. He died April 24, 1853, on the farm he had first located on, and was followed by his wife March 2, 1854. He was a prominent member of and liberal contributor toward the Dutch Fork Disciple Church, and in politics he was a lifelong Democrat.

William W. Keenan early learned the practical lessons of farm life on his father's farm, his liter- ary education, such as it was, being received at the schools of the neighborhood. His parents were for many years almost helpless, requiring no small amount of care and attention, a great portion of which fell to the lot of our subject, and as a conse- quence his attendance at school was much circum- scribed. He remained with his parents as long as they lived, and after their decease took charge of the home farm, which he has since successfully conducted. On April 3, 1866, Mr. Keenan was married to Amanda Wallace, who was born Febru- · ruary 3, 1832, in Ohio county, W. Va., a daughter of Robert Wallace, of Brooke county, W. Va., who was born May 5, 1805, in Westmoreland county, Penn. He went to West Virginia with his parents' when a lad, and there married Hannah Arthur, who was born in 1810, in Independence township, Washington Co., Penn. They removed to Licking county, Ohio, where the mother died August 15, 1846. They had seven children, as follows: Amanda M. (Mrs. Keenan); Robert A., teaching in a commercial college at Topeka, Kans .; Mary Jane (deceased at the age of three years); Samuel B., who died at the age of four years; William A. (a farmer, in Kansas); David M. (who died in in- fancy), and one who died unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Keenan have no children of their own, but have adopted two, a boy and a girl, for whom they pro- vided a good home; the girl, now grown to young womanhood, is married to Henry C. Anderson; the boy, now a young man, is yet living with his foster parents. Mr. and Mrs. Keenan are members of the Disciple Church. In political sentiments he was originally a Whig, and since the formation of the party has been a straight Republican. He justly enjoys the respect and esteem of his friends and neighbors, and his success in life is marked to-day by a pleasant home and one of the finest farms in Donegal township.

M ICHAEL DAUGHERTY, a leading mer- chant of West Alexander, was born June 30, 1819, in Donegal township, Washing- ton Co., Penn. He is a son of Roger Daugherty, who was born in County Done- gal, Ireland, and coming to America when a young

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WASHINGTON COUNTY.

man, he was married to Ellen Aiken, a native of Maryland. They then settled in Washington county, Penn., first locating on Pigeon creek, where they remained several years, after which they came to Donegal township. To this pioneer couple the following children were born: Charles, Mary (Mrs. William Emorick), Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas Arnold), Isabella (wife of James Campsey), John, Bridget (Mrs. Samuel Kirk), Michael (our sub- ject), Sarah (wife of S. Patterson), and Eleanor (Mrs. John Kirk). The mother of this family died February 23, 1866, aged seventy-nine years, four months, seventeen days,

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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 88

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