Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 89

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 89

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Michael Daugherty received his education at the subscription schools of Donegal township. At the age of eighteen years he was apprenticed to Joseph McKusky, of West Alexander, to learn the tailor's trade, and remained with him three years. He af- terward began business as a merchant tailor in partnership with Samuel Galloway, and so con- tinued for ten years. Mr. Daugherty then purchased a confectionery store, which he has since carried on with well-merited success. On March 8, 1842, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of David Wil- son, of West Alexander, and they had two children : Minerva (deceased), and R. B., of Washington borough. This wife dying May 15, 1849, he was next married on March 27, 1851, to Angelina, daughter of George Young, of West Virginia, and they have had two daughters: Frances E. (deceased wife of Rev. E. J. Smith), and Ida M. (Mrs. James Sutherland). Mr. Daugherty is a repre- sentative self-made man, having commenced life with but little, and by industry and enterprise has achieved success. He is a stanch member of the M. E. Church; in politics he was formerly a Whig, and is now an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party. He has served as burgess of West. Alexander, and as a member of the borough council, and is recognized as a useful, loyal citizen.

J OHN M. WEYGANDT, a leading and suc- cessful agriculturist of Amwell township, is a native of Nottingham township, Washington Co., Penn., having been born February 27, 1856, on his father's farm, and when three years of age was brought with the family to the old home in Amwell township, this county.

. G. Weygandt, the pioneer ancestor, emigrated with his family at an early date from Germany to America, and took up a farm of 180 acres on " Gin- ger Hill," Nottingham township, this county, where he successfully carried on general agricult- ure. He had the following named children: Su- sanna, Jacob W., Solomon, Isaac and Abraham (all now deceased). Mr. Weygandt died about the year 1840, an active member of the Lutheran Church.

Isaac Weygandt, son of G. Weygandt, was born March 4, 1817, in Nottingham township, Washing- ton county. He received his rudimentary education at the subscription schools of the neighborhood of his birthplace, after which he attended an academy, and during a portion of the time taught vocal mu- sic. He was united in marriage with Miss Susan Swickord, of Nottingham township, daughter of John and Mary Swickord, a prominent family of that township, and to them were born the following children: Mary Ann (Mrs. Dague), Margaret (de- ceased), Sadie (Mrs. Pease), Lavina (Mrs. Daly- rimple), George and John M. Mr. Weygandt followed farming principally, and was a prosperous man. He was a prominent Democrat, and held the offices of road commissioner and township clerk. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, while their children are all Presbyterians. Mr. Weygandt died in 1864, on the old farm in Amwell township.

John M. Weygandt, the subject of this memoir, was married on October 31, 1878, to Miss Anna B. Darlington, daughter of Griffith and Martha Darl- ington, of Washington, this county, and three children have been born to them, viz .: Mabel, Al- bert and Robert. Mr. Weygandt is an active member of the Democratic party, and in religion he is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

J AMES GRIER was born Jannary 8, 1820, at his present home in North Strabane town- ship, this county. He is a grandson of Thomas Grier, a native of Scotland, whence he removed with a brother (whose name is un- known) to Belfast, Ireland. Thomas proceeded to America, followed by the brother some time later, and failing to find each other, both supposed the Indians had killed the other. Thomas Grier located in Chester county, Penn., thence removing to Cumberland, Penn., where he married, and reared a family of twelve children,

James Grier, a son of the pioneer Thomas, was a native of Cumberland county, Penn., and in early life was married to a Miss Espy, who died soon after their union. James Grier then made choice of a second wife in the person of Mary Staurt, who bore him the following children: Samuel S. (born in Carlisle, Penn.), and Thomas, James, Guion, Janie and David (all born in Wash- ington county), all now deceased excepting James. In 1810 the father paid $10 per acre for 160 acres of land in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., where he died in 1833, followed by his widow in 1859, when in her eightieth year.

James Grier, son of James and Mary (Staurt) Grier, remained with his parents during early youth, and inherited the old place where his parents died. On February 18, 1858, he was united in mar-

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riage with Hannah, daughter of William and Mary (Bracken) Van Eman, and the following children have been born to their union: Mary V. (deceased), Jennie, Sarah Ann, William James, Rebecca, Frances and Thomas S. All of this family are devout members of the Central Presbyterian Church, of Canonsburg. Mr. Grier votes with the Republican party.

AMES CARROLL, a highly-respected and much esteemed farmer citizen of West Fin- ley township, was born November 15, 1833, on the old Carroll homestead in East Finley township, this county.

Robert Carroll and wife, accompanied by his two brothers, John and Hamilton, and a sister Jane, emigrated in 1760 from Ireland to America, locating in a place called Mingo, western Pennsyl- vania, thence moving in a few years to East Fin- ley township, Washington Co., where they settled on one of the headwaters of Wheeling creek, near the present postoffice of Gale, and began cutting down the forest trees until a space was cleared for the log cabin (perhaps the first in that vicinity) which they soon erected. Like all the pioneer set- tlers, they were in hourly danger from the hostile savages, and endured the inevitable hardships of backwoods life. In 1781 work began in earnest, and Washington county was founded. In the sum- mer of that year John and Hamilton Carroll, who resided with their brother Robert, went out one morning, and when but a short distance from the cabin both men were shot down by the Indians. Robert's wife (who with her two children was in the cabin) heard the report, and knowing the boys had no firearms with them, immediately grasped the situation; she snatched the infant from his couch and with him in her arms, and her little son of four years clinging to her side, ran to a corn- field near by, where she waited till the Indians reached the cabin. The faithful dog remained on guard at the door, and barked vigorously at the murderers, who were obliged to kill him before they could enter the house. The heroic mother knew when the barking of the dog ceased that the Indians were busily engaged in ransacking the house, and immediately taking advantage of the opportunity ran for life with her children to the nearest fort, which was five miles distant (now at Prosperity), though she had to travel much further; but she reached it safely at last, the infant in her arms, and little James running by her side. While these terrible scenes were in progress the husband and father was absent, having left home a day or two before, and gone to a mill on the Monongahela river. On returning home he was horrified to find the floor stained with blood, and other evidences of the presence of the marauding savages. Almost heart-broken the poor man hurried to the fort, and

was overjoyed to find his wife and children safe within, but heard with anguish of the terrible fate of his brothers. A few days later a party of men left the fort, and finding the dead bodies of John and Hamilton (whose scalps the Indians had taken as trophies), buried them in what has since been known as the Carroll graveyard; these two victims of Indian fury being the first who were there in- terred. The burying ground is but a short dis- tance from where the cabin stood. After all traces of the Indians had disappeared, Robert and his wife returned home and were not again molested. The infant Robert, who was saved from the Indians by his mother, grew to manhood and married Mar- garet Craig, who bore him one daughter; while James, whose little feet proved of such good service on that memorable day, was united in mar- riage with Margaret Marshall, to which union the following children were born: William, Robert, John, Hamilton, James, Hugh, Joseph, Thomas, Mary and Jane.

John Carroll, father of subject, was born in 1808 on the same farm as was his son James, and was here reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed on the old homestead until 1855, in which year he moved to West Finley township, where lie passed the rest of his days, dying in 1876. He had married a Miss Rebecca Donley, and they had seven children, as follows: James, the subject of this sketch; William D., who married Melissa Alexander; John H., who married Anna Wirt; Hamilton B., who married Ida Underwood; Eliza- beth, married to Harrison Thompson; Mary, mar- ried to Jackson Steele, and Sarah, married to Will- iam Eckols. John Carroll was a practical brick burner. Politically he was a solid Democrat until the breaking out of the Civil war.

James Carroll came to West Finley township with his father in 1855, and has been a resident of the same ever since, living on various farms from time to time, but finally settling on his present fine property, which is well equipped with all modern improvements, including a comfortable and com- modious dwelling. Mr. Carroll was married Sep- tember 30, 1858, to Miss Agnes Patterson, who was born January 12, 1840, in West Finley town- ship, daughter of Robert and Sarah (Rodgers) Patterson, and to this union six children have been born, viz. : Ola G., wife of W. L. Blayney; Lulu J., wife of Harry Sprowls, and Ella, Cora M., John H. and Alta Rebecca, all at home. Politically Mr. Carroll is a stanch Republican.

J OSHUA AND ANDREW G. PLYMIRE are descended from a hardy and industrious race of people, who (according to the earliest authentic record) first settled in York county, Penn. The exact date of their immigration to this country is unknown, but they were among

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the earliest pioneers of that county. The grand- father of Joshua and Andrew G. Plymire moved at an early date to Washington county, Penn., bringing his family with him. The journey was necessarily slow and tedious, the baggage being carried on the backs of horses, while the family usually walked beside them, but they finally arrived in Washington county, and erected their cabin home on the farm which is now the property of their descendants. Years of toil and privations fol- lowed, of which the present generation can forin no adequate conception, surrounded as we are to- day by the comforts and luxuries of life. But they struggled bravely on, these heroic pioneers, and prepared the way for the comfortable homes and cultivated fields which we possess. To Mr. and Mrs. Plymire were born children as follows: Henry, Adam, Martin, Barney, John, Samuel, Barbara, Elizabeth and Catherine. In political opinions Mr. Plymire was a stanch Democrat, and in religion he was one of the organizers of the Lutheran Church.

John Plymire, a son of the above named pio- neer, was born in York county, Penn., and was only two years of age when his father came to Washington county. He passed his boyhood days on the home farm, and received a limited educa- tion, as was the common lot of the children of the frontier. On attaining mature age he was united in marriage with Catherine Gantz, who was a member of one of the old families of the county, and she bore him the. following children: Joshua, Absalom G. (born in September, 1824), Sarah (Mrs. Philip Welch), Phoebe (Mrs. William De Normandie), Barbara (Mrs. Joseph England), An- drew G., Mahala (Mrs. Henry De Normandie), Lewis, and Mary (wife of J. H. Stewart). After his marriage Mr. Plymire settled on the home place in South Strabane township, where he re- sided until his death. He united with the Lu- theran Church in early youth, and died in that faith in 1870, having been preceded by his wife in 1853; both are now buried in Washington.cemetery. In political preferences he was an active Democrat.

Joshua Plymire, son of John and Catherine (Gantz) Plymire, was born March 19, 1823, on his father's farm in South Strabane township, Wash- ington county, and passed his youth at home. He is an active member of the Democratic party, and a liberal supporter of various enterprises tending toward the general improvement.

Andrew G. Plymire, third son of John and Catherine Plymire, was born July 12, 1833, on the paternal acres. On December 19, 1867, he was unit- ed in marriage with Melissa E., daughter of Jacob Harshman, of Buffalo township, this county, and they have had the following children: Harry, Walter, Boyd, Samuel and Alvin. After his mar- riage Mr. Plymire came to the farm where he now

resides. He is an enterprising citizen, and a member of the Democratic party. In religious connection he is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Washington.

THOMAS FORSYTH. Among the leading business men of Canonsburg this gentleman is a prominent figure. His grandparents were natives of Ireland, and their children immigrated to America in an early day, locating in Independence and Cross Creek town- ships, Washington Co., Penn.

Thomas Forsyth, one of the children of the above-mentioned family, was born in County Down, Ireland, and was about eighteen years of age when he came with the rest of the family to America, having previously learned the tailor's trade. He first located in Independence township, this county, some years afterward moved to Venice, then purchased a farm in Cecil township, this county, where most of his life was passed. He was married to Margaret, daughter of William Craw- ford, a native of Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and their children were William C., John, Thomas, Nancy (wife of James Quinn), George and Oliver. The father was a Whig and Re- publican. In church relations he was formerly connected with the Covenanter Society, then united with the Seceder Church. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth are buried in Clinton, Allegheny county, whither they had removed a few years before their death.

Thomas Forsyth, son of Thomas and Margaret (Crawford) Forsyth, was born April 25, 1825, in Independence township, this county, and attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood during his boyhood, which afforded but meager advantages. At the age of fourteen years he entered the employ of his father in the tailor business, serving an apprenticeship of six years. In 1845 he opened a tailor establishment in Hickory, this county, which he conducted for many years. On September 7, 1847, he was married to Jane A. McNary, a native of Mt. Pleasant town- ship, daughter of Samuel McNary. In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth moved to Steubenville, Ohio. While a resident of Steubenville Mr. Forsyth in- vented Forsyth's system of actual measurement, whereby an impress of the body is transferred to the cloth, which system is still in practical use. In 1876 he came to Canonsburg, this county, where he conducted an extensive business until 1888. His son, A. M. Forsyth, being a practical tailor, is continuing the business at the old stand. He is married to Miss M. M. Smith, of Canonsburg. Thomas Forsyth is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and is now serving as director of the public schools. In religious faith he is a member and elder of the Central Presby-

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terian Church. The following children have been born to this marriage: McNary (who was educated in Washington and Jefferson College, is a gradu- ate of Western Theological Seminary, and was a Presbyterian minister; he married Miss Annie Birchfield, of Allegheny City, Penn. ; was placed at Millvale church); Mary Margaret (Mrs. George Ralston); Samuel T .; Alvin M .; C. J. (attended Washington and Jefferson College, then attended the Western Theological Seminary and is now a Presbyterian clergyman; he married Miss Anna McGahey, of Hubbard, Ohio; he is situated at West Elizabeth, Penn. ), and James W. Of these children, McNary, M. M. Ralston, Samuel T. and James W. are deceased.

AMES H. McGOWEN. This well-known, influential citizen of Franklin township is a native of the county, born February 19, 1828, in Amwell township.

His grandfather, James McGowen, who was born near Philadelphia, Penn., the youngest of seven children, came to Washington county with his brothers Robert and William, and all three made a settlement here. In early life James McGowen was apprenticed to a manufacturer of reeds, serv- ing his time in this county. He used to go to Cincinnati in a canoe, starting from Wheeling, and bring back material for his trade. When he was quite a young man he accompanied Col. Will- iamson against the Indians through Virginia and Ohio, and had many narrow escapes, though he was never injured. At about the age of twenty- six he was married to Abigail Haris, who bore him a large family of children, of whom James was the only one to attain majority; Mr. McGowen's sec- ond wife was a Miss Foster, who also bore him a large family. His first dwelling-house was erected on the ground now occupied by the colored M. E. church, and he had to make a clearing for it among the hazel bushes. This venerable pioneer died at the age of ninety-two years, in politics a Jacksonian Democrat, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church.

James McGowen, the father of subject, passed his early life both in town and on his father's farm. He was well educated, having attended, in addi- tion to the common schools, Washington College; he taught school for many years in the county, proving a most successful teacher. When a young man he married Mary, daughter of Daniel Hughes, and the children born to their union are: Abigail (Mrs. William Adams), James H., Elizabeth (Mrs. Wilson Wylie) and Mary. The father died March 26, 1871, the mother August 1, 1886, and both rest in Washington cemetery. They were members of the M. E. Church, and in politics Mr. McGowen was originally a Whig, afterward a Republican.

James H. McGowen has spent his entire life on the farm where he now resides, where his parents had moved when he was but three weeks old; he at- tended during a few of the winter months the schools of his district, but for the most part he is self edu- cated. On February 10, 1854, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of D. T. Hughes, of New York, and their children are: Mary Miranda (Mrs. Richard Wilson), Albert A. (married to Laura, daughter of John Ramsey), Eliza I., Warren Blachby, Lizzie A., Edwin R. H., James H., Jr., and Etta W. The family are all adherents of the M. E. Church at Washington, of which Mr. and Mrs. McGowen have been members for forty years. In his political relations he was originally a Whig, having cast his first vote for Gen. Scott, and since the organization of the Re- publicans he has been a member of that party. He has been supervisor, and has served as school director nine years with credit to himself and the utmost satisfaction to his constituents.

A O. DAY. In 1795 there came by slow and painful stages a few families from Morris- town, N. J., to Washington county, Penn., to found homes for themselves on the frontier; and, lured by the reports of old neighbors who had some years previously settled there, they took up land and erected their cabins in Morris township. Among these were the family of Artemas Day-consisting of himself, his wife (Bethany (Axtell) Day) and their children, Bethuel, Parmelia, Sarah, Luther, Daniel and Artemas- and that of Zephaniah Hathaway, with his wife (Sarah (Pruden) Hathaway) and their children, Joseph and Hannah. Bound together by old friendship, and common cause against nature and Indians, these families were destined to still closer relationship, for the little Daniel Day, three years old at the time of that trying journey across the mountains, and Hannah Hathaway, two years his junior, were married in 1818. They too, settled in Morris township, where their busy lives were spent.

Artemas Day, the pioneer of this family, was an unobtrusive citizen, best known as being influential in the organization and support of church and school, still holding proudly the honor of having been a soldier of the Revolution. His son, Daniel, with such education as the country schools of that time afforded, was yet widely read, and among the the best-informed men of his day. In politics he was an uncompromising Whig. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1830, leaving his widow with four children-Cynthia H., Anne E., A. O. and Clarissa.

A. O. Day, the subject proper of these lines, though but a little lad when his father died, com- menced then his fight with the world. And though

ab. Day

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sometimes he had to say : " The battle goeth hard," he triumphed, and may be said to have won suc- cess in the truest meaning of that word. His boy- hood was spent on the farm, and in a life of un- remitting toil he yet managed to secure more than the ordinary education of "district schools;" read- ing history by firelight in a "sugar camp; " or, with- out a teacher, interpreting the mysterious symbols of higher mathematics. He taught school for several terms, and then, after a brief preparatory course in Washington College, read medicine. But the feeling was strong that teaching was his true vocation, and medicine not proving attractive, he again entered the schoolroom as teacher, not to leave it until after thirty years of service. It is as a teacher that he is most widely known and will be longest remembered. He was twice elected register of his county-in 1872, and again in 1875. In politics a Republican, and in religious belief a Cumberland Presbyterian, he can be called neither a narrow partisan nor a bigoted sectarian.

In 1850 Mr. Day was married to Hannah Jane, daughter of Andrew Bell and Mary A. (Boyd) Bell, of Washington, this county, and he has always lived in or near Washington, for the last fifteen years on his farm in Franklin township. Of his seven living children-four sons and three daugh- ters-Edgar W. is a Presbyterian minister; Alfred M. and John N. are farmers; Minor H. is an editor; Bell M. is a teacher; Jen H. is the wife of Charles B. Andrew, of Franklin township; and Cordelia B., the youngest daughter, is with her parents.

W ILLIAM C. McCOLLUM, a prominent, progressive farmer of Amwell township, is a grandson of John McCollum, who came with his wife from New Jersey to Wash- ington county, Penn., in an early day, and located near Amity, on the spot where Albert Kelsey's res- idence now stands. John McCollum there pur- chased about 100 acres of the original "Thaddeus Dodd" patent, and began farming, taking his part in the development of the wild new country. His children were Moses, Alexander, Jacob, Stephen, John, Thomas, Japheth B., Mary (Mrs. Miles), Sarah (Mrs. Masters), Hannah, and Deborah (Mrs. Smith).

.Moses MeCollum was born in New Jersey Feb- ruary 23, 1784, and in boyhood came with his par- ents to Amwell township, where he attended the district school in the winter, and assisted his father in summer. Although his educational opportuni- ties were limited, they were sufficient to enable him to become a successful school teacher. He was also a weaver, and had to employ helpto carry on the farm while he engaged in that business. On March 26, 1818, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Clutter, of Morris township, and 27

to this union were born nine children: Samuel, born June 5, 1819; Sarah, born April 13, 1821; Rachel (Mrs. Bebout), born March 9, 1823; John, born November 29, 1824; Jane (Mrs. Miles), born October 6, 1826; Moses, born November 4, 1828 (he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and For- tieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in which he was orderly sergeant, and died May 17, 1863, from the effects of a wound received at the battle of Chan- cellorsville, while bravely defending his country); William C., born November 2, 1830; Lecty C., born January 30, 1834, and Andrew J., born April 29, 1836. Mr. McCollum was very successful in business, and accumulated a comfortable property for that period. He was a public-spirited man, and in politics was an Old-line Whig. On March 31, 1839, he died, aged fifty-five, his widow in 1881, in her eighty-sixth year.

William C. McCollum was born on the old farm in Amwell township, this county, and now occupies a portion of the very house wherein he first saw the light. He has never left the home of his child- hood, and the greater part of his earlier years were passed in assisting his widowed mother and attend- ing the common schools, which then afforded very meager opportunities; but by dint of good judg- ment and extended observation, he has acquired a valuable store of general information. On June 5, 1861, he was united in marriage with Harriet E. Thomas, of Morris township, this county, who was born October 10, 1839, Mr. and Mrs. McCollum have had five children: James Roscoe, born April 2, 1862, now principal of the schools in Wright county, Iowa; Grant, born June 2, 1865; John R., born June 30, 1868, now in the freshman class of Washington and Jefferson College, Washington; Mary J., born January 19, 1878, and Myrtle, born February 23, 1882. Mr. McCollum has a well- cultivated farm, consisting of 158 acres, the result of his own economy and hard work. He was school director for three years, and has always been deeply interested in educational matters. Having experienced the lack of such advantages in his own boyhood and youth, he is doubly anxious to see the rising generation enjoy superior school training. He and his family have many years been members of the Methodist Protestant Church. -

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Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 89

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