Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 90

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 90

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R. HENDERSON, a prominent stockman and farmer of Chartiers township, was born October 5, 1858, in Chartiers township, this county. His father, Robert Henderson, was born January 2, 1816, in. the same house where his son first saw the light of day. Robert Hen- derson was reared to agricultural pursuits, and when a young man was married, on September 25, 1850, to Margaret Reed, who died August 29, 1882, leavingone son and two daughters to mourn

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her death, namely: J. R., Mary Martha (wife of William Grounds, has two children) and Jemima J. (Mrs. Linus Welch). The father was a prosperous agriculturist, and for many years had served as ruling elder in the United Presbyterian Church, and also took an active interest in the educational progress of the community. He died June 29, 1886.

J. R. Henderson passed his youth on the home place, receiving a common-school education, and on June 25, 1884; was united in marriage with Elizabeth F. Martin, and they have had two sons, George' D. and an infant (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are members of the United Pres- byterian Church, and in business life he is very successful, making a specialty of raising a fine breed of stock.

ONATHAN McWILLIAMS, a worthy repre- sentative of one of the oldest and most prom- inent families of Washington county, is a native of the same, having been born Octo- ber 25, 1823, in Buffalo township.

John McWilliams, his grandfather, a native of Ireland, when twelve years of age immigrated, in 1763, in company with two brothers-David and William-to America, taking up their first resi- dence in New Castle, Del. Here they remained some time, and then came to Washington county, where they made their permanent home in Buffalo township, on "Lion's Bush," a tract of land granted on a Virginia certificate, and surveyed September 19, 1785. During the early part of their settlement they were much troubled by the Indians, many times having to flee to the nearest blockhouse for safety, and they never thought of going from home, even to church, without their trusty rifles. The farm on which they had set- tled was wild, and all the improvements thereon had to be made by the ceaseless labor of the family. While yet a young man, John Mc Williams mar- ried Jane, daughter of Robert Taylor, an early settler of the county, and the founder of Taylors- town, and the following are the names and dates of birth of the children born to them: Mary, May 29, 1781; Martha, October 8, 1783; Wallace, De- cember 2, 1785; John, December 1, 1788; Sarah, December 19, 1789; Jean, November 18, 1791; Margaret, November 29, 1793; Elizabeth, Decem- ber 29, 1795; Margaret, March 31, 1798; and Han- nah, February 3, 1800. The family were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church at Upper Buffalo, in which Mr. Mc Williams was an elder for years; in politics he was a Democrat.( Grandfather Mc- Williams died October 8, 1837; the grandmother about 1845.

Wallace McWilliams, father of subject, was born in Buffalo township, this county, and received his

education at the primitive schools of the neighbor - hood. On April 6, 1819, he married Nancy, daughter of James Cleland, a native of Maryland, and the children born to them were John, Eliza- beth (wife of John Flack), Jonathan and Jane (wife of W. S. Caldwell). The father of this family died June 20, 1860, the mother August 24, 1864. Mr. McWilliams was a prominent Demo- crat in his day, and for many years was a leading man in his party, holding several positions of trust in both township and county at various times; he was one of the board of commissioners appointed by the court for the purchase of the Washington County Poor Farm. In 1830 he was nominated and elected a member of the State Legislature, and re-elected for the ensuing term; in 1841 he was again elected to the position. He was a presidential elector in 1836, when Van Buren was elected President. In the militia of the day he took a lively interest, and was one time major- general of the forces in Washington and Greene counties. He was a consistent member and pow- erful supporter of the Presbyterian Church, and was a progressive, loyal citizen, greatly interested in the cause of education in his locality, serving many years on the school board.

Jonathan Mc Williams was reared from earliest boyhood to the arduous duties of farm life, his winter months being for a few years devoted to at- tending the subscription and common schools of the neighborhood. On October 20, 1857, he was married to Z. W., daughter of William McCleese, of Chester county, Penn., and the young couple afterward remained on the Mc Williams home place till 1871, in which year they came to Claysville, where they have since resided. They have no children. They are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Mc Williams is a lifelong Democrat. He has been a farmer all his days, but is now living retired, having accumulated a satis- factory competence. Like his father, he is pro- gressive in the extreme, and in the management of schools it can safely be said that there is no one more zealous, active or useful in the community.

AMES COOPER, one of the oldest residents of Franklin township, is a native of the same, having been born in that locality, April 18, 1817. His father, Stephen Cooper, was also born in Franklin township, and his grand- father, Zebulon Cooper, was a native of New Jersey, which had long been the home of the family. Zebu- lon Cooper was married to Mary White (a native of Long Island), and soon afterward came to Pennsyl- vania, where he erected a log cabin, and commenced to establish a home in the forests of Washington county. The following children were born to this pioneer couple: Susanna, born July 22,1776; Zebu-

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lon, born October 28, 1778; Elizabeth, born April 29,1781; Mary, born July 18,1783; John, born Jan -. uary 11, 1786; Silvanus, born December 27, 1787; Jerusha, born October 17,1789; Stephen, born Jan- nary 26, 1792; Ephraim, born June 7, 1794; Eunice, born July 18, 1795, and Hannah, born November 17, 1798. Mr. Cooper was a strong advocate of the principles embodied in the Whig party. He was one of the earliest Presbyterians of Franklin town- ship, and took a deep interest in the religious wel- fare of the community. He and his wife resided on the farm until their death.

Stephen Cooper grew to manhood in Franklin township, Washington county, on the farm of his father, and shared in the many privations of pioneer life. He received a limited school educa- tion, and on March 22, 1816, was united in marriage with Hannah, daughter of James Bane, and their children were: James, Lavina, William, Charlotte, Rebecca, Amasa, Josiah, Lewis W., Sophia, Stephen, Phebe, Ellen and David. After his marriage Mr. Cooper settled on the farm where the remainder of his life was spent, and which he improved with the aid of his sons. He was interested in all ques- tions pertaining to the growth and improvement of the township, and was a member of the Whig party, afterward becoming a Republican. He died in 1880, and his wife rests by his side.

James Cooper remained on the home farm in Franklin township during his earlier years, and on January 6, 1840, was married to Harriet, daughter of Ezra Young, of New Jersey. After his marriage Mr. Cooper settled on the farm which is his present home. To this union the following children were born: Ann E., John W., Warren, Addison and Lewis. The mother died in 1849, and Mr. Cooper was afterward married to Susan, daughter of Harry Van Kirk, an early resident of Washington county, and their children are: Henry, Morris, Marion, Charles P., Bryant, Jane and Mary. Mr. Cooper has made many improvements on his farm. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and since the formation of that party has been a Republican. Although he has never accepted a political office, he is deeply interested in the progress of his party. In religion he has been a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church for many years.

W ILLIAM HAZLETT, a prominent and pro- gressive agriculturist, and a worthy rep- resentative of one of the oldest and best- known families of Franklin township, is a native of the same, born March 6, 1819.

The paternal ancestry were English, Samuel Hazlett, grandfather of our subject, having been a native of the "land that bears a well-known name," whence early in life he moved to Ireland. Here he married Ann White, a daughter of Erin, and

shortly afterward emigrated to America, making their first home in the New World near Baltimore, Md., where he followed carpentering, and where were born to them two children-William and Mary. About 1778 they set out with their lit- tle family on a journey to Pennsylvania, on horseback, accompanied by a slave named "Jingo," and a convict whose "time " had been purchased by Mr. Hazlett. Slowly the party wended their way over the rough roads, until they finally reached Washington county, and here they made a halt near where is now the farm occupied by A. O. Day, in Franklin township, being among the first to settle in the township. Here their first dwell- ing was an old abandoned log cabin, with no floor save mother earth, and here they had to make a clearing for their farm-the men chopping down the forest trees, while the grandmother dug up the briars and other underbrush. They afterward learned that the family who had previously occu- pied this old cabin had been murdered by Indians. For the first year the young Hazlett colony raised but little on their small clearing, and their chief article of food was hominy, and such other provis- ions as they may have brought with them; they had to bring salt from Baltimore on horseback. Their nearest neighbors were a long way removed, and consequently they had but few visitors, except it might be a prowling Indian or wolf; on one occa- sion a couple of rattlesnakes entered their cabin, and coiled themselves up for warmth on the stones on which the fire had been burning. After a time

the family built and moved into the house where now dwells the subject of this sketch. In Wash- ington county six more children were born to the pioneer Samuel Hazlett, viz .: Elizabeth, Ellen, Nancy, Ruth, James and Samuel. The grand- father died several years ago, the grandmother at the age of ninety-six years, when the grandson, William, was a lad of some twelve or fourteen years.

Samuel Hazlett, father of William, was born in 1790, in Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., and received his education at the subscription schools of the neighborhood. He followed agri- cultural pursuits on the old homestead all his life, and died August 28, 1872, aged eighty-two years, honored and respected by all. He was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church, and in poli- tics was a sound Democrat. He was twice mar- ried-first time to Rebecca, daughter of Arthur Hamilton, a native of Ireland, and she bore him children as follows: Elsa, William (subject), Ann (in Allegheny county), Elizabeth, Caroline (in Washington county) and Charlotte. This wife dying, Samuel Hazlett was afterward united in marriage with Jemima Forsyth, a native of Frank- lin township, and the children born to this mar- riage were Samuel J. (deceased), Isaac, John, James, Josephine (wife of John Finley) and Ruth

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E., all living in Fayette county, Penn., except John, who is a resident of Amwell township, this county. The mother of these children died in 1870.

William Hazlett was reared to agricultural pur- suits on the home place, a few weeks in winter time, during his boyhood, being spent at the schools of the neighborhood, although many a winter's day did he thresh with a flail. On Octo- ber 29, 1844, he was married to Margaret C., daughter of Joshua Dickerson, and the children born to them were Joshua (a physician in Vander- bilt, Fayette county), Samuel and Maggie (both deceased), Rebecca (Mrs. Lewis Hamilton, in Mus- kingum county, Ohio), Addison (on a farm), Matilda (Mrs. William McClenathan, in Amwell township), William (on a farm), Samuel Lewis (on the home farm), and James (deceased). On April 21, 1863, the mother died, and the father afterward married Comfort A. West, of Cadiz, Ohio. In 1852 Mr. Hazlett settled on the home farm, where the family now reside. He was formerly a Whig, and since the formation of the party has been an active Repub- lican, his first Presidential vote being cast for Will- iam H. Harrison. He hasalways taken a lively in- terest in the prosperity of his county and township, especially in educational matters, and for twenty- five years he has held the office of school director; he has also been supervisor of his township. For many years Mr. Hazlett has been a member of the Presbyterian Church of Upper Ten-Mile, and one of its leading and most substantial supporters. His farm is situated seven miles from Washington, and comprises 150 acres, while the farm on which his sons Addison and William are living has 150 acres. Mr. Hazlett has been a hard worker all his life, and enjoyed good health until 1891, when he had an attack of the "grippe," from which he has not yet completely recovered.

OHN MOODY, an energetic young agricult- urist of Robinson township, Washington county, is of Irish descent, and traces his lin- eage to one, Joseph Moody, a native of Ire- land. Joseph Moody came to America in early manhood, first settling in Washington county, Penn. In 1812 he moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he died.

David Moody, a son of Joseph, was born in Washington county, Penn., but, when yet a boy, moved with his parents to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Returning to his na- tive county in Pennsylvania, he was married to Margaret, daughter of John Flanegin, a native of Ireland, and three children were born to them, viz. : John, Margaret and Jane.

John Moody (father of subject) was born in Washington county, Penn. He learned the cabi- net maker's trade, and afterward followed under-

taking, being now engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has served his township twenty years as justice of the peace. He was united in marriage with Margaret Derstine, of Allegheny county, daughter of Benjamin Derstine, a prominent business man of Sewickley, Allegheny county. John and Mar- garet (Derstine) Moody have six children, namely: John, Albert, Stella, Harry, James and an infant son.

John Moody was born in Clinton, Allegheny Co., Penn., and was reared to manhood on the home farm; he attended several terms at the academy at Sewickley, Allegheny county. He was married to Miss Agnes M., daughter of John M. Stewart, who was also born in Clinton, Allegheny county. The young people began wedded life on a farm in their native county, soon afterward moving to Washing- ton county, Penn. Three children have been born to this union: Estelle, John and Ralph. Mr. Moody has ninety-two acres of good farm land; in politics he is a Democrat, and has served his township as justice of the peace. In religious faith he is connected with the Robinson United Presby- terian Church.

Albert Moody, son of John and Margaret (Der- stine) Moody, was born in Clinton, Allegheny Co., Penn. He was married to Miss Martha E. Hutch- ison, daughter of James and Susan Hutchison, of Washington county, Penn., and one child has been born to this union, Susan Margaret.

Harry Moody, son of John and Margaret (Der- stine) Moody, was born in Clinton, Allegheny Co., Penn., and was married to Miss Maud Burns, daughter of John S. and Annie Burns, of Alle- gheny county.

OHN E. STEWART, for many years a leading and representative agriculturist of Mt. Pleasant township, now a resident of the borough of Washington, is a native of Allegheny county, born in Findley town- ship, April 5, 1842.

James Stewart, his great-grandfather, was born in Dauphin county, Penn., April 25, 1754, and August 25, 1779, there married Margaret Mc- Cowen, a native of the same county, born Febru- ary 19, 1759. They settled near Clinton, in that township, their nearest neighbors at the time be- ing-to the north, seven miles distant, to the south, four and one-half miles. James Stewart took up a large tract of land, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying July 21, 1821, at the age of sixty-seven years; his wife had passed away July 5, 1816, at the age of fifty-seven years. They were the parents of children as follows: James, twice married, first to Elizabeth Dickson, after- ward to Isabella Gladden; John (of whom mention is made further on); Richard, married. to Mary

John, E. Stewart

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Stewart; Thomas, twice married, first to Isabella Brown, afterward to Eleanor Cherry; Joseph, mar- ried to Mary Ewing; Margaret, married to Josiah Guy; Jane, married to Matthew McCoy; Eleanor, married to James Simpson; Ann, married to Will- iam Guy; Mary, married to James Moore; and Sarah, married to Henry Cowan, most of whom lived and died in Allegheny county.

Of this family, John (grandfather of subject), born June 4, 1780, married Elizabeth Glass, and settled on the farm in Allegheny county, on which his son, James, and grandson, John E. (subject), were born. Here he died in 1846, aged sixty-six years, leaving a widow and six children, the for- mer of whom was called from earth in October, 1869, at the age of eighty years. Their children were: James, born July 11, 1809; Robert, born August 17, 1811; Margaret, born May 31, 1814; Jane, born November 15, 1816; John M., born May 21, 1819; and Elizabeth, born 1812. Of these, Robert died when a young man; Margaret married John Smiley, of Washington county, and is now a widow living in Burgettstown; Jane mar- ried Henry Aten, and is now a widow, with resi- dence in Allegheny county; John M., a farmer, died July 3, 1881, in Allegheny county; Elizabeth married Thomas Armor, of Allegheny county, and died in July, 1890.

James Stewart grew to manhood on the old home farm, where he spent his entire life. On October 8, 1840, he was married to Miss Rachel P., daughter of Edward Cherry, of Washington county, and they became the parents of the follow- ing interesting family: John E. (subject); Sarah J., married to Samuel Aten, of Wyandot county, Ohio; Amanda E., married to George Jardine, and now living near Clinton, Allegheny county; Maggie E., injured by a fall when three years old, and permanently crippled in her lower limbs (she was born June 3, 1855, and died December 5, 1873); Rankin M., an agriculturist, living on the old home farm in Allegheny county; and Mattie A., unmarried, having her home with her brother Ran- kin M. The father died October 10, 1882, the mother on December 13, same year. Mr. Stewart was not an active politician, nevertheless held vari- ous local public offices of trust; a member of the Presbyterian Church, he was an elder in same, as were also nearly all the older members of the Stew- art family. He was a prominent man in his town- ship, and took an active interest in all local matters tending to the advancement and welfare of the com- munity.

John E. Stewart remained at the parental home until he was twenty-nine years of age, and received a common-school education, necessarily somewhat limited, as being the eldest in the family he had to, early in life, commence in the farm work, assisting

his father, who was severely injured in one foot, and had ill health for a few years. After his mar- riage in 1871 he removed to Mt. Pleasant town- ship, this county, and settled on a farm which he had purchased and which he still owns. Here they remained till November, 1891, when they moved into the borough of Washington, where they still make their home, having purchased a residence on West Main street. They have no children. Mr. Stewart is a Democrat, and while in Mt. Pleasant township, he served as school di- rector, supervisor and justice of the peace; in 1890 he was elected county commissioner, resigning the office of justice of the peace after two years' serv- ice. He and his wife are members of the Third Presbyterian Church of Washington. His farm, which is situated in the northern part of Mt. Pleasant township, comprises 140 acres of highly improved land, and is conceded to be one of the finest in the township.

On August 10, 1871, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Jennie M. Stewart, who was born May 5, 1844, daughter of Joseph Stewart, also of Findley township, Allegheny county, but the families are in no other way related. Prior to her marriage she had been a teacher in her native county. Her grandfather, Samuel Stewart, came from Dauphin county, Penn., to Allegheny county in an early day.

He was married in Dauphin county to Jane Patterson, who lived to be ninety-seven years of age, dying in the fall of 1867, her husband pass- ing away in 1837. Their children were James, Robert, Hugh, Flora, Nancy, Margaret, William, Samuel, Joseph and Uriah, of whom Joseph was the father of Mrs. John E. Stewart. He was born May 20, 1816, and married Hannah Glass, daugh- ter of an early settler of Robinson township, Alle- gheny county, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding October 3, 1889. They were the parents of children as follows: Samuel G., married to Harriet Stoddard; Jennie M. (Mrs. John E. Stewart); Olivia M., wife of Albert Aten, of Alle- gheny county; William J., married to Maggie Mil- ler; John P., married to Lida Plummer; Joseph P., single (the last two named are partners in a mercantile business in Finleyville, Penn.); Sadie A., deceased at the age of about six years; Andrew D., living on the old home farm with his mother, and Albert E., a merchant of Hickman, Allegheny county. The father of this family died December 19, 1892, a member of the Presbyterian Church; in early manhood he had associated himself with the United Presbyterian Church. The old Stew- art homestead where Mrs. Joseph Stewart and her son, Andrew D., now reside, is the original tract settled by the family many years ago, never having changed hands.

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OSEPH W. ROBB. Among those undaunted pioneers who braved the hardships and dan- gers of frontier life to make a home in Wash- ington county, Joseph Robb (grandfather of the present family) and his faithful wife de- serve an honored place. Joseph Robb was born and reared in Chester county, Penn., and was mar- ried to a native of the same State. Soon after their union the young couple came to Washington county, in 1790, purchasing of the Government and moving upon a tract consisting of 400 acres, known as the "Omi tract." A log cabin was soon erected and improvements energetically begun by the stout-hearted young settler, who often carried salt over the mountains on horseback. Time passed on, and as the rude uncultivated land was transformed into fields of moving grain, the little home took on an air of comfort and civilization. Children as follows were born to these pioneers: Ebenezer, William and John, and as the parents grew weary with the weight of years, strong young arms and brave young hearts lifted the burdens of life from their shoulders. Joseph Robb was a member and elder of the Associate Reformed Church, and in politics voted with the Whig party. He died April 14, 1847, and was buried by the side of his wife in the cemetery of Robinson's Run church.

Ebenezer Robb, the eldest son of Joseph, was born July 9, 1803, and was reared and educated on the home farm. On January 26, 1836, he was united in marriage with Eliza Wallace, who was born near Pigeon creek, daughter of Robert Wal- lace. The young people made a permanent home in Robinson township, this county, where he fol- lowed farming and stock raising. Five children were born to their union, namely: William and Joseph (both now deceased); Robert (a prominent business man in Allegheny City, and is an elder in the Westminster Church of that place); Joseph W. and Mary E. (wife of Joseph Reynolds). The father of this family was formerly a member of the Associate Reformed Church of Robinson's Run, and afterward joined the United Presbyterian Church at McDonald, serving as an elder in both Societies. In politics he was originally a Whig, afterward a Republican. He took an active inter- est in educational matters, and served as justice of the peace two terms. Mr. Robb died in August, 1884, having been preceded to the grave by his wife in 1877, and their remains rest in the cemetery at Robinson's Run.

Joseph W. Robb was born May 18, 1851, on the old homestead in Robinson township. His element- ary education was received at the common schools of the neighborhood, and he afterward became a student in the Allegheny City Academy. On No- vember 27, 1879, Mr. Robb married Rachel Lind- sey, a daughter of William Lindsey, who was born in June, 1811, in Mt. Pleasant township, this

county, where his earlier years were passed. He was married to Ann Van Eman, a resident of this county, and the young people remained in Mt. Pleasant township till 1876, the following children being born to their union: Sarah, John, Elizabeth, Van Eman, Anna, Rebecca, Marguerita, Irene, Rob- ert and Rachel (Mrs. Robb). Mr. Lindsey was an extensive dealer in stock, and in politics voted with the Republican party. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1883; his widow is yet living with her children.

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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 90

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