Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 91

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 91

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Joseph and Rachel (Lindsey) Robb settled on the paternal homestead, where their children have been born as follows: Edmund E., born August 31, 1881; Anna Ethel, born September 2, 1883, died January 7, 1885; Mary Margretta, born August 9, 1886; Laura Ellen, born October 24, 1888, and Joseph Lloyd, born December 19, 1892. Mr. Robb is an active Republican, has served his township in various capacities, and has now entered upon his second term as school director. He and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at. McDonald, in which he is an elder.

R OBERT BAMFORD, a practical and pros- perous agriculturist of Robinson township, is a native of Washington county.

Robert Bamford, his father, was born in 1824, in Ireland, and in 1848 came with a party of young people to Pittsburgh, Penn. He had learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about eighteen months in Pittsburgh. On March 8, 1851, he was united in marriage with Sarah G., daughter of David and Martha (Adams) Gordon, both natives of Ireland. David Gordon was first married to Sarah Gardener, who bore him eight children, all now deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Gordon was married to Martha Adams, who had eight children, but two of whom are yet living: Sarah G. (wife of Robert Bamford) and Eliza (wife of John Hanley), of Belfast, Ireland. The father died in 1838, in Ireland, his wife following him in 1852.

Robert and Sarah G. (Gardener) Bamford were the parents of four children, namely: David G. (a miller in Midway, Robinson township), born Feb- ruary 20, 1852; William, born November 16, 1854 (farming in this county); Robert, born February 16, 1857; and Mary, born February 2, 1859 (living at home). In 1853 Mr. Bamford moved to Nobles- town, Allegheny county, working there at his trade for about two years. He then moved to Bulger, this county, remaining about four years, thence to Primrose, where he resided four years, continuing to follow his trade during these changes of location. In 1863 he bought a farm of fifty-three acres (where his son Robert is now living), in Robinson township, and still followed his trade. He afterward

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added 1824 acres to the farm, and became an exten- sive dealer in stock, accumulating a large amount of property by combining his agricultural duties with his trade, which he followed thirty-three years.

He voted with the Democratic party, and was much interested in educational matters, having been school director; he was also one of the directors of the Oakdale Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was a member and trustee of the U. P. Church for many years. He died January 3, 1887, and his widow is yet.living with her son on the home farm. She is a member of the United Presby- terian Church.

Robert Bamford was reared on the home farm, and educated in the common schools of the neigh- borhood. On February 16, 1887, he was united in marriage with Jennie M. Donaldson, of this county, who was born August 20, 1856, and was a daughter of John M. Donaldson. John M. Donaldson was a son of Andrew, whose father, James Donaldson, emigrated from Ireland at an early day, locating in Washington county, where children were born and reared as follows: Thomas, Andrew, John, Richard, and four daughters, whose names are unknown.

Andrew Donaldson was born in this county, being educated in the rate schools of the period, which were built of rough-hewn logs, and fur- nished in the most primitive manner. In early life he was married to Jane, daughter of John McBurney, and they settled on a farm situated between Bavington and North Star, where the following children were born to them: Sally, Jane, Mary Ann, Elizabeth (deceased), Esther (deceased), James, John M., Margaret, Thomas and an unnamed infant. Of these children seven are now liv- ing.

Mr. Donaldson was an active Democrat, and in religion was first united with the Associate Re- formed Church of Robinson township, which afterward became the United Presbyterian Society. He died in 1843. John M. Donaldson was born July 25, 1831, on the home farm in this county. In 1855 he was married to Martha M. Bigger, and they came to the farm where they are now living, which, together with 109 acres presented by Mr. Bigger, forms a good place of 279 acres. The following children were born to their union: Jane M. (Mrs. Bamford), Andrew, Thomas B., Sarah C., Mary E., Emmett T. (deceased), Elizabeth H., James W., Margaret B., Richard M., and Holland H.

Robert and Jennie M. (Donaldson) Bamford have one son, John D., born March 27, 1888. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bamford are earnest members of the Centre United Presbyterian Church, in which he serves as trustee.

OHN G. JOHNSON, a successful business man of Cross Creek township, is another ex- ample of what patience, industry and enter- prise can accomplish. He is a son of John Johnson, of Canonsburg, Penn., whose father was Richard Johnson. The latter was a native of County Down, Ireland, and immigrated to America in early manhood, settling near Canonsburg, this county, in about 1800. He was married to a Miss Bradford, a resident of Canonsburg, and children were born to them as follows: George, David (a resident of Steubenville, Ohio), Mary (Mrs. Thomas Allison), Elizabeth (widow of John Stockton), John (living in Canonsburg) and William (a physician).

John Johnson was born in 1806, on the farm near Canonsburg now occupied by R. V. Johnson, and was reared to manhood on the home place. He was married to Miss Rebecca VanEman, of Cecil township, Washington county, a daughter of Joseph VanEman, who was a prominent farmer of that vicinity. After their marriage the young people settled on the home place, where their three chil- dren were born, namely: R. V., a farmer and civil engineer of North Strabane township, this county; J. B., a farmer and dairyman of Chartiers town- ship, this county; and John G., the subject of our present sketch. Shortly before his death, which oc- curred October 9, 1888, Mr. Johnson retired to Canonsburg, there passing his declining years.

John G. Johnson was born Nobember 13, 1845, on the old home farm near Canonsburg, where his boyhood was spent. He attended the academy at Beaver, Penn., afterward beginning an active busi- ness life as a farmer and stock dealer, following that vocation until within the past few years, and making a trip to Pittsburgh with stock nearly every week. In June, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie K. Morrison, of Chartiers town- ship, this county, and four children have blessed their union, namely: George L., William M., John (deceased in infancy) and Earnest. Mr. John- son owns 166 acres of good land, two houses and lots in Canonsburg, a storeroom and dwelling, and three good houses in Burgettstown. In politics he has been a stanch Republican, although never car- ing to take an active part in the turmoil of political warfare. Mr. Johnson is now living in a beautiful home, situated at the eastern extremity of Cross Creek village, and is enjoying the fruits of a life of industry.

HOMAS BORLAND MCCORKLE, retired farmer, Canonsburg, late of Cross Creek township, was born July 7, 1835, on the old farm of his father, John McCorkle, where his grandfather settled in 1810.

The paternal great-grandfather of our subject

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emigrated from the North of Ireland to Pennsyl- vania, settling east of the mountains at an early date, probably in Adams county, as his son Thomas was born in that county. This Thomas McCorkle came to Washington county, and November 7, 1810, purchased the old homestead farm of something over 432 acres. He was born February 12, 1759, in Adams county, Penn., and died on his farm in Cross Creek township May 25, 1843, at the age of eighty-four years, three months and thirteen days. His father, Robert McCorkle, came to Washington county, and died on the son's farm June 26, 1822, in his ninetieth year, in Cross Creek township, and he was buried in West Middletown graveyard, Hopewell township, this county. Thomas McCorkle and his wife, Esther (Terrell) McCorkle, were members of the Associate Reformed Church in West Middletown, and he was a ruling elder in the same for many years. He always followed farm- ing, and was a man of fine principle. Esther McCorkle died December 12, 1839, aged sixty-five years. Their children were as follows: Robert, born October 26, 1796, died when a young man, unmarried; Margaret, born November 22, 1798, married Thomas Ritchey, of Hopewell township; Frances, born February 7, 1800, died unmarried; John, born June 4, 1803, married Mary McCorkle, of Somerset township; Jane, born September 14, 1807, married Charles Phillis, of Claysville, Ohio; Thomas, born March 24, 1814, married Margaret Welch, who is now a widow and is living in Bur- gettstown, Washington county.

John and Mary (McCorkle) McCorkle were mar- ried January 14, 1834. She was born February 22, 1810. They were both members of the Asso- ciate Reformed Church of West Middletown, in which he was a ruling elder. He held various offices of trust, and was a man of more than ordi- nary executive ability and intelligence, serving as county supervisor, school director and as executor, administrator and guardian for many estates. It was through his persistent efforts that the post- office, Woodrow, in Cross Creek township, was established. He was a member of an old militia company. Mr. and Mrs. McCorkle had one child, Thomas Borland, our subject. The mother died May 25, 1836, and May 12, 1842, the father married Miss Mary Hay, who was born October 13, 1814, on the old homestead farm of her father in Chartiers township, this county, a daughter of David and Mary (McCullough) Hay. Of this union no children were born. Mrs. McCorkle is still living in West Middletown, and is a member of West Middletown U. P. Church. She is descended from the Hays of Scotland.

Thomas B. McCorkle was educated at the com- mon schools of Cross Creek township, known as "Bushy Rock," and when of proper age learned farming with his father. On June 21, 1871, he

was united in marriage with Miss Asenath M. Nevin, who was born November 18, 1847, in Beaver county, Penn., on her father's farm near Sheffield, a daughter of George and Eliza A. (Harper) Nevin, the former of whom was a son of John and Mar- garet (Murray) Nevin, and both descendants of Scotch-Presbyterian ancestry. George Nevin was a native of Washington county, Penn., where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, at which he worked a short time, and then opened a store at Sheffield, Beaver county. His wife was born at Frankfort Springs, Beaver Co., Penn., a daughter of Archibald and Mary (Hay) Harper, the former of whom was a miller at Frankfort Springs (where he owned a mill), the latter a native of Cecil town- ship, Washington county, and born on her father's farm. She was a daughter of John and Ann (Burns) Hay, who were born and married in Scot- land, where some of their children were also born. They came to Washington county at an early day, settled on Miller's run, in Cecil township, and sleep their last sleep in Oak Grove cemetery in Chartiers township. Mrs. Ann (Burns) Hay was a full cousin to Robert Burns, the poet; her hus- band, John Hay, was descended from the Hay family of Scotland, whose coat of arms, etc., appear in "Burke's Peerage." To Thomas B. and Ase- nath M. (Nevin) McCorkle have been born three children, two now living: Mary L. and John T. R. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and has filled various local offices of trust. He and his wife are members of the U. P. Church, at Canonsburg, and he is the owner of two farms in Cross Creek town- ship, comprising 270 acres and 144 acres, respect- ively; he also owns a mill in the same township, known as the Buckeye Flouring Mill. Mr. Mc- Corkle is recognized as one of the leading upright and moral citizens of Washington county, and ranks high among its representative and progress- ive agriculturists.

OHN MILLER DAY was born in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., October 24, 1821, a great-grandson of Samuel Day, who, in or about the year 1755, came from New Jersey to Pennsylvania and took up land in Morris township, this county, where he farmed successfully. He was the father of four sons: Daniel, Samuel, Joseph and Benjamin, and one daughter, Joanna.

Daniel Day, the grandfather of subject, remained on the same tract of land which his father had taken up until his death, which occurred in 1811. He left six sons: Calvin, William, John, Samuel, Stephen and Cephas, and three daughters, Abigail, Ellenor and Electy. John followed his father on the farm, and retained the old right to the early settlement. He was married September 2, 1813,

& Miller Day

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by Rev. C. Dodd, to Sarah Miller, of Amwell town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., and to their union were born eleven children: Eliza, Mary, Sarah, J. Miller, Daniel, Harvey, Annie, Abigail, Cyrus, and Jessie and Meribah (twins). Of these, Eliza (de- ceased wife of George Wolf) resided in Nineveh, Greene Co., Penn .; Mary (deceased wife of John Brownlee) resided in Franklin township, this county; Sally (deceased wife of Robert Baldwin) resided in Morris township, this county; Daniel has been married twice, and resides in Canonsburg, Washington Co., Penn. (his first wife was Mary Bates, of Steubenville, Ohio; his present wife was Etta Johns, of Washington, Washington county); Harvy, living in Lincoln, Neb., was first married to Caroline McCollum, and afterward to Mrs. Mary Harris, of Wheeling, W. Va .; Annie (deceased) was first married to Elias Conger, and then became the wife of Dr. Stross, of Amity, Amwell town- ship, this county; Abigail (Mrs. H. C. Swart) re- sides near Washington borough; Cyrus, died at the age of eight years; Meribah and Jessie (twins) died in infancy.

John Miller Day, our subject, resides on the old homestead, first owned by his great-grandfather. He received his primary education at the old-time subscription schools, which were held chiefly in abandoned log dwellings, one of these being very near the Day residence. (It is safe to say that the then youth must have been full of the mirth and good cheer which now characterize his riper years).

In the course of time these early colleges gave way to modern innovations, regulated and gov- erned by school laws. Mr. Day was married Janu- ary 19, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Hanna, eldest daughter of John V. Hanna, of Morris township. This union was followed by seven children: Mar- tha Maria, born July 7, 1844, married to John N. Weir, of Franklin township; Sarah Ann, born No- vember 7, 1845, died January 24, 1848; John Mil- ton, born August 26, 1847, married, October 12, 1871, to Margaret Weir, of Franklin township; Elsie Jane, born September 6, 1849, united in marriage, January 18, 1882, with William Ash- brook, of East Finley township; George Hamilton, born April 25, 1852, died October 10, 1854; Hugh Allison, born April 24, 1854, married, April 9, 1891, to Annie Andrews, of Morris township; Mary Elizabeth, born June 10, 1856, married September 12, 1878, to Allen. J. Mowl, and now living in West Bethlehem township, this county. Mrs. Day, mother of these children, died August 4, 1872, and was buried at Prosperity, this county. On May 20, 1874, Mr. Day married Mrs. Mary (Wise) McKanna, of West Bethlehem township, tliis county, a daughter of Joseph Wise and widow of George R. McKanna. Mrs. Day was the mother of two children by her first marriage:

Emma J., wife of James D. Ulery, of Chicago, Ill., and Frank B., residing in Pittsburgh, Penn.

When the Day family first came to Washington county, an old fort stood in the southeastern part of Franklin township; and our subject remembers having his grandmother tell of how she and others would frequently have to take shelter in the fort from the Indians, when they were making un- friendly visits to the homes of the settlers; but the old fort has long since disappeared, and the Indians no longer disturb the sweet repose of the now hap- py citizens. The Days have, from the very first, been successful farmers and business men, and our subject is no exception, for he is now the owner of 350 acres of land, very rich and fertile, in a high state of cultivation, and improved with the very best buildings, all of which Mr. Day has had the pleasure of putting up under his own inspection, except one old barn, which remains as a relic of the past. (The old mansion built by Grandfather Day still stands on the old foundation, has been repaired, and is now occupied by Hugh Day, son of our subject). In addition to general agriculture, Mr. Day is extensively interested in wool growing.

Our subject has been a lifelong member and a liberal supporter of Upper Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church, in which he has received the marked con- fidence of his fellow-members in being elected deacon, an office he has held for many years. Po- litically he is a Democrat, and has several times been elected to the office of justice of the peace, but has always declined serving. He was elected a director of the Poor Farm, serving from 1866 to 1869.

We can not close this short history of our sub- ject without expressing gratitude that our friend has been spared to a good old age. And now, while living in borrowed time, his genial face is still lighted up with sunny cheerfulness, which makes his company sought after, and his presence in the home gatherings a delight. [Written by a friend of the family.

W ILLIAM CALDWELL, son of Samuel Caldwell, was born July 29, 1830, in Pe- ters township, Washington Co., Penn. Samuel Caldwell was born in 1782, in Dau- phin county, eastern Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to Allegheny county when but a child. He served an apprenticeship as a tailor, but after completing the trade was obliged to abandon it on account of poor health. He then began farming, and in 1818 bought a farm in Peters township, Washington county, to which he moved, eventu- ally becoming a prosperous agriculturist. In pol- itics he was originally a Whig, then a Republican, and served for years as a member of the school board. In religion he was first identified with the Union Church, afterward uniting with the U. P.

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Society, then known as the Bridge Church, now called the Canonsburg U. P. Church, to which he was a liberal contributor. In early life he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of James Gilland, of Allegheny county, Penn., and the following children were born to this union: James (de- ceased), Ann (wife of John Charlton), Jane, Eliza (Mrs. Thomas D. Weaver), Margaret (married to Henry Bennett), Harriet and William. The father died in 1856, having been preceded by his wife in 1841, and both are buried in the Speer Spring cemetery.

William Caldwell was reared and educated in Peters township, and on March 12, 1857, was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of John and granddaughter of Henry Miller. The grandparents were natives of Germany, and immi- grated to America in the latter part of the last century, locating on the home farm in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn. Henry Miller built one of the first mills for grinding grain, which was run by horses. He was a Whig and Republican, and in religion was for many years a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church at Miller's Run. He died February 11, 1845, fol- lowed by his wife April 10, of the same year. Their children were John, Christia Ann (wife of William Bennett) and Nancy (Mrs. Johnson).

John Miller was born April 24, 1798, on the home place in Chartiers township, this county. On January 18, 1821, he was married to Margaret Jordan, who bore him children as follows: Stew- art, Henry, Mary (wife of Thomas Chapman), Ann, John, Hugh and Margaret (Mrs. William Caldwell). Of these children, Stewart, Mary, Ann and John are deceased. The father was a Whig and Repub- lican. He was for many years a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church at Miller's Run, and died on the old place November 17, 1874, Mrs. Miller having preceded him November 3, 1873. Both parents are buried in the cemetery at Miller's Run. After marriage William and Margaret (Mil- ler) Caldwell resided on the home place in Peters township until 1868, when they removed to the Miller homestead, and in 1886 came to their pres- ent home in Canonsburg. Three children have been born to this marriage, namely: John M., Annie E., widow of Thomas I. Charlton, and Ella Paretta. Mrs. Charlton is the only one now liv- ing. Mr. Caldwell is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and in religion a member of the Chartiers U. P. Church.

M. MORGAN was born September 18, 1853, on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township which is yet his home, the youngest child of R. M. and Mary (Martin) Morgan. The mother was born on the farm where Peter Martin is now

living, and both parents were natives of Chartiers township. After their marriage they settled near Sugar Grove, this county, and in 1845 located in Mt. Pleasant township on the farm now known as the Rev. Slater farm, and in 1851 bought the pres- ent homestead, a partially improved farm of 210 acres, which they cleared and cultivated, and on which they erected a good brick house and fine barn. The farm was originally a portion of the George Washington survey. In 1880 the · family moved to Canonsburg. R. M. Morgan was an ar- dent Democrat in politics, serving as supervisor of the township, as member of the school board, and in various other positions. He and his wife were members of the Miller's Run Presbyterian Church, in which he was ruling elder for many years. He died in January, 1891, having been preceded by his wife in March, 1889. Their children were Nancy Jane (living in Canonsburg), Emeline (de- ceased in 1846), Ellen (deceased in 1872), Anna Mary (wife of J. L. Cockins, of Canonsburg), twin sons who died in infancy in 1851, Sarah Bell (mar- ried to R. D. Hamilton, of Chartiers township) and L. M. (a twin of Sarah Bell).

L. M. Morgan passed his boyhood on the home farm, and received his education in the district schools of Mt. Pleasant township. On November 18, 1880, he was united in marriage with Minerva Shelley, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, a daughter of David and Jane (White) Shelley, the father a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and the mother born in Chartiers township. The parents located in Jefferson county, Ohio, many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan settled on the old home- stead, containing 210 acres of good land. He is an active Democrat, and a member of the school board. He and his wife are united with the Mt. Pleasant U. P. Church, of which he is a trustee. They have had five children, namely: Maud Alice, Leroy Shelley, Nina Blanche, Mary E., and one deceased in infancy.

OHN MORGAN, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Chartiers township, is a na- tive of the same, born April 20, 1821. He is a grandson of Jacob Morgan, who was born in Maryland, and in an early day came with his wife to Washington county, Penn., locating in Chartiers township, where he died. He was a sol- dier in the war of 1812.

John Morgan (son of Jacob) was born in Mary- land, and when a small boy was brought with his parents to Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn. He was married in this county to Nancy Montgomery, a native of Chartiers township, and they began life on a neighboring farm. He was deputy sheriff and justice of the peace for many years, and was an active worker in the Democratic

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party. He died in 1842, and several years later was followed by his wife, who had borne him chil- dren as follows: Martha Jane (deceased wife of Godfrey Cook), Jacob (deceased, married to a daughter of Major McCloskey), Robert M. (died in 1891, was married to Mary Martin), Emma Jane (deceased in 1888 in Tennessee, wife of William Cundel), John (whose sketch follows), Nancy Jane (Mrs. James Harvey, living in this county), Sam- uel P. (residing in Washington borough, Penn.), Anna (deceased wife of A. C. Morrow), Rebecca (Mrs. J. R. McClosky, of Lawrence, Kans. ) and Hugh (also living in Kansas).

John Morgan was born and reared on the farm adjoining his present home, receiving his educa- tion in the schools of Chartiers township, and as- sisting in improving the farm. In 1856 he was united in marriage with Sarah Jane, daughter of Samuel and Jane (White) Martin. The parents located in Chartiers township, this county, where the father died September 29, 1864, the mother having preceded him over the river March 1, 1835. John and Sarah Jane (Martin) Morgan located on their present farm in 1860. It contains 129 acres of well-cultivated land, upon which two good resi- dences have been built; he owns considerable stock, and carries on general farming. He is in- terested in the success of the Democratic party, with which he is identified, and he and his wife are members of the U. P. Church in Chartiers town- ship. Their children are Anna Mary (wife of Jo- seph Barry), Belle (married to George Patch, Houstonville, Penn.), Samuel M. (married to a daughter of Andrew Miller, and living in Chartiers township), John H. (residing with his parents), Ella Jane, Hattie and Hugh F.

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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 91

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