Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 92

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 92

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B C. LINDLEY was born April 28, 1847, in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., a son of Cephas Lindley, who was also a native of Morris township, born March 28, 1816, and received his education in the schools of that period. In early manhood Cephas Lindley was married on March 16, 1840, to Miss Anna Hanna, a resident of Morris township, and they had six children: Mary (Mrs. Smith Day), Louisa J. (Mrs. Jacob Baldwin), B. C. (subject of the present sketch), Lawson L., Laura J. (Mrs. Rich- ard Sargeant) and Sarah A. (Mrs. H. R. Post). The mother of this family died January 31, 1859, and Mr. Lindley married on November 24, 1864, for his second wife, Mary Hackney, who has no children. Mr. Lindley settled in Franklin town- ship, Washington county, and was for many years engaged in buying and selling stock, becoming quite a wealthy man at one time, but reverses followed his early success, and swept away the greater part of his property. He might have legally retained a

portion of the wreck, but his fine sense of honor would not permit him to reserve any part of that which should meet his obligations. Mr. Lindley has been a most industrious man, and is highly respected by his neighbors. He and his family are active members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. In political opinion he was a Whig, and since the organization of the party has been a. Republican.

B. C. Lindley passed his youth on the farm, and the meager advantages of the country school gave him a taste for literature, which he indulges during his leisure moments. On February 23, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miranda Van Kirk Patterson, daughter of J. W. Patterson, and their family consists of the following children: Demas, born April 28, 1872; Clyde P., born December 18, 1877; Anna C., born December 1, 1880; Mary L., born July 20, 1888, and Parmelia E., born Decem- ber 29, 1890. After his marriage Mr. Lindley re- mained on the home farm some time, and then moved to Chartiers township, this county, thence to Amwell township, He afterward came to West Bethlehem township, and finally settled on his present place, which consists of 194 acres of land, known as the Baldwin farm. Mr. Lindley is a popular and progressive man. In political opinion he is a Republican, and has filled the position of school director seven years. He and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

W ILLIAM SMITH, an old and esteemed farmer of Independence township, is a son of John Smith, who was born in 1786, in County Fermanagh, Ireland. He passed his youth in assisting his father on the home farm, and in early manhood was married to Jane Graham, who was born in 1786, daughter of Will- iam Graham. In 1818 John Smith, with his wife and infant son, William, sailed from Cork, Ireland, to find a home across the ocean. They landed in New York, and immediately proceeded to Inde- pendence township, Washington Co., Penn., where a brother of Mr. Smith had previously located near Buffalo creek. For some time after his arrival in Independence township, Mr. Smith worked as a farm tenant, but this did not suit his energetic and ambitious disposition. In a few years he purchased the farm that he had rented on arriving in Penn- sylvania, and remained upon it until his death, which occurred in 1831. His widow continued to reside on the place, which was managed by her sons, until her death in 1835. The children born in America were as follows: John (a farmer in Inde- pendence township), Jane (living on the old home- stead with her brother John), Edward (who died at the old homestead in his twenty-first year) and

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Mary A. (widow of Paul Ralston, of Independence township).

William Smith (the eldest child of John Smith) was born December 22, 1817, in County Fermanagh, Ireland, being an infant when brough to America with his parents. He received a limited education at the rate schools, and losing his father when but a boy of fourteen years, a heavy burden of care necessarily fell upon him as the eldest son. The mother died but a few years later, yet still the brave boy struggled on, with no one to guide him and no assistance but that of the younger children; but they managed the farm successfully. On October 15, 1840, William Smith was married to Margaret Haggarty, who was born April 3, 1818, daughter of James Haggarty, an early resident of Independence township, and a native of Ireland. After his mar- riage Mr. Smith entered mercantile business at Dunsfort, Penn., but soon returned to the farm, concluding that after all agriculture was the more desirable vocation, and continued to follow it until recent years. He is now living a semi-retired life in the pleasant home. On October 15, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrated their golden wedding, and were the recipients of many gifts. In politics he was formerly a Whig; he cast his first vote for William H. Harrison, and has also voted for his grandson, Benjamin. Mr. Smith passes much of his time in reading various kinds of literature, with which his library is well filled. In religious connec- tion he is second to the oldest member of the U. P. Church at Mt. Hope, in which he has been an elder over thirty years. He has always been an earnest worker and liberal contributor to the cause.

W L. M. SMITH was born December 8, 1846, in Canonsburg. this county, grandson of John Smith. The last mentioned ances; tor was born in June, 1771, in York county,

Penn. In 1796 he was married to Nancy McClure, and came to Allegheny county in 1804, thence to Washington county in 1807, and in 1816 finally located in Beaver county, Penn. He died July 17, 1851, followed by his wife February 22, 1859.

John M. Smith was born November 23, 1799, in Gettysburg, Penn., and in 1804 was brought to the " Pinkerton Place," in Allegheny county, thence to Cecil township, this county, in 1807. They moved to Allegheny county in 1812, and in the fall of 1815 his father bought a farm in Beaver county, upon which he moved the following year. In 1817 John M. Smith went to Pittsburgh, Penn., and learned the cabinet maker's trade; then worked at carpentry, boarding on the farm which his son now occupies. On April 16, 1833, he was united in marriage with Mary Moore, a daughter of James, and granddaughter of John Moore. The latter was a native of Ligonier Valley, Penn., and in 1777

came to Cecil township. He died on the "Forks of the Yough," on the road while moving, leaving his widow to rear the children and pay for the land. The constable, accompanied by Esquire John Donal, came to make a levy of $12, while the widow was in the act of family worship. After the prayers were finished the constable said he would sell no one out who would make a prayer like that, and Esquire John Donal loaned her the $12 to meet the debt. The widow died in Cecil township, and none of the family are now living.

James Moore, a son of John Moore was born in Ligonier Valley, Penn., in 1773, and in early life was married to Elizabeth Moore, a native of Butler county, Penn. He moved to the home farm in this county in 1777, and died on the old place July 22, 1859, being followed in 1868 by the wife and mother.

After their marriage, in 1833, John M. and Mary (Moore) Smith first located on the old Dr. Ramsey farm, near Canonsburg. In the spring of 1846 they removed into Canonsburg, where he worked at his trade in connection with agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he bought, and in 1864 moved upon, the home farm of James Moore, in Cecil township. In July, 1866, he was taken with gan- grene, and a limb was amputated. He died Feb- ruary 14, 1886, his widow following him July 7, 1889. They were members of the Seceder Church, and the parents of the following children: James Ramsey, born in April, 1834 (married in 1861 to Mary Jane Reyburn, and settled in Canton township); Jane Moore, born in 1836; Mary Cum - mings, born in 1838; Eliza Glasgow and a twin, born in 1840; Nancy born in 1842; John Park, born in 1844; W. L. M., (whose name opens this shetch); John Murray (married in 1878 to Rebecca McAnley, of Clarion county; he was born in 1848, and died in 1877, leaving a widow and two children); Mary King, born in January, 1851, (married in 1878 to Mr. A. Malone, of Elizabeth, Allegheny county, has two children); Jane Glas- gow, born in 1853 (married in 1875 to William Henry H. Craig, of Clarion county, Penn., has six children), and Samuel Harper, born in 1855 (mar- ried in 1881 to Mary Nancy Westbay, of Eliz- abeth; has three children; he is a physician . and surgeon of Mckeesport, Penn). Of these children; Jane, Mary, Eliza, Nancy and John all died in 1847, between February 25 and March 15, of scarlet fever.

W. L. M. Smith was educated in the public schools of Canonsburg. In 1862 he came to the farm where he is now living. On November 12, 1868, he was united in marriage with Grisela Roney, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Gibson) Roney, natives of North Strabane township, this county, where the father died; the mother passed

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away in 1889. Two children were born to W. L. M. and Grisela Smith, viz .: Elizabeth Jane (wife of D. J. Stirling, Bulger), and Mary Minerva, liv- ing with her mother. She left him in 1872, and June 20, 1878, Mr. Smith, after securing a divorce in 1877, married Margaret S., daughter of John and Nancy (Greer) Hunter. Her parents were born in eastern Pennsylvania, coming to Cecil township in an early day, where the father died in 1865, followed by the mother in 1876. They reared a family of ten children, of whom four sons served in the war, and William died in the serv- ice. Five are yet living, namely : John, a carpen- ter, of McDonald, Penn .; Joseph, a stonemason, of McDonald; Maggie; James R., a farmer of Alle- gheny county; and Nancy residing with her sister Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Smith began married life on the home farm where they are now living, which contains 133 acres of good land. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. In religion he and his wife are members of the U. P. Church at Venice.

W ILLIAM S. CRAFT, one of the leading residents of South Strabane township, was born April 3, 1841, in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn. His grand- father, John Craft, was married to Abigail Conk- lin, a resident of Morris township, and she bore him children as follows: Lila (Mrs. Thomas Dickerson), David, Permima (Mrs. Samuel Farra- bee), Urius, Stewart, Stephen, Conklin, Catherine, and William. After his marriage Mr. Craft re- mained in Morris township several years, then went to East Finley township, where he died. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion an active worker and class-leader in the M. E. Church at Mt. Zion.

David Craft, son of John and Abigail (Conklin) Craft, was born November 17, 1812, in Morris township, Washington Co., Penn., and there re- ceived his early education. On March 29, 1838, he was married to Mary, daughter of Stephen Mills, a resident of New Jersey. Mr. Mills was married to Experience Lory, and she bore him the following children: Johanna, Deborah, Jonas, William, James, John, Mary, Phoebe, Eliza, Henry and Samuel. Mr. Mills went to Ohio, where he remained some time, and then returned to Wash- ington county, Penn., settling near Taylorstown. He was a carpenter and builder, and in politics belonged to the Democratic party. In religious belief he was united with the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, this county.

Mr. and Mrs. Craft spent the first years of their married life in East Finley township, Washington county, and then removed to Morris township, in 1841, settling on the home farm. They have had the following family of children: John M. (living

in Kansas City), William S. (subject of this sketch), Thomas (deceased), Stewart C. (residing in Idaho), Phœbe C. (deceased), Stephen L. (de- ceased), Jonas L. (living in Oregon), Catherine (deceased), Melissa, Della J. (Mrs. Oscar Lindley, living in Kansas) and Mary A. (Mrs. J. M. Pat- terson, of Washington, Penn.). Mr. Craft first built a log house, and afterward erected a frame dwelling, which was burned, and which he rebuilt. He was an active member of the Democratic party, and in church connection was an adherent of the M. E. Church for fifty years, serving as trustee dur- ing much of that time. Mr. Craft died February 19, 1890, and was buried at Mt. Zion.

William S. Craft passed his boyhood days on the home farm in Morris township, Washington county, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth P. V. C. and was sent to the army of the Potomac. He took part in the principal battles, and at the close of the war came out unwounded with the exception of a slight bruise made by a ball. On October 13, 1869, he was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of John Montgomery, and they have had six children: Leroy J. (deceased), George W., Inez F., Her- schel B. (deceased), John M. and Jane Adeline. On his return from the war he operated a portable sawmill four years, then commenced farming. He first settled on a farm in Morris township, near Prosperity, this county, remaining there two years when he moved to East Finley township, living there one year; thence removed to West Finley township, and eleven years afterward bought and took possession of his present home in South Stra- bane township. Mr. Craft has been engaged in the dairy business the past four years, and has a herd of twenty cows, which supply a large city custom. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket, and is interested in all public enterprises. When a youth he united with the M. E. Church at Mt. Zion, Morris township, but since removing to his present home he has attended the Presby- terian Church at Washington.

H ENRY ROBINSON is a representative of one of the early families of this county, and is a grandson of Henry Robinson, who was born in York county, Penn., and came to Mt. Pleasant township, this county, over a century ago. He first purchased and located on the present site of Hickory village, but losing this land by priority of title, never bought elsewhere, continuing however, to reside in this county. Henry Robinson was a Revolutionary soldier, and in politics was an ardent Democrat. He died in 1826, having been preceded by his wife several years.

Joseph Robinson, son of Henry, was born in Mt.

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Pleasant township, and attended the home schools during his boyhood. In early life he was married to Jane Morrow, who was born on Ten- Mile creek in Washington county, and they settled on the farm now occupied by Henry Robinson, where children were born as follows: William (married to Margaret Anderson, living in Delaware county, Ohio), Robert (married to Nancy McNeil, died in 1882, in East Liberty, Allegheny county), Henry (of whom further mention is made), Thomas (married to Elizabeth McCauley, living in Mt. Pleasant township), Hannah Jane (residing in Burgetts- town), Joseph (also in Burgettstown), Mary (wife of Alexander Richardson, living in New Castle, Penn.), John (deceased at the age of twelve or thirteen years) and Julia Ann (who died in her eighth year of scarlet fever). The parents were members of the Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church. Mr. Robinson was an active member of the Demo- cratic party, and always followed agricultural pursuits. He died several years ago, the wife and mother having crossed the river some time before.

Henry Robinson was born July 18, 1818, on the old place in Mt. Pleasant township where he is yet living. He was educated in the log-cabin sub- scription school of the vicinity, with its usual primitive furnishings, consisting of a puncheon floor and slab seats. In 1847 he was united in marriage with Jane Barnett, who was born in Mt. Pleasant township, daughter of John and Mary (Thompson) Barnett, both of whom are natives of Washington county, and early settlers of Mt. Pleasant township. The mother died in 1882, having been several years preceded by her hus- band. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson began their wedded life on the farm which they now occupy, and the following children have been born to them: Mary (died September 20, 1856), James Negley (at home), Joseph (married to a Miss Wright, is a drug- gist at Chadron, Neb.), John (engaged in stock business in Nebraska), Jane Ann (wife of David McGuyin, a farmer of Custer county, Neb.), Martha (Mrs. Perry Lyle, living at Anaheim, Orange Co., Cal.), Attissa (deceased January 16, 1863) and Charlie (married to Belle Caldwell, and living on a place adjoining the old Rankin farm). The home place contains fifty acres of good land, which is in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Robin- son votes with the Democratic party, and he and his wife are members of the Mt. Prospect Presby- terian Church.

W ILLIAM W. DINSMORE. Among the leading citizens of Washington county, the sons of Erin have ever held a promi- nent position. The original Dinsmore family were natives of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish de-

scent, and from that fair land James Dinsmore immigrated to America, first locating on Miller's run, Allegheny county, Penn., afterward, about 1798, moving to Canton township, Washington county. He had two sons-John and James-also several daughters. John was married to Jane Carr, and settled in Canton township, this county, where five children were born to them, namely: William, James, John, Robert and Mary.

James Dinsmore (son of James and father of William W.) was born March 4, 1782, in Canton township, this county, and in 1802 was united in marriage with Hester Hamilton, who was born March 6, 1784, a daughter of James and Mary (Renick) Hamilton. Both families were early and prominent settlers of Canton township. To this union children were born as follows: Robert, Feb- ruary 13, 1806; Rebecca, January 30, 1808; Mary, January 6, 1810; Elizabeth, September 22, 1812; James, November 8, 1815; John, July 25, 1818; Alexander W., April 26, 1820; William W., De- cember 3, 1822; and Sarah A., September 8, 1824. Mr. Dinsmore removed to Mt. Pleasant township, where he followed farming very successfully. He was prominent and influential both in the Presby- terian Church and Sunday-school (being a member and regular attendant of both), and served for many years as superintendent of the latter. They brought up their children in strict conformity to the tenets of the church. The father died No- vember 15, 1831, from the effects of being thrown from a young horse. After the death of her hus- band, Mrs. Dinsmore, although in delicate health, cared for and educated her children, sending her sons James and Alexander to college to prepare for the ministry. She died April 13, 1859, in her seventy-fifth year.

James Dinsmore was an uncompromising and enthusiastic champion of temperance. About the year 1830 Rev. Anderson, D. D., commenced ad- vocating the cause of temperance, and Mr. Dins- more was among the first to practice it. About that time, being in want of a barn (in those days they were all built of logs), he told some of his neighbors that he was going to have a "barn rais- ing," and that no whisky was to be used in the work. In reply to this it was intimated to him that the men would not raise the barn without whisky. "I will try it anyhow," was Mr. Dins- more's laconic reply, and he did so; he not only tried it, but succeeded; and it is a historical fact that this was the first barn in the country raised without the use of alcoholic liquors. To this rec- ord his son, William W., adds the following: "And I, James Dinsmore's son, am three-score and ten years old, and have yet to take my first dram. I have not chewed an ounce of tobacco, or smoked the bulk of one cigar yet, and I do not feel like breaking my record now."

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William W. Dinsmore was born on the home place in Mt. Pleasant township, and attended school until about seventeen years of age; he then took charge of the old homestead.

On October 7, 1847, Mr. Dinsmore was mar- ried to Miss Mary Jane Maxwell, who was born January 11, 1829, daughter of James and Margaret (Greer) Maxwell. The young couple first settled on the old homestead, two or three years later pur- chasing the farm in Hopewell township, which is the present home of our subject. It contains 172 acres, and is known as the best farm on the Wash- ington and Wellsburgh roads. In 1875 he pur- chased 163 acres in another part of Hopewell township, and both farms have been improved and cultivated to the utmost extent. Mr. Dinsmore is a great admirer of fine horses, devoting much attention to raising them. For many years he was a teacher in the Sabbath-school, but has re- cently given up his class, and he also served many years as a church trustee, contributing liberally, as well, to the support of the cause. He is an in- telligent man, a great reader and a close student of current events, and has always been energetic and thrifty.

Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore both united with the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church in early youth, taking an active part in both church and Sabbath-school work. She died August 7, 1889, leaving several children, of whom the fol- lowing is a brief record: Margaret Jane, born No- vember 10, 1848, is the wife of W. M. Dinsmore, of Canton township (they have four children, William M., Mary Daisy, Sarah Adeline and Hel- en R.); Hetty Amanda, born December 7, 1850, was married to Luther Lawton, of Cross Creek township (they have the following children: John Orr, Mary Luella, Sarah Bessie and Paul Hubert); James Maxwell, born September 1, 1853, married Flora Donaldson (their children are Grace Walker, Mary Josephine, Robert Edwin and William Lloyd); William Benjamin Franklin, born July 26, 1857, is living at home, unmarried; Mary Lou, born October 16, 1859, was united in marriage with J. O. Ely, May 10, 1888 (she died May 10, 1890); Robert Addison, born March 17, 1864, studied dentistry and located in Cumberland coun- ty, Ohio, but moved to Cleveland, where on No- vember 5, 1891, he was married to Miss Virgie Green (he is now practicing in Cleveland, Ohio); Emma Rebecca, born September 1, 1866, married J. O. Ely, September 1, 1891, and they reside in Chicago, Ill., where he is practicing dentistry. Mrs. Dinsmore was much loved and esteemed as a good, kind-hearted Christian woman, possessing an unbounded influence for good. Her death was deeply mourned by her family and many friends.

THOMAS WILSON, son of Thomas and Mary (Ellis) Wilson (both of whom are deceased), was born near Belfast, County Antrim, Ire- land.

At the age of nineteen years, in com- pany with his brother, Joseph, Thomas Wilson came to America, and the two young men located at Canonsburg, Washington Co., Penn., where Thomas was engaged in the butchering business for a short time. He then worked in a brickyard for a period of five years, after which he moved to the " Robert Russell" farm, where he remained for twenty-five years. In the fall of 1879 he pur- chased the John Cummins farm, containing 110 acres, in Chartiers township, shortly afterward sell- ing it to Robert H. Russell (now deceased). In the spring of 1882 he purchased an unimproved farm, in Chartiers township, the one on which he now resides, immediately proceeding to erect a hand- some dwelling and new barn. In early manhood Mr. Wilson married Martha H., daughter of George Wilson, and to this union the following children have been born: George S., Mary E., Robert A., Mathew C., John R., Anna S., Lizzie J., Jennetta B., Louis T. (deceased), and one that died in infancy. The entire family are members of the United Presbyterian Church, at Canonsburg.

S HELDON B. HAYES, one of the enterpris- ing young business men of the county, was born February 3, 1855, in Washington borough, Washington Co., Penn. He is a grandson of Sheldon B. Hayes, who was the earli- est carriage manufacturer west of the Alleghanies, having commenced business in Washington in 1842.

Marshall H. Hayes, father of our subject, was born in June, 1827, in Connecticut, where he at- tended the common schools and passed his boy- hood until the age of fifteen, when he came to Washington county. In 1861 he went to Hart- ford, Conn., where he remained until 1869, when he returned to this county, and here ended his days. In early manhood he was married to Saralı Morrison, a lady of Scotch ancestry, and who had come to Washington county from Scotland at the age of fourteen years. The children born to this union were: Miranda M., who married John A. Storey, of Iowa, and died in 1880; Sheldon B .; Virgil C., who died in 1881; John B., who died in 1859; Mary, who died in 1862, and George. Mar- shall H. Hayes was a carriage manufacturer by trade, having succeeded his father in the business, and was eminently successful. He was a progres- sive, enterprising man, and all movements tending to the advancement of his section received his heartiest support. He was a prominent member

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of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics was a lifelong Democrat. He died March 26, 1891; his widow is yet living.

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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 92

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