Commemorative biographical record of Washington County, Pennsylvania, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 96

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 96

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Samuel Clokey, the only son of James and Jane Clokey, was born April 25, 1787, in Dauphin county, Penn., and was educated at the subscription schools of the locality. At the age of eighteen he came to Washington county, and until the day of his death remained on the home place settled by his father. On January 1, 1824, he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Alexander McClure, of South Strabane township, and the children born to them were Mary J., wife of P. F. Martin (deceased); James (deceased); Elizabeth B., wife of James Martin; Alexander (deceased); Sarah H .. wife of Hon. J. G. Clark; Samuel M. (deceased); Abigail F. (deceased); Joseph H .; Rebecca M., wife of Dr. George A. Dougherty, and Caroline L. The father died December 31, 1871, the mother July 11, 1878, and their remains repose in the cemetery at Pigeon Creek. Mr. Clokey in church connec- tion was first a Seceder, but afterward united with the U. P. Church at Pigeon Creek, of which he was a trustee. Politically he was a Whig and afterward, on the organization of the party, a Re- publican. About 1845 he applied for a postoffice at the village on his farm, when there was no of- fice nearer than Washington, five miles distant, which request was granted, and he partially sup- ported the same until the Civil war, from which time to the present the office named Clokey has done a thriving business. Mr. Clokey was post- master of the same until his death.

Joseph H. Clokey was educated at the common schools of the district in North Strabane township, and had a thorough practical training in agricult-

ure on his father's farm. On December 12, 1878, he was married to Jennie, daughter of Rev. Joseph White, of Knoxville, Iowa; she died September 4, 1885, leaving three children: Samuel J., Ethel R. and Elizabeth Anna. In February, 1889, Mr. Clokey married Lucy E. Toynbee, daughter of Edward and Caroline S. Toynbee. Mr. Clokey owns a fine farm of 300 acres, well adapted for cereal and root crops, besides stock raising. He is a member of the U. P. Church at Pigeon Creek, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He is a leader in his township, taking a lively and sub- stantial interest in all public matters tending to the advancement and prosperity of the community at large. Since his father's decease he has held the position of postmaster at the village of Clokey- ville, on his farm.

H ARVEY H. KINDER, a well-known farmer of Washington county, is a native of West Bethlehem township, and a resident of East Pike Run township. His father, Valentine Kinder, was a son of George and Ruth Kin- der, who were of German-Welsh descent, and passed their later years on a farm in Washington county, Pennsylvania.

Valentine Kinder was born in 1804, in Wash- ington county, Penn., and when a young man was united in marriage with Julia A. Booze, who was born in 1806. Their children were born as fol- lows: George, Harvey H., Louis, Isaac, John, Christian, Elizabeth, Valentine and Samuel, of whom are yet living Harvey H. and Samuel. The father was an active worker in the Whig party, and followed the occupation of farming. He died in June, 1890, having been preceded by the mother in 1884. Both were members of the M. E. Church.

Harvey H. Kinder was born September 28, 1833, on the home farm in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., where he received a com- mon-school education. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company B, Twenty-second Cavalry, under Capt. A. J. Greenfield, and served in the principal battles of the war, and a number of skir- mishes in which his company were engaged. In 1864 he received an honorable discharge, and re- turning home was married October 16, 1864, to Maria Bailey, who was born 1843, in Washington county, Penn. She is a daughter of Isaac and Agnes Bailey, and granddaughter of George and Rebecca (Zollars) Garret. The last mentioned couple were of German ancestry, and settled in this county many years ago, where they both died.

Isaac Bailey was of Welsh descent, and was born in 1812, in Washington county, Penn. When a young man he was married to Agnes Garret. She was born May 8, 1817. Three children were born to this union, as follows: Maria (Mrs. Kin-

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der), Henry and William G. He was an active worker in the Republican party, and in religion a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He died in 1882; his widow still survives.

Harvey H. and Maria (Bailey) Kinder are the parents of five children, namely: Isaac V., Dora A., Anna, Emma and William. Mr. Kinder is a prom- inent citizen, is actively identified with the Repub- lican party, and lias held various township offices. His farm contains ninety-three acres of valuable land, upon which a comfortable two-story brick residence has been erected, also a large frame barn. He and his wife are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church.

W ILLIAM ROSS. Among the prominent and successful citizens of Chartiers town- ship William Ross stands with the first. He is the eldest of two children born to Thomas Ross, whose parents were Joseph and Martha (Christy) Ross. The latter were natives of Ireland, and in 1794 came with their first-born child to Mifflin county, Penn., where they settled and carried on a farm. To Joseph and Martha (Christy) Ross, children were born at follows: James, John, Michael, Joseph (all four of whom were deceased in Mifflin county), Mary, Martha, Jane (Mrs. William M. Mclaughlin) and Thomas. Joseph Ross passed the remainder of his life on the pioneer farm, where he and his wife died.

Thomas Ross was born in 1787, in County Londonderry, Ireland, and came with his parents to Mifflin county, Penn. In 1807 he came to Washington county, and in 1810 was married to Margaret Mcknight, also a native of Ireland, a - daughter of William and Margaret (Lutton) Mc- Knight, who emigrated from Ireland in an early day, and passed their lives in Washington county, Penn. After his marriage to Margaret McKnight, Thomas Ross settled on a farm in North Strabane township, this county, where two children were born: William and Jane (widow of James Farley, of Washington, Penn.). The father died in 1867, being preceded by his wife in 1832.

William Ross was born September 2, 1811, in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., and was educated in the log cabin subscription schools of the times. In 1845 he was married to Rachel Watson, who was born June 30, 1818, daughter of David and Mary (Craighead) Watson. They were born in Ireland and came to America before the Revolution, and Gen. Washington made his New Jersey headquarters during the Revolu- tion, at the home of grandfather Craighead. After their marriage David and Mary (Craighead) Watson settled on the farm where William Ross is now living, and the following named children were

reared by them: Martha, born in January, 1816, (deceased May 17, 1884); Rachel (Mrs. William Ross); Nancy, born March 11, 1820; Milly, born December 8, 1822; Mary Ann, born January 1, 1825 (deceased September 29, 1825); Isabel, born January 11, 1827 (deceased in October, 1891, at Canonsburg), and George C., born January 27, 1829 (deceased in childhood). After his marriage William Ross settled in a log cabin (one of the oldest in Washington county) on the farm which is yet his home. Children have been born to him as follows: Mary Jane (wife of William Gardener, of Iowa), Amelia (married to John Edwards, of Chartiers township), Anna Maria, Isabelle, William, and David (married to Elizabeth Potter, who has borne him four children). Mr. Ross is one of the oldest living settlers of Chartiers township; and has known all the hard- ships peculiar to pioneer life, and has always been a farmer, now owning a well-cultivated farm of ninety-six acres, being also engaged in mining coal from a vein on the place. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. One grandchild is living with him, George Foster. Mrs. Ross died some years ago.

OSEPH BUFFINGTON stands prominent in the array of native-born agriculturists of Washington county, as a weather-worn giant tree towers in a forest of majestic oaks. He is the grandson of John Buffington, of an old-time Quaker family, who came into the wilds of what is now the State of Pennsylvania with their great leader, William Penn.

This John Buffington was the first postmaster of Philadelphia, when the now great city was a place of a few straggling cabins, built at the inter- section of two country roads. He held this office until the Revolutionary war, when he came to Washington county, making a settlement in Pike Run township, where he patented a large tract of land. He married Sarah Young, of Chester county, who bore him the following named children : Joseph, Sethecia and Aca. A tailor by trade, Mr. Buffington followed it to a certain extent in con- nection with farming, but the latter was his chief employment through life. In politics a Whig, he took an active interest in the affairs of the nation in his day struggling through a period of com- parative infancy. Mr. Buffington died at about the age of seventy years.

Sethecia Buffington, father of Joseph, was born and reared in Pike Run township, and when a young man learned the hatter's trade, at which he was employed a few years in early life, the latter portion being devoted to farming pursuits. Like his father, he had to undergo the many trials

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. and hardships incident to pioneer life, and his name in the vicinity of his labors is " as familiar as household words." For a long term of years he held the office of justice of the peace, in fact, until the revision of the constitution of the United States. In 1846 he pushed farther westward, making a settlement in Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his active life, dying in 1851 at the age of about three-score years. Children as follows were born to him: Orpha, John, Polly, James, Joseph, Seth, Jessie, Robert, Sarah, Abbie and William B., of whom are now living: Joseph (in Washington county, Penn.), Abbie (Mrs. Deems, in Missouri), and William B. (in Henry county, Iowa).

Joseph Buffington was born March 2, 1806, in East Pike Run township, three miles west of Brownsville, where he was educated and reared to farm life. His education was received at the old- fashioned log school-house of those primitive days, presided over by some worthy antiquated dominie, who, perhaps, knew but little more than did his pupils. In his youth our subject learned the tanner's trade with David and John McKennan, and for nine years was engaged in the business, during five of which he conducted a tannery at Beallsville, this county, and then returned to the farm. In February, 1845, he removed from Pike Run to East Bethlehem township, where he has since resided. Mr. Buffington was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of John Thompson, an early resident of East Bethlehem township, and to them were born children as follows: John, Andrew Jackson, Ruth, Mary, Sarah and Emma. Of these John is deceased. Andrew Jackson married Elizabeth Taylor, of West Pike Run township, and now resides in Henry county, Iowa; Ruth married James Irwin, and resides at Front Royal, Va .; Sarah married Jacob Dague, and has her home in Somerset township, this county; Mary is the widow of Frank Jordan, and lives with her father; Emma is the wife of Miles G. Ruble, and resides in Kentucky (our subject reared two of their children, one of whom is now attending college at California, Penn.). Mr. and Mrs. Buffington celebrated the sixty-third anniversary of their marriage. Mrs. Buffington died October 28, 1892. Mr. Buffington is hale and hearty for a man of his years, and is as straight as an arrow, wonderfully agile, and gifted with a remarkable memory. He is a Democrat, although from principle he voted for Gen. Harrison and Abraham Lincoln. His farm consists of seventy- three acres of prime land, whereon are cultivated under his immediate supervision various small crops.

Andrew J. Buffington, son of Joseph, is a Re- publican in politics, has twice served in the Penn- sylvania Legislature, and is at present county com- missioner of Henry county, Iowa.

OSEPH KAMMERER. This prominent mer- chant, agriculturist, distiller and stock dealer was born May 20, 1835, on the place adjoin- ing where he now resides, and of which in 1859 he became owner.

His father, John Kammerer, was born in Ger- many in 1793, and was educated in the schools of his land. In 1820 he was married to Margaret Dunker, who was born in 1800, and five children were the result of this union, namely: Mary Ann, Barbary, Catharine, John and Martin, all now de- ceased. The mother died in her native land in February, 1830, and the father was, on July 21, 1830, united by matrimony with Elizabeth Bender. Then bidding good-bye to the Fatherland, wife and children, he sailed for America. After finding a suitable location for a home, he sent for his wife and children, the next year, and settled in Notting- ham township, Washington Co., Penn., following the business of millwright and milling. He then worked two years as a carpenter, after which he embarked in general merchandising and the hotel business, on a tract of land of eighty acres leased from Thomas Officer, the patentee of same (near the present site of the village of Kammerer), which he purchased in 1839. Thereon he erected a store- room and hotel, and the place came to be known as "Dutch John's." To the union of John and Elizabeth (Bender) Kammerer were children as follows: Jonathan, born July 31, 1831; Joseph (whose sketch follows); Elizabeth, born February 28, 1837; Jacob, born November 22, 1838; Will- iam S., born February 23, 1843; Franklin G., born February 24, 1845. Of these, Jacob died July 27, 1839; Jonathan died October 20, 1887; Frank- lin G. and William S. are at present engaged in the commission and brokerage business in Chi- cago. The father died July 24, 1856, the mother on May 18, 1859.

Joseph Kammerer, after his father's death, took charge of the business, and under his management it has been conducted to the present time. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Lucinda Howden, and to their union five children have been born, namely: Elizabeth Etta Bell, born March 3, 1861; Margaret Jane, born September 5, 1863; Joseph. Elmer, born November 2, 1864; James Alvin, born February 9, 1868, and Anna Barbara, born Feb- ruary 8, 1872.

In 1881 a partnership company was formed, under the name of "The Kammerer Manufactur- ing Company (Limited)," between Joseph Kam- merer, Christian Hootman and John Leyda, for the manufacture of liquors, the two partners last mentioned retiring from the company before the machinery was put into operation. The capacity of the distillery is thirty bushels per day. In con- nection with the distillery, Mr. Kammerer conducts a roller flouring mill, having a capacity of seventy-

Joseph Kommeres,

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five barrels of flour per day, and fitted with all the latest improved machinery, making a market for several townships for grain for which the highest cash prices are paid. He owns 200 acres of land on which mills are located, and is very valuable for its coal and gas, and for grazing and farm pur- poses. On this he is raising a fine herd of cattle. Mr. Kammerer is also in the merchandise business, carrying a stock of goods of about $75,000, con- sisting of a complete line of goods kept in a gen- eral store. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster at Kammerer, which office he still holds.

OSEPH KEYS, a very successful agricultur- ist, and prominent representative of an old family of Smith township, is a grandson of James Keys, who was born and reared in Cumberland county, Penn., and was there married to a native of the same county, who bore him one son, James.

Soon after the birth of this son the father died (about 1777), and his widow was then married to Robert Watson. Her son James lived with them, and in 1794 accompanied the family to Washing- ton county, locating on Chartiers creek, Chartiers township. In 1800 James Keys was united in marriage with Jane McClelland, who was born in 1779, a daughter of James McClelland, of Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county, who was a native of Ireland, and in an early day settled in the locality of Miller's run, Washington county. To the union of James and Jane Keys children were born as follows: Martha (married to William McBride, of Robinson township, this county), Jane (married to John McBurney), John(deceased), James (a retired farmer of Steubenville, Ohio), William (deceased farmer of Kansas), Joseph (residing in Smith township) and Ezra (a grocer of Leaven- worth, Kans.). After his marriage to Jane Mc- Clelland, James Keys moved to Trumbull county, Ohio (then a vast wilderness), remaining there but a short time, and then came to Smith township, this county, locating on a farm in Cherry Valley. In 1822 he represented Washington county in the Legislature, serving five years, and then re- turned to his farm. He was a brilliant and in- tellectual man, a leader in every undertaking for the public good. He was a Whig in politics, and in religious connection he and his wife were mem- bers of the Seceder Church in which he was an elder. His wife died in 1838, and after a useful and suc- cessful life, he was laid by her side in 1854.

Joseph Keys was born December 24, 1819, on his father's farm, in Cherry Valley, Smith town- ship, this county, and during his boyhood assisted in the usual duties of agricultural life, and at- tended the subscription school of his neighbor- hood. On January 15, 1843, he was united in

marriage with Eleanor Smith, who was born in 1821, a daughter of John Smith, a resident of Smith township. The following children have been born to this union: Martha J. (deceased wife of William Rea), Angeline (widow of A. L. Rea), Lizzie (living at home with her father), William J. (a farmer of Barton county, Kans.), and John W. and Joseph F. (both residing with their parents).

Mr. and Mrs. Keys located on a farm in Smith township after their marriage, and in 1849 moved to the valuable farm where Mr. Keys is now re- siding. It is one of the finest in the township, and comprises 264 acres of prime land. The place was entered by Lou Washington, a cousin of George Washington, and here for twenty years Mr. Keys has carried on a general farming, stock- raising and dairying business. In 1886 his resi- dence was laid in ashes by a destructive fire, but it was immediately rebuilt on a more substantial and modern plan. Joseph Keys is one of the most solid and prosperous farmers in Smith township. In politics he has been a Whig and Republican. In 1886 he was called to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed from earth after a married life of forty-three years. She was a member of the U. P. Church, with which he is connected. His home is now being cared for by his daughter, Miss Lizzie.

W H. GREGG. Among the early settlers of Washington county, whose deeds are an undying monument to their memory, were the ancestors of the well-known family of which this gentleman is a representative.

In 1791 three brothers-Henry, William and John Gregg-left Ireland, the country of their birth, and crossed the ocean to America. After a voyage of sixteen weeks they all came to Washington county, Penn., and settled in East Pike Run town- ship, where Henry secured a tract of 349 acres called the " Burning Mine," now owned by a Mr. Duvall. Henry Gregg served as justice of the peace in 1796. He was married to Jane Dowler, and of their children, whose names are given, are John, Henry, Thomas, Edward, Seth and William. The parents died in 1834, in West Pike Run town- ship.

John Gregg, son of Henry, was born and reared on the home place in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn. He received a thorough education, and then learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed several years. When a young man he made choice of a helpmeet in the person of Edith, daughter of Caleb Woodward, who was a native of Scotland, and who, soon after his mar- riage, came to America, first locating in Chester county, Penn., afterward moving to Brownsville, Fayette Co., where he conducted a mill for many

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years. He was a strong advocate of the principles embodied in the Whig platform, and in religion was a member of the Society of Friends. His chil- dren were as follows: Milton, Alfred, Caleb, Edith (Mrs. Gregg), Charlotte and Sidney. Mr. and Mrs. John Gregg settled in West Pike Run town- ship, Washington Co., Penn., where he carried on a farm-also conducting a blacksmith shop for several years-and in 1859 moved to California, Penn. In political opinion he was a stanch sup- porter of the Whig and Abolition parties, and in religion was an active member of the Taylor M. E. Church. His children were Thomas, Caleb and W. H.

W. H. Gregg was born April 6, 1847, in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and remained with his parents until twenty years of age. He then worked about four years in the lumber business for Powell & Co., of California, Penn., afterward entering the employ of Morgan & Dixon, with whom he remained five years. In 1881 he opened his present business in Coal Centre, and has by good management and honorable deal- ing secured a large and constantly increasing cus- tom. On October 20, 1869, he was united in mar- riage with Jennie M., daughter of Robert and Augusta Forsythe, of Fayette county, Penn., and one son has been born to this union, Edgar F., a graduate of a business college, and now a book- keeper in Pittsburgh. Mr. Gregg is deeply inter- ested in the success of the Republican party, and has filled various borough offices, serving repeat- edly as a member of the school board. He is a member of the board of trustees of the South- western State Normal School, and has been a di- rector of the First National Bank of California, Penn., since its organization. He is a supporter of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

OHN ELLIOTT STEWART, a prosperous young farmer of Jefferson township, is a son of Robert Stewart. He traces his lineage back through the generations to one Lord Stewart, a peer of Scotland, who left his na- tive land, and settled in "Foggy Hill," County Ty- rone, Ireland.

James Stewart (the great-grandfather of John Elliott) embarked with his family for America on the ship "Doras," which was boarded, while on the voyage, by a British man-of-war. All able-bodied men on the "Doras" were impressed into the En- glish service, and Robert Stewart (a son of James), who was then eighteen years of age, was one of them. He served on a British man-of-war for sev- eral months, when he was released by strategy, his father having prevailed upon a young lady to claim him as her husband. The youth then joined his parents in Washington county, Penn., settling in Smith township, and soon after Robert Stewart

was united in marriage with Ann McGough, also a native of Ireland. Six children were born to their union, namely: John, Elizabeth (Mrs. Kidd), Sarah, Robert, James and Andrew.

Robert Stewart was born May 21, 1824, in Washington county, Penn. He attended the com- mon schools of the neighborhood and assisted in the farm duties during his boyhood. In 1852 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Elliott, who bore him three children, namely: John Elliott, born March 13, 1853; James, born November 25, 1855, and Robert, born February 26, 1858. The mother of this family died in 1858, and for his second wife Robert Stewart was married to Eliza Orr, of Irish descent, who lived but a short time afterward. He was then married to Rebecca H., daughter of Will- iam Provines, a native of Ireland, who settled in Jefferson township. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of which her hus- band is an earnest supporter. In politics he has always been a counselor and adviser in the Demo- cratic party, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

John Elliott Stewart was born on the farm where his father is now living, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, attending the common schools of the neighborhood during the winter months of his boyhood. He was united in mar- riage October 17, 1877, with Belle McKnight, of Hickory, Washington county, daughter of William McKnight, à native of Ireland. One child came to this union, Leman E., born September 30, 1878, whose mother died November 7, 1879. After her death John Elliott Stewart made his home for a time with his father, and also traveled through the Western States. On his return home he married on September 8, 1885, Miss Flora Agnes, daughter of H. C. Anderson, a prominent farmer of Cross Creek township, and they have had one daughter, Roberta Vere, born August 16, 1888. Mr. Stew- art is a great reader, and is specially interested in literature tending to impart information to the ag- ricultural and laboring classes. He owns 140 acres of fine farming and grazing land, and is now dep- uty-master of Washington county for the State Grange of Pennsylvania. Although the son of an active member of the Democratic party, and him- self favoring their platform, Mr. Stewart believes in voting for the man rather than the politician, regardless of party tenets. He has held several township offices, and is very prominent in all mat- ters of common interest to the community.

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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 96

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