USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 54
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JEREMIAH CLOUD, retired miller and distiller, Carmichaels, Penn., was born in Cumberland Township, Greene County, Septem- ber 3, 1797. He is a son of Joel and Susannah (Carrington) Cloud, being the oldest in a family of twelve children. His father was of English-German descent, a native of Chester County, Penn., and was both a farmer and a cooper. His mother was of Welsh origin. He received a common school education, and at an early age learned the hatter's trade, which he followed until he attained his majority. He
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was married by Rev. William Barley October 3, 1822, to Jane, daughter of John and Sarah (Wright) Morgan, who were of English descent. Three of his seven children are now living-Thomas, a farmer; Marion, a millwright; and Sarah Ellen, wife of Joseph Everly. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Cloud engaged with his father in the distillery business, in which he continued for a period of twenty years. By reason of the meagre facilities of that early day, the distilling art being then in its mnost primitive state, they could make but slow progress, one barrel a day being considered a big day's work. A grist-mill was erected by him in 1846, which
for many years was a great convenience and benefit to the people of his neighborhood. He retired from the cares of an active business life at an advanced age. Mr. Cloud is the owner of 203 acres of valuable farming land in Cumberland Township, He is a self-made man, his success in life being due largely to his strong will and remarkable energy. He has been an enthusiastic Republican ever since the party was organized; and so steadfast was he in the sup- port of Republican principles that he was never prevailed upon but once to vote for a Democrat. Ile was an active politician, but neither desired nor held an office. His thorough knowledge of politics, however, made him a very popular leader of his party. Mr. Cloud was reared a Quaker, and although he never joined any re- ligious denomination, his sympathies were with the Society of Friends, of whose doctrines he has ever been an earnest advocate. Mrs. Cloud, deceased, was a zealous member of the Baptist Church.
CAPTAIN HIRAM HI. CREE, farmer and stock-grower, was born May 21, 1819, where he now resides on the farm of 160 acres, which has been in the possession of the family since 1785. He is a son of Hamilton and Agnes (flughes) Cree, natives of Pennsylvania, which has been the home of the Crees for many generations. The Captain's father was a farmer, who, in 1848, died at the age of seventy-eight, on the farm where Hiram H. now resides. His family consisted of ten children. Hiram, one of the youngest, was reared on the farm, and attended the common school in Cumberland Town- ship. Ile engaged in farming until 1847, when he went to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and was employed as salesman in a large wholesale dry-goods house. After five months spent in that business, he re- sumed his farming until 1862, when he went into the army, enlist- ing in Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. When the company was organized he was unanimously elected its Captain, in which capacity he served most faithfully throughout his term. He was ever a gallant soldier, highly esteemed by all his company. In 1864 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James S. Kerr, and they are the parents of two children-Ellen Agnes and Rose Allena. In politics the Captain is a Republican,
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in religion a Methodist, and his wife is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church.
JOHN CRAGO, a retired farmer of Cumberland Township, was born February 15, 1814, and is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Greene County. He is a son of John Crago. Ile owns 330 acres of well improved land, where his great-grand- father settled and was afterwards killed by the Indians. The Cragos all came of industrious and energetic ancestors, and are noted for their morality and patriotism; they were represented in the Re- volutionary war. John Crago, of whom we now write, received his education in the subscription schools of his township, where he was married in 1840 to Eleanor, daughter of John and Mary Flenniken, both natives of Greene County, and of Irish and English descent. They have two children-Caroline, wife of M. L. MeMeans; and William II., a farmer, who was born in Cumberland Township April 5, 1843. He grew up on the farm, attended the district school, and has made farming his chosen occupation. In 1862 Mr. Crago en- listed in a cavalry company, which was afterwards consolidated and became Company D, Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was discharged for disability March 22, 1864. Mr. Crago has been blind for a number of years; but is possessed of such a wonderful memory that he can go all over his farm and attend to almost any kind of work. He transacts his own business affairs, in which lie has been greatly prospered, having at present a competence sufficient to keep him in comfort the rest of his days.
J. N. CRAGO, teacher and carriage manufacturer, Carmichaels, Penn., was born in Cumberland Township October 10, 1832. He is a son of Thomas and Cassandra Crago. His ancestors, who were of English descent, were among the early pioneers of this county. His father, who died in 1884, spent his life in farming. Mr. Crago is the oldest of five children, all of whom were born and reared in Cumberland township. He attended the common schools and Greene Academy. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, serving the regular apprenticeship. Early in life he began to teach school, and has been identified with the teachers of Greene County for thirty years. About the close of the war he began the manufacture of carriages at Carmichaels, and has devoted much of the time since to that business, in which he has made a reputation for good style and fine workmanship. In 1861 he married Per- melia, daughter of William Spencer. Mrs. Crago is of English descent. They have a family of five children-Richard, Thomas, Samuel, Bertie and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Crago are zealous men- bers of the Carmichaels Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Crago is trustee of the church, and served for many years as
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superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is a Republican and is a member of the I. O. O. F.
T. J. CRAGO, surveyor and school teacher, was born near Car- michaels, this county, July 16, 1843. His ancestors were among the pioneer farmers of the county. His parents, Thomas and Cas- sandra (Hughes) Crago, were of Irish and English descent. His father, who was a farmer and teacher, died in 1884. Mr. Crago is the fourth in a family of five children. He was reared in this conn- ty, attended Greene Academy, and became a teacher early in life. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, in what was known as the Rin- gold Cavalry, which was consolidated with the Twenty-second Penn- sylvania Cavalry in 1864, his company then being Company D. He was in many engagements-among others the battles of Winchester and Lynchburg. He was discharged May 28, 1865, at the close of the war, and has since taught school in Greene County, with the exception of two winters. He has also engaged to some extent in farming and surveying. Mr. Crago was united in marriage June 23, 1868, with Fannie J., daughter of James Wright, and is the father of three children-Mary, Albert and James. Mrs. Crago's parents were natives of Westmoreland County, and of Irish and Dutch descent. She died March 26, 1887, a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Crago is also one of the leading members of that denomination. In politics he is a Republi- can; he is a member of the G. A. R., and commander of Post 265 of Cumberland Township.
THOMAS J. CRAGO, boat builder, was born in Cumberland Township, Greene County, Penn., June 30, 1847. IIe is a son of Joseph and Maria L. (Thomas) Crago, and grandson of Thomas and Priscilla (Thurman) Crago, who were of English descent. His grandfather was a farmer, and one of the early settlers of the county. Hle was the father of fifteen children, of whom Thomas Crago's father, Joseph, was the youngest. Joseph was born in Cumberland Township, August 7, 1811. He had two older brothers in the war of 1812, and his grandfather, Archibald Crago, was killed in this township by the Indians. Thomas, the oldest in a family of seven children, received a common-school education, and early in life engaged in the saw-mill business. He has also paid considerable attention to boat-building, having built a number of boats and started them out from his place of business. In addition to his saw-mill, he owns a nice little farm of thirty-eight acres, which he has secured through his own industry and a strong determination to succeed. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of John Ridge. They have eight children-Amos A., W. L., Lorenzo, Susan- nah, Louella, Bertha, Grover Cleveland and Tina M. In politics
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Mr. Crago is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church, in which he is a trustee.
GEORGE G. CROW, dentist, Carmichaels, Penn., was born in Fayette County, Penn., January 1, 1837. He is a son of Michael and Sarah (Gant) Crow, also natives of Fayette County, and of Ger- man origin. His father was a miller and farmer. Dr. Crow is the third in a family of thirteen children, five of whom reached maturity. He was reared on the farm and attended the common schools of Fayette County. Early in life he began the study of dentistry at Smithfield, Penn. In 1859 he came to Greene County and located at Carmichaels, where he has practiced ever since. He lias made a thorough study of his profession, and bears the well-deserved reputa- tion of being a first-class dentist. He has many friends in Greene County, and has had several students in dentistry who have since be- come successful practitioners. Dr. Crow was the first dentist to locate in Greene County. May 1, 1861, he married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Darling. Mrs. Crow is of English descent. They Have three children-G. W., Ella and Frank. At the breaking out of the Rebellion the Doctor promptly enlisted in the Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was afterwards a member of Company I, Thirty- seventh Regiment of U. S. Infantry. This company was made up of men from Waynesburg and Carmichaels. Dr. Crow was Third Sergeant, and was in eleven general engagements, among others the battles of Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing, second Bull Run, An- tietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. At the elose of his term he returned to Carmichaels, and continued his practice in dentistry. He was instrumental in organizing the Dental Society of Greene County, and served five years as its president. The Doctor's family are members of the M. E. Church, in which he takes an active interest, being a trustee and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. In politics he is a Republican.
JERRY DAVIDSON, owner and proprietor of the Davidson Hotel, Carmichaels, Penn., was born in Cumberland Township, May 26, 1834. His parents, Alexander and Elizabeth (Gallaher) David- son, were natives of Fayette County, Penn., and of Irish descent. His father was a farmer, and reared a family of eight children, of whom Jerry is the fifth. He was reared on the farm and received a common-school education. He followed farming as a business until 1875, when he engaged in the hotel business in Carmichaels. Mr. Davidson keeps an excellent table, and always has first-class horses and carriages for the accommodation of commercial travelers and the traveling public. Mr. Davidson has been twice married, first in 1856 to Miss Selanta Flenniken. Of their three children two are living-J. Calvin, a blacksmith, and Frank F., a tinner. They are both married and doing well in their business at Carmichaels, where
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they reside. Their mother died in 1872. Mr. Davidson's present wife's maiden name was Harriet Stone. She was the widow of Ira J. Hatfield. They have two children-Henry Alexander and George S. Mr. Davidson is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat, in religion a Presbyterian. Mrs. Davidson is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
JOHN M. DOWLIN, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Jefferson Township, Greene County, Penn., October 16, 1855, and is a son of John and Elma (Bell) Dowlin. Ilis father, who is a native of Cumberland Township, is also a farmer and stock-dealer, and re- sides in Jefferson Township. He is a Democrat, and was United States Revenue Collector for a number of years. John M. Dowlin's grandfather was Paul Dowlin, a farmer of English descent. Mr. Dowlin is the only son in a family of six children. He was reared on the farm and attended the common school. He makes a business of farming and raising fine eattle and sheep, and superin- tends the home farm, consisting of 400 acres of most valuable land. Ile was married in Washington County, Penn., February 1, 1875, to Miss Rebecca J., daughter of Simon and Mary (Reynolds) Moredock. Their children are-Dessie L., Albert L. (deceased), John, Gertrude, Simon E. and Charles B. In politics Mr. Dowlin is a Democrat. He and Mrs. Dowlin are prominent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
J. F. EICHER, who was born in Fayette County, Penn., Febru- ary 28, 1820, is a foundryman and manufacturer and dealer in farm- ing implements. Ilis parents, Abraham and Mary (Freeman) Eicher, were natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and English descent. His father's family consisted of twelve children, of whom Mr. Eicher was the ninth. When eighteen years of age he went to Pittsburgh to school. IIe learned the moulder's trade at Connellsville, Penn., serving an apprenticeship of three years. Ile then lived for seven years at Uniontown, Fayette County, and in 1850 came to Car- michaels, where he has since been engaged in his present business, and - has met with unusual success. Mr. Eicher was married at Con- nellsville, February 14, 1842, to Miss Rosa A., daughter of William Glendenning. They are the parents of ten children, six of whom are living, viz: George, Emma, Wallace B., Robert, Sarepta and Anna M. Mr. Eicher has been an ardent Republican ever since the organization of the party. Mr. and Mrs. Eicher are faithful members of the M. E. Church.
WILLIAM C. ELLIOTT, blacksmith, was born in Washington County, Penn., April 26, 1848, and is a son of Samuel and Susannah (Bane) Elliott. His mother was born in Virginia, and his father, who was a veterinary surgeon, was a native of Washington County, Penn. William C. is the seventh of a family of nine children. IIe
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was reared in his native county, where he owns a fine farm. He at- tended the graded schools, and early in life learned the blacksmith trade, which he has followed ever since. In 1882 he married Miss Margaret Armstrong, and they have one child -- AAnna Mary. Mr. Elliott came to Greene County in 1883. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are leading members of the Presbyterian Chureh.
WILLIAM FLENNIKEN, farmer and stock grower, was born March 25. 1808, on the farm where he now resides in Cumberland Township. He is a son of John, and grandson of James Flenniken, who came from east of the mountains to Greene County, and engaged in farming in Cumberland Township. William's mother's maiden name was Mary McClelland; her parents were of the Scotch-Irish descent. His father was born in Cumberland Township in 1774, and died in 1855. Of his nine children William is the fourth, and was reared on the farm with his parents. He attended subscription school taught in one of the old log school honses of that day, and afterwards engaged in farming as his life work. He has met with unusual success, and now owns the fine farm of 140 acres where he resides. His wife was Miss Isabella, daughter of George C. and Isabella (Mc- Clelland) Seaton, natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Flenniken have four children-George C., a farmer in the West; Mary A., William F., who is at present on the home farm; and Laura J., wife of Oscar Hartley. In politics Mr. Flenniken is a Republican; his wife is a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church.
WILLIAM FLENNIKEN, meat merchant, who was born in Cumberland Township, July 30, 1838, is a son of John W. and Hettie (Wright) Flenniken. His mother was born in Bucks County, Penn., and his father was a native of Greene County. They were of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. Flenniken's ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, coming to Greene County as early as 1767. His father was a farmer; his family consisted of seven child- ren-four sons and three daughters. William was fifth in the family, and was reared on the farm in Greene County, where he remained until 1886. He then came to Carmichaels, where he has since resided. In 1863 he married Eliza A., danghter of William and Achsah (Smith) Hartman. Mr. and Mrs. Flenniken are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Flenniken has served as trustee.
ALFRED FROST, deceased, was among the most prominent mer- chants of Greene County, and was born in Pennsylvania, April 5, 1802. He was a son of William and Mary (Murphey) Frost, natives of Washington County. Mr. Frost was reared on the farm and attended the common schools. He chose farming as his vocation; but after his father's death he was obliged to work as a hired farm hand until
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he accumulated enough to begin business for himself. By dint of industry and economy he succeeded in acquiring a very fair share of this world's goods. In early manhood he engaged in the mercantile business, and for years owned a store in Carmichaels. He was united in marriage, January 23, 1830, with Mary, daughter of Henry and Elizabetlı (Stairs) Sharpnack, of German origin. Mr. and Mrs. Frost were the parents of three children-Mary E., now living in Car- michael's at the old home; William II. (deceased), late of Kansas City, Missouri, who married Caroline Fair, of Leavenworth City Kansas; Elizabeth, who is the wife of George D. D. Mustard, and the mother of the following children-John, Mary S., Charles, William D., James A. and George D. Mr. and Mrs. Frost were prominent inembers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE T. GREGG, farmer and stock grower, was born in Cumberland Township, Greene County, July 12, 1852. He is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Minor) Gregg, natives of this county, where they were married in 1844. Mr. Gregg's grandfather, Joseph Gregg, was born in Delaware, and was one of the early settlers of Greene County, Penn. He was a farmer and miller by trade. Mrs. Gregg's ancestors were of English descent, and also among the early settlers of the county. George T. Gregg's father, also of English descent, was born in Greene Township, and was a farmer and stock dealer until the time of his death. George's grandfather, John P. Minor, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Gregg is the third in a family of six children, three of whom are now living. He was reared in this county, attend- ing the common schools and Greene Academy at Carmichaels, Penn. He was united in marriage, September 30, 1870, to Miss Pratt, daughter of James and Milly (Mt. Joy) Pratt, who were natives of Fayette County, Penn., and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg have four children-Flora B., Joseph Charles, Myrta Rebecca and Orpha Ethel. Their mother is a faithful member of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Gregg is a Republican. Financially, he has been very successful, having 300 acres of land under his present control, and owing a fine farm of 114 acres where he now resides.
GENEALOGY OF THE MINOR FAMILY IN AMERICA .- The following genealogical record will be of interest to all the Minor family: The first member of the family who came to America was Thomas Minor, who was born in England in 1608, and came to this country in 1630. In 1634, he married Frances Palmer. Clement, son of Thomas and Frances Minor, married Frances Wiley in 1662. Their son William, who represents the third generation of the Minor family in America, married Anna Eyle in 1691. Stephen, son of William and Anna Minor, who married Ohalia Updike, was born in 1705, and was the eight son of the fourth generation. Samuel Minor was the fourth son in the fifth generation. He was married,
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and his oldest son was Abia Minor. Abia was the father of John P. Minor, who married Huldah MeClelland. Rebecca is the fourth of nine children and is the fourth of the eight generation. She is the wife of Joseph Gregg, of Greene County, Pennsylvania, who is the father of the subject of the preceeding sketch.
WILLIAM GROOMS, retired blacksmith, was born in Carmi- chaels, Penn., August 14, 1828. His parents were Benjamin and Isabella (Kerr) Grooms, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania re- spectively, and of English and Scotch descent. His grandfather, William Grooms, was one of the early settlers of Greene County. Ilis father was a farmer and carpenter, and had a family of six children, of whom William is the second of the three living. He was reared in Carmichaels, attended the common schools and Greene Academy, and in early life learned the blacksmith trade, in which he engaged for a number of years. In 1846 Mr. Grooms married Malinda, dauglı- ter of Moses and Susan (Vankirk) McIlvaine. They have six child- ren-Susan, wife of James Lincoln; Elizabeth, wife of George ". - Demain; Arabella, wife of Levi Taylor; William and B. F., black- smiths; and Eliza Jane, a teacher. In politics Mr. Grooms is a Re- publican. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Eight Pennsylvania Volunteers and served three years. He re-enlisted in Company B, Fifty-seventh Volunteer Infantry and served till the close of the war. IIe has been road commissioner, and was postmaster at Carmichaels for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Grooms are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the G. A. R. Post.
JOSIAH GWYNN, farmer and stock-grower, who was born near where he resides, October 20, 1812, is a son of Joseph and Martha (Dowlin) Gwynn. His grandparents on the maternal side were natives of Montgomery County, Penn., and were of Welsh origin. Mr. Gwynn's grandfather, Joseph Gwynn, came from Lon- don, England, to what is now Greene County, and was among the early settlers in this part of Pennsylvania. His grandfather Gwynn came to this county before the Revolutionary war, and settled on the farm which Josiah now occupies. This was then an Indian settlement --- or rather, an Indian neighborhood, and he took what was then called " tomahawk claim." He left this country with the intention of re- turning to London, but got no farther than the Island of Cuba, and there he engaged in a sugar plantation, and on his return he found other parties had settled on two of his claims. He served as county com . missioner in what is now Washington and Greene counties. Josiah Gwynn's father farmed on the home place throughout his life. He was drafted in the war of 1812, and died in 1864, at the age of sev- enty-five. Josiah is the oldest of a family of eight children. He attended school on his own farm, in the old-fashioned log school-
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house, which he has since seen replaced by one of hewn logs, that by a frame building, and the frame ready to be superseded by a sub- stantial brick. Mr. Gwynn has made farming the business of his life, and owns 200 acres of the original entry made by his grand- father. He was married March 28, 1841, to Lydia, daughter of George W. and Susannah (Myers) Phillips. Mrs. Gwynn was born in Chester County, Penn., in 1824. Her father was a farmer and butcher, of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Gwynn have eight chil- dren, six living -- Martha L., wife of Wilson Huston; Joseph C., George W., E. E., wife of Lacy Craft; John R. and J. F. All are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Gwynn is elder and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He has always been a liberal high-minded gentleman, and highly respected in the community.
J. F. GWYNN, merchant, who was born in Cumberland Town- ship, September 2, 1842,is a son of John Gwynn. His great-grandfather, Joseph Gwynn, Sr., came from London, England, settled in Greene County, and served in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Gwynn's father was born December 25, 1818, on the farm taken up by Joseph Gwynn, Sr., when he first came to this county. He was married in the fall of 1840 to Elizabeth, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Wright) Rea, who were of English descent. J. F. Gwynn is the elder of two children. IIe received his education in Greene Academy and Waynesburg College. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F. Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, but was transferred to the U. S. Signal Corps, where he served till the close of the war. He was in many engage- ments, among others, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and around Atlanta, ete. At the elose of the war he returned to his native town and engaged in the mercantile business in which he has met with snecess. Mr. Gwynn was united in marriage Jannary 24, 1868, with Elizabeth, daughter of William Hartman. They have three children-William, John and Anna. Mr. Gwynn is a Republican. He has served as school director, is a member of the G. A. R., and is adjutant of Carmichaels Post 265. He and his wife are zealous members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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