USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 57
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MORGAN YOUNG, farmer and stock grower. Rice's Landing, Penn., was born in Washington County, February 8, 1829, and is a son of Abraham and Hannah (Rose) Young. His parents were of Scotch-Irish and Dutch descent. His mother was a native of Greene County and his father, who was a farmer and stock raiser during his life-time, was born in Washington County, Peni. Both died on the same day in January, 1853, his wife surviving him just four hours. They had a family of ten children. Morgan, who was the sixth, was reared on the farm, attended the common school, and has made farm- ing the business of his life. He is the owner of a well improved farm consisting of two hundred and seventeen acres well stocked and kept in good condition. Mr. Young has been twice married; first, in 1850, to Harriet, daughter of Thomas M. and Maria (Phillips) Norris. Mrs. Young was of Dutch descent. They had four chil- dren -- A. L., a teacher and farmer in Ohio; Amy M., wife of T. O. Bradbury; Mary Ellen and James E. Their mother died in June, 1876. Mr. Young's second wife was Miss Emma, daughter of Aaron and Sarah (Mccullough) Bradbury, who were of English descent. Mrs. Young's father, now a farmer of this county, was for many years a farmer and tanner of Washington County, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Young have one child, Harry If. B. In politics Mr. Young was a Democrat until 1884, since which time he has been a strong Pro- hibitionist, and has filled various important offices in his township.
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He was justice of the peace for a period of ten years. They were both members of the Shepherds Methodist Episcopal Church, in which both were stewards, and Mr. Young has been trustee, superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and elass leader for thirty years, until two years ago, when they united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rice's Landing.
DUNKARD TOWNSHIP.
EMANUEL BEALL, overseer of the poor of Greene County, Penn., was born in Monongahela Township, this county, December 31, 1819, and is a son of Thomas and Marian (Engales) Beall. Ilis father was a native of Londoun County, Va., and his mother was born in Greene County, Penn. They were of English and German extraction. Emannel's grandfather, William Beall, was a pioneer settler of Greene County, and his maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch is next to the oldest in a family of eleven children. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was near twenty-four years of age, then located in Monongalia County, W. Va., where he engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. Mr. Beall has made his own way in the world, and at present is the owner of 500 acres of land. He owned at one time over 900 acres. Mr. Beall is a Democrat in politics, and at present is overseer of the poor of this county. He takes an active interest in the public schools, and has served a number of years as school director. In 1869 he returned to his native county and set- tled in Dunkard Township, where he still resides. He has made the raising of fine sheep a specialty, and has met with great sneeess in his business. Mr. Beall has been three times married, and is the father of eleven children, viz: John T., Bertha J., wife of Daniel Morris; William J., Charlotte, Martha, Barnet, Naney, George W., Andrew J., Miriam and Columbus. Mr. Beall is a faithful member of the Baptist Church, of which he is clerk.
THORNTON COALBANK, a farmer and stock-grower, born in West Virginia in 1821, is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Everly) Coalbank, who were also natives of West Virginia, and of Welsh and English extraction. His father was a farmer all his life. Thorn- ton, the fifth in a family of eleven children, remained on the farm with his parents until he reached his majority. He received his edu- cation in the district schools of West Virginia, and Greene County,
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Penn., where he has resided since 1842. Early in life he learned the shoemaker's trade, which, in connection with farming, he has fol- lowed through life, and has met with financial success, being at present the owner of a valuable farm lying along the Monongahela River. Mr. Coalbank has been twice married, first in Greene County in 1846, to Miss Sarah Hartly, who died in 1875. By this marriage Mr. Coalbank was the father of eleven children, most of whom grew to maturity. Ten years later he married Miss Agnes, daughter of John and Susannah (Bright) Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Coalbank are leading members in the Baptist Church.
AMBROSE DILLINER, retired farmer and stock-grower, was born in Dunkard Township, Greene County, Penn., September 14, 1815. He is a son of George and Sarah (Ramsey) Dilliner, who were natives of this county, and of Irish and German origin. His grandfather, Augustine Dilliner, came to Greene County more than a hundred years ago, and settled above the mouth of Dunkard Creek, in Dunkard Township, where he spent the remaining portion of his life. George Dilliner died in 1824, leaving a family of twelve chil- dren, of whom Ambrose is the youngest son. IIc was reared on his father's farm and received a common-school education. Mr. Dilliner learned the millwright business in early life, and engaged therein for ten years. He owned and operated a saw-mill in this township from 1867 till 1881. IIe has been quite an extensive lumber dealer, but has made farming his chief occupation, and owns a farm of 130 acres lying along the Monongahela River. Mr. Dilliner was united in marriage, March 23, 1857, with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Sarah (McKec) Griffin. Her parents were natives of Delaware, but have resided in Dunkard Township, this county, for about three- quarters of a century. To Mr. and Mrs. Dilliner have been born seven children, only three of whom are living-Sarah, wife of Jacob Kemp; Lydia F., wife of J. E. Sturgis, and W. L. The deceased are Caroline, Elizabeth, George S. and Walter. W. L., the youngest child living, has charge of the home farm, where he was born April 27, 1850. In 1877 he married Miss M., daughter of David and Jemima (Evans) Rich, and they have three children-Emma, Mamie and Walter S. Mr. and Mrs. Dilliner are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been an official member for forty- six years, and has served as Sabbath-school superintendent. Mr. Dilliner is a Republican, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
IRA D. KNOTTS, physician and surgeon, was born in Dunkard Township, this county, March 9, 1857. He is a son of William and Ruth (South) Knotts, who were also natives of this county, and of German and Scotch descent. His father is a farmer and stock-grower by occupation, and resides in Dunkard Township, where the Doctor is in successful practice. The Doctor is a grandson of Jonathan
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Knotts, who was born in this county in 1797, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in Fayette County, Penn., having lived to the advanced age of ninety years. Dr. Knotts is the fourth in a family of seven children. He was reared on a farm in Perry Town- ship, and his early education was obtained in the district school and Monongahela College at Jefferson, Penn. He subsequently went to Mount Union College, Ohio, and took the regular course up to the senior year, when he left for the purpose of studying medicine. IIe took the regular medical course in the University of Philadelphia, graduating with high honors in 1887. The Doctor was a diligent student, ambitious to acquire all possible knowledge in his profession. IIe pursued his studies with unabated zeal, and was awarded the $75 prize offered to his class for the best examination in hygiene. This trophy of honor is a fine microscope, which he finds of great value in his practice. He is a man of more than ordinary energy, and his professional skill and gentlemanly demeanor have won for him a liberal patronage where he is located, in Dunkard, Greene County, Penn. The Doctor, September 15, 1884, in a competitive examina- tion in Latin Physics and English Composition, passed the best ex- amination, and obtained as his reward for the same a scholarship for three years in the University of Philadelphia, Penn.
JOHN B. MASON, farmer and stock-grower, who was born in Perry Township. Greene County, Penn., July 22, 1816, is a son of Peter and Naomi (Jones) Mason. His father, who was born in Cnin- berland County in 1793, was the son of John E. Mason, one of the first shoemakers in Dunkard Township. Peter Mason was a farmer by occupation, and died January 1, 1888, leaving a family of eleven children. Mrs. Naomi Mason was a confirmed invalid for twenty-one years, and died August 28, 1870. John B., the second son, was reared in Whiteley Township, where he attended the district schools. He has spent a long life in his chosen occupation, and is one of the most successful and best known citizens in his township. He is the owner of a well-improved farm where he resides, near Davistown, Penn. After his mother's death Mr. Mason took care of his aged father until his death. In 1840 John B. Mason married Miss Hannah, daughter of John and Margaret (Wilson) Phillips. They are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Mason has served as class-leader for over forty years. He is also actively interested in the Sabbath-school, and has been superintendent for many years.
GEORGE G. MILLER, farmer and and stock-grower, was born in Dunkard Township, this county, December 30, 1836, and is a son of Daniel and Rebecca (Garrison) Miller, who were natives of Pen- sylvania, and of German and Irish extraction. Mr. Miller's father and Jonathan Miller, his grandfather, were farmers and millers by occu- pation. The farm where the subject of this sketch now resides is a part
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of a 700-acre tract of land purchased by his grandfather in 1808. Mr. Miller's grandfather died in 1849, and his father in 1887, in his seventy-seventh year. George G. was an only child. He was reared on the home farm and received a common-school education. IIe also attended Greene Academy, and Allegheny and Waynesburg Colleges, and subsequently taught school for several years. On September 22, 1862, Mr. Miller enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. Ile was orderly sergeant of the company, and passed through many severe battles. He was with General Averill on his famous raids to White Sulphur Springs, Lewisburg, and Salem. The U. S. Government showed its appreciation of the ser- vices rendered by the latter expedition by issuing to every man who returned from Salem a complete outfit of clothing free of cost. Re- turning home at the close of the war, he again engaged in teaching for a time, and always took an active interest in the teachers' insti- tute of the county. For the past few years Mr. Miller has devoted his time and talent wholly to farming and stock-growing, and his farm consists of 230 acres of well improved land. Mr. Miller has been twice married: First, in Washington County, to Miss Margery, daughter of John and Jane (Gregg) Hopkins. She was of Irish lineage, and died in 1874. Their children were-Laura, Ellen (de- ceased), Estelle and Charles. In 1877 Mr. Miller married Miss Eliza- beth McCormick, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Watson) McCormick, of Dunkard Township, and they are the parents of four children, viz., Wayne, Warren D., Peri and James Clifton. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Miller is a Re- publican, and a prominent member of the G. A. R.
ASA MILLER, retired miller, farmer and wool-carder, was born in Dunkard Township, this county, May 24, 1812. His parents were of German ancestry and natives of Frederick County, Maryland. His father, Jonathan Miller, was born February 10, 1774, and his mother, Susannah (Tombs) Miller, was born January 7, 1773. They were united in marriage August 8, 1799, and came to Greene County, Penn., in 1802, where he bought a large tract of land and water- mill on Crooks Run. He immediately put in steam power, by bring- ing the first engine into the county. The old mill burned in 1856, and was rebuilt by our subject in 1858, and he is now using the en- gine he first purchased for the old mill. Jonathan and wife were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, and their home was a welcome to the poor and needy. Both were mem- bers of the Dunkard Church. IIe died in December, 1849, and she in August, 1852. The Millers are remarkable for longevity, sagac- ity and uprightness of character. Of the eight children the young- est was seventy-one before any died. Jacob, the oldest, died in 1885, aged eighty-five years. Asa Miller, our subject, received a good edu-
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cation, attended Washington and Jefferson Colleges in Washington, Penn. Ife spent his early life as miller, a business he has been con- nected with through life. He has had success as a farmer and gen- eral business man, and owns a mill and over 200 acres of land within one mile of his birth-place in Dunkard Township. He was united in marriage in Monongalia County, West Virginia, Septem- ber 21, 1837, with Mary, daughter of Owen and Elizabeth ( Mc- Vicker) John. The former was of English and the latter of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of the following children -- Susan E., wife of E. MeElroy; William L., Jesse F., Amanda K., wife of Jolin Keener; Henry J., an eminent surgeon and physician of Tennessee. The deceased are: J. Q. and Mary V. Mrs. Miller is a devoted. member of the Dunkard Church.
I. A. MORRIS, retired farmer and stock-grower, was born Sep- tember 22, 1811, on a farm near Uniontown, Fayette County, Penn., and is a son of Griffith and Hannah (Springer) Morris. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and of Welsh and Irish origin. His father came to Greene County in 1824, locating in Dunkard Town- ship, where he spent the remaining portion of his life. His family consisted of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second. He was reared on the farm and received his early edu- cation in the district schools. He very naturally chose farming as an ocenpation, and engaged therein successfully until he retired from the cares of his more active life. His farm is well improved and consists of 200 acres, where he resides in Dunkard Township. Mr. Morris was united in marriage May 4, 1837, with Miss Nancy, daughter of Samuel and Retilda (Bright) Everly. Her father was born in Virginia, and her mother was a native of Delaware. They were of Irish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have a family of eight children-Martha J., wife of Josiah Hall; Clarinda, wife of William Hord; Clark, a stonemason; George W., a farmer; Loranda, wife of Isaac Courtwright; Samuel, a merchant at Uniontown, Penn .; Delia, wife of James Sargent, and Single. Mr. and Mrs. Morris are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a class-leader and superintendent of the Sabbath-school.
JAMES McCLURE, deceased, was born in Perry Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1816, and was the son of William and Jane (King) MeClure. His father was born in Ireland, and his mother in Perry Township, this county. James McClure was a farmer and stock-grower during his lifetime and at the time of his death, in 1886, was the owner of 400 acres of valnable land in Greene County. He was a self-made man, having no edneational advantages except such as were afforded by the subscription schools. His success in life was dne largely to his great industry and unfail- ing determination to succeed. In politics Mr. McClure was a Demo- 34
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crat, and served as assessor and school director in his township. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, February 22, 1838, with Miss Susan, daughter of Reuben and Rebecca (Johns) Brown. Her father was of Irish and English origin. Her mother was of Welshi extraction. To Mr. and Mrs. McClure were born twelve children, eleven of whom are living, viz: Owen, a farmer; Mary J., wife of William Hatfield, of Morgan Township; William L., a gold miner in California; Reuben M., a farmer in Iowa; Anna, Emma, Isabella, wife of Charles Haver; Miranda, Minerva, Josephine, James M., and Rebecca (deceased), who was the wife of Alfred Jamison. Their mother is a faithful member of the Goshen Baptist Church.
THOMAS B. ROBERTS, a farmer and stock-grower, who was born in Dunkard Township, this county, July 9, 1840, is a son of David and Mary (Jamison) Roberts. His parents were also natives of this township, and of Irish and English extraction. His father was a farmer, drover and stock-grower, and spent his life in Dnnkard Township. Thomas B. is the youngest of a family of four children, and attended the district schools of the neighborhood. He has dili- gently followed his occupation of farming and stock-growing, and owns sixty acres of good land where he resides, near Davistown, Penn. Mr. Roberts was united in marriage in this county, Novem- ber 17, 1863, with Miss Lucretia, daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Hunt) Stephens, and they have a family of seven children, viz: Louisa, wife of M. Donley; Mary A., Lucretia B., William Albert, Jesse Jamison, Pleasant E. and John M. Mr. Roberts is a Republi- can, and has served as school director of his township. He and Mrs. Roberts are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
DAVID STEELE .- Among the representative farmers of Dunk- ard Township we mention David Steele, who was born October 16, 1838. His parents, Jesse and Rachel (Zook) Steele, were natives of Greene County, and of Dutch and Irish extraction. They were des- cendants of the earliest settlers of the county. David's father was a farmer in Dunkard Township, and for many years resided on the farm which David now owns. He reared a family of eight children,
of whom David is the fourth. He was reared on the farm with his parents, and attended the district schools. He wisely chose his fa- ther's occupation, and has met with moderate success. In 1870 David Steele married Melissa, daughter of George Stoops. Their children are: George Lee, Edward W., Dora E., Alfred Moss and Jesse. Mr. Steele is a Democrat in politics, and one of the most highly respected citizens in the township.
THOMAS B. STEELE, of Dunkard Township, Greene County, Penn., was born March 1, 1841, on the farm where he now resides. He is the son of John and Nancy (Bowen) Steele, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and English ancestry. His grand-
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father, John Steele, who was a farmer and drover, died in 1862, hav- ing reached the advanced age of ninety-four years. Thomas Steele's father was born in 1797 and lived to be eighty-two years of age. He was a farmer and stock-grower, and spent most of his life in Dunkard Township. His family consisted of eleven children, who all grew to maturity. Thomas, the tenth child, was reared on the home farm, at- tended the district school and has been an industrious farmer all his ife. Ile was united in marriage, January 13, 1864, with Miss Rebecca, daughter of John Stevenson. Mrs. Steele is a native of Greene County, and of English and German descent. They are the parents of five children, viz .: John M., Artie B., Sadie L., R. B. and Nannie. In politics Mr. Steele is a Democrat. He and wife are leading meni- bers of the Baptist Church.
ABRAHAM STERLING, farmer and stock-grower, P. (). Greensboro, Penn., was born in Fayette County, Penn., March 12, 1837. ITis parents, Andrew and Julia Ann (Mosier) Sterling, were also natives of Fayette County, and of German ancestry. His father spent his life as a farmer and stock-grower in Fayette County, and reared a family of six children. Abraham is the second in the fam- ily. He chose farming as his occupation and has engaged therein all his life, with the exception of the time spent in building roads and bridges. Mr. Sterling is a natural mechanic. He has taken several contracts for building roads and bridges, and has always com- pleted his work satisfactorily. Mr. Sterling was united in marriage in Greene County with Miss Jemima, daughter of Asa Miller, and they had one son ---- Asa. Mrs. Sterling died in 1869. In politics Mr. Sterling is a Democrat. He and his brother own a fine farm of 280 acres situated in Dunkard Township.
JOSEPH SOUTHI, farmer and stock-grower, who was born September 5, 1822, is a son of Elijah and Nancy (Johnson) South, who were natives of Greene County, and descendants of its early settlers. Joseph South's grandfather, Elijah South, Sr., came from New Jersey to Greene County, Penn., in the spring of 1796. IIe took up a tract of several hundred acres of land, a part of which is the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. It contains 108 acres of valuable land. The Souths have usually been farmers. In 1852 Mr. South married Miss Melissa, daughter of Amos Wright, who was of English lineage. Mr. and Mrs. South have three chil- dren, viz .: John C., principal of Schools at Wichita, Kan .; Rachel M. and Dora Alice. The family are all members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. South takes an active interest, and has served as deacon and superintendent of the Sabbath-school.
REV. FRANK SOUTHI, Wiley, Penn., was born in Dunkard Township, Greene County, Penn., August 22, 1858. He is a son of Nicholas and Margaret (Lucas) South, who were also natives of this
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county. His ancestors were among the earliest English and Dutch settlers in this part of the State, and the history of the family shows them to have been farmers, usually, and enterprising people. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm in Dunkard Township, and received his early education in the district schools. In 1877 he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was licensed to preach in 1884. He now has charge of the Methodist Episcopal Churches at Davistown and New Geneva, Penn. Mr. South was on the farm with his parents until he reached his majority, and has since been in the employ of an oil company in Dunkard Township, and has proven himself faithful to the duties he has assumed. In 1886 Mr. South was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Ellen, daughter of Lewis Dowlin, who was born in Cumber- land Township, this county, December 1, 1818. He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Gwynn) Dowlin, who came from Bucks County, and were of Scotch and English ancestry. Ellen was the tenth in their family, and is a devoted member of the Baptist Church.
L. G. VANVOORHIS, a farmer and stock-grower, born in Washington County, Penn., June 2, 1810, is a son of Daniel and Mary (Fry) Vanvoorhis. They were born and reared in Washing- ton County, and were of German origin. Ilis father, who was a contractor and builder, also dealt largely in live stock, and was at one time owner of a grist-mill, oil-mill and saw-mill. He died in Washington County, Penn., leaving a family of eleven children, of whom ten are living. The subject of this sketch is the second child, and was reared on the home farm, where he attended the commnon schools. He has been a farmer most of his life, and has resided in Greene County since 1838. Mr. Vanvoorhis has met with marked success in his business. His present farm consists of 170 acres of good land, and he has given 400 acres to his children. He was nnited in marriage in Washington County, November 15, 1832, with Essie, daughter of Luke and Mary (West) Fry. Ifer parents were natives of Washington County, and of Dutch extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Vanvoorhis are the parents of eight children: Jane, wife of Joseph Ross; Isaac, a wealthy farmer and drover of this county; Mary, wife of E. S. Taylor; Minerva C., widow of John Long; G. Jerome, Daniel F., Laura, and Dora, wife of Joseph Call. Mr. and Mrs. Vanvoorhis are members of the Baptist Church, in which he has served as deacon for a number of years. He has taken an ac- tive interest in the educational affairs of his township, and has been a member of the school board.
ISAAC VANVOORHIS, a farmer and stock-grower of Dunk- ard township, was born in Washington country, Pennsylvania, Jan - uary 15, 1836. Ile is the oldest son of L. G. and Essie (Fry) Van- voorhis who were also natives of Washington County, and of German
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extraction. Ilis father, who for many years has been a prominent farmer, is now a resident of Greene County. Isaac Vanvoorhis was reared on the farm in Dunkard Township, where he attended the district school. During his early life he remained with his parents on the farm, where he commenced dealing in stock and has since spent most of his time in that business. He buys large lots of cattle in the Chicago markets, ships them to Greene County for pasture and sells numbers of them to the citizens of the county. Mr. Van- voorhis has met with great financial success in the stock business, and also owns one of the most valuable farms in Greene County. It consists of about 500 acres of land, on which are good buildings and improvements. In 1858 Mr. Vanvoorhis married Miss Ross, a daughter of Bowen and Ann (Gantz) Ross. Mrs. Vanvoorhis is a native of this county, and is of German and Irish origin. Their children are-Anna, wife of E. J. Moore; Martin, Cora, Charles R. and A. L. (deceased). Mrs. Vanvoorhis is a faithful member of the Baptist Church. Her husband is a Republican in politics, and has served on the school board of his township.
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