USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
701
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
where Mrs. Sarah O. Rogers died. Mr. Rogers afterwards married Mary Price and moved to Clover Hill, and from there to Browns- ville, Penn. He then moved near Mount Pleasant, Ohio, and finally to Indiana, where they reside at the present. By the first marriage there were ten children, of whom Mr. J. H. Rogers is the oldest. Of these five are living. The subject of our sketch was united in marriage, October 31, 1854, with Charlotte V. Rearhard, who was born in Uniontown, Fayette County, Penn., January 3, 1833, and is a daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth Rearhard, natives of Pennsyl- vania. Her father was born in 1787, and departed this life Decem- ber 5, 1570. Mrs. Rearhard was born in 1792, and died May 24, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have six children, five of whom are living; viz., Sarah E., Emma J., Anna V., Craig S. and James H. Frank is deceased. Mr. Rogers acquired his education in the com- mon schools, after which he learned the carpenter's trade with .his father and worked at that business till 1861. He then began study- ing photography with J. S. Young, of Washington, Penn. He finished the study in two years and opened a gallery in Bealsville. After remaining there about nine months he carried on a successful business at Brownsville for a period of eight years. IIe then re- turned to Washington and purchased the gallery owned by J. S. Young. He remained there for eight years, then purchased a farm in Amwell Township, Washington County, on the W. & W. Rail- road, consisting of one hundred aeres. He remained on his farm three years, then moved to Waynesburg, opened a gallery and has been very successful in his business. He makes photographs of all kinds and sizes, making a specialty of copying and enlarging pic- tures. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Knights of Honor, and both he and his wife are members of the C. P. Church.
REV. W. M. RYAN was born March 7, 1848 near West Alexan- der, Washington County, Pennsylvania. His parents, Joseph and Isa- bella Ryan, still reside in Washington County. His father has been a farmer all his life, hence the subject of this sketeh was reared on a farm. He enjoyed the advantages of the public schools of his na- tive county, and also a term or two in the Academy at West Alex- ander. After this he became a teacher, teaching for five years. In December, 1868, he made a profession of religion, and became a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. In 1871 he en- tered Waynesburg College, graduating in the class '74, in the class- ical course, after which he took a three year's course in Crozer Theo- logical Seminary, at Chester, Pennsylvania. He was ordained as a gospel minister in September, 1877, since which time he has been engaged in the active duties of his profession. Ilis first pastorate was with the Beulah and Bates Fork Baptist Churchies of this County. From these churches he was called to the charge of the
.
702
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Waynesburg Baptist Church, where he is now in the ninth year of pastorate. Ifis labors in all these fields have been eminently success- ful. Mr. Ryan has been twice married; first, to Miss Nantie, daughter of Jesse Hill, August 24, 1876. She died June 21, 1880. He was again married May 17, 1883, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Calvin Rush, of Morris Township, this County. Mr. Ryan's family now consists of himself, wife and four children ; viz., Gertrude M., and Nantie Belle, by his first wife; and Isa Lee and Jessie J., by his second marriage.
E. M. SAYERS, attorney at law, Waynesburg, Penn., is one of the first and most active business men of the county. He was born in Waynesburg May 30, 1812. His father Ephriam Sayers, was a native of London County, Virginia, and his mother, Mary (Wood) Sayers, was born in Hartford County, Maryland. Both were of English ancestry. Ehpriam Sayers was a pioneer of Greene County, having in 1786 settled two miles east of the present site of Waynes- burg borough, where he led an industrions life, and reared a family of four children-three sons and one daughter. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in Franklin Township, this county, and completed his education in Washington College, He read law in Waynesburg with the Hon. Samuel Cleavenger, and commenced the practice of his profession in his native town in 1835. He has met with marked success, which may be attributed to his more than ordi- nary business qualifications. He is the owner of a number of farins in Greene County, large tracts of land in the South and West, and considerable real estate in Waynesburg. He has been a member of the Republican party since its organization. Mr. Sayers was united in marriage with Miss Jane Adams, a daughter of Robert Adams, in 1839, she died in 1847. Their children are Henry C., a farmer and business man of Waynesburg; James E., a member of the Greene County bar-Thomas and Ezra, deceased. Mr. Sayers was united in marriage the second time, in 1852, with Miss Harriet W. Tan- ner, a native of Massachusetts. They are the parents of six chil- dren : Norman, a farmer of Franklin Township ; Florence A., wife of Charles A. Martin; Mary, D. L., and two children who were burned to death when quite young. Mr. Sayers has given his children the advantages of a liberal education. His sons Henry C. and James E., were soldiers in the late war ; and his uncle, Josiah Sayers, and his grandfather, William Sayers, were in the Revolutionary war, be- ing present when Lord Cornwallis surrendered his army at York- town, Virginia. The farm settled by William Sayers the ancestor is still in possession of the family, and has been for about a hundred years.
JAMES E. SAYERS attorney at law of Waynesburg, Penn., where he was born May 30, 1845, is a son of E. M. and Jane
703
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
(Adams) Sayers, also natives of Waynesburg. His father is an at- torney and counsellor at law. James E. was reared in Waynesburg, where he attended the common school and college. Ile was after- wards a student in the Ohio State University, and learned the print- ing trade when a boy. July 15, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, 85tlı Penn. Vol. Infantry, as a private, was discharged at Richmond, Va., with the rank of Orderly Sergent on May 13, 1865. He was " in at the death," having fired his last gun at Appomattox C. H. Va., and having participated in twenty-two battles and skirmishes and three seiges-Charlestown, S. C., Petersburg and Richmond, Va. Re- turning from the army, his first business venture was as an editor. In 1866 he bought the Waynesburg Republican, of which paper he was editor and proprietor for nearly three years, when he again en- tered school and graduated, in 1870, in the law course in the Indi- ana State University. For four years thereafter he continued in journalistic work. In 1874 he began the practice of law in Waynes- burg, where he has since remained. Politically Mr. Sayers is an car- nest Republican. Ile was a delegate in the National Republican Convention of 1884, and was once the nominee of his party for Con- gress in the Twenty-first District. On June 16, 1868, Mr. Sayers married Anna A., danghter of Albert Allison, One of the first merchants of Waynesburg. Mr. and Mrs. Sayers are the parents of two children-Albert II. and Jane.
ROBERT A. SAYERS, chief burgess of Waynesburg, Penn., born May 27, 1841, is a son of William W. and Rebecca (Adams) Say- ers, natives of this county. His father was born Angust 12, 1805, and died May 22, 1886. Ile was a brother of E. M. Sayers, Esq., and they were for years associated in the real estate business in Waynes- burg. William's main occupation was the stone and marble busi- ness, in which he was a partner with Simon Rinehart, Esq., for many years. Ile was married in Waynesburg to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Robert Adams, who was a Whig and a Republican, and lived to be ninety-six years old. He was at one time register and recorder of Greene County. Robert A., the subject of our sketch, was reared in Waynesburg, where he was educated in the college. When the war broke out he left college and enlisted Nov. 4, 1861, in the 8th Penn. Reserves. ITis military career is worthy of record. IIe par- ticipated in severe battles; was taken prisoner and suffered all the horrors of prison life. He was wounded at the battle of Gaines Mill, in left thigh, and left on the battle-field for two weeks re- ceiving no medical aid. He was thien sent to Belle Isle, and subse- quently to Libby prison, where he was paroled and sent home. ' He only remained until his wound was well enough, and went through a long siege of typhoid and malarial fever, when he again joined his regiment at Upton Ilill, Virginia. At the close of his three years'
704
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
service he returned home and engaged in the coal business for six- teen years. In 1883 he was appointed U. S. Store-keeper and Guager. Mr. Sayers was married in Potter County, Penn., January 21, 1869, to Miss Florence Stevens, whose parents were born in Ver -. mont. Mr. and Mrs. Sayers have one child-Fendora, now a student at Oberlin College, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sayers and daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 367, Department of Pennsylvania.
HENRY C. SAYERS is among the successful busines men of Greene County. He has made farming his chief pursuit and has also dealt extensively in stock and real estate. He began business early in life, being the oldest son of E. M. Sayers, Esq. Mr. Sayers was born in Waynesburg, November 21, 1840. Here he grew to man- hood and was a student at the first session of the college. He went to Iowa in 1859 and engaged in buying and shipping stock to Chicago, Illinois. Hle returned to Waynesburg in 1861, and August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. This was an independent regiment which acted as body guard to General Rosecrans. Among the battles in which he engaged were the following: Antietam, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Tullahama and Rome, Georgia, pursuit of Longstreet through Tennessee by way of Knoxville to North Carolina, and then had quite a skirmish with the Indians. In 1863 he was captured by General Wheeler's Cavalry and marched with Wheeler's command for some time before being paroled. After joining his regiment he was for a time detailed as a courier to carry despatches to the front facing the enemy. At the close of the war Mr. Sayers returned to Waynesburg, where he has been success- fully engaged in business. Ile was united in marriage, in 1867, with Miss Clementine, daughter of Samnel Rush. Mrs. Sayers is a native of this county, and of English descent. Their children are-Ella Jane, C. E. and Henry C., Jr. Mrs. Sayers is a member of the C. P. Church. Mr. Sayers is a Republican, was constable of the county, two terms and has served as a member of the school board of Waynes- burg. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Sayers was formerly a member of the Templeton Post of Washington, Penn., but now belongs to Col. J. F. Mccullough Post, of Waynesburg, of which he has been commander, and was an alternate delegate to the Twenty-first National Encampment at St. Louis, Mo.
J. M. SCOTT, farmer and stock-grower, and U. S. store-keeper and gauger in the twenty-third collective district of Pennsylvania, was born in Jefferson Township, Greene County, Penn., December 10, 1844, and is a son of William P. and Sarah (Long) Scott. Ilis father and grandfather were farmers. His grandfather, James Scott, came from Baltimore, Md., to Greene County, Penn., among the early settlers of Jefferson Township. J. M. Scott's grandmother, Scott,
705
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
was ninety-eight years of age; her maiden name was Margaret Kin- caid, she died April 1, 1888. The subject of our sketch is the oldest in a family of seven children, all of whom are living and married. Hle was reared on the farm, attended the district school in Jefferson Township and Waynesburg College. He taught school in early life, but has made farming his main pursuit, and is a resident of Franklin Township. In 1871 Mr. Scott marrried Miss Margaret, daughter of Iliram Rinehart. Their children are-Harry, Henry and Jesse. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Scott is a Democrat, and a member of I. O. O. F., and is a member of the encampment. He is also a Master Mason.
S. W. SCOTT, wool and grain merchant, was born in Washing- ton County, June 26, 1835, and is a son of William and Abigail (Wood) Scott, natives of Washington County, Penn. His father was Seoteh and his mother was of English and Irish origin. His father who was a farmer nearly all his life died in 1878. llis family con- sisted of eight children. The subject of our sketch was reared in Greene County, to which his parents removed in 1839. He attended the public schools and Waynesburg College. He learned the car- penter's trade at which he worked for six years. Mr. Scott then be- gan dealing in wool and has been extensively engaged in that business since 1863. He is prominent among the successful business men of Waynesburg. Mr. Scott, who is a Republican, was appointed Dep- uty U. S. Revenue Collector in 1864, and served until 1866. He was re-appointed in 1869 and served until 1874. Mr. Scott was married in 1865 to Miss Frances, daughter of Thomas Ilill. Their children are- Ella B., wife. of A. P. Dickey, Esq., of Waynesburg; William E., Nannie, Fannie and Samuel W. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a trustee.
W. G. SCOTT, Professor of Mathematics of Waynesburg College, was born in Washington County, Penn., December 11, 1832. His parents were William and Abigail (Wood) Scott, also natives of Washington County, and of Scotch and English ancestry. They were married in Washington County, where they remained until 1839, at which time they removed to Greene County, where they remained until their death. Mr. Scott departed this life in 1878, and his widow in 1880. They were the parents of nine children, eight still living. Prof. W. G. Scott is the oldest and was united in marriage, April 17, 1862, with Miss Mary Sutton, who was born in England, being the daughter of the Rev. R. H. and Martha (Cowen) Sutton, now residents of Waynesburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born three children-Mattie E., wife of Rev. J. II. Encas; Minnie M., wife of J. N. Norris, and Gail. Prof. Scott acquired his earliest education in the old-fashioned log school-house and afterwards attended Waynes-
706
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
burg College, where he graduated in the year 1867. After teaching one year in Greene Academy, he was elected to the chair of mathe- matics of Waynesburg College, and has filed the position ever since. He has also been engaged in the mercantile business since 1867, being now sole proprietor of the store opened by him and his father in that year. It is one of the leading stores in Waynesburg, receiving a large patronage from the town and vicinity.
E. H. SHIPLEY, druggist, was born in Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1864, and is a son of Julius and Eliza (Hair) Shipley. Ilis parents were also natives of Fayette County, and of English descent. His father was a civil engineer, and is now deceased. The subject of our sketch is the second in a family of three children. He was reared in a Uniontown, where he attended school. He afterwards clerked in a drug store for a period of three years. Mr. Shipley came to Waynesburg in 1881, clerked in a drug store for two years, then opened up his present business, in which he has been very liberally patronized by. the people of Waynesburg and vicinity. He is a Democrat in politics. On Janu- ary 23, 1888, Mr. Shipley married Miss Anna L., daughter of Cap- tain J. R. and Nancy (Bayard) Ilewitt. Mrs. Shipley is a native of this county, born July 7, 1865.
A. F. SILVEUS, attorney at law, Waynesburg, Penn., was born near Jackson Centre, Mercer County, on the 5th of December, 1851. He is the son of Henry B. and Rachael (Taylor) Silveus, who were natives of Greene County, and were of German and English origin. Ilis father, a farmer and stock-grower, was elected sheriff of Greene County in 1867, and served the term of . three years. The son was the fourth in a family of eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters. He was reared upon the farm, attended the common schools, and when his father was elected sheriff he served as deputy. He subsequently taught school, and became a student at Waynesburg College, from which he graduated in 1873. He then resumed teach- ing, and in 1875 was elected superintendent of the schools of Greene County. For two terms he taught in Waynesburg College, giving special attention to the normal classes. Ile read law with IIon. A. A. Purman, was admitted to practice in 1878, and opened an office at Waynesburg, where he has practiced since. He has served as a school director. IIe was married in 1877 to Miss Lida, daughter of John T. Hook. Both are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They have two children-Jessie and John T. In politics Mr. Silvens is a Democrat.
REV. J. L. SIMPSON, a retired Methodist minister, was born in Virginia, January 6, 1822. IIe is a son of William and Mary Ann (Leech) Simpson, who were of English and Irish descent. His father was a boot-maker. Rev. J. L. Simpson is the second in a
707
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
family of eight children. IIe received a collegiate course in West Virginia, and also served a regular apprenticeship at the saddler's trade. Ile entered the ministry in his twenty-second year, in which field he has successfully labored ever since. Ile was first licensed in 1844 and was appointed as an assistant in Pittsburgh, Penn. In 1846 he came to Waynesburg and took charge of a circuit, but sub- sequently went to Virginia, where he engaged in the ministry until
1862. When a large number of the young men in his church and congregation enlisted in the army and insisted on his going with them, he enlisted and was elected Captain of their company. They were assigned to the Fourth Virginia Cavalry. Captain Simpson was elected chaplin of the regiment and served two years in that capacity. At the close of the war he again entered the ministry and went to Wisconsin, where he took charge of the Methodist Protestant Church at Beliot for two years. In 1854 he was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of Thomas and Nannie Black. Her parents were natives of West Virginia, and of Scotch and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have six children, three of whom are living- Anna May, wife of Harvey Clifford, of Wisconsin; Mary L. and George B. The deceased are Charles R., Helen V. and Carrie Olive. The family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Simpson is a Republican, and has met with more than average snc- cess as a minister of the gospel.
A. C. SMALLEY, chief of police, was born in Waynesburg, September 10, 1843. Ilis parents, E. P. and Catherine ( Rinehart) Smalley, were also natives of Waynesburg. His father was born in 1805, and died in 1885. The subject of this sketch is the oldest in a family of three children-two sons and a daughter. He attended the public school and Waynesburg College. Mr. Smalley learned the chairmaker's trade and carried on the business in Waynesburg for a time. In 1862 he enlisted in Company HI, in the One-Hundred and Twenty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and served his term of enlistment. On returning home, he resumed chair making and carried on the business until he embarked in the mercantile trade. On account of failing health he retired from business in 1883, sold out in 1887 and was appointed chief of police, which position he still holds. In 1868 Mr. Smalley was married to Mary E., daughter of Absalom Iledge. She is also a native of this county, and of Eng- lish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Smalley are members of the Baptist Church, in which he is trustee and treasurer of the Sabbath-school. IIe belongs to the G. A. R. Post, No. 367, Department of Penn- sylvania, of which he has been quartermaster, and is also a Master Mason.
J. M. SMITH, saddle and harness manufacturer, was born at Carmichaels, Penn., November 18, 1845, and is a son of II. A. and
38
708
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Mary E. (McGee) Smith. Ilis grandfather, J. II. McGee, was a wealthy merchant at Carmichaels, where he also engaged extensively in the coal business. Mr. Smith's father was also a saddle and har- ness manufacturer and carried on a successful business at Carmichaels for many years, was also post-master for sixteen years. The subject of our sketch is the oldest of a family of five children-four sons and one daughter. Ile was reared in this county, receiving his education in the old Greene Academy at Carmichaels. Mr. Smith earned harness making with his father and has been engaged in that business since 1867. In 1864 he enlisted in the Twenty- Second Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry, or Ringold Cavalry, and was with General Sheridan on his famous ride from Winchester. He then went West for eight years, returning to Waynesburg in 1875, when he engaged in his present business and has met with average success. Mr. Smith was united in marriage, September 19, 1876, with Melissa Donley, whose ancestors were among the early Irish settlers of Pennsylvania, and among the first to find a home in Greene County. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children-Harry, Joseph R. D., Donley McGee and Catharine D. Mr. Smith is a Republican and has been a member of the town council three terms. He is Captain of the Waynesburg Blues -- Company K, Tenth Reg- iment, N. G. P., and a member of the G. A. R. Post of Waynes- burg.
JAMES B. SMITH, county surveyor, was born in Center Town- ship, August 16, 1846, and is a son of Edmund and Elizabeth (Adamson) Smith. They were also natives of this county, and of English origin. Ilis father was a farmer all his life, and died in February, 1887. Of his family of eight children six are now living, of whom James B. is the third. He was reared in Greene County, attending the common school and the Millsboro Normal school. IIe gave especial attention to the study of surveying and civil engineer- ing and has devoted most of his time to that business, having served as county surveyor for several years. Since 1880 he has been prin- cipally engaged in civil engineering. In September, 1868, Mr. Smith married Miss Elizabeth M., danghter of Samuel Throckmorton, and they have one child, Albert Bunyan.
D. A. SPRAGG, U. S. Revenue Collector of the twenty-third district, Greene County, Penn., was born January 28, 1835. Ile is a son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Shriver) Spragg, natives of this county. His ancestors were among the earliest English farmers of Wayne Township. The original farm is still in possession of the family. Mr. Spragg's father died in 1877. Of his family of three children the subject of our sketch is the second. He was reared on the farm in Wayne Township, attending the district school. lIe chose farming as an occupation, but followed it only a short time.
-
709
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
At the age of thirty-two he opened a store at Spraggsville. Hc was elected sheriff of the county in 1882 and held the office three years. In April, 1886, he was appointed to his present position. In 1860 Mr. Spragg married Elizabeth, daughter of John Gibbons. Mrs. Spragg is also a native of this county, and of English extraction. Their children are-Sidney D., wife of C. T. Wise, and Herman. Mr. Spragg is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F., in which order he has taken all the degrees.
T. ROSS SPROAT, farmer and stock-grower, who was born in West Virginia, Jannary 7, 1842, is a son of James and Susan (John- son) Sproat. His mother was born in Washington County, Penn. His father, a native of Greene County, and a farmer and carpenter by ocenpation, settled in Whiteley Township in 1844, and died in 1849. Mr. Sproat's grandfather was David Sproat, a native of Vir-
ginia. At his father's death Ross was obliged to make his home among strangers, and received but a limited education in the district schools. Ile started out in life, however, with a determination to succeed and, by means of his energy and elose application to his work, he has secured a good farm of one-hundred and fifty-nine acres, where he resides near Waynesburg, Penn. In 1862 Mr. Sproat enlisted in Company K, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was discharged in 1863, having taken sick at the battle of Stone River and never again being able for duty. In 1869, he married Miss Harriet, daughter of Joseph and Charlotte ( Rinehart) Ankro:n. Her parents were natives of this county-her father was born in 1807 and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Sproat are the parents of seven children- Charlotte, Joseph, Susan, Eva V., Wilbert, Jesse and May. Their parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Sproat has been class-leader, and superintendent of the Sabbath-school.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.