USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 66
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R. S. ZOLLARS, farmer and stock-grower, Waynesburg, Penn., was born in this county July 4, 1835. He is a son of Neal and Elizabeth (Spencer) Zollars, natives of Pennsylvania, and of French and Dutch extraction. IIis father, a farmer, came to this county in 1834. Richard, the oldest of his six children, was reared on the farm, and received his earliest education in the district school. He subsequently attended Waynesburg College, and for three years
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
clerked in a dry goods store. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. Returning to his native county, he has since successfully devoted his time to farming. Mr. Zollars was united in marriage in 1882, with Miss Mary, daughter of Caldwell Orr. Mrs. Zollars was born and raised in this county, and is a zealous member of the M. E. Church. IIer husband is a Republican, and served one term as coroner of the county. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. Post.
GILMORE TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM CLOVIS, a farmer and stock-grower of Greene County, Penn., was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, September 9, 1825. , His parents, Matthias and Nancy (Barr) Clovis,. were natives of eastern Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. IIis father was a shoemaker by trade, and spent most of his life in Greene County. He died in 1861. William is the ninth in a family of twelve children. He received his education in this county, and early in life learned the miller's trade and engaged in that business for sixteen years. He has since been farming and dealing extensively in stock. He has lived in Gilmore Township since 1864. Mr. Clovis has made a success of his business, and has a wide circle of friends in Greene County. He is a Republican in politics, and was elected county commissioner in 1888. His home farm contains two hundred and eighty-seven acres of good land. William Clovis was united in marriage, in West Virginia, with Miss Rebecca, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Hinkens) Chalfant, who were of English and German lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Clovis have a family of twelve children, eleven of whom are living-Jacob C., a farmer and miller; Marion J., a farmer; John H., a merchant; L. B., a stock-dealer; Frances E., widow of Phenix' Meighen; A. E., a merchant; Peter, Samuel S. and Robert M., farmers; Dora Belle and Oscar W. Their parents are members of the M. E. Church, in which Mr. Clovis is steward, trus- tee and class-leader. He also takes an active interest in the Sabbath - school. He has served as justice of the peace for a period of ten years.
JEFFERSON DYE, hotel-keeper at Jolleytown, Penn., is a de- scendant of the earliest settlers of this county, and of English and German extraction. IFis father was a farmer and miller by ocenpation.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Mr. Dye comes of a large family, of which there are representatives now located in various parts of the United States. Ile was born November 16, 1844, a son of Minor and Rachel (Caine) Dye. His mother was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and was of German and English lineage. Jefferson was reared in Greene County, Penn., where he attended the common schools. He was with his father in the mill until he went to the war, in 1861. He enlisted in Company F, Seventh West Virginia Infantry, and was a non-commissioned officer. Ile was in many serious engagements; among others, the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Mr. Dye was a brave soldier, and at the battle of Antietam when his regiment was relieved by a regiment of Meagher's Irish Brigade, he did not retire from the field with his regiment, but went in with the Irish Brigade. After exhausting all his ammunition he replenished his cartridge box from the box of a wounded comrade of Company H. At the close of the war he returned to Jolleytown, where he has been proprietor of a hotel and undertaking shop since 1872, and recently engaged in merchandising. Ile was married in this county, February 9, 1871, to Rebecca A., daughter of Henry Shriver. Mrs. Dye was born in Monongalia County, W. Va. She was appointed postmistress under President Cleveland's administration. To Mr. and Mrs. Dye were born five children, four of whom are living-Eva, Charles, Frank, Fannie and Mary (deceased). Mr. Dye's first wife was Mary J. Mc- Cans. They had one daughter-Harriet. Mr. and Mrs. Dye are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was elected jus- tice of the peace in 1882, re-elected in 1887; is a member of the 1. O. O. F. and G. A. R. Post No. 367, J. F. MeCulough. Waynesburg, Penn.
JACOB M. EAKIN, who is a farmer and stock-grower of Gil- more Township, was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, September 1, 1827, and is a son of Justus and Mary (Myers) Eakin, who were of Dutch and Scotch-Irish extraction. His mother was born at Garard's Fort, this county. His father, a native of Virginia, was a cooper by trade, came to Greene County in early life, and died in 1870. Ilis grandfather, William Eakin, was a carpenter, and located for many years at the old glass works at Greensboro, Penn. Jacob's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died in Virginia. Jacob M. is the eighth of a family of ten children. He was reared in West Virginia and remained there until August, 1844. He then removed to Greene County, Penn., where he has been a very successful farmer, and is the owner of 600 acres of valu- able land in this county. Mr. Eakin has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary, a daughter of Erastus and Mary (Barnes) Woodruff. Her parents were natives of Delaware, and of English descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Eakin were born four children-Phoebe
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
J., wife of David Staggers; Sarah, wife of Marion Clovis; Athaliah, wife of Jacob Clovis, and J. Pierce, the only son. He was born in Gilmore Township, May 31, 1856, where he spent his early manhood. He was married in West Virginia, near Morgantown, January 29, 1880, to Mattie, daughter of Colonel Reuben Finnell, and they have three children-Jacob Myres, Mary Bodley and Robert Leemoyne. Mrs. Jacob Eakin died in 1856. Two years later Mr. Eakin married Miss Fannie, daughter of William and Nancy Lemmon. and they are the parents of one child-Mary E., who is the wife of O. J. Brown, of Mt. Morris, Penn.
JOHN G. FORDYCE, farmer and stock-grower, born in Gilmore Township, February 14, 1841, is a son of Corbly and Jane (Bailey) Fordyce. ITis parents were also natives of this county, and of Eng- lish extraction. His father, who was a farmer and stock-grower all his life, was reared in Greene County. Hle died in 1862, leaving a family of twelve children, of whom John G. is the sixth. He was reared in Gilmore Township, on the farm where his brother resides. He received a common-school education, then engaged in farming as an occupation, and is now one of the most successful farmers in the county. He owns 400 acres of valuable land. In 1866 Mr. For- dyce married Jane Huffinan, and they were the parents of two chil- dren-Dora and Charles. Mrs. Jane Fordyce died in 1877, a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Fordyce was after- wards united in marriage, in 1878, with Miss Anna, daughter of Phillip and Lydia (Kennedy) Phillips, and they have one son Phillip Corbly. Mr. and Mrs. Fordyce are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
S. W. GILMORE, farmer and stock-grower, Jolleytown, Penn., was born in West Virginia May 24, 1842, and is a son of Peter and Ellen (Trowbridge) Gilmore. His parents were also natives of West Virginia. and of German and Irish lineage. His father, from whom Gilmore Township took its name, was a farmer during his life time, and died in West Virginia May 19, 1876. The subject of this sketch was the youngest in a family of five children. fle was reared in Monongalia County, West Virginia, and received a common-school education. Mr. Gilmore has followed farming as his chief occupa- tion, and is the owner of a good farm of 400 acres. He was first married January 13, 1873, to Hannah Taylor, daughter of George and Marinda (Garrison) Taylor. Of their five children, four are living, viz: William II., Oscar E., Martha M. and Marinda E. Their mother died September 30, 1881. Mr. Gilmore was again united in marriage, in 1883, with Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sanders) White, and they are the parents of one child-John W. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is class-leader and trustee. He has also been
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Mr. Gilmore is a Republican. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company K, Fourteenth West Virginia Infantry, and was promoted to the office of Second Lien- tenant. He was wounded at the battle of Cloid Mountain. IIe: served until the close of the war, and is now a member of G. A. R. Post 550.
HON. JOHN HAGAN .- Among the most successful business men of Greene County may be mentioned Hon. John Hagan, de- ceased. He was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, and came to America while very young. He located at Pittsburgh, Penn., work- ing at anything that came to hand, and was successful in everything he undertook. He had a taste for the mercantile trade, and when he came to Greene County-more than half a century ago-he entered into partnership with Patrick McCullough and carried on a general store at Jolleytown, Penn. At his death he owned over 700 acres of land in Greene County. His success was due mainly to his indus- try and a determination to succeed. Ile died in 1873, shortly after his election to the Legislature. Mr. Hagan was united in marriage in this county, in 1859, with Martha, daughter of Abner and Han- nah (Morris) Garrison, and they had a family of five children, viz: John Patrick, Charles L., a prominent attorney of West Virginia; Clara May, Mary and Catherine. The family are all members of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Hagan is now a resident of Ohio. Her mother was a sister of Major J. B. Morris, of Mt. Morris, Penn.
T. M. HENNEN, wool and stock-dealer and secretary of the Philadelphia Oil Company, was born in Greene County, Penn., July 27, 1839. He is a son of George and Jane (Munyon) Henner, who were of Irish and English origin. His father was a farmer and stock-grower by occupation, and died September 13, 1885. IIis family consisted of eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the sixth. He was reared in Gilmore Township and re- ceived a good English education. Mr. Hennen first engaged in farming and dealing in wool, in which business he has spent most of his life. In 1863 he became actively interested in the oil busi- ness in Dunkard Township, and when the Philadelphia Oil Company was formed and commenced operations in Greene County he was elected secretary. He is the owner of a good farm of 165 acres, where he now resides in Gilmore Township. Mr. Hennen was united in marriage in 1868 with Rachel, daughter of Thomas W. Taylor, Esq., of this county, and they are the parents of three chil- dren-Frank W., George B. and Tinna A. Mrs. Hennen is a devoted member of the Baptist Church. Her husband is a Demo- crat and secretary of the school board in his township.
JOHN LANTZ, farmer and stock-grower, Jolleytown, Penn., was born in Wayne Township, Greene County, Penn., May 8, 1829.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
He is a son of Jacob and Delilah (Coen) Lantz, natives of this cou- ty, and of German and English lineage. His father was a farmer and stock-grower and a great hunter, born in Greene County in 1791. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1858. His family consisted of five sons, of whom John is the fourth. He was reared on the home farm in Wayne Township, and has successfully engaged in farming as an ocenpation. IIe owns 350 acres of valuable land in Gilmore Township, where he has lived since 1850. Mr. Lantz was married in Greene County September 19, 1850, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Charlotte Bradford, natives of this county, and of English deseent. Mr. and Mrs. Lantz have a family of eleven children, ten of whom are living, viz .- William HI. and M. J., mer- chants; A. B., a farmer; L. W., S. C., a carpenter; John, Delilah, Martha, Jacob and Alexander. Their mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Lantz is a Republican, and has served as justice of the peace for fifteen years.
SALEM LEMMON, deceased, was born March 20, 1823, and died August 15, 1887. He was a farmer and stock-dealer and a successful business manager, being at the time of his death the owner of over 600 acres of land in Gilmore Township. Mr. Lem- mon was the son of William and Nancy Lemmon, of this township. They were of Irish and German lineage. Mr. Lemmon was reared in this township, attended the common schools, and subsequently chose farming and stock dealing as his business through life. Ile was twiee united in marriage; first, with Mary (Babbit) Lemmon, and they were the parents of two children-William Milton, a farmer; and Ilarry, (deceased). Their mother died February 14, 1853. Mr. Lemmon's second wife, Maria (MeCune) Lemmon, is still living. She was born in Dunkard Township, this county, and is a daughter of John and Mary McCune, who were of Irish origin. Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon were married December 25, 1859. Their children are Mary M., owner of a well improved farm in Gilmore Township, and a dressmaker by occupation; Sarah A., wife of Andrew Lantz; and Naney V., wife of George Strawn. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Lemmon was steward and trustee. He was a Democrat, and served fifteen years as justice of the peace. He had just been re-elected, at the time of his death, to another term of five years.
W. M. LEMMON, farmer and stoek-grower, who was born in Gilmore Township May 17, 1850, is a son of Salem and Mary (Babbit) Lemmon. His parents were also natives of this county, and of German and English deseent. His father was a prominent farmer and stock-dealer, and was justice of the peace for many years in Gilmore Township. He was twice married. W. M. is the only child by the first marriage. Ile grew to manhood in this township , 39
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
attended the common schools, and has engaged extensively in farm- ing and stock growing. Mr. Lemmon is specially interested in fine horses, and is the owner of Diomede No. 1118 in France, and in America No. 2523. Diomede was brought from France and cost $2,000. Mr. Lemmon also owns a good farm of 150 acres. He was married in West Virginia August 30, 1874, to Clarissa J., daughter of Alexander and Rachel (Russell) Hennen. Mrs. Lem- mon is a native of Virginia, and of English extraction. Their chil- dren are-Jesse Ilarry, Lydia Ellen, Mary Hally, Owen R. and Emma Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon are leading members in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is steward and trustee.
SALATHIEL LEMMON, farmer and stock-grower, was born November 2, 1838, on the farm where he resides in Gilmore .Town- ship. He is a son of William and Nancy (Lemmon) Lemmon, who were of Irish and German origin. His mother was a native of this county. His father was born in Lancaster County, Penn. He was a farmer all his life, and died in this township in 1868. His family consisted of five children, of whom Salathiel is the youngest. He grew to manhood in this township, where he has been quite success- ful as a farmer, and is considered one of Greene's most prosperous citizens. IIe has also devoted some time to milling. Mr. Lemmon owns 450 acres of well improved land. He is a genial, agreeable gentleman, and has a wide circle of friends. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony May 15, 1860, with Miss Nancy, daughter of B. Renner, and they are the parents of six children-William J., Elizabeth E., wife of Lewis Cumpston; `Barney R., Dora M., Charles M. and Rosa M. William, the oldest, was born in 1862, and reared on the farm with his parents. He was married in 1883 to Rosa May, danghter of Abraham Taylor, and they have one child- Abraham Salathiel. Elizabeth E. and Lewis Cumpston were mar- ried in 1883, and have three children-Bertie C., Goldie M. and Barney M. Mr. Lemmon votes the straight Democratic ticket. He takes an active interest in school affairs, and has been one of the board of directors for seven years.
PETER MEIGHEN, deceased, who was a pioneer farmer and stock-grower, was born in Wayne Township, Greene County Penn., September 25, 1809. He was the son of William and Elizabeth (Inghes) Meighen, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of this connty. Peter Meighen's grandfather Hughes came to Greene County in 1762, at sixteen years of age, and died in 1836. He was a farmer by occupation, as were most of the Hughes family in America. Some of them have engaged quite successfully in the mercantile business. The subject of our sketch died in 1867. Of his thirteen children ten are still living. Elizabeth, the oldest daughter, died in 1855. William H., the oldest son was born in this township
5. Hunles m. Shinn
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
in 1841. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F., Seventh West Virginia, Infantry. Afterwards re-enlisting, he served until close of the war. During his services he was Corporal, afterwards Sergeant, then pro- moted to First Lieutenant. Catherine, and Belinda are the two old- est daughters. James, deceased 1850. Felix, deceased 1884, was a prominent merchant of Jolleytown this Township. Susan, wife of Peter Bradley, a prominent merchant of New Freeport ; Matthias is a partner of the firm of P. Bradley & Co. (New Freeport.) Priscilla, wife of Thomas C. Bradley, clerk in the Farmer's and Drover's Na- tional Bank of Waynesburg, Greene County, Penn ; Martha young- est daughter, teacher in the public schools this county. John, Will- iam, Dennis and Peter are prominent farmers and stock-raisers, they together, with their mother own seven hundred acres of land. Peter Meighen's widow is still living in Gilmore Township. She is a daughter of James Dye, who was born December 1, 1769. He was a hunter and pioneer farmer, and among the first to find the Corb- ley family after they had been murdered by the Indians at Garard's Fort.
PHILIP SHOUGHI, farmer and stock-grower, son of Joseph and Catharine (Chisler) Shough, was born near Uniontown, Fayette County, Penn., August 10, 1809. His mother was a native of Maryland. His father, who was of German extraction, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., July 16, 1761, and died in Fayette County, Ohio. He was a farmer and gunsmith through life. Philip was the youngest of a family of thirteen children, all of whom reached ma- turity except one, who died at the age of seventeen. Mr. Shongh was one of the few persons in Greene County who were so fortunate as to see General LaFayette during his last visit to America. Being a bound boy, he received but a limited education in the common schools. He was bound for five years to learn a trade, but has made farming his chief occupation, in which he has been very suc- cessful. At one time liis possessions amounted to over seven hun- dred acres of land, but much of it has been given to his children. He now owns one hundred and fifty acres where he resides in Gihnore Township. He was united in marriage in Dunkard Township, Jan- nary 15, 1832, with Matilda, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Long) Garrison. Mrs. Shough, who was of German origin, died Jannary 18, 1885. Of their six children, four are living; Rebecca, wife of William Hoskinson; George W., a farmer; Sarah Ann, wife of Hiram Milliken; and Mattie. Josephus and Elizabeth are de- ceased. Mr. Shough is a Cumberland Presbyterian, of which church his deceased wife was a faithful member. Mr. Shongh is a Repub- lican in politics, and was a captain in the old militia. He takes an active interest in school affairs and has been a member of the board of directors in his township. G. W. Shough, his oldest sou now
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
living, was born March 16, 1839, and was reared in Gilmore Town- ship on the old home farm. He has made farming his occupation, and is the owner of three hundred acres of land. He is married and the father of eleven children. He was a student at Waynesburg College when the war broke out in 1861, but enlisted in the Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was elected Lieutenant of the company. Ile was in many hotly contested battles-among others Gettysburg and Antietam.
JACOB L. SHRIVER, physician and surgeon, Jolleytown, Penn., was born in Whiteley Township, January 11, 1828. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Shull) Shriver, who were also natives of this county, and of Irish and German origin. His father was a farmer all his life and died in 1880. His family consisted of nine children, of whom the Doctor is the oldest. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, and attended the district schools. He afterwards spent some time in the old Greene Acad- emy at Carmichaels, and the College at Waynesburg, Penn. He studied medicine with Doctors Arthur Inghram and Alexander Shaw, of Waynesburg. Dr. Shriver first engaged in his chosen pro- fession, in 1851, at Jolleytown, Penn., where he has had a large and lucrative practice, and is now the owner of considerable estate. He has a farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Gilmore Township. The Doctor is a registered member of the Greene County and State Medical Societies. He was united in marriage, December, 4, 1851, with Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah (Gardner) Goodwin, and they are the parents of nine children: Elizabeth Ann, wife of A. E. Clovis, a merchant at Jolleytown; John M., a physician; Josephine, wife of Morris J. Lantz; William G., who is in the real estate business in the West; Isaac N., a farmer; Sadie, wife of John Russell; J. F., Jessie May, and Mary Mattie. The Doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has served as school director of his Township.
ABRAHAM TAYLOR, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Gilmore Township, this county April 1, 1839. His parents, Francis and Susannalı (Baldwin) Taylor, were also natives of this county, and of English extraction, His father, who was a successful farmer, died in 1887. His family consisted of twelve children-four dauglı- ters and eight sons-of whom Abraham is the fifth. He was reared on the farm in Gilmore Township, and attended the district schools. He has been engaged as a farmer all his life, and owns seventy acres of good land where he resides. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage, August 20, 1864, with Eliza Ellen, daughter of Alexander and Maria (Clovis) Compston. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children-Rosa May, wife of William Lemmon; Patrick Henry and John H. They are members of the Southern Methodist Church, in which Mr. Taylor
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
is trustee. IIe is a Democrat in politics, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion, he promptly enlisted in Company F, Seventh West Virginia Infantry and served two years and nine days. He was in many battles and skirmishes, among which were the battles of Fredericksburg, Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettys- burg. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post 550.
GREENE TOWNSHIP.
W. C. BAILEY, farmer and stock-grower, who is descended from the early pioneers of Greene County, was born March 27, 1842, on Muddy Creek, this county, on the farm where his parents reside. He is a son of J. K. and Delilah (Craft) Bailey, who are natives of this county, and of German origin. W. C. is their fourth child. He was reared in Cumberland Township, and attended the common school and Greene Academy at Carmichaels, Penn. Mr. Bailey taught school for several years, but subsequently devoted his time wholly to farming and stock-growing, and owns 236 acres of good land near Whiteley P. O., Greene Township, this county. Mr. Bailey was united in marriage, January 15, 1874, with Miss Maggie, daugh- ter of Richard and Emeline (Wise) Hawkins. She is of German and English origin. Mr. Bailey is a Republican. IIe and wife are active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
B. W. DENNY, M. D., was born in Jefferson Borough, Greene County, Penn., September 17, 1836, and is a son of William and Re- becca (Litzenburg) Denny, natives of Pennsylvania. His father and grandfather, John Denny, were farmers. The latter came from England to America, and settled near Jefferson, Penn., where B. W. spent his youthful days and attended the common school. The Doc- tor attended Waynesburg College until he began the study of medi- cine in the office of Dr. W. D. Rogers, of Jefferson. In 1859 he entered the Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1862. Then, instead of entering the practice of his profession, he raised a company for the service of his country. He was elected Captain of Company E, of the Ringold Cavalry, which afterwards became Company F, of the Twenty-second Regiment. Capt. Denny remained in command for three years, with the exception of about eight months when he was sent on detached service to Washington, D. C. Dr. and Mrs. Denny were at Washington at the time of the
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