USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 68
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
737
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
JESSE DOWLIN, farmer, P. O. Khedive, was born in Cumber- land Township, Greene County, Penn., March 21, 1830. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Gwynn) Dowlin, natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in Greene County and made it their home until their death. He departed this life November 26, 1874, and she Sep- tember 30, 1878. Eight of their nine children are now living. Jesse Dowlin was united in marriage, February 22, 1855, with Eliza A. Huston, born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were John and Hannah (Sproat) Huston, both of whom died in Greene County-her father, March 5, 1885, and her mother in 1886. .. In the earlier part of his life Mr. Dowlin taught school through the winter and worked on the farm in the summer. He has since devoted all his time to farming and, as a result of his faithful labors, now owns a fine farm of 117 acres on which are good buildings. He has served as school director of his township.
WILLIAM GOODWIN, farmer, P. O. Jefferson, was born in Washington County, Penn., June 16, 1822. He is a son of John and Sallie (Gardner) Goodwin, the former born in York County, Penn., and the latter in Washington County, where they were married and remained until 1830, at which time they moved to Center Township, Greene County, and lived there till Mrs. Goodwin's death in 1843. Mr. Goodwin afterwards married Mary Dalripple (nee Bell), now de- ceased. He died in 1859. William was united in marriage, Febru- ary 26, 1847, with Nancy Wilson, born in Ireland March 7, 1827. Her parents, James and Martha (Craigmills) Wilson, were both born in Ireland, where they were married and emigrated to America in 1827, living first in Washington County, and then in Westmoreland County, where she died in 1830. Mr. Wilson then married Cath- arine McKee, now deceased; he died in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Good- win are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living -- Sarah E., John T., Mary, wife of R. II. Armstrong; Rachel, wife of W. S. Scott; Margaret J., Nancy A. B., William W. and Jessie M. The deceased are: Martha J. and an infant. Mr. Goodwin was reared on a farm, and is now regarded as one of the most substantial farmers in his township. He owns 350 acres of land in Greene County. He and wife are consistent and earnest Christians.
MARSHALL GWYNN, farmer, Khedive, Penn., a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Greene County, Penn., was born in Jefferson Township, March 9, 1826. His parents, James and Hester (Cree) Gwynn, were natives of Greene County and residents therein through life. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are living. viz: Joseph and Marshall. In 1861, November 29, Mar- shall married Kate IIill, born in Greene County September 3, 1835, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Hill (nee Roseberry), who were na- tives of Greene County, where they remained through life. Mr.
738
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Hill died in 1876 and Mrs. Hill in 1880. They were the parents of eleven children, ten now living. Mr. and Mrs. Gwynn have seven children-Frank, Frances, Thomas, Jesse, Ida, Remembrance and Albert. Mr. Gwynn is a farmer and owns eighty-eight acres of land where he and family reside. He is a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
JOIIN HAVER, P. O. Jefferson, is one of the pioneers of the township, where he was born October 12, 1802. He is the son of George and Priscilla Haver (nee Villars); the former was born in New Jersey and the latter in Pennsylvania, where they were married in Greene County and remained all their lives. They were the parents of ten children, of whom four are living. John is the oldest and was united in marriage March 8, 1832, with Jane Rex, born in Jefferson Township March 25, 1815, a daughter of George and Jane (Black) Rex, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Haver are the parents of eleven chil- dren, of these seven are living-George R., Priscilla, Mary E., Hiram, Jacob, Charles and James. The deceased are Sarah, John, Mar- garet and Emma. Their mother departed this life January 9, 1879. Mr. Haver is one of the retired farmers of Jefferson Township, and owns one hundred and fifty acres of land where he and his family reside. He has held a majority of the offices in his township. He belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which his de- ceased wife was also a member.
JACOB IIAVER, farmer, P. O. Jefferson, son of John and Jane (Rex) Haver, was born in Jefferson Township, Greene County, Penn., September 13, 1846. His father is living, and his mother deceased. His wife was Miss Nettie Cotterel, also born in Jefferson Township, January 17, 1847, a daughter of John and Permelia Cotterel (nec Milliken), deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Haver were married January 30, 1871, and are the parents of six children, of whom five are living John C., Jane R., Laura B., Joseph B. and Lizzie; William being de- ceased. Mr. Ilaver was raised on a farm and has made farming and stock-dealing his business through life. IIe owns a good farm in Jefferson Township, containing about two hundred acres, on which are good, substantial buildings.
CHARLES H. HAVER, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Jefferson, who was born in Jefferson Township January 22, 1820, is a son of John and Jane Haver (nee Rex). The former is living and the latter deceased. Mr. Haver was united in marriage January 22, 1880, with Isabella McClure, who was born in Dunkard Township, Greene County, Penn., in September 1859, a daughter of James and Susan (Brown) McClure. Mr. MeClure departed this life August 8, 1886; his widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Haver are the parents of two children-James C., born September 28, 1881, and Owen W., born March 27, 1884. Mr. Ilaver was reared on a farm and has been
789
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
.
engaged in farming and stock-dealing all his life. He owns valuable property in the borough of Jefferson.
ISAAC HAYS, farmer, Millsboro, Penn., is one of the pioneer farmers of Greene County, and was born in Morgan Township May 10, 1816, a son of David and Mary Hays, (nee Rush). His father was a native of Maryland and his mother of Greene County, Penn .. where they were married and remained all their lives. David Hays died in 1827 and his widow in 1870. They were the parents of four children, only two of whom are now living-Jane, and Isaac, the sub- jeet of our sketch. His wife was Margaret A. Walton, who was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1823, a daughter of Jolm and Sarah (Panl) Walton, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hays were married Septem- ber 22, 1838, and had a family of ten children, four living-Sarah A., wife of Wesley Rinehart; Mary M., widow of Lafayette Vernon; Margaret J., wife of George R. Baker, and Emeline E. Of the de- ceased Henry C. was born September 27, 1844, and died January 11, 1882, and John W., born November 1847, and died May 25, 1862. Mr. Hays owns a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres on which he and family now reside. Mrs. Hays departed this life Feb- ruary 13, 1872. She was a kind and affectionate mother, and a loving, faithful wife.
CHARLES IIUGHES, retired farmer, P. O. Jefferson, is a de- seendant of one of the first settlers of Greene County, Penn. He was born August 22, 1816, a son of John and Mary (Rex) Hughes. IIis mother was a native of Lancaster County, and his father of Greene County, where they were married in Jefferson Township in 1794, lived there seven years, then moved to Morgan Township and spent the remainder of their days. Mr. John Hughes died in 1844, and his wife in 1849. They were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom are living-Maria, the widow of Joseph McNealy, and Charles. He was united in marriage September 21, 1843, with Catharine McEowen, a native of New Jersey, and daughter of George and Permelia (Coleman) MeEowen, deceased. By this marriage Mr. Hughes is the father of five children, four living-John S., Mary E., wife of Hamilton Riggle, of Iowa; Permelia, wife of D. A. Bumgarner and Maria C., wife of B. F. Kendall. Amy is deceased. Mrs. Catharine Hughs departed this life June 13, 1856; and two years later, May 26, 1858, Mr. Ilnghes married Elizabeth Hill, who was born in Greene County July 14, 1829, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah Hill, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hughes are the parents of two children-Maggie and Anna M. Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes died November 27, 1887, a faithful mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Hughes' former wife was also a consistent member. Like his ancestors, Mr. Inghes made farming his business through life, and owns 116 40
740
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
acres of land -- his home farm. He filled the office of assistant assessor under appointment by the Government.
JOHN H. HUGHES, merchant, Jefferson, Penn., is a descendant of the early settlers of Greene County, and of Irish and English de- scent. His great- grandfather, Thomas Hughes, laid out the borough of Jefferson. His grandfather, John Hughes, was born in Jefferson, where our subject's great-grandfather settled in 1776; Barnett Hughes was born in 1819, and died in 1882. Two of his children are now living-George, a farmer; and John HI., who was reared in Jefferson, attended the schools of Greene County, and early in life went into the dry goods business as salesman. In this capacity he worked for some years at Danville, Illinois, returning to Jefferson in 1871, when he established a general store, in which he has met with deserving success. Mr. John Hughes' wife was Mary, daughter of David and Lettie Bell. Their family consists of one son and one daughter-Barnett and Lettie, both now deceased. Mr. Hughes has served as a member of the town council of Jefferson Borough. In politics he is a Republican; his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
ROBERT H. JORDAN, farmer, born in Washington Township, Greene County, Penn., is a son of Silas and Sarah (McCormick) Jordan. His parents were natives of Greene County, Penn., and of Irish and English lineage. His grandfather, John Jordan, was a pioneer mill-wright of this county. Ilis father was also a mill- wright and carpenter. His family consisted of eight children, of whom Robert HI. was the second. Robert was reared in Jef- ferson and received a common school education. Early in life he learned the carpenter trade, which occupation he followed for many years. He was twice married, his first wife being Harriet, daughter of John Daniels; she was a native of Ohio. By this union there were three children, all of whom died young. Mrs. Jordan died in 1873. Mr. Jordan was afterwards united in marriage, in 1874, with the widow of Gideon John, of Waynesburg, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. John's children were F. J. John, druggist; R. S., a jeweler at Waynesburg; and Harry J. at home in school. Their father was born in Wash- ington County, Penn., and was of English descent; he died in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have one child, James Leroy. Mr. Jordan is the owner of a farm of sixty-eight acres. Ile is a member of the town council and president of the school board of Jefferson Borough, also was at one time a member of the executive committee of the Monongahela College. He is an upright temperance man and one of the leading members in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN C. KENDALL, furniture dealer, Jefferson, Penn., was born in Smithfield, Fayette County, Penn., April 26, 1840. Ilis parents were Samuel and Pauline (Custead) Kendall, who were of
741
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
German and English origin. His father was a Baptist minister; he died in 1872. Ilis family consisted of twelve children, eleven of whom-nine sons and two daughters-attained the age of maturity. John is the oldest son, and was reared in Fayette County until ten years of age, when he came with his parents to Greene County. Ile went to school in Fayette County and at Waynesburg College; after- wards returning to Fayette County, where he learned the wagon- maker's trade, and followed it as a business for nine years. lle taught school fifteen years, five years of that time in Illinois. In 1861 he married Catharine, daughter of John and Elizabeth Grimm, and by this marriage is the father of two children-Eva and John. The latter is a graduate of the Commercial College, of Springfield, Ill. Mrs. Kendall died in 1866. In 1876 he was next united in marriage with Hannah B., daughter of John and Maria (Loughman) Ross. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Kendall was the widow of the late Thomas Johns, and the mother of one child, Albert Leslie. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall have two children-Paul and Samuel. Mr. Kendall takes quite an active interest in educational matters, and is a member of the board of trustees of Monongahela College. They are both members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Kendall is a deacon, and has served as teacher and superintendent in the Sabbath- school.
ELI LONG, deceased, was born April 28, 1821, near Khedive P. O., on the farm now occupied by his heirs. His father and mother were Richard and Mary Long, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania, were married in the eastern part of the State, and came to Greene County, where they settled and remained until their death. Mr. Eli Long was united in marriage October 25, 1853, with Sarah Pryor, who was born in Belmont County, Ohio, July 27, 1831,-a daughter of Joshua and Susan Pryor, now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Long were born four children, of whom two are living-Lizzie L. and Albert C. The deceased are Vincent P. and Della. Mr. Long was reared on a farin, and made a great success of farming and stock dealing, possessing at the time of his death, October 1, 1881, 560 acres of land, which is now owned and managed by his son and daughter. Mrs. Long departed this life August 27, 1886. She and her husband were faithful members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, of which the son and daughter are also members.
MARTIN J. LOVE, farmer, P. O. Jefferson, one of the sub- stantial citizens of Jefferson Township, was born in Greene County, Penn., March 11, 1826. His parents were Alfred and Ann Love (nee Piper), who were natives of England, where they were married and emigrated to America in 1819, coming to Greene County, Penn., where they remained until their death. Mrs. Love departed this life in 1853 and her husband in 1863. They were the parents of
742
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
six children, four of whom are living. Martin J. is the youngest, and was united in marriage November 5, 1857, with Harriet Rine- hart, who was born in Greene County November 11, 1829. She is a daughter of Jacob and Abigail (Huss) Rinehart, who were also natives of Greene County and residents therein through life. Mrs. Rinehart died in 1841. Mr. Rinehart afterwards married Elizabeth Iloge, now living; he died in 1874. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Love have been born nine children; of these five are living, viz .- Emma, George, Ruth, wife of Thomas Hughes; Kate, wife of Hugh Hamilton, and Charlie. The deceased are Ella, wife of Dr. C. II. Pollock; Lizzie M., Milton J. R. and Millard F. Mr. Love was raised on a farm, has made farming and stock dealing his business, and owns 300 acres of land where he and family live. He and wife are consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
EWING McCLEARY, merchant, Jefferson, Penn .- Among the prominent business men of Greene County we mention the name of Ewing MeCleary. IIe was born in Fayette County, Penn., February 3, 1840, a son of William and Rebecca MeCleary. Ilis parents were also natives of Fayette County. His father was a mer- chant in early life, in later years a banker. Ewing was the only son in a family of three children, and had the advantages of good schools, having attended both the High School and Academy at Uniontown, Penn. In 1865 he was admitted as a partner in his father's store, in which he had been a salesman for several years. In 1872 he came to Jefferson and established his present business. Here his long experience in the mercantile trade, and his polite and gentlemanly demeanor, soon won for him a good trade. Ilis store is an example of neatness, and in the arrangement and selection of goods he exhibits marked ability and good taste. Mr. McCleary was married in Fayette County, Penn., to Miss Lizzie, daughter of P. G. and Martha (Bnrehinal) Sturgis. Mrs. McCleary's father was a Baptist minister, and she is a faithful member of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. MeCleary is a Democrat.
MICHAEL McGOVERN, deceased, a man highly respected for his many excellent qualities, was a prominent farmer and stock- grower in Jefferson Township, where he died in 1876 at the advanced age of eighty-four years. IIe came to Jefferson Township when a young man, and made the tilling of the soil and raising stock the business of his life, which he pursued with more than ordinary energy. As the fruits of his toils, he was the owner of two farms well stocked and improved. He was quite happily married to Miss Lucinda Daken, who was born in Ohio, and of English origin. She has spent most of her life in Greene County, Penn. The union of Mr. and Mrs. McGovern proved a very pleasant one. Their young- est child is J. E., who is now a full-grown man. In politics Mr.
743
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
McGovern was a Democrat. He was a zealons member of the Cath- olie Church.
THOMAS R. MCMINN, deceased, who was a saddler and harness- maker, was born in Cumberland Township, Greene County, Penn., April 22, 1820. He was a son of Robert and Rachel (Rice) MeMinn, of Irish and English origin. Ilis father was born in Ireland, and was a school teacher by occupation; in later life he engaged in farming. Thomas MeMinn was the youngest in a family of four children-Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of James Mahanna; Mary, the widow of James Pogne; Sarah, wife of John Cnrl; and Thomas R., who married Miss Elizabeth V., daughter of William Lee Pollock, of Pittsburgh, Penn. Mrs. McMinn is next to the youngest of a family of twelve children. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McMinn has been blessed with seven children, five of whom are living-Mary A., wife of John Rex; W. J., a saddler; Elizabeth L., Thomas Reed, a liveryman at Jefferson; and John C., a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Robert L. and an infant are deceased. Mr. McMinn took great pride in fine horses and cattle, in which he dealt quite extensively during his life. He was a man of more than ordinary intellect, always foremost as a peacemaker, and beloved by everybody who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. In the language of all persons of that section with whom we have been able to converse, " his place can never be filled." Nothing can be said that would not be appropriate to the character of so honored a friend of the people. He started in life a poor boy, and by in- dustry, honesty and integrity, he amassed considerable fortune, leaving every member of his family in comfortable circumstances. Ilis widow is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
DANIEL MOREDOCK, farmer, Jefferson, Penn., was born in Jefferson Township, Greene County, March 29, 1820. His father, George Moredoek, a native of Greene County, was three times mar- ried, his first wife being Priseilla Anderson, Daniel's mother, who was born January 10, 1798, with whom he lived in Jefferson Town- ship until her death, May 16, 1841. He married for his second wife Mary (Moredock) Worthington, and for the third, Emily A. Ran- dolph, now deceased. He departed this life in 1881. He was the father of twelve children, nine of whom are living. Daniel is the second, and was united in marriage, November 25, 1849, with Eliza- beth Rex, who was born in Jefferson Township, August 23, 1834, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Hickman) Rex, deceased. By this marriage Mr. Moredock is the father of ten children, eight living, viz: Rex, Margaret, wife of Samnel Cox; Emma, wife of David Burson; Sarah, wife of Anderson Moredoek; Anna, wife of William Daugherty; Edda, Elizabeth and Austin L. The deceased are George and James A. Their mother departed this life April 11, 1877.
-
744
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
August 26, 1885, Mr. Moredoek married Rosa A. Stephens, who was born in Delaware. Mr. Moredock is an industrious and economical farmer and stoek-dealer, and owns a nice home and good farm of 240 aeres where he and family now live.
JEREMIAII PRICE, farmer, P. O. Rice's Landing, was born in Monongahela Township, Greene County, Penn., September 7, 1814. Ilis parents, Michael and Mary (Evans) Price, were natives of Wales, where they were married and lived abont one year, then emigrated to America, locating in Greene County, Penn., where they remained until Mr. Price's death, July 9, 1853. Mrs. Price died in June, 1870, being one hundred years and thirteen days old. They were the parents of six children, only two of whom are living-Michael, single, and Jeremiah, who was united in marriage, August 14, 1855, with Mary J. Goslin. She was born in Fayette County, Penn., Sep- tember 17, 1821, and is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Her parents were Richard and Jane (Millison) Goslin, who were natives of Fayette County, Penn., and moved from there to Greene County, where they died. Richard Goslin was a soldier of the war of 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Price have three children, two living, viz: Oliver JJ. and George E. The deceased was Maria J., wife of Simon Sharpnaek. Mr. Price is a farmer and quite a genins, having engaged at different times in blacksmithing, malting, and the practice of veterinary surgery. He and his brother Michael own 400 acres of good land in Greene County. Mr. Michael Price filled the office of auditor of the county one term, and has met with suceess as a farmer and school-teacher. The following is a copy of the naturalization papers of the parents of our subject: "Delaware District, ss. I, -- Do Hereby Certify That, Michael Price wife & one child of Radnor, Shire --- Himself aged 34 years, a Native of Wales Subject to King of Great, Brittain, and that, he intends residing in Newyork, an is regestered in the Office of the District Court in Tes- timony whereof, I, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the, Seal, of the District Court of the United, States For the, Delaware District at Wilmington this, 22d day of July-in the year of our Lord-one Thousand Eight Hundred and one. Thomas Stocton, Clerk, Dela- ware Distriet."
GEORGE REX, farmer, P. O. Jefferson, is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of the township, and was born November 30, 1838, on the farm where he and family now reside. He is a son of Charles and Mary (Hickman) Rex. His father was born on the old Rex homestead in Jefferson Township, Greene County, July 1, 1801, and was a son of George and Margaret (Keppler) Rex, the former a native of England, and the latter of Germany. They emigrated to America, and were married in Pennsylvania, settling in Greene County, which at the time of their settlement was known as Washi-
745
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ington County. Here they remained until their death. Mary Rex, George's mother, was born in Fayette County, Penn., January 19, 1801, a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Hiekman, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and departed this life in Jefferson Borough. Charles and Mary Rex were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living, viz: Margaret, wife of W. F. Hughes, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; John, a resident of Fairbury, Ill .; and George, the subject of our sketeh. George was united in marriage, December 8, 1861, with Mary E. Striekler, born in Westmoreland County, January 5, 1843, and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. IIer parents are Isaac and Catharine (Heath) Strickler, natives of Fayette County, where they lived a few years, then moved to West- moreland County, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Rex have a family of ten children, eight living-Charles, Ella J., Edward B., Georgianna, Joseph A., Albert G., Mattie M. and Ernest. The de- ceased were Catharine and George. Mr. Rex, like his ancestors, has made farming the business of his life, and owns 125 acres of land, fuck! known as the old Rex homestead.
II. P. RINEILART, farmer, P. O. Waynesburg, was born in Franklin Township, Greene County, Penn., June 1, 1844. He is a son of Arthur and Rebecca (Roberts) Rinehart, who were natives of this county and residents therein until death. He departed this life April 6, 1872, and she January 5, 1873. They were the parents of thirteen children; seven are living, the youngest of whom is H. P., who was married June 28, 1866, having chosen as the sharer of his fortunes Miss Maria Bowers, who was born in Whiteley Township, February 22, 1844. Her parents were John and Elizabeth (Cowell) Bowers, also natives of Greene County, where they lived until 1869, at which time they moved to Taylor County, Iowa. Mrs. Bowers died February 14, 1877. Mr. Bowers is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart have had eight children- Charles W., Floe F., Jesse B., Mary L., John R., William W. and Maria K .; Maggie being de- ceased. Mr. Rinehart owns 123 acres of land where he and family live. He filled the office of director of the poor one term, also served on the school board of his township. He and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
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.