USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 72
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PROF. GEORGE F. MARTIN, principal of schools at Greens- boro, Penn., was born in the State of Mississippi, June 25, 1846. His parents are Daniel P. and Hannah (Reynolds) Martin, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Mississippi. They were of English origin. His father was a cotton planter in early life, and subsequently engaged in farming and stock-raising in southern Kan- sas. His family consisted of six children, of whom George F. was the fourth. He was sent to a private school in Mississippi until his father lost his fortune, which was valued at one million dollars. At his father's suggestion George went North when fourteen years of
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age, and worked about two years for a sewing machine company at Elizabeth, New Jersey. He then spent two years in Yale College. Being obliged to leave the school for lack of funds, he taught for two years, and was given the position of principal of schools at Stoughton, Wisconsin-a place of about two thousand inhabitants. He remained there abont four years, afterwards teaching in Wisconsin and Michi- gan. Returning South, Prof. Martin taught several years in West Virginia, and in 1880 was appointed by the State superintendent of schools to conduct an institute at Morgantown, W. Va. For the past eight years he has been identified with the schools of Greene County, Penn., and has assisted in conducting two summer normals at Waynesburg College. Prof. Martin is one of Greene's most able edneators and makes frequent contributions to the leading school journals. Ile was united in marriage in Monongalia County, W. Va., with Miss Anna M., daughter of John Blosser. Mrs. Martin is of English descent. They are the parents of five children-Frank . P., William R., Clara M., Florence M. and Ehner W. The Professor is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Royal Arcanum.
JEAN LOUIS GUILLAUME (called William) MESTREZAT, retired farmer and stock-grower, was born in Mapletown, this county, May 11, 1809. His parents, Charles Alexander and Louisa (Dn- fresne) Mestrezat, were natives of France, and came to Greene County, Penn., in 1795, among the earliest settlers. They lived a short time near Carmichaels, in Cumberland Township, then settled in Maple- town and spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Mestrezat died April 1, 1815, and his widow in 1849. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom Jean Louis Guillaume is the eighth. He was reared in Mapletown, and early in life learned the gunsmith trade. Ile subsequently carried on the mercantile business, and also en- gaged in farming to some extent. Ile owns 330 acres of valuable land. In 1843 Mr. Mestrezat married Mary Ann, daughter of Mat- thias and Hannah (Leslie) Hartley, who were of Irish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Mestrezat have five children-C. A., Harriet M., widow of the late Samuel Hudson; S. L., a prominent attorney at Uniontown, Penn .; Charlotte Amanda, wife of IIon. M. John, of Colorado; and J. L. G., a cattle-dealer in the West. Mr. Mestrezat is a Democrat in politics. He has served as school director for fifteen years.
FREDERIC MESTREZAT, deceased, was born September 25, 1807, and was the son of Charles Alexander and Louisa Elizabeth (Dufrene) Mestrezat, natives of France, who came to America in 1793. Frederic was the sixth child and second son in a family of eleven children. He attended the select schools of Mapletown, which were taught by teachers hired by the parents, by the year and half year. He was one of the foremost men during his short life . in securing good edneational advantages for the town in which he resided. Ile
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learned the hatter's trade, and dealt extensively in wool and furs. April 4, 1833, Mr. Mestrezat married Miss Martha Hall, daughter of Lemuel and Sarah (Grove) Hall. Her parents were natives of Delaware, and of Scotch-Irish and German origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Mestrezat were born six children, four of whom are living-John A., a carpenter; Mary A., wife of B. F. Mercer; Aline A., wife of Will- iam W. Shaffer, and Caroline A. Charles Alexander, the oldest son, was edneated in Morgantown, W. Va. He enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was captured at the battle of White Sulphur Springs, August 27, 1863, while in active service for his country. He was taken to Belle Isle, Richmond, and from there was removed to Hospital No. 21 in Richmond, where he died March 27,1864. Mr. Frederic Mestrezat was a Republican in politics. He was an earnest and faithful worker in the Sabbath-school and for the church, although he did not unite with the church until a short time before his death, when he became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, where his wife had been a faithful member since her youth.
ROBERT MILLIKIN was born in Ireland in 1773, and died in 1869. He came to America in 1794, and took up a tract of about 800 acres of land, situated six miles northwest of Waynesburg, on Brown's Fork of South Ten-Mile Creek. Nearly all of the upper end of Greene County was at that time covered with. forests. Mr. Millikin was a farmer by occupation, and was one of the substantial citizens among the early settlers of this county. He held the office of county commissioner, and was the master builder of the first brick court-house in Greene County. At the age of twenty-four he mar- ried Miss Mary, daughter of Lindsey Gray, of this county, and aunt of the late Dr. D. W. Gray, who for many years was in successful practice at Jacksonville, Richhill Township. At their wedding the principal feature in the marriage feast was a young fat bear which had been caught in the neighborhood. There were born to them six children, and their son David, who married Miss Lydia Rogers, was the father of thirteen children. The youngest of these is Dr. J. L. Millikin, of Greensboro, one of the leading physicians of the county. Dr. Millikin was born in Greene County, six miles north of Waynes- burg, June 24, 1854. He received his early education in the district. schools, and afterwards attended Waynesburg College. He was a successful teacher in the public schools for several years, and began the study of medicine with Dr. W. S. Throckmorton at Nineveh, Penn., in 1873, and subsequently took the regular course in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, graduating at that institu- tion in March, 1878. He then practiced with Dr. Throckmorton for nearly two years, when he located at Carmichaels, Penn., and during one year of his residence there was in equal partnership with Dr. J.
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B. Laidley, of that place. In 1884 Dr. Millikin located at Greens- boro, Penn., where his professional skill and genial disposition soon won for him a large practice in the town and surrounding country. The Doctor is an active member of the Greene County Medical Society, and served one term as its president. Ile is a permanent member of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. and R. A. He is examining surgeon for three in- surance companies and for the Royal Arcanum. He has a special fondness for surgery, and has performed several difficult operations. HIe frequently contributes articles to the medical journals, and is a strong advocate of the temperance cause. November 30, 1883, Dr. Millikin married Miss Anna, daughter of James Scott, of this county. They have one child-Joseph Pancoast.
OTHO W. MINOR, farmer and stock-grower, Greensboro, Penn., was born in Greene Township, this county. January 22, 1830. He is a son of John and Melinda (Lantz) Minor, natives of Greene Connty, and of English descent. His father, who followed the black- smith's trade in early life, was in later years a farmer and merchant miller, owning and, operating a grist-mill for many years in this county. Hle died in 1881, leaving a family of five children, viz: Frances, Mary, William, Rebecca A., and Otho, who is the second in the family. He was reared on the farm, attended the common schools, and has made farming his occupation through life. In 1859 Mr. Minor married Miss Lucinda, daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Hunt) Stephens. Mrs. Minor is of English and Irish descent. They have a family of five children-Sylvanus K., John W., Ellsworth, Sarepta, and Viola (deceased). Mr. Minor is a Democrat, and he and wife are leading members in the Baptist Church.
JOHN S. MINOR, carpenter and contractor, Mapletown, Penn., was born in Monongahela Township, Greene County, Penn., March 5, 1859. His parents, William and Martha (Robinson) Minor, were natives of this county, and of English descent. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, was killed by the falling of a tree, Jannary 5, 1875. John S. is the oldest of a family of four children. He was reared on the home farm and received a common-school education. Ile remained at home with his parents until he was sixteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade and has since followed it as an occupation. He was united in marriage, March 10, 1878, with Miss Flora, daughter of Dissisiway and Maria (Maple) South, who were of English and German origin. Mr. and Mrs. Minor have three children-Myrtię, Walter T. and Willie Ray. Mr. Minor is a Demo- crat in politics, and in religion a Methodist, of which church his wife is also a devoted member.
T. F. PENNINGTON, merchant, Greensboro, Penn., was born in Brownsville, Penn., June 11, 1853. He is a son of A. C. and
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Martha D. (Fall) Pennington, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of English descent. His father was for several years a silversmith and justice of the peace in Greensboro, where he located in 1868. He also served as burgess of the borough. His family consisted of nine children, eight of whom are living. The subject of this sketch is the third, and was reared at Brownsville, where he received a good English education. Early in life he learned the tinner's trade, in which he engaged at Greensboro. In 1878 he bought the Greensboro foundry, which he has since operated in connection with a stove and tin-ware store. In 1887 he procured a patent for a new kind of fire front, which seems to prove quite a success. Mr. Pennington was married at Grafton, W. Va., in 1884, to Miss Mattie, daughter of Nathan and Catharine Means, who are of English descent. Mr. Pennington is a Democrat, and in 1888 was elected burgess of Greensboro. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and a strong advocate of the temperance cause. £ Ilis wife is president of the Greensboro W. C. T. U. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is steward and Sabbath-school super- intendent.
J. Y. PROVINS, retired farmer, Greensboro, Penn., was born in Monongahela Township, this county, in 1813. IIe is a son of Benjamin Provins, who was a soldier in the war of 1812 and died soon after its close. Mr. Provins was reared on the farm by his grandfather, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a pio- neer farmer of Fayette County, Penn. The Provins family were strong, conrageous and patriotic, and ever ready to respond to the country's call for help. Mr. Provins' grandfather, James Hartly, was for many years a prominent citizen of this county. The subject of this sketch attended school in the old log school-house for a few months in winter. He chose farming as his occupation and has met with marked success. Ile has made his way in the world unaided, his success being due largely to his business ability. Ile began as a farm laborer working by the month or day, but is now the owner of 300 acres of valuable land. Mr. Provins was united in marriage, in 1834, with Miss Melinda, daughter of John and Catharine (Knife) Sterling, of German origin. She died in 1884. Mr. Provins, who is a Democrat, manifests great interest in the educational affairs of his township and has served as a member of the school board.
SILAS ROSS, farmer and stock-grower, Greensboro, Penn., was born in Dunkard Township, this county, June 27, 1843. He is a son of Bowen and Anna (Gantz) Ross, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, who was a farmer all his life, was a native of Fayette County and died in Greene County in 1880. His family consisted of twelve children, all but two of whom grew to maturity. Silas was the seventh in the family and was reared in Dunkard Town-
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ship, where he attended the common schools. He chose farming as his business, and at present is the owner of 110 acres of well im- proved land where he resides. In 1868 Mr. Ross married Bunnie V., daughter of Alfred and Jane (Evans) Myers, and they are the parents of two children-Robert C. and Alfred M. Mr. Ross is a Republican. He takes a great interest in educational matters and has served on the school board in his district. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are zealous members of the Baptist Church.
ELI N. TITUS, farmer and stock-grower, Greensboro, Penn., was born in Dunkard Township, Greene County, Penn., January 22, 1844. Ile is a son of Eli and Sarah (Myers) Titus, natives of this county and among the families most noted in its history. Mr. Titus is the seventh in a family of eleven children. His parents reside in Dunkard Township, on the farm where Eli was reared and attended the district schools. He also took a thorough course of instruction · in Iron City College at Pittsburg, Penn., and graduated in 1863. He then enlisted in the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and was assigned to Company E of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regi- ment. During his service with this regiment Mr. Titus was in forty battles and skirmishes, and at different times narrowly escaped death. Ile served as a non-commissioned officer, quartermaster-sergeant, and was discharged by general order at the close of the war. In 1866 Mr. Titus married Miss Miranda, daughter of John and Leah (Keener) Durr. Her father was a native of Fayette and her mother of Greene County, and they were of German origin. A year after his marriage Mr. Titus went to West Virginia and engaged in farm- ing and stock dealing. In 1870 he returned to Greene County, Penn., and continued in the same business in which he has met with great success. His farm is well stocked and improved and his house is one of the most substantial in the county. He owns 245 acres of land in Dunkard and Monongahela townships. Mr. Titus is a Re- publican in polities, and was once sent as a senatorial delegate fron Greene and Fayette counties to the Republican State Convention. He is also a member of the G. A. R. of Greensboro. The family are members ef the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Titus takes an active interest and is one of the trustees of the Greensboro Baptist Church.
E. L. TITUS, farmer and stock-grower, Greensboro, Penn., was born in Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1845, and is a son of Eli and Sarah (Myers) Titus. His grand- parents, Peter and Pleasant (Corbly) Myers, were among the earliest settlers of Greene County. His ancestors were of English descent and usually farmers by occupation. Mr. E. L. Titus is the eighth in a family of eleven children. He was reared in Greene County, attending the common schools in Dunkard Township. He after- wards spent some time at the State Normal School at California,
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Penn. Ile made choice of farming and stock-growing as an occupa- tion and has made it the business of his life. In 1875 Mr. Titus married Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Jesse Steele. Mrs. Titus is of English and Irish descent. They have a family of four children, viz., Arcy V., Oscar V., Scott and Charles Eli. In politics Mr. Titus is a Republican.
J. D. WELTNER, a farmer and stock-grower of Monongahela Township, this county, was born February 23, 1824, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Dunaway) Weltner. His parents were natives of Greene County, Pennsylvania, and of Dutch and English descent. IIis father, who was also a farmer and stock-dealer, was twice mar- ried. J. D. Weltner was the second child by the first marriage and was reared on the home farm, attending the common schools of Greene and Fayette counties. IIe chose farming as a business and also dealt in stock to some extent. He spent two winters in this business in Pittsburg, Penn., and met with marked success. Mr. Weltner has also proved a success as a farmer and his children own 380 acres of well improved land in Monongahela Township, where he has resided since 1856. Here he always keeps a number of cattle, usually sending fifty or seventy-five head to the markets each year. In 1854 Mr. Weltner was united in marriage with Miss Margaret, danghter of William and Catharine (Robinson) Gray, na- tives of this connty. Her father was a wealthy and influential business man and succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune. To Mr. and Mrs. Weltner were born seven children, viz., Charles W., Daisie, Minnie, Perlie and Ennice Ann, and two deceased. In politics Mr. Weltner is a Republican. His wife died in 1882, a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church,
BENJAMIN G. WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-grower, Greens- boro, Penn., was born March 19, 1863, and is a son of Charles and Melissa (Johnston) Williams, who were of Scotch and English ex- tracton. His father, a farmer and speculator, who was born in 1835, died in 1885 at Greensboro, where he spent the last nineteen years of his life. Mrs. Williams died in 1878. They were the parents of three children-Hattie M., Lanra May, wife of George C. Steele, a merchant of Morgantown, W. Va., and Benjamin, the subject of our sketch. He first attended school in Greensboro, and spent some time in the West Virginia University. IIe is registered as a law student at Waynesburg, Penn., and is pursuing his studies. Early in life Mr. Williams engaged in the drug business-first in Greens- boro, then in Dunbar, Fayette County, where he remained three years. At his father's death he was appointed administrator of the estate. He has carefully looked after the farm of 200 acres and valnable coal mines, and is at present engaged in building a railway
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from the farm to the river, in order to ship the coal more convenient-
4 ly. Mr. Williams is a Democrat in politics, and one of the most enterprising and successful young men of the county.
MORGAN TOWNSHIP.
JOSEPHI ADAMSON, merchant, Lippincott, Penn., was born in Greene County, Penn., Angust 1, 1843. Ilis parents were Thomas and Mary (Hoge) Adamson, the former deceased. In 1866, March 24, Joseph Adamson married Mary E. Bell, who was born in Morgan Township, July 19, 1849. She is a daughter of Henry and Deborah (Adamson) Bell. Her father is a resident of Washington County. Mrs. Bell died April 15, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Adamson have been born eight children, four living-Maggie H., wife of J. L. Pyle, of Waynesburg; John B., Henry L. and Letitia D. The deceased are William T., James L. and two infants. Mr. Adamson was reared on a farm and engaged in farming until 1881, at which time he began merchandising in Morgan Township. In addition to his large gen- eral store, he owns fifty acres of land where he and his family reside. He and wife are descendants of pioneer families of this county.
SMITHI ADAMSON, farmer, P. O. Lippincott, was born in Franklin Township, this county, October 5, 1850, and is a son of Thomas and Mary Adamson (nee Hoge). His father was born in Greene County, October 5, 1816, and his mother in Centre Town- ship, September 9, 1818. They were married December 24, 1840, in the same house where the widow resides. Mr. Adamson died February 14, 1856. They were the parents of five children-all of whom are living, except John, the eldest, who died October 23, 1863, in the State of Alabama, while in the service of his country during the Rebellion. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, October 12, 1875, with Sarah M. Randolph. She was born in Jeffer- son Township, February 4, 1856, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Braden) Randolph, residents of Franklin Township. Mr. and Mrs. Adamson are the parents of four children-Walter, Laura, and Thomas, living; and Nora, deceased. Mr. Adamson, who is an enterprising and successful farmer and stock dealer, owns a good farm of 142 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Adamson are faithful members of the Baptist Church.
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J. R. BELL, farmer, Jefferson, Penn., was born in Morgan Town- ship, this county, April 12, 1836. His parents were Morgan and Mary Bell (nee Richards). ITis father was also a native of Morgan Township. He was born December 24, 1808. Mrs. Bell was born in Chester County, Penn., March 14, 1804. They were married in Greene County, where they remained until Mrs. Bell's death, April 8, 1878, Her husband died February 5, 1880. They were the par- ents of eight children, four of whom are living. J. R. Bell is the fifth, and was united in marriage, September 3, 1863, with Miss Helen Davis, born in Greene Township, this county, August 23, 1839. She is a daughter of Henry J. and Amelia (Myers) Davis. Mr. Davis was born in Jefferson Township, September 27, 1800, and his wife was born in Greene Township, October 22, 1814. They were mar- ried in this county, where they remained until the death of Mr. Davis, November 6, 1862. His widow died at the home of her daughter in Morgan Township, April 9, 1871. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born three children, two now living. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have three children: Maggie A., wife of W. K. Scott; Mary E. and Henry D. Mr. Bell was raised on a farm and received valuable instructions from his father in the art of husbandry, which he has made his occupation through life. He acquired his education in the common schools and Waynesburg College, and engaged in teaching for a few years. IIe filled the office of auditor of the county one year, under the old con- stitution; was re-elected and served three years under the new. Mr. Bell and family are consistent members of the Baptist Church.
B. F. BELL, farmer, Lippincott, Penn., was born in Morgan Township, this county, February 20, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Deborah (Adamsou) Bell. His parents were natives of Greene County, where they were married and remained until Mrs. Bell's death, April 15, 1886. Mr. Bell subsequently married Marinda Spriggs (nee Keys), and they now reside in Washington County. Ile is the father of four children. B. F. is the oldest of the three living. He was united in marriage, February 10, 1867, with Mary E. Adamson, who was born in Franklin Township, this county. August 27, 1846. Mrs. Bell is a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Hoge) Adamson, na- tives of Greene County. Her mother is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bell have been born three children-Clementine, Samanthia and William. Mr. Bell was raised on a farm, and has engaged in farm- ing from the time he first started out in life. IIe owns ninety-five acres of good land where he and family reside. He served his country in the late Rebellion, in Company B, Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are faithful members of the Baptist Church.
S. H. BRADEN, farmer, P. O. Lippincott, is a native of Morgan Township, Greene County, Penn., where he was born June 7, 1831. His parents were William and Rachel (House) Braden. IIis father
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was born in Washington County, and his mother in Greene, where they were married and made their home until Mrs. Braden's death, in 1838. Her husband afterwards married Nancy Douglas, who died in 1842. Mr. Braden married for his third wife, Miss Margaret Gibson, who departed this life in 1881. Mr. Braden still resides in Franklin Township, this county. In 1856 Samuel H. Braden mar- ried Charlotte (Huss) Adamson, who was born in Greene County, May 16, 1826. She is a daughter of David and Delilah (Rinehart) IIuss, natives of Washington and Greene counties, respectively. After marriage they settled in Greene County and remained until the death of Mr. Huss in 1871. Mrs. Huss then went West on a visit, where she died in 1876. Mr. Braden is the father of four children- Albert, who married Anna Shriver; Eva, Smith and Lizzie. Mr. Braden is one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Morgan Township. He owns 140 acres of land where he and family reside. Mrs. Braden is a consistent member of the Baptist Church.
HENRY BUCKINGHAM, farmer, Clarksville, Penn., was born in Washington County, Penn., December 19, 1809. He is a son of Isaac and Hannah (Heaton) Buckingham. His father was born in Washington County, and his mother in Greene County, where they were married. They settled in Washington County, where they remained nntil their death. Mr. Buckingham died in 1833 and his widow in 1846. They were the parents of eight children, two living- Hannah, wife of John A. Greenlee; and Henry, the subject of our sketch. He was united in marriage, December 25, 1833, with Mary Morton, who was born in Washington County, October, 18, 1814. Mrs. Buckingham's father, Thomas Morton, was a native of Washington County, and her mother, Mary (Cree) Morton, was born in Greene County, where they died-Mr. Morton December 2, 1869, and his widow, June 6, 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham have been born six children, five living-Isaac, Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Morton; Thomas C., Robert, Francis J., and Isabella J. (de- ceased). Mr. Buckingham was reared on a farm, and has been en- gaged in farming and stock dealing all his life. He and his son Isaac own 143 acres of land where the family reside. Mr. and Mrs. Buck- ingham are leading members in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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