USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 80
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
J. E. PATTERSON, physician, was born near Claysville, Washington County, Penn., March 20, 1848. His parents were John and Mahala (Patterson) Patterson, who were of Irish and German extraction. His father, who was a farmer all his life, came
845
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
to Greene County in 1854, and settled in Center Township on the farm where the subject of this sketch was reared. Dr. Patterson acquired a common school education, after which he attended Waynesburg College and the State Normal School. IIe began the study of medicine with Dr. Gray, of Jacksonville, Penn., and sub- sequently attended the Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. IIe first engaged in his profession, in 1871, in the vicinity of Graysville this county, where he has since been in active practice, with the excep- tion of a short time spent in Nineveh, Pennsylvania. In 1874 Dr. Patterson married Anna, daughter of Mulford Burroughs, and they are the parents of four children, viz., Charles, John, Alma and Bashie. In politics Dr Patterson is a Democrat.
MASON SCOTT, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Rich- hill Township, Greene County, Penn., May 3, 1837, and is a son of Capt. John and Charlotte (Mason) Scott, who were of German and Irish descent. His father is a farmer and a resident of Jackson Township, this county. Mr. Mason Scott is the oldest of six children now living. He grew to maturity on his father's farm and received a good common-school education. Early in life he taught school for a time, but he made farming and stock-raising his chief pursuit. Ile is the owner of 252 acres of land well stocked and improved, where he resides near Bristoria, Penn. Mr. Scott was united in marriage, December 22, 1866, with Sarah, daughter of James and Jane (Sanders) Lemmon. They were of Dutch and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Scott's children are Albert, Clara Alice; and Westley, (deceased). Mr. Scott is a Democrat, and an efficient member of the school board of his township.
HIRAM SCOTT, farmer and stock-grower, who was born in Center Township, Greene County, Penn., May 13, 1841, is a son of Elias and Harriet (Kent) Scott, natives of this county, and of Dutch and Irish extraction. His father spent all his life as a farmer, and died in Greene County in 1884. His family consisted of eight children, of whom Hiram Scott is the third. Having been reared on a farm, he has followed farming as his chief pursuit and is the owner of 180 acres in Richhill Township, where he now resides. In 1861 Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of the late Dennis Iams, who was a wealthy and influential farmer. Mrs. Scott is of German lineage. Their children are Thomas, George B. MeClellan, a medical student; Matilda, wife of James Throck- morton; Florence and Charles. Mr. Scott is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
ROBERT SMITH, county treasurer, was born in Washington County, October 29, 1836, and is a son of Andrew and Ellen (Little) Smith, His mother, who was of English extraction, was born in New Jersey. His father was a native of Scotland, where he was a farmer
846
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
and herdsman. He died in this county in 1870 at the age of seventy- four years. His family consisted of twelve children, of whom Robert is the oldest. He has spent most of his life in Greene County, having received his education in the schools of Richhill Township. He also attended school for some time in Fayette County. Mr. Smith engaged in farming and stoek-growing until he was elected to his present position in 1887. He was married in this county, May 26, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Caine) Milliken, and they are the parents of the following children, viz., Mary Ellen, who died at the age of fourteen; Arabella, W. D., A. J., T. E., R. M. and J. H. P. Mr. Smith is actively in- terested in educational matters. In 1872 he was elected county commissioner and served two years and ten months in that position.
JAMES L. SMITH .- Among the enterprising young business men of Greene County, few have met with better success than the firm of Smith Bros. Dealers in general merchandise, Graysville, Penn., snecessors to J. W. Hlays James L. Smith. the senior member of the firm, was born in Center Township, this county, March 12, 1856, and is a son of Thomas and Susan (Scott) Smith, natives of Greene County, and of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father, a snecessful farmer, now resides in Center Township on a finely improved farm of 300 acres. The subject of our sketch is the oldest of a family of seven children. Early in life he learned the blacksmith and wagon maker's trade, in which he engaged for several years. He was a good mechanie and made a first-class wagon. Since 1879 Mr. Smith has been in the mercantile business with his brother at Graysville. Ile is a Democrat in polities, and is postmaster at Harvey's Penn. He was married in 1879 to Miss May, daughter of Hon. James W. Hays, ex-member of the Legislature. They have two children-Jesse F. and Nora. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are active mem- bers of the Baptist Church.
MARTIN SUPLER, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Rich- hill Township, Greene County, Penn., July 29, 1840, and is a son of William and Lucinda (Cummings) Supler, who were natives of this county, and of English lineage. His father was a farmer and hotel keeper at JJacksonville, Penn., and died August 20, 1872. His family consisted of seven children, of whom the subject of our sketch is the second. IIe was reared on the farm, attended the common schools and has made farming and stock-growing his occupation all his life, with the exception of the time he spent in the army and a few years during which he engaged in the mercantile trade at Jaek- sonville. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, and served as Seargeant for his company. While on picket duty on one occasion he received a gunshot wound which caused him to lose three and one-half inches of bone from his left
847
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
arm. He was discharged in 1864, having passed through many serious engagements, among which were the battles of Williamsport, Sonth Mountain and Gettysburg. After his return home Mr. Supler engaged in the mercantile business for two years, and has since de- voted his time to farming. IIe owns 135 acres of land with first- class improvements. He was married in this county in September, 1862, to Elizabeth, daughter of A. J. and Eliza (Sargent) Goodwin. They have four children, viz., Jessie L., wife of T. J. Carpenter; Fannie D., A. J. and' John B. Mr. Supler is a Democrat, and a member of Smith's Post, No. 428, G. A. R., Jacksonville, Penn.
JOHN M. WRIGHT, born October 12, 1820, is a son of Reasin and Nancy (McGlumphy) Wright, who were of German and Irish and English ancestry. He is the oldest of six children and was raised on his father's farm. When a young man he learned the trade of a millwright. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and was discharged at the close of the war, when he returned to Richhill Township, where he still resides. Ile was married in this county, in 1844, to Hester Ann, daughter of Jolin and Lydia (Boyd) Caseman. Mrs. Wright is of Dutch extraction. Their children are-George W., a farmer; Sarah M., Perry and Elizabeth. In politics Mr. Wright is a Demo- crat.
G. W. WRIGHT, farmer and stock-grower, born in Richhill Township, February 22, 1849, is a son of John and Hester Ann (Caseman) Wright. He is the oldest of his father's family was raised on the farm and received his education in the common schools. Early in life-he learned the carpenter's trade and followed that as a business until 1879, since which time he has both farmed and worked at his trade. Mr. Wright has made his own way in the world. Ile now owns a well improved farm of 135 acres near Bristoria, Penn. Ile was married in Vermilion County, Ill., in January, 1871, to Elizabeth J., danghter of Abraham and Mary (Gardner) Kimball, and their children are-Norton, Mary F., Oliver M., Mand D. and Hester L. In religion Mr. Wright is a Methodist, and his wife was a member of the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat and belongs to the I. O. O. F.
P. J. WHITE, merchant, Ryerson's Station, Penn., was born in Aleppo Township, August 4, 1850. His parents, J. M. and Rebecca (Ilewitt) White, were natives of Greene County, and of Dutch and English extraction. His father is a farmer and justice of the peace, and now resides on a farm in Aleppo Township. The subject of this sketch is the only member of the father's family now living. He was reared on the farm, attended the select schools and engaged in farm- ing until 1879, when he embarked in the mercantile trade for two years on Ilart's Run, in Aleppo Township. He then located at New
848
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Freeport, and carried on a general store until 1883, when he removed to his present location and established the business in which he is meeting with great success. Mr. White was united in marriage in this county in 1872, with Miss Margaret Ann, daughter of W. J. Moore. Mrs. White is of English and Irish lineage. Their children are Mary Rebecca and Hannah E. In politics Mr. White is a Demo- crat, and was appointed to his present position of postmaster at Ryerson's Station in 1885.
SPRINGHILL TOWNSHIP.
J. R. AYERS, the subject of this sketch, was born in Richhill Township, Greene County, Penn., March 12, 1824, and is a son of Silas and Jane (Rickey) Ayers. Ilis parents were natives of New Jersey, from whence they emigrated to Richhill Township, Greene County, Penn., September, 1807, and are of English origin. IIis father was a farmer and soldier in the war of 1812, and was engaged in the battles of Lundy's Lane and New Orleans. Of his father's family of eleven children, J. R. is the fourth. He grew to manhood in this county, spent his early life in teaching school, and subse- quently chose the occupation of farming and stock-dealing, in which occupation he has been very successful. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres where he resides in Springhill Township. He was married November 9, 1848, to Miss Caroline Dye, who was born in this county November 9, 1829. They are the parents of the following named children: E. L., deceased; R. H., Nanna J., Pennina, Silas and Minor (deceased), Mary M., Ola L., A. D. and J. L. R. HI., the second son, who is a farmer, was born in Springhill Township, No- vember 23, 1852. He was reared on the farm, received his education in the district schools. He was married to Miss Avaline White, April 3, 1874. Pennina, widow of E. B. Darling, deceased, was born in Springhill Township, May 20, 1858, and was married March 12, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers are members of the Baptist Church, in which he is deacon. He is a Republican, and has filled the office of school director and auditor in his township.
JOIIN BARGER, retired farmer and stock-grower, who was born in Morris Township, this county, May 25, 1827, is a son of Francis and Sarah (Pettit) Barger. His mother, who is of German and Irish origin, is the daughter of Nathaniel Pettit, an early settler of Morris
849
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Township. His father, whose chief occupation was that of farming, was in early life a shoe-maker and school-teacher. He died in this county April 12, 1854. He was twice married, and the subject of this sketch is the oldest of his four children, aged sixty-one years. Mr. John Barger was a resident of Richhill Township until he was ten years of age, when he moved with his parents to Aleppo, now Spring- hill Township, and has remained there for over half a century. His education was obtained in the common-schools, and while still a young man he was employed as a farmer for some time. He subsequently established a store in New Freeport, Penn., and carried on a success- ful business for five years, and in that time he made $10,000. Mr. Barger now owns 400 acres of valuable land, besides good town property. He is a self-made man,-his father, Francis Barger, hav- ing been bound out by his father to work for Robert Pelleet, of New York, until he should attain his majority. He,-John Barger- however, managed by industry and economy to get a start in the mercantile trade, with what subsequent success we have already noted. Mr. Barger was united in marriage November 2, 1854, with Emily J., daughter of Noah and Elizabeth (Pettit) Lyon, and their children are -- David W., a farmer; James P., a silversmith of New Freeport, Penn .; John W., a teacher, and Homer. Mr. Barger is a Republican, and has been postmaster at New Freeport for a period of twenty years. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
JAMES BURDINE, retired farmer and stock-grower, was born in Perry Township, Greene County, Penn., March 7, 1820, and is the son of Levi and Rebecca (Fox) Burdine, who were of Dutch and Irish lineage. Ifis grandfather, Joseph Fox, was a soldier in the Revolu- . tionary war. At the age of five years the subject of our sketch was left an orphan. Most of his early life was spent on the farmn in Monongalia County, W. Va., where he attended the common- schools. He was bound out as a farm laborer until eighteen years old, when he came to Whiteley Township, this county. He soon found work on a farm, and received eight dollars per month. On November 22, 1842, Mr. Burdine was united in marriage with Abi- gail, daughter of Joseph Johnson, of Dunkard Township. Their children are-Dennis, Eliza Jane, Johnson, Mary, wife of J. L. Mor- ford; Harriet A., who was the wife of Lewis Hamilton, and died in 1883; Delila and James Milton. Mr. Burdine's present wife is Fannie, daughter of Rev. John Henderson. They have one child -- Orphia. Mrs. Burdine is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Burdine is a Democrat. He is a self-made man, having begun life as a poor boy, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 118 acres in Springhill Township. He at one time owned over 400 acres. He has paid out over $4,000 of bail money, and has till been able to give his children a good start in life.
850
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
W. L. BURGE, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Whiteley Township, Greene County, Penn., August 25, 1827, and is a son of Henry and Rachel (Wildman) Burge. His parents, who were of English and Dutch descent, were natives of this county, and members of the Society of Friends. His father, who died in Virginia in 1866, was a blacksmith, and spent most of his life in that occupation. He was twice married, and his family consisted of ยท fourteen children. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Greene County, learned the blacksmith's trade with his father and has followed that as a business for over forty years. In 1861 lie went to Virginia and worked at his trade until 1866, when he returned to this county. Ile has since farmed, and now owns a farm consisting of 118 acres of well-stocked and improved land. In 1850 Mr. Burge married Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Sarah Knight. Mrs. Burge is of English and Dutch ancestry. They have a family of ten children, viz .: Plesa Ann, wife of W. H. Main; Alfred J., William L., Melissa, wife of Albert J. Fordyce; Rachel, wife of John L. Main; Maggie, wife of William H. Dye; Mary M., Ella E., John C. and Rosa E. Mr. and Mrs. Burge are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he has served as class-leader for twenty years, and has also served as steward. Mr. Burge is a Democrat. He takes an active interest in the public schools, and has been for a number of years a member of the I. O. O. F.
THOMAS M. CARPENTER, physician, Deep Valley, Penn., was born in Greene County, January 14, 1843, and is a son of Will- iam and Agnes (Derbin) Carpenter. IIis father, who is a blacksmith . by trade, was born in New Jersey, but now resides on a farm in Jackson Township. His mother was a native of Morgantown, W. Va. His grandfather, James Carpenter, was among the earliest farmers of Richhill Township, this county. His father was twice married, and Dr. Carpenter is the oldest child of the first wife. Hle was reared on his father's farm, obtaining his earliest education in the district school. He studied medicine in the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., and is now in active practice as a physician. Dr. Carpenter is a close student, and endeavors to keep himself posted in matters pertaining to his profession. He was united in marriage April 5, 1865, with Miss Margaret J. White, whose parents were of English and Irish origin. Mrs. Carpenter's father, Stephen White, was the first man to build and settle in Deep Valley. Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter are the parents of the following named children: Emma, William, Virginia, James, Stephen, Sarah (deceased), IIarriet and Jordan. Winfield Burdine, the youngest child was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter when only nine days old. The Doctor is a Democrat, and a member of the Greene County Med- ical Society. He and wife belong to the Methodist Protestant Church.
1
851
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
P. C. DINSMORE, M. D., Deep Valley. Penn., was born in Riehhill Township, Greene County, Penn., Jannary 9, 1854. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabethi (Dickey) Dinsmore, natives of Greene and Washington counties, respectively. They are of Irish and English ancestry. Dr. Dinsmore's father is a farmer and stock dealer now residing on a farm in Washington County. The Doctor is the oldest in a family of six children, and was reared in his native township. IIe attended the graded schools of Washington County, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Silas MeCracken, of Claysville, Penn. He practiced for a year in West Virginia, was a student in the Cleveland Medical College one year, and subsequently attended Baltimore Medical College, where he graduated with the honors of his class in 1887, and ex-graduate of Medico Chirurgical Faculty, Philadelphia. The token of honor bestowed on Dr. Dins- more on this occasion was a gold medal, which he still retains as a sonvenir. Dr. Dinsmore has been very successful in his profession, to which he is greatly attached. He was united in marriage August 10, 1881, with Miss Mary B., dangliter of George and Harriet Hunt, and they have two children-Thomas A. and George HI. In politics Dr. Dinsmore is a Democrat.
JAMES M. FERRELL, Merchant, New Freeport, Penn .- Among the most prominent business men in this part of Greene Greene County we mention the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born at Jacksonville, Penn., April 13, 1851, and is a son of George W. and Sarah (Pettit) Ferrell. His ancestors were among the early German settlers of the county. His father was a shoe-maker all his life, and was in business in Jacksonville for over forty years. His father was twice married, having three children by the first marriage and eight by the second. Mr. James M. Fer- rell attended the common schools and Jacksonville Academy at Jacksonville, Penn. Early in life he taught school for a period of nearly three years. In 1873 he engaged in the mercantile trade at Jacksonville, and in 1876 he was appointed salesman for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, for which he acted as general agent for three years, with Harrisonburg, Va., as headquarters, where he and his family lived during the time. In 1882 Mr. Ferrell located at New Freeport, where he established a general store. He is eminently qualified for his business. His affable manner and obliging disposi- tion, coupled with a determination not to be excelled or undersold, have drawn to his store many of the affinent and influential citizens of Springhill Township and surrounding country. He owns a com- modious store building, which enables him to carry an extensive stock. Mr. Ferrell was married October 26, 1876, to Miss Frances Henrietta, daughter of Hon. James W. Hays, of Waynesburg, Penn. Mrs. Ferrell was born in Washington, D. C. Their children are - 47
852
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY,
Russell Hays, Jessie Virginia and James Wilson. They are mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Ferrell is a Republican, and for a time was postmaster at Jacksonville. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Encampment, and in 1875-'76 was representative to the Grand Lodge at Philadelphia, Penn.
F. H. GRIFFITH, a farmer and stoek-dealer, residing in Springhill Township, Greene County, is the oldest son of Sam- nel and Lydia (Blake) Griffith. He was born in Marshall County, W. Va., October 13, 1858, but has spent most of his life in Greene County, Penn., where he came with his parents at a very early age. He attended the schools of Springhill Township, and while still a young man he began farming as his chief pursuit. He has met with more than average success, and has a valuable farm of 150 aeres. In 1881 Mr. Griffith was united in marriage with Miss Joanna, daughter of Edward Dowlin, of West Virginia. Mrs. Griffith is of English ancestry. They have two children-Shannon A. and Caddie A. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are members of the Church of God. Hle is superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and his politieal views are Republican.
SAMUEL GRIFFITH, farmer and stock-grower, who was born in Maryland, August 1, 1835, is a son of Daniel and Mary (Striekler) Griffith, who were, respectively, natives of West Virginia and Mary- land, and of English origin. His father, who was a farmer and stoek-grower, died in this connty in 1848. The subject of this sketch is the second in a family of nine children. He was reared on the home farm and attended the distriet school. Early in life he made choice of farining as his occupation, and has met with great success. He started in life as a poor boy, working for twenty-five cents per day, and has succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune. His farm, which lies in West Virginia and Greene County, Penn., con- sists of 257 acres of well improved land, and he has a neat and sub- stantial residence in Springhill Township, where he has lived for twenty-six years. In 1857 Mr. Griffith was united in marriage with Miss Lydia J., daughter of Nathan and Susannah (Richardson) Blake, and they have a family of nine children, viz .- F. II., Susan Mary, wife of John Earnest; Sarah E., J. J., Thomas J., Clarabel, Margaret, Bruce and Martha. Mr. Griffith is a Republican. IIe and wife are members of the Disciples Church.
LEWIS W. HAMILTON, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Whiteley Township, Greene County, Penn., September 19, 1848, and is a son of William and Margaret (Maple) Hamilton. His mother was a native of this county, and died October 29, 1869, and his father was born in Greene County, Penn., where he spent most of his life. He was a farmer by occupation, and died April 3, 1879. He reared a family of fifteen children, of whom Lewis W. is the
853
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
youngest. He was reared on the farm, receiving a common-school education. IIe has made farming his chief pursuit, and has fol- lowed it very successfully. On March 10, 1872, Mr. IIamilton married Miss Ilarriet A., daughter of James Burdine, of Springhill Township. Mrs. Hamilton died in 1883. Their children are -- George W., Mary Ellen, Thomas J., Eliza Jane and James W. (de- ceased). On October 20, 1884, he was again united in marriage, his present wife being Maria M., daughter of John C. Church, of Isabella County, Mich. They have one child-Calva E. Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ENOCH HAMILTON, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Whiteley Township, this county, September 20, 1844, and is a son of William and Margaret (Mapel) Hamilton. His parents were of English and German origin, and were natives of this county. IIis father, who was a farmer and stock-grower, died in 1879. He was reared in Springhill Township, where he attended the common schools. Here he has spent much of his life as a farmer, and has met with marked success. He owns 118 acres of well improved land where he lives near New Freeport, Penn. Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage in 1871 with Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary (Philson) Tustin. Her parents were of German and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are the parents of the following named children: Delilah Ann, John W., William C., Elizabeth E., Fannie II., Cora L., Festus C. and Lewis W. In politics Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat.
W. P. HOSKINSON, farmer and stock-grower, who was born in this county, December 28, 1838, is a son of George and Sophia (Adams) Hoskinson. His parents were natives of Waynesburg, Penn.,and his ancestors, who were of English extraction, were among the pioneer settlers of Greene County. Mr. Hoskinson's great-grand- father, Adams, was killed by the Indians. His grandfather, Robert Adams, built one of the first brick houses in Waynesburg -- the house now occupied by Henry C. Sayers, Esq. Mr. Hoskinson's father was a saddler by trade, and among the prominent citizens of the county, in which he served as associate judge, and also as register and recorder. He died in Waynesburg, July 24, 1884. He was twice married, and by the first marriage there were eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third. W. P. Hopkinson was reared in Waynesburg, where he received his early education. Most of his early life was spent as clerk in a store, and he was given the management of his father's business. In 1860 he bought a half interest in the store, and bought his father's interest in 1861 and carried on a successful business for a period of twenty years. He has since devoted his time to farming and owns 200 acres of
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.