USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 81
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valnable land near New Freeport. Mr. Hoskinson was married June 21, 1860, to Rebecca, daughter of Phillip and Matilda (Garrison) Shough. IIer father is a prominent farmer of Gilmore Township, having at one time owned over seven hundred acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskinson are the parents of four children-Phillip D., a clerk and salesman; George W., a farmer; Mary S. and Robert L., who is a student at Waynesburg College. Squire Hoskinson is an active members of the Baptist Church, in which he is a trustee and deacon. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic fraternity. JOSEPHUS ISIMINGER .- The history of the Isiminger family commences in Greene County with Abraham Isiminger, who came from New Jersey to this county and was among the pioneer German set- tlers. IIis descendants have been usually farmers. The subject of this sketch, Josephus Isiminger, was born in this county November 3, 1839, and is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Kughn) Isiminger, who were of German and English extraction. His father was a farmer and reared his son to that occupation. Josephus Isiminger, is the sixth in a family of twelve children; attended the district school in Whiteley Township. He owns a good farm where he resides, and has also spent some time at the carpenter's trade, in connection with his agricultural pursuits. In 1861 Mr. Isiminger married Miss Maria Lemley, and they had five children-Nicholas, Eliza J., Eliza- beth R., John and William. Mrs. Isiminger died in 1873. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Isiminger's second wife was Miss A. M. Dollison, to whom he was married in 1879. They have two children-Elias and Eva. Mrs Isiminger is not a member of the Baptist Church, but she is of Baptist faith.
JACOB ISIMINGER, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Greene County, Penn., February 17, 1830. He is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Kughn) Isiminger, who were also natives of this county, and of German extraction. His father's family consisted of five sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Jacob Isiminger was the oldest and was reared in Whiteley Township, on the farm where his father now resides. He attended the common schools and chose farming as an occupation. He is the owner of 100 acres of fine land where he resides, near Deep Valley Postoffice, in Spring- hill Township. Mr. Isiminger was united in marriage, June 1, 1859, with Hannah, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hinerman) Miller, and they are the parents of four children, viz: McClelland, Stanton, Henry and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Isiminger are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Isiminger has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school for years. He is a Democrat in politics.
JOHN HI. MILLER, M. D., Deep Valley, Penn., was born in Springhill Township, Greene County, October 6, 1858, and is a son of Hiel and Mary (Warrick) Miller. His parents were also na-
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tives of this county, and of Irish and English lineage. His father who was a farmer all his life died in 1864. Mr. Miller was then in his sixth year and was the eldest of four children. He received his edu- cation in the district schools, and at the age of fifteen obtained a certificate and taught his first school. He was for sometime thereafter engaged in teaching the country schools of the county. He then worked for a time in the glass works at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, in which place he was appointed policeman by the town council. He had previous to this time begun the study of medicine, but was obliged to abandon it for the lack of funds. In 1885 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1886 he became a student in the Western Pennsylvania Medical Col- lege, graduating with high honors. He was a diligent and success- ful student, and was elected president of his class. Dr. Miller re- turned to Greene County, where his genial manner and professional skill soon won for him a good practice. He has had unusual success in surgery. Ile was married in Deep Valley to Miss Charlotte, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Geary) Nuss. Her parents were of German origin. Dr. and Mrs. Miller have four children, three now living-Leon, Furman and Floyd. The Doctor and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Greene County Medical Society.
JOHN MILLER, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Spring- hill Township, Greene County, Penn., June 20, 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (McConnell) Miller, who were of Irish and German origin. His father was a farmer and stock-grower, and died in this county in 1881. Of his family of eleven children, John Miller is the ninth. He was reared on the farm, attending school in the old log school house of the district. Since his marriage in 1870, he has devoted much of his leisure time to study, and has acquired his edu- cation without assistance. He is is now able to read and write and keep his accounts correctly. Mr. Miller owns the farm where he re- sides, consisting of 123 acres of well improved land. Mr. Miller's wife was Miss Caroline Reeves. She is a daughter of Phineas and Matilda Reeves, and of Irish origin. Her ancestors were among the pioneers of Greene County. In politics Mr. Miller is a Dem- ocrat.
J. L. MORFORD, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Spring- hill Township, this county, November 23, 1847, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Brown) Morford. His parents were of Irish and German ancestry, and were natives of Greene County. Mr. Mor- ford's ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of the county. His grandfather, James Morford, was a pioneer farmer. Isaac Morford, his father, who spent his life in this county, was killed at Burton, West Virginia, November, 1864, where he was shot by a man who
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opposed him in a political discussion. His family consisted of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. He was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the com- mon schools. He chose farming as his occupation through life and has been very successful, owning at present a fine farm of 1221 acres near New Freeport, Penn. In 1866 Mr. Morford married Miss Mary, daughter of James Burdine. They are the parents of seven children, viz: James B., Mary Ann Eliza., Valma L., Eliza- beth A., Samuel M., Lewis Q. and Delilah Harriet. In politics Mr. Morford is a Democrat.
JOHN MCNEELY, farmer and stock-grower, New Freeport, Penn., was born in this county March 8, 1842. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Coen) McNeely, natives of Greene County, and of English extraction. His father was a farmer. His family numbered eleven children, of whom John is the fifth. IIe spent his early manhood on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools. He has made farming his life work, and his home farm contains 278 acres of valuable land. In 1861 Mr. McNeely was united in mar- riage with Mary, daughter of Michael and Sarah (Taylor) Roupe. Mrs. McNeely is of Dutch origin. Their children are-Jacob, a farmer; Rachel, wife of Ilimus Null; Nancy, wife of William Roupe; John, Elizabeth and Robert, Mr. McNeely is a Democrat. Ilis wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
J. II. RINEHART, M. D., New Freeport, Penn., was born in Franklin Township, Greene County, Penn., January 28, 1859. IIe is a son of William H. and Ruth Ann (Bowen) Rinehart, residents of Springhill Township. Dr. Rinehart is the third in a family of eight children. He attended the common-school and was later a student of Waynesburg College. He studied medicine with Dr. P. C. Dinsmore, of Deep Valley, Penn., and also attended the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated in 1887. He then entered the practice of his chosen profession at New Free- port, Penn., his present location. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Dr. I. N. Owen, an old and experienced physician who has been in active practice in Greene County for many years. At the early age of seventeen the Doctor began teaching school, spending some time in that employment both in this county and in West Vir- ginia. He began the study of medicine at the same time and also paid considerable attention to the study of surveying and civil en- gineering. He has been through life a diligent student and gives promise of a successful career.
W. II. RINEHART, farmer and stock-dealer, son of Jacob and Abigail (Huss) Rinehart, was born January 6, 1827. His parents were natives of Greene County, and of German descent. The Rine- hart's were among the earliest settlers of the county. Several mem-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
bers of the family were killed by the Indians, and others were taken captive when children growing up among the savages. They were almost without exception farmers, but some few a member of the family were professional men. Mr. Rinehart's father, who was a farmer and stock-dealer, died in 1874. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of a family of seven children. He was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the district school in Franklin Township. He has made farming and stock-dealing his occupation and now owns the farm where he resides in Springhill Township. In 1852 Mr. Rinehart was married to Miss Ruth Ann, daughter of Corbly and Joanna (Garrison) Bowen, who were of German, English and French origin. Mrs. Rinehart's paternal grandmother was a member of the Corbly family who were murdered by the Indians near Garard's Fort, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart are the parents of the following children-M. E., a resident of Deep Valley, Penn .; J. II., a practicing physician ; Joanna, wife of Scott Lippencott; Arabell, wife of J. C. F. Milligan; S. Cora and Maude B. The fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JAMES STILES, merchant and justice of the peace, Deep Val- ley, Penn., was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, January 4, 1841, and is a son of Thomas and Frances (Cross) Stiles. IIis father, who was a farmer, died in West Virginia in 1852. The subject of this sketch, the youngest of seven children, was reared in his native county, where he received a common-school education. After his father's death he was apprenticed as a bound boy until twenty-one years of age. In 1869 he entered the employ of Hon. II. S. White, as a salesman, and formed a partnership with him the same year. This partnership was dissolved in 1871, and Mr. Stiles located at Deep Valley, where he established a general store. In 1883, in company with J. K. Null, he erected the mill at Deep Val- ley, and later he dissolved partnership with Mr. Null. Squire Stiles has met with success in business and is an honorable, high-minded gentleman. In politics he is a Republican. In 1869 he was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of Rev. D. Charnock, of Wheel- ing, W. Va. They were the parents of one child, James, deceased. Mrs. Jennie Stiles died in 1871. In 1873 Mr. Stiles married Emma J., daughter of George Wright, they are the parents of seven children-Ora Belle, Lucy H., Minnie P., James G., Nellie A., Christie and Goldie. Mrs. Stiles is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1875 Mr. Stiles was elected justice of the peace, which office he has since held continuously. In 1864 he en- listed in Company N, Sixth West Virginia Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He is an active member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 550, and is now Adjutant.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
THOMAS STROPE, farmer and stock-grower, Deep Valley, Penn., was born November 22, 1823, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Elems) Strope. His parents were of English descent. Ilis father, who was a farmer during his lifetime, died in 1848. Mr. Thomas Thrope is the fourth in his father's family and the eldest who grew to maturity. His opportunities for an education were very limited. He is a self-made man and now owns 290 acres of well improved land. When he was a small boy he worked by the month and then worked on a farm as a tenant. He also learned the tanner's trade, at which he was employed until twenty-four years of age. Mr. Strope's first wife was Eliza Mitchell, who lived twenty-five years after their marriage. They had one child, George W. Mrs. Sarah Jane Strope, the present wife, was the daughter Jacob Miller, a prominent farmer of Springhill Township. Mr. and Mrs. Strope are the parents of two children-Park L. and Purman D. Mr. Strope is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and the Patrons of Husbandry. IIe and wife are members of the Church of God.
W. T. WHITE, farmer and stock-grower, Deep Valley, Penn., was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, April 30, 1842. Ile is a son of Michael and Mary A. (Russell) White, who were also natives of West Virginia, and of German extraction. Mr. White's father was a farmer through life, and died in Monongalia County, W. Va., in 1868. Of his family of four children, W. T. White is the second. IIe was reared on the home farm and received his education in the common-schools. Having chosen farming as his occupation, Mr. White came to Greene County, Penn., in 1872, and settled on a farm in Springhill Township where he now resides. His farm con- sisting of 185 acres, is well stocked and improved. In 1868 he was married to Miss Harriet, danghter of William and Elizabeth (Oden- bangh) Kent. Mrs. White is of English descent. They have four children-Luella, a school teacher; Guy W., Nettie E. and Charles F. Mrs. White died March 13, 1888. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. White takes an active interest. He is also greatly interested in school affairs and has been one of the most efficient members of the school board in his township. In 1861 he enlisted in the Sixth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry in Company N., where he served until the close of the war, being a non-commissioned officer.
JOSEPH WIIITLATCH, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Whiteley Township, this county, November 22, 1821, and is a son of Joseph and Barbara (Hostetler) Whitlatch. His mother was born in Fayette County, and his father in Greene, and they were of English and Dutch extraction. His father was a farmer and distiller by occu- pation. ITis grandfather, Thomas Whitlatch, who was an energetic
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and industrious farmer through life, was born in England and emi- grated to America, coming to Greene County among the earliest set- tlers. The subject of this sketch, who is the sixth in a family of ten children, resided in Whiteley Township until he was twenty-four years of age. He has followed his father's ocenpation and lias been very successful, being now the owner of 220 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Whitlatch was united in marriage, December 11, 1845, with Miss Jane, daughter of Thomas Owen, who came from Wales. They are the parents of thirteen children-Elizabeth, wife of George Plantz; Benson, who died July 5, 1888, aged thirty-eight years; Barbara J., wife of George Murphy; Sarah Ann, wife of John Springer; Susan Caroline, wife of William Patterson; Mary Ellen, wife of John Nicholas; John W., Peter O., Belle, wife of James Brewer; Viola, William, Isaac N., and David (deceased), who was their oldest child, died April 12, 1880, aged thirty-three years. Mr. Whitlatch is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has been a deacon for twenty-three years, and also superintendent of the Sabbath-school. The other members of the family are members of the Church of God. Mr. Whitlatch is a Republican, and has been school director in his township. He went into the army as a private in 1864, and served until the close of the war.
WILLIAM WILDMAN, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Gilmore Township, Greene County, Penn., October 31, 1847, and is a son of Joseph and Frances (Cumpston) Wildman. IIis parents were born in Dunkard Township, and were of English descent. His father spent his life as a farmer. His family consisted of nine chil- dren, of whom William is the seventh. He was reared on the home farm, receiving his education in the common schools. Since early life he has made farming his chief pursuit, and has inet with unusual success. Mr. Wildman has made his own way in the world, and is now the owner of 175 acres of well-improved land. In 1868 he married Miss Ruth, daughter of Alexander Compston. Mrs. Wild- man is of German origin. Their children are -- Anna C., wife of Jacob Tustin; Fannie, Eliza Ellen, Harriet, Charles W., and Rebecca (deceased). Mrs. Wildman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Wildman is a Democrat.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
SILAS BARNES, retired farmer, P. O. Ruff's Creek, was born on the farm where he now resides in Washington Township, Greene
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County, Penn., August 22, 1810. His parents were Jacob and Phæbe (Crayn) Barnes, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of nine children, of whom six are living. The subject sf our sketch is the second of these children, and was united in marriage, in 1832, with Catharine Johns. She was born in Wash- ington Township, this county, in 1816, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Smith) Johns, who were pioneers of Greene County. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are the parents of three children-Maria, Elizabeth and John. Mr. Barnes was reared on a farin and has been engaged in farming through life. He owns 300 acres of land. He served as sheriff' of the county by appointment, was elected treasurrr in 1847, and in 1878 was elected associate judge and served one term. Mrs. Barnes died in November, 1886.
JAMES BOYD, farmer (deceased), was born in Greene County, Penn., September 10, 1813. His parents, Richard and Mary (Pitney) Boyd, were natives of Maryland, but settled in Greene County, Penn., and remained until their death. James Boyd was united in marriage, April 14, 1839, with Martha Decamp, who was born in Washington County, November 2, 1816. She was a daughter of Runion and IIannah (Winget) Decamp, who departed this life in Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyd were born eight children, six of whom are living Permelia, Minerva, wife of George W. Johnson; James, Marthia J., Mary S., wife of B. R. Bell, and Hannah J., wife of James C. Bell; the deceased being Elizabeth E., who was the wife of Samuel J. Gra- ham, and Emeline. Mr. Boyd was a farmer, and at the time of his death owned 176 acres of land where his widow and family reside, at Hope P. O., Greene County. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Boyd is also a member. Mr. Boyd's death occurred August 2, 1885, and he was much mourned, not only by his own family and immediate friends, but as a good citizen throughout the township and county.
ROBERT BRISTOR, farmer, P. O. Hackney Penn., was born in Washington Township, Greene County, Angust 11, 1818, a son of James and Catharine (Sibert) Bristor, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. They settled and remained in Greene County until their death. Robert Bristor was united in marriage, June 15, 1841, with Margaret Oliver, who was born in Washington Township, November 18, 1821. Her parents were Samuel and Elizabeth (Holingsworth) Oliver, the one a native of New Jersey and the other of Pennsylvania. They also settled in Greene County and remained until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bristor have ten children-Mary J., widow of Shadrach Mitchell; "James N., Melinda, wife of Samuel Kelley; Caroline, wife of Joseph Smith; Timothy J., Hannah M., wife of Joseph Martin; Rachel E., Oliver D., John W., and George W. (deceased). Mr.
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Bristor has always lived on a farm, and has devoted himself to stock- raising and the care of his land of which he owns 200 acres where, with his family, he now resides. He and his wife are consistent members of the Bethlehem Baptist Church ..
SYLVESTER CARY, farmer, deceased, was born in Washing- ton Township, Greene County, Penn., May 6, 1819. His father and mother were Daniel and Mary Cary (nee Cooper), who were na- tives of Washington County, where they were married, then settled in Greene County, remaining till their death. Sylvester Cary was twice married, his first wife being Miss Hannah Cooper, born Au- gust 14, 1820, a daughter of Zebulon Cooper. By this marriage Mr. Cary was the father of nine children, only one of whom-Elmas W. -is now living. Mrs. Cary died in 1858. Her husband then married, March 10, 1859, Sarah J. Cooper; she was the widow of Nathaniel Cooper, and was born March 29, 1833. IIer father and mother were John and Martha Cooper (nee Atkinson), who were na- tives of Pennsylvania, and after marriage residents of Washington County until death. By his second marriage Mr. Cary was the father of five children-Laura B., wife of Oscar Day; Thomas S., Alice S., wife of John M. Simpson, John C .; and Hannah M., de- ceased. Mrs. Cary by her first marriage is the mother of one child- Flora S., wife of John Andrew. Sylvester Cary, deceased, was one of the substantial citizens of Washington Township, In connection with the farming he made quite a success of stock-dealing during his life, and at his death was the possessor of a fine farm containing about 600 acres. He belonged to the Methodist Protestant Church, of which his widow is also a member. Mr. Cary's death occurred January 3, 1886, and it proved a great loss not only to his family but also throughout the community in which he lived.
JAMES W. CLOSSER, farmer, grain and stock-dealer, Waynes- burg, Penn .- Among the stirring and prosperous business men of Greene County, we take pleasure in mentioning the name that heads this biographical sketch. He was born in Amwell Township, Wash- ington County, October 15, 1852, and is a son of Andrew J. and Sarah (Totton) Closser, who were natives of Pennsylvania, married and settled in Bethlehem Township, Washiington County, where they remained through life. On September 24, 1882, James W. Closser married Miss Elazan Garner, who was born in Washington Township, April 4, 1858, and is a member of the Baptist Church. IIer parents were Matthew and Sarah (Huffman) Garner, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Closser's family consists of three children-Daniel, Hallie J. and James I. Although reared on a farm, Mr. Closser has been engaged in various pursuits since start- ing out in life for himself. He is at present dealing in grain, stock and agricultural implements, besides managing his farms which con-
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sist of about 600 acres, owned in partnership with his brother Henry.
JESSE CRAIG, deceased, was born in Virginia, October 20, 1799; and following in the footsteps of the early pioneers, while still a boy, came to Pennsylvania and settled in Greene County, on March 12, 1829, he married Miss Hannah Evans, who was born in Wash- ington County, April 27, 1803, a daughter of David and Elizabeth Evans, both deceased. By this marriage Mr. Craig was the father of one child, David, who married Nancy Matthews. Mr. Craig lost his wife by death, January 27, 1831; but realizing that it was not good for man to be alone, on April 22, 1832, he was married to Miss Sophrona Cary, who was born on the farm where she and family re- side, March 5, 1815, a daughter of Abel and Eunice Cary (nee Woodruff). Her parents were natives of New Jersey, and early in life settled in Greene County, Penn., remaining until their death. By the last marriage Mr. Craig was the father of thirteen children, of whom nine survive him-Cephas, married Eunice Bigler; Daniel, married Malinda Bane; Sarah, wife of Abel Turner; Abel, married Sarah J. Rejester; Eunice, wife of John G. Barr; Hannah, Eleanor, wife of Silas Hoover; Margaret, wife of George Stilwell, and Sophrona, wife of William Taylor. Thomas (married Leah Horn), Mary, Eliza- beth and Jesse, being deceased. Mr. Craig was a successful farmer, and stock-raiser through life, owning at the time of his death a farm of 150 acres. He was a member of the Baptist Church, of which his widow is also a member. He filled in his lifetime the office of justice of the peace of Washington Township. He departed this life, April 26, 1882; and by his death the township lost a good citizen and his family a kind husband and father.
- ENOCH DURBIN, retired farmer, Swart's Station, Penn., was born in Richhill Township, Greene County, July 24, 1820, a son of Stephen and Mary Durbin (nee McDonell), the former a native of Maryland. After marriage they resided in Richhill Township until their death. Enoch Durbin was united in marriage the first time in 1845, with Mary M. Stagner, born in Morris Township in 1819, a daughter of John and Mary Stagner. By this marriage Mr. Durbin is the father of four children-Peter H., George W., Eliza J., wife of Thomas Iams; and John (deceased). Mrs. Durbin died May 27, 1866. Four years after her death, December 7, 1870, Mr. Durbin took for a second wife Eliza Hopkins, born January 27, 1818, on what was known as the old Hopkins farm, where she and family still reside. Her parents were Daniel and Esther Hopkins (nee Johnson). The former was born in eastern Pennsylvania, November 27, 1782. and his wife in Washington County, November 8, 1787. They were married November 15, 1811, and settled in Maryland, then lived in Washington County, Penn., one year and moved to Greene County in 1816, remaining until their death. Mr. Hopkins died October 10,
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