Washington County PA Genealogy

Biographical Sketch of W. S. Minton

W. S. Minton, of the firm of Minton, Alvey & Van Meter, proprietors of the City Mills, Charleston; was born in Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 10, 1828; at the age of 12 years, he began to work in his father’s mill, and there became familiar with every branch of the milling business; he continued in that for eight years, and in 1848, started with his father in the dry goods business; six years later-1854-he came to Illinois, bringing with him a thousand head of sheep, and engaged in sheep-raising in Vermilion Co.; he soon after removed to Edgar Co., where … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William G. Wright

William G. Wright, of the firm of Wright, Hodgen & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in groceries and provisions, Charleston; was born in Washington Co., Penn., July 25, 1832; be was brought up to farming and his father’s trade, of a carpenter; he received an English education, and at the age of 18, began teaching school, which he continued three winters; in the spring of 1854, he came to Hitesville, Coles Co., and on the 24th of August, the same year, he married Miss Sarah Bane, whom he had known in Pennsylvania, and who had removed with her parents to … Read more

Biography of Edwin R. Christman

Edwin R. Christman, secretary of the Silurian Oil Company of St. Louis, was born September 6, 1887, in Wheeling, West Virginia, a son of Edwin A. Christman, a native of Tennessee and a representative of one of the old Pennsylvania families of Dutch descent and also of early American Quaker ancestry living in Pennsylvania. Edwin Christman was united in marriage to Margaret Cahill, a native of Tennessee and of Irish lineage. They have become the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters. Edwin R. Christman, the second in order of birth, was educated in the public schools of … Read more

History of Bentleysville, Pennsylvania

This book is a collection of stories, letters, and historical records detailing the brief history of Bentleysville, a rural community in southwestern Pennsylvania. Established around a mill operated by Sheshbazzar Bentley Sr. and Jr. on Pigeon Creek in 1816, the town grew to a population of 300 by 1868. The author traces the origins of Bentleysville back to the 1770s to document the earliest settlers, while also providing context through significant national events like the Whiskey Rebellion and the Civil War. Although Bentleysville’s history as a village ended before 1900, this work preserves its legacy for future generations.

Biography of Herschel C. Porterfield

Herschel C. Porterfield. Thirty-five years in the oil fields and thirty years as a contractor and producer constitute the record of this veteran of an industry which has brought Kansas untold wealth. Like hundreds of men of this class, he has found Independence as the most satisfactory city for residence and business headquarters. In another respect he is typical of perhaps a majority of the oil men of the country–his native state is Pennsylvania. Born in Butler County, August 10, 1856, he was one of several brothers to become identified with the oil industry in one way or another. Up … Read more

Biography of Samuel C. Varner

Samuel C. Varner, a retired banker and merchant at Moran, is a veteran of the Civil war, and was one of the earliest business men to locate in Moran. His paternal ancestors came out of Germany and were colonial settlers in Pennsylvania. Samuel C. Varner was born in Pennsylvania at Monongahcla on December 10, 1845. His grandfather, John Varner, was born in the eastern part of that state at Lancaster, was a cabinet maker by trade, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and spent most of his years at Monongahela City and at Pittsburg. He married Elizabeth McKnight, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Vincent J. Lane

Vincent J. Lane, the veteran of the newspaper profession in Kansas and a leading citizen of Wyandotte County in every way, was born at West Middleton, Washington County, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of January, 1828, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (McKeever) Lane, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, of English lineage, and the latter of whom was born in Virginia, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The parents continued to reside in Washington County, Pennsylvania, until the close of their lives, and there, in the early days, the father was a manufacturer of furniture at a time when … Read more

Biography of Mrs. A. C. Stich

Mrs. A. C. Stich by her inheritance of some of the best of old American stock and as head of the home over which she presided for so many years, is a Kansas woman of whom some special note should be made. Her great-grandfather William Henry Stoy was the founder of the family in America, having emigrated from Germany. He was a ministor of the Episcopal Church, and spent many years in preaching in Pennsylvania, where he died. Her paternal grandfather Heury William Stoy was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, in 1782 and died in West Virginia in 1858. He was … Read more

Genealogy of Aaron French

1 AARON FRENCH, b. Sep. 8,1739, probably in Monmouth Co., N. J.; d. Aug. 31, 1805, near Amity, Pa.; m. (1st) Mary Clark; m. (2nd) Elizabeth (d. Feb. 18, 1819, Troy, O., age 74 yrs.), widow of James Fordyce. Aaron French1 lived at New Providence, N. J., as early as 1764; moved to Washington Co., Pa., about 1787-8, where he acquired a large tract of land lying four miles southwest of Amity and partly within the present county of Greene. Children of first marriage (none of second): 2 AARON FRENCH, Jr., b. Apr. 19,1767; d. Jan. 31, 1850; m. (2). … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank Adgate Quail

Quail, Frank Adgate; Henderson, Quail & Siddall; lawyers; born, Canonsburg, Pa., June 18, 1865; educated, public schools, and graduated Washburn College, Topeka, Kas., 1887, degree A. B.; University of Michigan, 1889, degree LL. B.; began practice in Cleveland the same year; January, 1895, entered the firm of Henderson & Quail; firm changed to Henderson, Quail & Siddall, in 1904, G. B. Siddall being added; director in a number of corporations doing business in Northern Ohio; member Union, Euclid, University, and Colonial Clubs, and Chamber of Commerce; Democrat.

Genealogy of Aaron French, Jr.

2 AARON FRENCH, Jr. (Aaron1), b. Apr. 19, 1767, Essex Co., N. J.; d. Jan. 31, 1850, Johnstown, O.; m. (1st), Mar. 8, 1792, Washington Co., Pa., Ruth Coe (b. Aug. 19, 1770, Morristown, N. J.; d. Mar. 19, 1835, Johnstown, O.), dau. of Elder Joseph Coe (Joseph, Joseph, Benjamin, Robert), and Abigail Moon, his w. Aaron French 2 m. (2nd) Oct. 8, 1835, Catharine Combs (d. Aug. 9, 1856), wid. of – Starkey. Robert Coe, ancestor of Ruth (Coe) French, came to Mass., 1634, from Suffolkshire, England, where he was b., 1596. Children of first marriage (none of second): … Read more

Rev. John Corbly’s Narrative – Indian Captivities

If, after perusing the annexed melancholy narrative, you deem it worthy a place in your publication, it is at your service. Such communications, founded on fact, have a tendency on one hand to make us feel for the persons afflicted, and on the other to impress our hearts with gratitude to the Sovereign Disposer of all events for that emancipation which the United States have experienced from the haughty claims of Britain a power, at that time, so lost to every human affection, that, rather than not subdue and make us slaves, they basely chose to encourage, patronize and reward, … Read more

Biography of John H. Johnson

John H. Johnson (deceased), farmer and minister; born in Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 12, 1812, where he attended school in his youth-the last few years at the college at Waynesburg, Penn.; after which he was licensed as a minister of the C. P. Church, officiating as circuit preacher until his removal to Ohio, where he was settled as local preacher for three years, until his removal to Coles Co., Ill., about the year 1854, where he first settled as Pastor of the C. P. Church in Ashmore Tp. for several years; then in Morgan Tp. until 1868; at the above … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Wright

Samuel Wright, Charleston; was born in Delaware Co., Penn., Feb. 29, 1808; when he was 9 years of age, he removed with his parents to Washington Co., in the same State, where he learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, and afterward taught school for seven years. He was married Aug. 20, 1829, to Miss Ruth Gordon, of Washington Co., Penn., and has four children living – William G. (of Charleston), Maria B. (wife of Dr. A. K. Spears, of Charleston), Matilda R. (Mrs. W. S. Minton, of Charleston), and Samuel H. (Corresponding Secretary of the National Surgical Institute, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James W. Conger

Conger, James W.; merchant and mfr.; born, Washington County, Pa., Aug. 6, 1845; son of Wm. Henry Harrison and Martha Auld Conger; country school education and business college, (Columbus, O.); married, Columbus, O., 1869, Anna M. Higgins; issue, one daughter and two sons (one deceased); served three years, ten months, in Civil War (43d O. V. I.); never absent from regiment; presidential elector 1896, delegate Republican National convention, 1912, but declined to serve; delegate to Progressive National convention 1912, being on committee to notify Theodore Roosevelt of his nomination; elector-at-large, heading state Progressive ticket, same year; vice pres. and treas. … Read more

Biography of James W. Ballantine

One of the foremost representatives of the mercantile interests of the Wood river valley is James W. Ballantine, of Bellevue. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born February 15, 1839, and in his life has manifested many of the sterling traits of his Scotch ancestry, who emigrated to the United States in 1825. His parents were Nathaniel and Sarah (Wallace) Ballantine, natives of Scotland, in which country they were reared and married. Crossing the Atlantic to America, they took up their residence near Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where the father engaged in merchandising. They were Presbyterians in their religious faith, and were … Read more

Presbyterian Church, Prosperity, Pennsylvania

The following data was taken from tombstone inscriptions in the Presbyterian churchyard at Prosperity, Pa. This church was organized in 1781. ANDREW, ANNA, died Dec. 21, 1843, aged 70 yrs. ANDREW, CATHRINE, wife of James Andrew, died Feby. 1872. ANDREW, LEMUEL, died Feby. 2, 1830, aged 58 yrs. ANDREW, DIBBY, died Aug. 8, 1799, aged 11 mos. ANDREW, MARY, died Apr. 2, 1828, aged 41 yrs., 2 mos., 18 days. ANDREW, MARY E., died 1843. ANDREW, POLLY, daughter of Lemuel and Mary Andrew, died Apr. 15, 1825, aged 7 mos., 23 days. ANDREW, SARAH, wife of Robert S. Andrew born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of E. Loomis Spriggs

Spriggs, E. Loomis; realty and building; born, Washington, Pa., Oct. 17, 1880; son of Edward and Josephine E. Greenlee Spriggs; educated, Ohio Northern University, Ada, O.; treas. The Commonwealth Realty & Building Co.; identified with the agency force of The Pittsburgh Life & Trust Co.; subsequently in the Federal service at Pittsburgh until 1906, when he resigned, to become associated with his brother, C. H. Spriggs, as Cleveland real estate operators; this partnership became the basis for the formation of The Commonwealth Realty & Building Co.; member Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, and Lakewood Lodge, F. & A. M.; Progressive Republican … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard W. Blue

Richard W. Blue, a Union veteran of Virginia and a leading lawyer and judge of Kansas, finally advanced to the halis of Congress as a representative of his adopted state. He was born in Wood County, Virginia, September 8, 1841, and was raised on a mountain farm near the present city of Grafton. In 1859 he entered Monongalia Academy at Morgantown, Va., and remained at that institution several years, first as pupil and later as teacher, Subsequently he entered Washington College, Pennsylvania, and remained there until he enlisted in the Third West Virginia Infantry, at the opening of the Civil … Read more

Biography of Rev. Jacob Lindley

The Rev. Jacob Lindley, seventh son of Demas Lindley, one of the early settlers of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was born in that county, June 13, 1774. At the age of eighteen he was sent to Jefferson college, Pennsylvania, and from there went to Princeton, New Jersey, where he graduated in 1798. After a course of theological study he was license] to preach by the ” Washington Presbytery,” and in 1803, he removed to Ohio, settling first at Beverly, on the Muskingum. Having been selected by the first board of trustees of the Ohio university to organize and conduct that institution, … Read more