BIO: Joseph T. PUGH, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 133-134. _________________________________________________________________ JOSEPH T. PUGH, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is, perhaps, the oldest living resident in Beaver county, Pa., his birth occurring at Fallston, January 6, 1809; he has for many years made his home in New Brighton. He has the appearance of a man of sixty years, being still strong and active, with mind unimpaired; he has fine eyesight, - as he still reads without glasses, - and he may be considered an authority on the early history of this county. His father, John Pugh, was a son of Jonathan Pugh, and a grandson of John Pugh. John Pugh was of Welsh origin, and was among the early Quaker settlers of Philadelphia. Jonathan was born in Limerick township, Philadelphia county, Pa., and his wedding with Naomi Evans was solemnized at a meeting held at Gwynedd, in that county, September 27, 1759; our subject has the certificate of the marriage framed and in good condition; it was signed by thirty-two witnesses. They settled in Chester county, Pa., where he bought two plantations. His death occurred March 8, 1798. His children were: Elihu, Evan, Jesse, John, Ruth, Sarah, Jesse, (2), and Mary. John Pugh was born near Pughtown, Chester county, August 20, 1779; his brother Evan was also born there November 13, 1765. In May, 1804, John and Evan Pugh came to Beaver county, and as both had learned the milling trade, they erected mills at Fallston. Their mill was not only patronized by the farmers of the neighborhood, but many came from distant points to have their wheat ground. They shipped extensively to Pittsburg, - the flour and feed being taken to that city on boats. Later a carding and cloth dressing factory was added, and still later they began to manufacture cotton goods. Evan Pugh withdrew from the business a number of years later and the father of Joseph T. continued alone until 1858, when he rented the mills. He also conducted a grocery store at Fallston and operated a linseed oil mill. His mills were all destroyed by fire, in which he suffered heavy losses. He built the handsome brick residence now occupied by Mr. McKibben, and resided there until death claimed him in May, 1860. He married Sarah Townsend; she was born January 13, 1777, and died July 16, 1826. They were the parents of the following children: Jonathan; Caroline; Mary Ann; and Joseph T., the subject hereof. Jonathan died young; Caroline died in 1831, - she was the wife of John Minor, and the mother of one daughter, Caroline, who married David Critchlow; Mary Ann, who died in 1881, was first married to Warren Seely, M. D., and later, to John Minor, - she is the mother of Henry, John F., and Henrietta. John Pugh, father of our subject, formed a second union, with Mrs. Ann Peck. He was president of the branch of the United States Bank, located at New Brighton. The subject of this record attended such 134 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES schools as were held in his native district, and early in life learned the machinists' trade at Fallston; he did not pursue his chosen occupation to any great extent, however, as he began the manufacture of barrels and window sashes, which he continued until he retired from active business life. He also became interested in various other enterprises in the village. Mr. Pugh wedded Nancy, a daughter of Robert and Nancy McCreary of Fayette county, Pa., and she died aged fifty-six years. They reared the following children: John; Sarah Ann; Evan; Mary; Caroline Cecelia; Irene Ida; and Henry. John is a dentist of Philadelphia, and wedded Amelia Blanchard. Evan, deceased, was married to Catherine Price, by whom he had two children. Mary first married H. C. Torrey, and, secondly, was wedded to George Post. Caroline Cecelia married Eugene Pierce, and one child, Mary E., was born to them. Henry married Fannette Line and they have three children: Harry, Fred, and Helen. Mr. Pugh was reared a Friend and has always adhered to that faith. He has taken a prominent part in promoting the growth and prosperity of the town and county, and his kind and genial disposition has made him a popular and much respected citizen; he has proved himself a good neighbor, and a kind and loving husband and father; now while passing through the sunset of life, and enjoying the fruits of a laborious past, he is surrounded by a host of warm friends who will always cherish and honor his name.