Bios: Sa-Sk Surnames: Gresham and Wiley, 1889: Biographical & Portrait Cyclopedia, Fayette Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Marta Burns. marta43@juno.com USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ______________________________________________________________________ Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Fayette County, Pennsylvania editorially managed by John M. Gresham assisted in the compilation by Samuel T. Wiley, A Citizen of the County Compiled and Published by John M. Gresham & Co. Chicago: 1889 http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/fayette/gresham.htm Table of Contents. ______________________________________________________________________ NOTE: "Brnv & Bdgpt" stands for "Brownsville and Bridgeport" NAME LOCATION PAGE Saddler, C K Springhill 292 Sanduskey, William Nicholson 525 Sargent, A M Brnv & Bdgpt 293 Schaefer, John F Stewart 567 Schnatterly, Miles Nicholson 525 Schnatterly, Tho B, Hon Miscellaneous 594 Schneider, J G Washington 378 Schoonmaker, James, Col Miscellaneous 600 Pittsburgh Schrock, Singleton Franklin 378 Scott, C H Menallen 379 Scott, Thomas Washington 380 Seal, William E Uniontown 225 Searight, E B Menallen 388 Searight, J A Uniontown 222 Searight, Thom B, Col Uniontown 218 Searight, William Menallen 380 Seaton, J D Springhill 293 Semans, Thomas Uniontown 225 Shank, H L Nicholson 527 Sharpnack, W G German 527 Sherbondy, A G Curtin Springfield 569 Sherrick, Abram H Bullskin 568 Shipley, Elijah Bullskin 568 Shoaf, J R Nicholson 528 Shoemaker, W A, MD Tyrone 379 Showman, George W Springfield 570 Shultz, John L Springfield 570 Simeral, J D Dunbar 473 Singer, J J, Dr Connellsville 474 Sipe, Cyrus B Springfield 571 Sisley, W M Connellsville 473 Skinner, S, Squire Bullskin 571 p292 CYRUS K SADDLER, one of the substantial farmers of the county, is a native of Springhill township, Fayette county, Penna, and was born June 28, 1837, near Pt Marion. He was brought up in his native township, and attended the common school until his twenty second year. He is a son of John Saddler and Hannah Keiser Saddler. John Saddler was a native of Fayette county, born at Pt Marion in 1810, and died May 28, 1861. He was a farmer and his father (C K Saddler's grandfather) Christian Saddler, was a native of Little York, Penna, came to Fayette county, Penna, in 1800, and settled in "The Forks of the Cheat." He owned all the land where the pleasant town of Pt Marion now stands. Here he engaged in farming and distilling, and died in 1840. Hannah Keiser Saddler was born in Greene county, Penna, in 1810, and died February 11, 1878. Cyrus K Saddler, leaving school, engaged in farming with his father at the old homestead, and has continued farming ever since. He now owns eighty acres of the old homestead that is well improved and productive. He has erected on his farm an elegant residence. Mr Saddler was never an office seeker, and is not a member of any secret society. He is a prominent member of the Disciple church at Pt Marion, and is a deacon. He has by prudence, economy, honesty, and hard work, accumulated considerable property, and is one among the best farmers of Fayette county. He was married in 1863 to Miss Susan G Crow, a daughter of Micheal Crow-a well-to-do farmer of the county. Of this marriage seven children were born: William Saddler, Evalena Saddler, Jennie Saddler, Plesie Saddler, Frank S Saddler, Zella Saddler, and Bessie Saddler, all of whom are single and at home, except Jennie who is with an aunt at Hastings, Nebraska. p525 WILLIAM SANDUSKEY of Scotch descent and a highly respected citizen of New Geneva, is a son of Jacob Sanduskey and Sarah Way Sanduskey, and was born in New Geneva, Nicholson township, Fayette county, Penna, March 6, 1820. Jacob Sanduskey was a native of Nicholson township. His people were Quakers. When a mere child, his father, mother, brothers and sisters were taken prisoner by the Indians, and no information was ever obtained of them afterwards. Jacob Sanduskey was taken after this sad affair and kindly cared for by strangers. He was raised by George Wilson and learned the trade of stone splitting, and engaged in that business until he died in June, 1852. His wife was a native of eastern Virginia, a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, and died in December, 1852. William Sanduskey was raised at the village of New Geneva, obtained the scant education of the subscription schools, and at eighteen years of age engaged with Frederick Eberhart to learn the trade of carpenter. Three years later he began business for himself and was continuously engaged in contracting and building until 1888 when he was disabled from further active work by having his hand caught and lacerated in a circular saw. On January 23, 1844, he married Miss Dugan. They had eight children: David D Sanduskey; Sarah J Sanduskey; Elzie Sanduskey; Dianna Sanduskey; Mary J Sanduskey; Elizabeth Sanduskey; Rachel Sanduskey; and William Sanduskey, all of whom are dead except William, a carpenter and furniture dealer of New Geneva, and Rachel, wife of Samuel Wigle/?Weigle. Mrs Sanduskey was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died July 16, 1865. Mr Sanduskey married for his second wife, August 24, 1867, Miss Anna Cannon, daughter of James and Lucinda Cannon of Mt Morris, Greene county, Penna: the former a blacksmith born in 1805, the latter died in 1885. William Sanduskey owns a good house at New Geneva, and eight acres of land near that village. He is a republican but takes no active part in political matters. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church; but this occasions no jar for they travel life's pathway harmoniously and are highly respected by their neighbors. p293 ACKISON M SARGENT of Bridgeport, and the proprietor of one of the finest liveries in Fayette county, is a son of James and Isabella Sargent. He was born January 10, 1860, in Zollarsville, Washington county, Penna. His parents were born near the same place. His father died before the subject of this sketch was born, and his mother when he was only thirteen years of age. Thus thrown upon the cold charities of the world as a friendless orphan, Ackison M Sargent proceeded to manfully fight his own way through life, unaided by friends or influence. For four years he labored on a farm, and during the winter season worked for his board and the chance of attending the common schools. At seventeen years of age he came to Fayette county, and engaged in farming on shares, in which he successfully continued for four years. In 1881 he came to Bridgeport and engaged for two years in the grocery business. After selling his grocery, he began teaming at which he still continues. In the spring of 1885 he engaged in the livery business, which was woned by E H Bar; it burned in 1886. In 1887 Mr Sargent erected in Bridgeport a large livery stable, one hundred and thirty eight feet long, thirty two feet wide and sixteen feet in height to the square. In its construction fifty three thousand feet of lumber was used. It is one of the finest livery stables in the county, is well stocked with a large lot of excellent horses, and is furnished with a large number of fine carriages and buggies. He is prompt to accommodate his patrons and has a large and increasing trade. Mr Sargent was married August 25, 1881, to Miss Ella Allen, daughter of Oliver Allen, a farmer residing near Brownsville. They have one child, a daughter, Annie M Sargent. He is a republican, is attentive to his business, and is one of the self-made young men of Fayette county, Penna. p567 JOHN F SCHAEFER, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Stewart township, was born at Retterod, County of Liechman, State of Hesse Cassel, Germany, November 15, 1827, where he was educated in the common schools of the county. He came to America in March, 1848, arriving at Baltimore the following May. He came at once to Pittsburgh where he was employed as a common laborer at six dollars per month. Later he went to Washington county in 1853 where he worked in a rock quary at sixty two cents a day. In 1856 he engaged in the coal business and remained in that business till 1871 when he removed to Fayette county and engaged in farming. John F Schaefer was married in 1855 to Miss Sarah E Williams, daughter of Samuel Williams of Washington county, Penna. Six children have been born to their union: Samuel W Schaefer; Elizabeth A Schaefer; Mary E Schaefer; John H S Schaefer; Sarah E Schaefer; and George A Schaefer. Mr Schaefer is a prominent member of the Lutheran church and has been for many years. His grandfather and father, both John G Schaefer, were natives of Germany. His father was a soldier in the German army against Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814- 1815. He was in quite a number of battles and was at Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. John H Schaefer had three brothers and two sisters: Justus Schaefer; Casper Schaefer; Augustus Schaefer; Mary E Schaefer and Anna C Schaefer. p526 MILES SCHNATTERLY, a comfortably situated farmer of Nicholson township, is a son of John Schnatterly and Malinda Kendall Schnatterly. He was born in Nicholson township, Fayette county, Penna, September 12, 1833. His great grandfather emigrated to Philadelphia from Holland prior to 1775 and subsequently removed to what is now Nicholson township. Two of his brothers had preceded him but were never heard of after leaving home and were probably slain by Indians. He was a farmer and a devoted follower of Martin Luther. His grandfather, John Schnatterly, was a native of Nicholson township where he was twice married. Of the first family of eight children was John Schnatterly Jr, father of Miles Schnatterly. John Schnatterly Jr was born near New Geneva, April 17, 1805. In 1827 he married Miss Malinda Kendall, daughter of Thomas Kendall. They had nine children, of whom seven are living: Margaret Schnatterly, Mrs Sturgis; Mary Schnatterly, Mrs Chestler; Elizabeth Schnatterly, Mrs Hartley; Miles Schnatterly; John C Schnatterly, stone mason in New Geneva; Hon Thomas Benton Schnatterly who was district attorney in 1866, member of the Pennsylvania legislature in 1870, 1877, and 1885, was State senator in 1879 and 1886, now an attorney at law at Uniontown; Lewis W Schnatterly, physician in Freeport, Penna. Mrs Schnatterly was born in 1807 who is still living. John Schnatterly Jr owned a valuable farm of 111 acres of land, was engaged in farming and was a lifelong democrat. He was ever ready and willing to work for his party, was elected county commissioner in 1859, and after the expiration of his term of office was justice of the peace for five years. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church at Greensborough and died July 26, 1882. Miles Schnatterly was brought upon the farm, educated at the common schools and Georges Creek Academy and was engaged in farming with his father. He made two western trips, one in 1863 and the other in 1866, and while in the west he was engaged in mining in Montana for a short time. On July 16, 1865, he married Miss Jane Schnatterly, daughter of Micheal Schnatterly. They have four children: Nora B Schnatterly, dead; Carson W Schnatterly; John M Schnatterly; and Otto C Schnatterly. In 1870 Mr Schnatterly removed to McDonough county, Illinois, and was there engaged as a carpenter and farmer. In 1873 he returned to the home farm where he continues to reside. He is a good democrat and has filled various township offices. He was one of the organizing members and at present a deacon of the Oak Hill Baptist church. His wife and two sons are members of the same church. He is an Odd Fellow and a leading citizen of Nicholson township. p594 Hon THOMAS BENTON SCHNATTERLY. One of the most active public men of Fayette county and at present and for some years past a successful leading politician, and now having perhaps more promise than any other man of his party in his district, State, senatorial, or congressional of a sure and distinguished career in the future is Senator Thomas Benton Schnatterly. Mr Schnatterly as a politician has the good sense to follow through opposition and over obloquy the dictates of his better manhood and boldly and bravely place himself upon the platform of the old time genuine democratic principles, and wage war for the laboring classes, and consequently for the best interests of all classes at last, against the great corporations with their unlimited exchequers at ready command for any scheme of remunerative corruption, and with their autocratic aspirations, instead of following the course of too many leading democrats, as well as republicans, who either covertly or openly and shamelessly sell their talents and consequences to capital in its cause versus righteousness among men. His political foes denounce his course as demagogism. That was to be expected but the more of that kind of "demogogism" Fayette county and Pennsylvania enjoy, the better; the sooner, therefore, will the hideous wages-slavery as base in many respects as was ever the chattel-slavery of the neighboring State of Virginia and which has made the system practiced by many of the great Pennsylvania corporations objectionable to all right-minded thinkers, be abolished and true republican customs be substitute therefore. Thomas Benton Schnatterly comes of Dutch lineage on his paternal side. His great grandfather with a number of brothers came from Holland prior to the Revolutionary war. A part of them settled in eastern Pennsylvania, in Lebanon county. Two pushed westward with the purpose of making homes near the headwaters of the Ohio, but were lost sight of and were perhaps slain by Indians. Another, the great grandfather of Senator Schnatterly, eventually settled in Fayette county in what is now Nicholson township and there married and became a father of a son named John Schnatterly, who was the grandfather of Thomas Benton Schnatterly. John Schnatterly had by his first wife some eight children; by a second wife one child, a son. Of this first family of children was John Schnatterly, the father of Thomas B Schnatterly. He was born near New Geneva in the year 1805 and at about the age of twenty two married Miss Malinda Kendall, daughter of Thomas Kendall, then living near Uniontown. Mr and Mrs John Schnatterly, both enjoying the peace of ripe old age, are the parents of nine children, seven of whom, four sons and three daughters, are living; and of whom Senator Schnatterly is the sixth in number and was born July 13, 1841. He was brought up on the homestead farm, and was educated in the common schools and Georges Creek Academy, teaching school himself, somewhat, during this period of his life, and at Madison Institute and Waynesburg College. After leaving college at the age of twenty two, he entered the office of Col T B Searight at Uniontown as a student at law and was admitted to the bar in December, 1864. In October, 1865, he was elected district attorney for Fayette county for the term of three years and entered upon official duty in December of the same year and went out of office in December, 1868. The term was an arduous one, occurring just after the war, and comprising a reign of crime. Special sessions of criminal were in those days held to try offenses of high degree. After the term was over he continued the practice of law in Uniontown and at the October election of 1869 was elected by the democratic party a member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania for Fayette county and served in the session of 1879, and was elected in that year to the General Assembly of 1871, and served therein; and thereafter, while conducting the practice of law engaged in October 1871, as a contractor in the construction of the Greensburg and Connellsville division of the Southwest Pennsylvania railroad, which division was completed in 1872, the charter for which he had caused to be granted in the session of 1871. In 1872 he was defeated as a candidate for the senate at the democratic primary elections by Hon William H Playford. He continued the practice of the law, and in 1876 was again elected to the general assembly for the session of 1877-1878 and at the November election of 1878 was elected State senator for the Fortieth District, composed of the counties of Fayette and Greene, for the period of four years. In the House he served on general and local judiciary committees; in the Senate on local, judiciary, railroad and corporation committees. In both House and Senate, in all legislative controversies between capital and labor, he was always on the side of the oppressed, constantly looking out for the interests of laboring classes and was not tenderly loved by the grasping monopolists of Pennsylvania. He originated the bill abolishing under severe penalties the odious female waiter system then in vogue with all its iniquities in the cities of the State. He was also the projector of the Senate bill entitled; "An act to secure to operatives and laborers engaged in and about coal mines, manufactories of iron and steel and all other manufactories, the payment of their wages at regular intervals and in lawful money of the United States." In the session of 1880 this bill was passed but was vetoed by Governor Hoyt, but it was introduced by Senator Schnatterly in the succeeding session of 1881 and again passed and then received the governor's approval and became law. The struggle over this bill was a test fight between capital and the interests of labor in the State. The senator did brave work in pushing the bill on to recognition in law and by a powerful array of facts convinced a senate at first in active opposition to the bill, of the justice of his propositions and the necessity for the act. Another important fact in Senator Schnatterly's career as a legislator should not fail of record here and it is this, that he has uniformly voted for the largest appropriations for the public schools and the public charities, a specie of "demogogism" almost as discreditable as his legislative warfare in favor of the rights and interests of the laboring classes. He can well afford to be criticized for voting decent appropriations for the blind and maimed. The foes who censure him for doing so are the men who also look upon the working classes of the State as unworthy of a better fate than that they suffer under. The act above referred to, looking to the emancipation of labor is now generally evaded by those whose injustices it was intended to decrease and prevent, but in time will compel itself to be respected when the senator, it is to be hoped, will be sustained by popular approval in all parts of the State in his efforts in the cause of humanity. Senator Schnatterly has of late returned to railroading as a contractor in the construction of the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston road, and in that of the Southwest Pennsylvania railroad, and has just completed, March, 1882, several sections of the Redstone division of the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston road. In 1867 he married Miss Mary Morrison, daughter of George Morrison and Anna West Morrison of Uniontown. p378 JOHN G SCHNEIDER, burgess of Belle Vernon, was born September 13, 1853, in Wurtemburg, Germany, and is the son of John Schneider and Anna Caturia Schneider, both natives of Germany. His father was born in 1828 and died in 1842; he was a cabinet maker and a man of prominence in his native town. The maiden name of the mother of John G Schneider was Messmer. She is still living at her old home in Germany. John G Schneider was educated in the schools of his native city. From eight to nine years of age he attended the common school. From nine to twelve in the preparatory school and later attended the University at Tubingen. He came to American in 1869 at the age of sixteen and settled in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Penna, where he learned the trade of painter. He removed to Belle Vernon in 1872 and worked at his trade. In 1875 he was married to Miss Clara Boltz, whose father was a native of Prussia and came to the United States in 1849 and married Elsie Spahr, a native of Washington township, whose parents were from Germany and were early settlers of the county. By this marriage was born one child: Grace D Schneider. Mr Schneider is a democrat and was elected burgess of Belle Vernon in 1889 by a handsome majority, although the borough is largely republican. He is a very popular man among his fellow citizens and is a prominent member of the Royal Arcanum, Improved Order of Red Men, is past officer in both and has been representative to the Grand Council of each. p600 Col JAMES M SCHOONMAKER, though a native and resident of Pittsburgh, has large business interests in Fayette county, in the development of coal mines and the manufacture of coke and is, therefore, more practically identified with the welfare of the county than are many of her own children. Colonel Schoonmaker is of New York "Knickerbocker" stock; his paternal ancestors subsequent to 1660 having been born in Ulster and Orange counties, New York. Hendrick Jochem, one of his paternal ancestors, came to America from Holland in 1660 and settled in Ulster county. James Schoonmaker, the father of Colonel James M Schoonmaker, removed from Ulster county to Pittsburgh in 1836 at the age of twenty three years and embarked in the drug business. In 1841 he married Mary Stockton, daughter of the Rev Joseph Stockton of Pittsburgh, by whom he has had nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom James M Schoonmaker is the oldest. Both parents, as well as all the children, are living. James M Schoonmaker was born June 30, 1842, and was educated in private schools and in the public schools of Pittsburgh, and attended the Western University of that city, which institution he left at the age of nineteen years, and entered the volunteer army in the War of the Rebellion, being attached as private at first to the Union Cavalry of Pittsburgh, which joined the Army of the Potomac. With this force he served a year, being meanwhile made a lieutenant of Company A, of the First Maryland Cavalry Regiment to which the Union Cavalry was attached. In August, 1862, he was ordered from the front to return home and take command of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry which was then recruiting in Pittsburgh, being partly made up of the three companies from Fayette county: Company B under Zadoc Walker; Company E under Captain Ashbel F Duncan; and Company F, led by Captain Calvin Springer, late sheriff of Fayette county. Many of the surviving members of these companies are now living in Fayette county. In November, 1862, Col Schoonmaker received his commission as colonel and took his regiment into the field. At that time Col Schoonmaker, being a little less than twenty years and five months of age, was, it is believed, the youngest officer of his rank in the Federal army. He commanded the regiment till January 1, 1864, when he was assigned to the command of the First Brigade, First Cavalry Division of the Army of the Shenandoah, and remained in that command till the end of the war, after which with his brigade still in service, he was sent by the War Department to guard the overland stage route from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains, serving in that campaign till August, 1865, when the brigade was mustered out of service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During his military career, Colonel Schoonmaker was constantly in the field, and participated in all the battles of the Army of the Shenandoah under General Sheridan, the campaigns of which were especially severe. At one time his brigade was for forty two consecutive days and nights in the saddle, engaging the enemy daily, and took part in the three decisive battles of the Shenandoah Valley, which practically ended the war by destroying the enemy's forces. After mustering out of his brigade at Fort Leavenworth, Colonel Schoonmaker returned home and entered into business with his father, remaining with him until some time in 1872 when he went into business with his father-in-law, William H Brown, in the mining of coal and the manufacturing of coke. In 1879 Mr Brown having meanwhile died, and his business being divided or assigned among the members of his family, Colonel Schoonmaker came into possession of the Connellsville coke branch as his interest in the partnership business, and has ever since been exclusively engaged in prosecuting that. A good portion of his works are located in Fayette county, 463 coke ovens being situated at Dawson's station, he being also chairman of the Redstone Coke Company, Limited, which has 300 ovens near Uniontown, Col Schoonmaker owning one third of this property. He also owns the Alice mines in Westmoreland county, comprising 200 ovens, and is chairman of the Morewood Coke Company, Limited, of the same county, and running 470 ovens of which property he is one fourth owner. Colonel Schoomaker's principal office is at 120 Water Street, Pittsburgh. February 22, 1872, Colonel Schoonmaker married Miss Alice W Brown, daughter of William H Brown and Mary Smith Brown of Pittsburgh, and who died October 7, 1881, leaving a son. p378 SINGLETON SCHROCK, one who has led a life of continual yet profitable change, was born in Allegany county (now Garrett), Maryland, November 11, 1847, and is a son of J Schrock and Rebecca Miller Schrock. His grandfather, John Schrock, was of German extraction, and died in eastern Pennsylvania in 1803. His father was born near Berlin, Somerset county, Penna, in 1799. He married Miss Rebecca Miller, daughter of John Miller, and they had eleven children: John Schrock, Harriett Schrock, Lucinda Schrock, Malinda Schrock, Clarissa Schrock, Louisa Schrock, Elizabeth Schrock, Joseph Schrock, Susan Schrock, Sarah Schrock and Singleton Schrock. Singleton Schrock was educated in the common schools of Markleysburg, served Custer in the late war eighteen months in the Eighteenth Cavalry Regiment, and learned the trade of a blacksmith with George Smith in Jockey Valley. He worked for one year at his trade in Markleysburg and then removed to Columbus, Ohio. In the latter place he failed to find employment, and being out of money was compelled to beg and tramp his way back to Somerfield. Here he engaged in a blacksmith shop until April 1, 1870, with John Close. His next move was to Confluence where he worked four months as a tool dresser for D W Patton & Co railway contractors. From Confluence he removed to Brooks Tunnell and labored with Gletzell & Co contractors until 1872. From Brooks Tunnell he removed to Confluence, and remained for ten years and twenty three days in the employ of the P & C R R Co at a salary of $65 per month, making and dressing tools. In 1882 he took charge of a boarding camp for a construction train and remained fourteen months when he opened and ran a blacksmith shop in Confluence for six months. His next location was Dickenson Run where he conducted a boarding house for eighteen months. In August, 1885, he purchased a fine residence at Dickenson Run. His house is a fine two story building with a mansard roof, 70 feet front, 126 feet depth and contains fifteen rooms. He keeps boarders and is engaged at his trade working at the P & McK Railway round house, is also a partner of J F Black & Co in the mercantile business. Singleton Schrock was married August 13, 1874, to Miss Jennie Shaw of Kingwood, Preston county, West Virginia. Two children were born to them: Nellie Schrock and Franklin M Schrock. Mr Schrock is a republican and served one terms as councilman of the borough of Confluence, Penna. His life has been one of continual change and many hardships, but by pluck and push, he has secured for himself and family a competency. p379 CRAWFORD HARRISON SCOTT of New Salem, Menallen township, was born August 8, 1840, near Mendenhall's dam. Crawford Scott, his grandfather, came from Ireland, September 30, 1788, and settled in Lancaster county, Penna. Wilson Scott, father of C H Scott, was born September 30, 1808, and was a blacksmith by trade, at which he worked nearly all of his life in Menallen township. He married Miss Ann Woodward, who was born October 26, 1813, in Menallen township, the daughter of Joshua Woodward. C H Scott was educated in the schools of Menallen township under George Osborne, a noted teacher of his day. At the age of twenty one, he enlisted September 19, 1861, under Captain John Weltner, Company I, Eighty fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Joshua B Hall's regiment. This regiment was made up in Greene, Fayette and Somerset counties. The following are the principal battles in which he was engaged: Black Water, October, 1862; South West Creek, North Carolina, December 13, 1863; Kingston, North Carolina, December 14, 1863; White Hall, North Carolina, December 16, 1863; Goldsboro, North Carolina, December 17, 1863; the siege of Yorktown, 1862; Jones Ford, June 28, 1862; the siege of Charleston, the siege of Richmond at Bermuda Hundreds, Deepbottom, seven days fight. He was wounded in the fight at Strawberry Plain, August 14, 1864, by a shot in the left lung and still carries the ball. He entered the army as a private and was promoted to non-commissioned officer in 1862. He served three years and three months, and is now a prominent man in the Grand Army of the Republic. He married Miss Mary Radcliff, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Radcliff of Upper Middletown. They are both members of the Christian church and have four children: W R Scott, born February 13, 1866, who is now preparing for teaching; Ross Scott, also preparing for teaching, born October 21, 1867; Orrin C Scott, born April 5, 1873; Clarice Gay Scott, born April 29, 1877. C H Scott was a teacher before the war; after leaving the army he went into the mercantile business at New Salem in 1867. He was postmaster at New Salem for nine years, and is a self-made man and has amassed a competence by his own unaided labor. He is a good citizen and respected by all in his township. He is a republican in politics, and is an effective worker in the party. p380 THOMAS SCOTT was born in 1833 in County Longford, Ireland, and his parents were James and Catherine Scott. When he was eight years of age, his parents came to Pennsylvania where his father died soon after their arrival, and the boy was thus thrown upon his own resources. He worked three years for Joseph S Walton, a Quaker of Chester county, receiving as compensation his board, clothing and three months schooling each winter. His next employment was three and one half years' service in the Doe Run Cotton Mills, thence he went to Lancaster county and labored for a time in a saw mill. In 1854 he came with his widowed mother to Belle Vernon where he has since resided. In the late war he enrolled himself as volunteer under Lincoln's first call for troops. His enlistment dated from October 16, 1862, in an independent company, but later joined the Ringgold Battalion then consolidated with the Twenty Second Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was in thirty six engagements, mustered in as a corporal, and came out as a commissary sergeant, October 31, 1865. He has a commission of promotion signed by J G Isenberg and A J Greenfield. He was married in 1858 to Sarah A Gamble, daughter of James Gamble, an old and respectable citizen. They had three children: Alice S Scott, married to Samuel McKean and lives in Belle Vernon; John T Scott is in partnership with Lewis Jobes in the butchering business; and Anna M (Mrs Scott) died May 18, 1883, Mr Scott is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and belongs to George D Baird Post, No 178. p225 WILLIAM E SEAL, merchant tailor of Uniontown, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 23, 1863, and is a son of Richard Seal and Nancy Watters Seal, the former born in Maryland in 1826 and the latter a native of Baltimore. William E Seal was educated in the public schools of Ohio. Leaving school, he removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he learned the trade of tailor with Thomas Hughes & Co. Desiring to perfect himself in his chosen trade, he attended Mitchell's Cutting School in New York City and was graduated from there in 1886. From 1885 to 1887 he was a partner in the firm of Seal & Bro, engaged in fine tailoring at Bellaire, Ohio. June 2, 1887, he married Miss May Thompson, daughter of Captain Stephen Thompson of Pittsburgh. Mrs Seal is a native of Monroe county, Ohio, born June 20, 1863. William E Seal came to Uniontown July 2, 1887, and purchased the merchant tailoring stock of John Lynch which he removed to his present rooms on Main street. He is the resident and managing partner of Seal Bros, merchant tailors, Main street, Uniontown, who constantly carry a large and valuable assortment of cloths and trimmings, directly imported from Europe. William E Seal is a practical cutter and merchant tailor who personally attends to every department of his business and is deserving of the large and flattering patronage he has built up for the firm in a comparatively short time. p222 JAMES ALLISON SEARIGHT Among the many prominent and successful businessmen of Fayette county, none are more modest and unassuming and yet more conscientious and useful than James Allison Searight, who represents at Uniontown the leading and reliable insurance companies of both the Old and the New World. James Allison Searight, youngest son of William and Rachel Searight, was born on the old Searight Homestead, Menallen township, Fayette county, Penna, September 13, 1836. Until at fourteen years of age he remained at home and attended the local schools of his neighborhood. In 1850 he began an academic course at Dunlap's Creek Presbyterian Academy, then in its most palmy days, and during his attendance there was instructed by Dr Wilson, founder of the school, Dr Black and Professors Powers, Downs, Chalfant and Mercer. Leaving the academy he spent some time in the banking house of John T Hogg at Brownsville and from the bank he went and took a partial commercial course at Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Penna. In 1859 he entered the preparatory department of Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio; after the first term he was admitted to the freshman class and was graduated from there in 1862. One of his classmates was E L Stanton, son of the great war secretary, E M Stanton. During his college course the president of the institution resigned, raised a regiment for the army and it was not long until it was Mr Searight's sad duty to help entomb the body of the soldier college president near the old chapel of Kenyon college. At the close of his collegiate term in 1863 he became a student of Divinity under Dr Ohl of Brownsville, Penna, and in the fall of 1865 entered the Philadelphia Divinity School. At the end of a year's close application to theological studies his health began to fail and he was compelled to abandon his chosen profession. Mr Searight passed a couple of years in Washington City; and in 1871 he came home and opened his present insurance and real estate agency. He is a member of St Peter's Protestant Episcopal church at Uniontown and has frequently represented the church in its diocesan councils. He was a member of the diocesan council when the first division of the diocese of Pennsylvania was made, and was also a member when Dr Kerfoot was elected bishop of the diocese of Pittsburgh. He was also a member of the diocesan convention that elected Dr Whitehead, the present bishop, and served on the committee that notified him of his election. In 1873 Mr Searight with several others applied for and obtained the charter of the Peoples Bank of Fayette County with a capital stock of $50,000. Shortly after its formation Mr Searight was elected cashier, and upon the death of the president, Col Ewing Brownfield, in 1889, Mr Searight was elected his successor, a position he now holds. He has spent considerable time and expense in securing facts and data for an accurate sketch to preserve for all time to come the memory of his family and ancestry. He has also taken a deep interest in the success of the Biographical Cyclopedia as the only sure way of preserving the ancestral history of Fayette county. For nearly twenty years Mr Searight has conducted a large and continually increasing insurance business. His agency represents nineteen of the largest fire, life and accident insurance companies of the world, and the Anchor and State lines of steamship companies. He represents the Aetna; North American; Hartford; National; Connecticut; Phenix Continental; Pennsylvania and farmers (US); Royal, Phenix Guardian; London, Lancashire and Queen (England): and Western (Canada) Travelers' Life, Travelers' Accident; Pennsylvania Life of Philadelphia and United States Plate Glass of same city. Altogether he represents over fifty millions of capital. p218 Colonel THOMS BROWNFIELD SEARIGHT. The oldest in active practice of the lawyers at the Uniontown bar and one of the prominent and well known public men of Fayette county, is the gentleman whose names heads this sketch, a man of good legal attainments, fine literary ability, and extended political influence. Thomas Brownfield Searight is a son of William Searight and Rachel Brownfield Searight and was born on the National Road in Menallen township, Fayette county, Penna, February 20, 1827. Colonel Thomas B Searight was reared on a farm and successfully prosecuted his academic studies at Dr Wilson's Academy and Madison College at Uniontown. He entered Washington and Jefferson College May 1, 1844, and was graduated from that famous old college in the class of 1848. One of his classmates was Judge Slagle of Pittsburgh; another was Hon J Murray Clark, and one of his warm and intimate friends while there was James G Blaine who graduated one year earlier. Leaving college, Colonel Searight read law under James Veech, a learned historian and able jurist and was admitted to the Fayette County Bar in 1850. In 1851, his father being the proprietor of the GENIUS OF LIBERTY, the organ of the Fayette county democrats, Colonel Searight assumed charge of the paper as editor and conducted it until the beginning of the war against the South. In 1857 he was elected prothonotary and in 1860 was re-elected. In 1863 he represented Fayette county in the House of Representatives of the State legislature and was re-elected in 1864. Two years later he was chosen State senator from the district composed of the counties of Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. He was a leading member as well as one of the acknowledged leaders of his party on the floor of the house and senate, serving on many of the important committees, took a prominent part in all important legislation, and was generally successful in securing the passage of measures that he favored and advocated. Active in behalf of the people's interests of his district, he received many manifestations of regard from Governors Curtin and Geary; and on the proposition to ratify the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States, his speeches in all the debates arising thereon were both effective and conspicuous against their ratification by the legislature of Pennsylvania. He was delegate to the Pennsylvania democratic State convention of 1857 that nominated William F Packer for governor, of 1860 that nominated Henry D Foster, of 1863 that nominated Judge Woodward, of 1866 that nominated Heister Clymber, of 1869 that nominated A H Dill, and of 1882 that nominated Robert Emory Pattison. He was delegate to the National Democratic conventions at Chicago that nominated General George B McClellan and Grover Cleveland for the presidency in 1864 and 1884. In all the political campaigns since 1848, he has taken an active and leading part in Fayette county, and at various other parts throughout the State. Without solicitation on his part, he was appointed in 1873 by President Grant, surveyor general of Colorado, and served as such for three years. In 1881 he was elected prothonotary for a third term and three years later elected for a fourth term. In 1883 he received the democratic nomination for the judgeship of the Fourteenth Judicial District, but opposing influences in an adjoining county and dissensions in his own party in Fayette county prevented his election. October 29, 1857, he was married to Miss Rose Flenniken, only daughter of Robert P Flenniken. They have four children: Emily Searight; William Searight; Eliza Searight; and Annie Searight. Hon Robert P Flenniken was born in Greene county, Penna, in 1804 and died in San Francisco in 1879. He practiced law for many years at Uniontown, was an able lawyer, and served three terms in the Pennsylvania legislature, was appointed in 1845 Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Denmark under President Polk, and subsequently served as associated justice of the Territory of Utah under President Buchanan. At the close of his last term as prothonotary, Col Searight again resumed the active practice of law and has secured a large practice. For over thirty years he has almost continuously held important offices, and has always discharged the duties devolving upon him creditably to himself and satisfactorily to the public. Rev J S Marquis, a fine scholar and able writer, has the following biography of Colonel Searight, his college classmate: Searight has made some valuable contributions to literature. His letters on States Rights are logical and evidently prepared with great care and research. His history of "The Old Pike" containing reminiscences, romance, accident and incident and scenes along its thoroughfare in its earlier days, is a gem of that kind of writing. We quote the following sentences from the opening chapter of "The Old Pike" as illustrative of the style of the work: The National Road was for many years the great highway of the nation, preceding the era of canals and railroads, and rivaling in grandeur the Appian Way that connected ancient Rome with Southern Italy. Its numerous and magnificent stone bridges, with splendid, handsomely turned arches and its iron mile posts, attest the skill of the workmen engaged in its construction and remain enduring monuments of its grandeur and solidity. Col Searight is easily approached, is affable in manner and easy in conversation. His practice is before the courts of Fayette county, United States District Court, State courts at Pittsburgh, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In the field of politics he has ever steadfastly held to the principles founded by Jefferson and afterwards so ably espoused and powerfully enunciated by Jackson: having carefully studied the history and examined the principles of all the great political parties that have ever existed in the country, his early democratic principles have become his mature convictions. p380 WILLIAM SEARIGHT of Menallen, the founder of the Fayette county family of Searights, was born near Carlisle, Cumberland county, Penna, December 5, 1791. He was of Scotch-Irish descent on both paternal and maternal sides. His paternal grandfather, William Seawright, came from County Donegal in the North of Ireland about the year 1740, settled in Lampiter township, Lancaster county, Penna, and was at the time of his death, 1771, a prominent citizen and landholder of that county. His paternal grandmother, Ann Hamilton, came from Belfast, Ireland, at the same time, and settled in about the same locality near Lancaster City, Penna. She came to America with her brothers William Hamilton and Hugh Hamilton and his sister, Mary Hamilton. Her brother William Hamilton was the grandfather of the distinguished Governor of South Carolina in Calhoun's day, who was known as the Nullifier Governor, in consequence of his advocating the nullification of certain tariff laws passed by Congress, which he considered adverse to the interests of the people of the South. A pretty full though incomplete history of the Hamilton family of Lancaster county, Penna, can be seen in Egles Pennsylvania Genealogies in "Notes and Queries" by Colonel Evans of Columbia. The ancestors of the Lancaster County Hamilton family, of which-as stated-the grandmother of the subject of this sketch was a member, came from Scotland to Belfast, Ireland, when it became the refuge for the persecuted Covenanters. They were part of the historical Scotch family of Hamiltons, one of whom was chosen as the husband of Queen Mary, and another as the husband of Queen Elizabeth. Family history and family tradition also teach that Alexander Hamilton of revolutionary fame was also connected with this same family of Lancaster county Hamiltons. The names of the children of William Seawright and Ann Hamilton were: Mary Seawright, Esther Seawright, Ann Seawright, William Seawright (the father of the subject of this sketch) and Alexander Seawright. (See Deed Book WW, p 134 Lancaster county records) Mary Seawright, the eldest of the children, married John Glenn. The Glenns are extinct, and are mostly buried in the Pequea churchyard, Lancaster county, Penna; Esther Seawright married Gilbert Seawright and did not change her name. Gilbert Seawright who married Esther was the founder of a large family of Seawrights in and around Carlisle, Cumberland county, Penna; Ann Seawright married William Wood and removed from Lancaster county to Albemarle county, Virginia, and from there the children of the Wood family moved on to their lands near Lexington, Kentucky; Alexander Seawright married a Logan, and removed to Augusta county, Virginia. They had three children: William Seawright, Alexander Seawright and Margaret Seawright, who removed with their families from Augusta county, Virginia, to Henry county, Tennessee, in about the year 1826, where some of their descendants are now living. William (the father of the subject of our sketch) married Jane Ramsey, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine Ramsey (nee Seawright). The maternal great great grandfather of William Searight came from Donegal, Ireland, about 1740, and settled in Leacock township, near Lancaster City, Penna, where he lived and died. His name was also William Seawright. He was for many years a landholder and a prominent citizen of Lancaster county, Penna. In the Revolution of 1688, the ancestors of William Seawright threw themselves into the cause of William of Orange. Some of them were driving within the walls of Londonderry when its gates were closed against James the Second, some afterwards died in the besieged city, while others of them survived the siege. The maternal great grandmother of the subject of this sketch was also a resident of the North of Ireland, whose maiden name was Catherine Jackson. William Seawright and Catherine Jackson had but one child, Catherine Seawright. Catherine Seawright married Samuel Ramsey of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who afterwards became a wealthy and prominent citizen of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He owned the famous "Letort Springs" tract near Carlisle, where he lived and died. They were the parents of the mother of the subject of this sketch. The names of the children of Samuel Ramsey and Catherine Seawright Ramsey were: Jane Ramsey, Catherine Ramsey, Margaret Ramsey, Esther Ramsey, Elizabeth Ramsey, Samuel Ramsey, Archibald Ramsey, and Seawright Ramsey. Jane Ramsey married William Searight, the father of the subject of this sketch. Catherine, Margaret, Esther and Elizabeth died unmarried. Samuel Ramsey married a Gettysburg lady and had no children. Archibald married Margaret Dean, some of whose grandchildren are now residents of New Bloomfield, Perry county, Pennsylvania. Seawright Ramsey married a Denny, a member of the Pittsburgh family of Dennys, and a sister of the wife of Dr Murray of Carlisle, Penna. All of this family except Jane and Samuel are buried in the old graveyard at Carlisle, Penna. Samuel Ramsey is buried in Huntington county, Penna, and Jane Ramsey Searight in the Ligonier Valley. After the death of his wife Catherine, Samuel married the widow Macfeely, grandmother of General Robert Macfeely, commissary general, U S A, Washington, D C. In about 1780 the parents of William Searight removed from Lancaster county, Penna, to Cumberland county, Penna, and from there to Augusta county, Virginia. They remained in Virginia about eight years when they returned to Cumberland county. There they remained for a short time when they started for the western part of the State, stopping a short time in Huntington and Indiana counties, and finally made their permanent settlement in Legonier Valley, Westmoreland county, Penna, about five miles above Legonier on the Loyalhanna river. The names of the brothers and sisters of William Searight were: Samuel Searight, Alexander Searight, Mary Searight, John Searight, Hamilton Searight, Archibald Searight. After 1810 Samuel Searight settled at Tippecanoe county, Indiana. Alexander Searight first settled in Brooke county, Virginia, and afterwards moved to Morgan county, Ohio, and William Searight, the subject of this sketch settled in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. The other members of the family remained in the Legonier Valley, and died without issue. They are buried alongside of their parents in "Pleasant Grove" graveyard about five miles from the town of Legonier. William Searight received only a plain English education, but he was endowed with the precepts of stern integrity, industry and honor, the elements of his future success in business, and of his elevated character. In the neighborhood in which he was reared, he had learned the business of fuller and dyer of cloth, a knowledge of which with his energy and honor was his entire stock in hand. He arrived in Fayette county about the age of twenty one, and commenced business at an old fulling mill on Dunlap's creek known as Hammond's mill. He afterwards prosecuted his vocation at Cook's mill on Redstone creek, and also on the old George Washington farm near Perryopolis. He next purchased a farm and hotel at Searights, the property and village deriving its name from him, and there made his permanent settlement. On March 26, 1826, he married Rachel Brownfield, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Brownfield of Uniontown, Penna. Rachel Brownfield (wife of William Searight) was of English Quaker lineage. Her parents were natives of Frederick county, Virginia. Her grandparents were natives of Bucks county, Penna, and her great grandparents were natives of Yorkshire and Chester, England. She was born in Gainsboro, Frederick county, Virginia, February 7, 1805. She is now living with all her faculties well preserved, within half a square of where she landed in 1805. At the village of Searights, William Searight laid the foundation of a large fortune. His integrity, united to a generous and benevolent heart, gave him a high place in esteem and affections of the community in which he lived. His sound judgment soon impressed itself on his own county and he became one of her most influential and useful citizens. He was a prominent and zealous, old-time democratic politician and wielded a large influence. On one occasion he rode on horseback from Searights to Harrisburg, a distance of over 200 miles, to assist in the preparation to nominate General Jackson for the presidency. He was an intimate friend of the late Simon Cameron, ex-United States Senator from Pennsylvania, and had close personal relations with the leading politicians of his day. In the early history of Fayette county, political conventions of both parties were accustomed to meet at Searights and plan campaigns. A memorable meeting, of which Mr Searight was the chief instigator, was held there in 1828 known as the "Gray Meeting" from the name of the keeper at that time of the local hotel, John Gray. At this meeting the Jackson and Adams men met to test their strength. They turned out in the meadow below the hotel, formed in rank and counted off; the Jackson men outnumbered their opponents decisively, and it was regarded as a great Jackson victory. In the political campaign of 1836, a large democratic meeting was held at Uniontown, and the delegation from Searights bore a banner with the inscription, "Menallen the Battleground of the Gray Meeting." Many politicians of the olden time were there, among them on the Jackson side were General Henry W Beeson, Colonel Ben Brownfield, Westley Frost, William F Coplan, Henry J Rigden, James C Beckley, Benedict Kimber, Solomon G Krepps, William Searight, Hugh Keys, William Hatfield, Colonel William L Miller, John Fuller, Provance McCormick, William Davidson, Alexander Johnson, and Thomas Duncan. On the Adams side were Andrew Stewart, John M Austin, F H Oliphant, John Kennedy, John Dawson, Samuel Evans, James Bowman, William Hogg, Stokely Connell, William P Wells, Basil Brownfield, George Mason, Kennedy Duncan and John Lyon. The many similar political meetings with which William Searight was identified go to show the esteem in which he was held by the citizens of the county by all parties. But Fayette county, although the first, was but little in advance of other communities to learn and admire his worth. He early became known and appreciated throughout the entire State. He was appointed Commissioner of the Cumberland road (National Road) by Governor Porter in the most palmy days of that great thoroughfare, a position he held for many years. In 1845 he was superseded by Colonel William Hopkins of Washington, Penna. Subsequently an act of the legislature placed the road in the hands of trustees appointed by the courts, and these trustees restored William Searight to the commissionership, the duties of which office he continued to discharge with great fidelity and industry. He was thoroughly familiar with all the hills and valleys of that grand old thoroughfare, once so stirring and active, but now still and grass-grown. Previous to his appointment as commissioner of the National road, he was a contractor on the same. He was one of the contractors who built the iron bridge over the mouth of Dunlap's Creek between Bridgeport and Brownsville, and was also a contractor on the Erie extension of the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal. At the time of his death, he was a candidate for the democratic party for one of the most important offices in the State, that of canal commissioner. To this office he would have undoubtedly been elected, had not death interposed and called him from the active duties of this life to the realities of another world, as after his death, Colonel William Hopkins of Washington county, was nominated to the democratic party for the same office and was elected by a large majority. He died at his residence in Menallen township, on the 12th day of August, 1852. He left a widow and six children: Thomas Searight, Ewing Searight, Jane Searight, William Searight, James Searight, Elizabeth Searight. His widow is living at Uniontown at the advanced age of eighty four, and has all her faculties as perfect as ever. Of the children, William is dead, the rest are living. Thomas, Jane, and James live at Uniontown. Ewing Searight lives on the old homestead in Menallen township, and Elizabeth is the wife of J T Colvin, president of Pittsburgh National Bank of Commerce, Pittsburgh, Penna, and lives in Pittsburgh. p293 JOHN D SEATON, merchant at Wymp's Gap, Springhill township, was born in Fayette county, Penna, March 15, 1834. He was reared on the farm, attended the schools of the neighborhood until he arrived at the age of nineteen years. On leaving school, he remained on his father's farm till he became of age, and then rented a farm and managed it on his own account up to 1863, when he removed to Preston county, West Virginia. Here he ran a hotel for eighteen months, and thence he removed to Greene county, Penna. In 1877 he began merchandising at Rosedale, where he remained til 1883, when he returned to Springhill township, engaged in the same business at Wymp's Gap, and where he is at present engaged. He was married October 12, 1854, to Sarah E Elliott, daughter of Solomon Elliott, the latter a farmer of the county. In politics, Mr Seaton is a sterling democrat, as is also his father. He was appointed by President Cleveland post master at Wymp's Gap, October 1, 1888, and is the present occupant of that office. He has a pleasant home in Springhill and is doing a splendid mercantile business. John D Seaton's parents were Hiram Seaton and Mary Fisher Seaton. The former was born in 1800 and the latter in 1797. The mother died in October, 1883. Hiram Seaton was born at Uniontown where he received a very good education. At the age of eighteen he engaged in peddling goods, continued at it for two years, when he purchased 600 acres of land in Wharton township and engaged in farming. He was married in 1821. In 1823 his wife died and he was again married in 1827. To this last union were born seven children, five sons and two daughters; all became men and women. Hiram Seaton was elected treasurer of Fayette county in 1855, and was popular with the people. A special act of assembly was passed by the legislature of Pennsylvania for the purpose of re-electing him as treasurer for a second term, and after serving two terms as county treasurer most acceptable to the people, he retired to his farm in Wharton township. In 1869, he removed with his family to Pleasant Hill, Cass county, Missouri, where he died October 28, 1870, in the seventieth year of his age. Hiram Seaton's father was one of Uniontown's earliest settlers. He was the proprietor of the old Seaton House, which for many years was the leading "tavern" at Uniontown for drivers and wagoners on the National road, and was run by Mr Seaton during the palmiest days of the old road. p225 THOMAS SEMANS, a Jacksonian democrat and a solid businessman of Fayette county, is a son of Henry Semans and Polly Warren Semans, and was born at the head of Morgantown street in Uniontown, April 26, 1800. Henry Semans came from New Jersey to Uniontown. He was a carpenter and enlisted in the War of 1812, but was not called into active service as peace was declared soon after his enlistment. His family consisted of three sons and five daughters. Thomas Semans was educated in the subscription schools of South Union township and Uniontown. He learned the trade of tanner with John Miller of Uniontown, and operated a tannery for forty five years in South Union township, and made many improvements to save labor while he was engaged in that business. In addition to the tannery he conducted a shoe shop, carried on a general store at home for fifteen years, and owned an interest for several years in a Uniontown store. In 1827 he married Miss Lydia Johnson, daughter of Jacob Johnson. They had five children: Francis M Semans, merchant at Monroe; George W Semans of Morgantown, W Va; Eliza Semans, wife of Samuel McDonald; Harriet Semans, wife of Samuel Clark (dead); Mary Ann Semans, wife of Henry Cassidy (dead). Mrs Semans is dead. His second wife was Miss Margery Grant, whom he married in 1845. They were blessed with ten children of whom three are living: Ezra Semans in the coal business, Sarah Semans and Walter Semans at home. After the death of his second wife he married Miss Mellicent Foster, daughter of Thomas J Foster and Rebecca Slagle Foster, the latter a descendant of the famous Simpson family of Maryland. Thomas Semans is a Royal Arch Mason, is prominent in lodge and chapter, and served one terms as District Deputy Grand Master to instruct the masonic lodges of four counties. He has been a member for sixteen years of the Protestant Episcopal church of Uniontown. He has served five years as tax collector, three terms as school director, two terms as justice of the peace, and two terms as poor house director. He is remarkably well preserved in both body and mind for a man verging on ninety years of age, and was engaged in binding grain in his harvest fields during the last summer. His first presidential vote was cast for Jackson, and for sixty five succeeding years he has yielded unanswering allegiance to the political principles of Jackson. p527 HENRY L SHANK, D D S, one of New Geneva's leading citizens and a dentist of good reputation, is a son of David Shank and Anna Dils Shank, and was born in Springhill township, Fayette county, Penna, October 28, 1831. David Shank was of German extraction, born in Springhill township in 1807, and died in 1832. He was a cooper by trade, a whig in political opinion, and a member of the Mennonite church. His wife was Anna Dils, who was a member of the Presbyterian church. She died January 17, 1882. Her father, Philip Dils, was a Fayette county farmer who was born in New Jersey. Dr Shank was reared on a farm, educated in the subscription schools, and took one term at Mt Hope Academy, Ohio. At twenty years of age, Mr Shank began teaching school and continued in this business until 1858, when he read medicine and studied dentistry with Dr P L Kramer of Greensboro, Greene county, Penna. He practiced dentistry in 1859 at Greensboro, then for a short time at Carmichael's, and from there he removed to New Geneva, where he has since been engaged in practicing dentistry. On March 29, 1864, he was married to Miss Fannie Springer, a daughter of Marshall Springer. To this union five children have been born: Anna L Shank, wife of A J Hayden of Greensboro; David Marshall Shank (dead); Rachel D Shank; Emma L Shank; and Lizzie S Shank (unmarried). In 1865 he purchased property at New Geneva, where he is comfortably situated. Mr Shank is a democrat, was elected justice of the peace in 1885 for a term of five years; is serving as justice of the peace and for nine years has held the offices of assessor and auditor of Nicholson township. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at the "Old Frame," while his wife and daughters, Mrs Hayden and Rachel, are members of the Baptist church at Greensboro. He has been "the architect of his own fortune," is a successful dentist and a useful man. p527 WILLIAM GARANNE SHARPNACK of Masontown, was born at High House, Georges township, Fayette county, Penna, on the 15th of May, 1854, and is a son of Daniel Sharpnack and Mary Ann Denny Sharpnack. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Sharpnack, was one of the early merchants of Greene county, Penna, and married Mary Ann Rice, a cousin of Dan Rice, the great showman. His maternal grandfather was John Denny, who used to own and operate the old Beeson mill at Uniontown. His father Daniel Sharpnack, a native of Jefferson, Greene county, Penna, was born August 12, 1811, in what is now the Ingraham Hotel. He came to Uniontown when twelve years old, lived with Old Ellis Bailey, and attended Madison College for five years. At seventeen he was apprenticed to Hugh Graham to learn the trade of carpenter. When he completed his trade, he became a contractor. His first contract was repairing the old court house. He afterwards built the Dawson Law Building, Judge J K Ewing's residence, and the old Baptist church on Morgantown street. From 1837 to 1842 he followed merchandising at Carmicheals, Greene county, Penna. From 1842 to 1867 he engaged in farming at High House, when he came to Uniontown and entered the real estate business. The first piece of property he handled was the Weniger block that he bought and sold at a clear profit of $6,000. He successfully prosecuted the real estate business years. He was married December 31, 1834, to Mary Ann Denny. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church for over forty years, and died April 9, 1889. Daniel Sharpnack was a very fine mechanic, a good farmer, and a remarkably successful businessman. William G Sharpnack attended the common schools, in 1873 entered the Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Penna, and graduated the same year. He attended Dickenson College, York, Penna, in 1875, and made penmanship a specialty. He taught a business school at Monongahela City a few months, and then turned his attention to farming near Brownsville, at the strong solicitation of his aged parents. In August, 1881, he began the mercantile business at Masontown, Fayette county, Penna, and has successfully continued in it until the present time. Mr Sharpnack was married to Miss Ida Neff, daughter of Dr George W Neff Sr, and sister of Hon George W Neff Jr, May 2, 1883. He is well qualified for the mercantile business that he is so successfully prosecuting; owns the handsomest residence in Masontown, which he architected and built to his own taste. p569 ANDREW G CURTIN SHERBONDY was born October 13, 1863, at Springfield, Fayette county, Penna. He was educated in the public schools of Dawson, Penna. In 1876 he learned telegraphy and engaged with the B & O Railroad and was the agent at Dawson and Markleton, and also worked at Uniontown, Mount Pleasant, Hickman Run, Rockwood and other points. He remained in the service of the B & O RR until the spring of 1883 when he removed to Springfield and engaged in the mercantile pursuit where he has been very successful in business. He enjoys the distinction of being the only democrat of the name of Sherbondy. He is a democrat in every sense of the word and is held in high esteem by his party, having taken an active part in politics since he was thirteen years of age. He was appointed postmaster at Elm Postoffice, Fayette county, Penna, on July 20, 1885, and resigned on February 1, 1889, to take effect 1st of last March, while his successor was not appointed and qualified until May 4, 1889. He believes in Andrew Jackson's motto: To the victors belong the spoils. He was elected Congressional delegate in 1888 and is at present a member of the democratic county committee. He was married at Somerset, Penna, by the Rev J F Sharer, Lutheran minister, on October 21, 1882, to Miss Aggie May Crichfield, daughter of Henry Crichfield, deceased, late of Springfield, Penna. This union has been blessed by two children: Florence Belle Sherbondy, born July 22, 1883; and Ivan Gold Sherbondy, born June 6 1889. He is a member of Eylan Tribe No 260, I O of R M, and is a past officer of his lodge. He is a son of John W Sherbondy and Christiana Lowry Sherbondy, formerly of Springfield but now of Dawson, Penna. John W Sherbondy, father, has been farmer, merchant, and stock dealer and held various offices: ten years as justice of the peace for Springfield township; ten years justice of the peace at Dawson, Penna; and he was postmaster at Elm, Penna, under President Lincoln. John W Sherbondy was born August 13, 1822, at or near Mendon, Westmoreland county, Penna, and came to Fayette county in 1845. Christiana Lowry is the daughter of Jacob Lowry of Dunbar township, who died December 8, 1886, aged eighty eight years. She was born July 18, 1827, at Dunbar, Dunbar township, Fayette county, Penna. David Sherbondy was an extensive contractor of public turnpikes in the early days, having built part of Mt Pleasant and Robston pike road from Bridgeport up Coal Hill to what is now Allentown Pittsburgh. He made several miles of turnpike up the Sciota Bottoms at Portsmouth, Ohio, and also on National, Claysville, Hillsboro, Frostbburg, Maryland, pikes. He paved the streets of Morgantown, West Virginia, and numerous other roads. David Sherbondy, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Penna, and died May 8, 1880. The Sherbondys were of German descent and the Lowrys of Scotch Irish. Mr Sherbondy is one of the hard working and energetic young men of the county and is deserving of success in whatever he undertakes. p568 ABRAM H SHERRICK is a representative of that class of men who win success in life through their own energy and individual merit. He is a prominent farmer and coke manufacturer of Bullskin township and was born at Mt Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Penna, March 24, 1832. He is a son of Abram Sherrick and Annie Overholt Sherrick who were natives, respectively, of Fayette and Westmoreland counties. His paternal grandparents, John Sherrick and Annie Stauffer Sherrick were among the early pioneers of Fayette county, removing here from Berks county, Penna. Abram H Sherrick's history is much like that of others, who by their own efforts have attained competence and position in this life. His early life was spent on the farm and at the age of fifteen he went to Mt Pleasant and attended the seminary where he was principally educated. Some few years before he had reached his majority he was associated with his uncle, John Sherrick, in the mercantile business in Mount Pleasant. At the age of twenty two years he crossed overland to California in search of gold under the rugged crests of the Nevadas ere the construction of the iron ribbed railroad, which now spans the continent from ocean to ocean. He continued successfully as a goldminer for three years. From 1854 to 1858 he was engaged in the distillery business. In 1862 he removed to his farm near Pennsville, Bullskin township, where he has since resided. Besides owning a splendid and highly improved farm of three hundred acres, he is one of the most prominent and extensive stock dealers in Fayette county. He operates and is the proprietor of large coke works near Pennsville which are supplied with coal from his own farm. He ships from these works daily about ten cars of coke. Mr Sherrick was married to Mary Dillinger, a daughter of Samuel Dillinger. To their union have been born ten children: Frank Sherrick; Samuel Sherrick; Bart Sherrick; Ella Sherrick; Carrie Sherrick; Charles Sherrick; Cora Sherrick; Lydia Sherrick; Mollie Sherrick; and Edward Sherrick. Frank Sherrick died in 1861. p568 ELIJAH SHIPLEY. Among the prominent citizens of southern Fayette county is Elijah Shipley, born near Ohiopyle Falls in what is now Stewart township, Fayette county, Penna, July 5, 1844, and is a son of Levi Shipley and Catherine Linderman Shipley, both natives of Fayette county, this State. Elijah Shipley's family is traced back to Europe whence in 1801 Charles Shipley, Levi's father, sailed for the United States and afterwards settled in Fayette county. One of his sons, Levi Shipley, was born December 14, 1816. Levi Shipley was a well-to-do farmer and a highly respected citizen. He married Miss Catherine Linderman and reared a family of eleven children: Leonard Shipley; Sarah Shipley; Elijah Shipley; Everhart Shipley; Squire Shipley; Melvina Shipley; Nancy Shipley; Levi Shipley; Rebecca Shipley; George Shipley; and William Shipley. Elijah Shipley was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. March 25, 1864, he enlisted in the Federal service and served until the close of the war. He enlisted as corporal, was promoted to sergeant and was made assistant quartermaster and ward master. He was captured once but succeeded in making his escape. As a soldier he was in the battles of the Wilderness, where he was slightly injured; Cold Harbor; Chapin's Farm; and in the Siege of Petersburg. Since the war he has been engaged successfully in farming. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Youtzy of Somerset county, Penna. To their union have been born four children: Florence Shipley; Ella Shipley; Catherine Shipley and Ulysses Shipley. In political matters Mr Shipley is a republican, has served twelve years as road supervisor and nine years as school director. In 1887 he was elected as director of the poor for Fayette county and is serving acceptably in that position at the present time. Mr Shipley resides at Falls City and enjoys the respect and good will of his fellow townsmen. p528 JAMES R SHOAF, an energetic and prosperous farmer of Nicholson township, is a son of James Shoaf and Malinda Bowell Shoaf and was born in Georges township, Fayette county, Penna, March 6, 1842. His father, James Shoaf, was a son of James Shoaf, a day laborer who lived in the mountains and was killed by a log falling on him at the raising of a building. James Shoaf began life under very discouraging circumstances, could not read or write, but at his death left a handsome fortune acquired by his own industry and energy. He was a farmer and a democrat. He owned a valuable farm of over two hundred acres of land underlaid with coal and well stocked. He was married to Miss Maldina Bowell, daughter of Captain Bazil Bowell, who commanded a company in the War of 1812. They had nine children of whom six are living; he was born July 26, 1814, and died July 3, 1881. James R Shoaf was carefully trained in farm work and attended the common schools. Selecting farming as an occupation, he steadily devoted his time and attention to that business. On May 11, 1868, he married Miss Mary Harriet, daughter of Joseph Newcomber, an industrious farmer of Georges township. Their union has been blessed with ten children: Thomas B Shoaf; Joseph N Shoaf, dead; James C Shoaf; Mary Malinda Shoaf; Alda Tilden Shoaf; John H Shoaf; Daisy D Shoaf; Nancy I Shoaf; Matilda R Shoaf; and Frank N Shoaf. He is a democrat but does not neglect his work to engage in politics. He owns two splendid farms of 203 acres in good state of cultivation, of which one hundred acres are underlaid with coal. He recently sold a tract of sixty acres for $6,500. He is a quiet, peaceable, industrious and prosperous citizen. NOTE: According to my information, Mary Harriet NEWCOMER, wife of James R. SHOAF, was the daughter of Joseph & Mary Ann (SESSLER) NEWCOMER. Bill Newcomer mrbill@iserv.net p379 WILLIAM A SHOEMAKER MD is the son of Daniel Shoemaker and Elizabeth Probst Shoemaker, both natives of Lock Haven, Clinton county, Penna, and where they at present reside. His father is a farmer of Clinton county and a stock trader. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. John Shoemaker, paternal grandfather of Dr Shoemaker, was a farmer of Clinton county and died in 1872. The Shoemaker family is an old and respectable family of Clinton county. His maternal grandfather Probst was also a farmer of Clinton county and respected as an honorable, upright citizen. Dr William A Shoemaker was born November 10, 1859, at Lock Haven, Clinton County, Penna, and grew to manhood in his native town. He received his early education in the public schools and completed his studies by taking a scientific and classical course at the normal school at Lock Haven. In 1881 he commenced the study of medicine under the tutelage of his cousin, Dr W J Shoemaker of Lock Haven wit whom he continued for one year when he went to Baltimore and entered the medical department of the University of Maryland. He took a course of three years study in medicine and graduated from there in March 1885. On March 31, 1885, he located at Dawson in the practice and has established a large and successful practice at Dawson and stands high in the community as a successful physician and citizen. He is a general practitioner and is a member of the Fayette County Medical Association and the State Medical Association of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Royal Arcanum and Odd Fellows. He was married in 1888 to Miss Cora Given of Dawson, daughter of Robert T Given. She died soon after her marriage. In June, 1888, Dr Shoemaker formed a partnership with Dr J C Smith of Hampshire, West Virginia. p570 GEORGE W SHOWMAN was born in Dunbar township, Fayette county, Penna, April 28, 1847, and is a son of David Showman and Jennie Younkin Showman. David Showman is a native of the town of Somerset, Somerset county, Penna. He removed to Springfield township, Fayette county, Penna, where he lived for fifty years. He was a farmer and is still living. He married in Somerset county December 1838, Miss Jennie Younkin, daughter of George Younkin. They have nine children: W H Showman; Alex Showman; Nancy Jane Showman; George W Showman; Catherine Showman; Albert Showman; Ellen Showman; Jeremiah Showman; and Sarah Showman. George W Showman was educated in the common schools of Springfield township. For nine years he was engaged as a coal miner in Tyrone and Hutchinson mines. Leaving the mines, Mr Showman engaged in farming for six years in Tyrone township when he removed to Springfield township and has continued in farming up to the present. On November 21, 1872, he was married at Mt Pleasant to Miss Francis Hurst, daughter of James Hurst of Tyrone township. They have had four children: Albert Showman, born May 9, 1878, died February 11, 1879; Mary Jane Showman, born May 29, 1874; Lida Belle Showman, born October 9, 1876; and James G Showman, born in Springfield September 3, 1881. Mr Showman is a republican, has been school director for five years, and is now president of the school board of Springfield township. He is a member of Eylan Tribe No 260, I O of Red Men. He is an efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Springfield where he serves as class leader. He is a prosperous farmer and a prominent citizen of his township. p570 JOHN L SHULTZ, who risked his life and lost a limb in defense of the Union, is a son of John Shultz and Sarah Lyons Shultz and was born in Salt Lick township, Fayette county, Penna, February 14, 1838. His father, John Shultz, was a son of Jacob Shultz who came from Somerset county to Salt Lick township in 1837 and located on what is now the Davis Kalp property. The Shultzs are of German extraction. John L Shultz was brought up on a farm and educated in the schools of the neighborhood. On December 15, 1861, he was married by Justice Sherbondy to Miss Mary M Kern, daughter of Jonathan Kern of Greene county, Penna; three children have blessed their union: Jacob K Shultz, born May 6, 1862; Eliza Jane Shultz, born June 15, 1867; and William K Shultz, born February 10, 1875. In September, 1862, he left his business and enlisted in Company C, Eighty fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers which was afterward consolidated with Company H, Fifty seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was in the battles of the Peninsula, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville; at the last fight he was severely wounded and unfitted for duty for three months. At Hatches Run in a charge on a skirmish line, he lost his right leg. He received his discharge from the service August 25, 1865, and returned home and is at present engaged in farming. He is a democrat and has held most of the various township offices. Mr Shultz is a member of the William T Campbell Post, No 375, Grand Army of the Republic, is a useful member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Springfield and has many friends. p473 JACOB D SIMERAL, the accurate and accommodation agent at Dickerson Run station on the P McK & A railroad, is a son of James Simeral and Margaret DeWalt Simeral, and was born near Shaner, Westmoreland county, Penna, September 30, 1859. His father, James Simeral, is a native of Westmoreland county, and resides at Buena Vista, this county. He married Miss Margaret DeWalt, daughter of Jacob DeWalt. One of her brothers, William DeWalt, lost an arm in the late war; another James DeWalt was a corporal and served in Sherman's army. Jacob D Simeral received his education in the common schools of Allegheny county, was engaged for tome time in digging coal, and for several years later as a tract layer on a railroad. While thus engaged as a day laborer, he assiduously employed every spare moment in fitting himself for a position in the business world. He learned telegraphy and other work pertaining to a station agent's work, and was successful in July, 1886, in securing the position of night agent at Dickerson's Run station, opposite Dawson. He was accurate in all his business and gave strict attention to the most minute details of his work. This thoroughness in work soon secured his promotion to the position of general agent, which he has held ever since with satisfaction to his employers and the public. He was married to Miss Isaphine M Collins, daughter of George M Collins. They have three children: Clara E Simeral, Alice P Simeral, and Maggie L Simeral. Jacob D Simeral is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His success in life is but another illustration of what intelligence, energy and perseverance will accomplish for a man who has a definite aim or object in life, and works earnestly to pursue it. p474 Dr JAMES J SINGER, a leading physician of Fayette county, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Donegal township, Westmoreland county, November 25, 1850, educated in the public schools of Greensburg and was graduated from the high school in 1868 when he began the study of medicine with Dr Robert Brown. He afterwards took a full course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College and was graduated in March, 1871, before he was twenty one years old. He came to Connellsville in June of the same year where he has resided and practiced medicine most successfully ever since. He was for several years a partner with Dr Phillips and has been surgeon for the B & O R R Co at Connellsville for the past seventeen years. After four years practice Dr Singer took a course in King's College Hospital, London, and a clinical course in the various hospitals throughout that city. He makes surgery a specialty and has been signally successful. He is a son of Robert W Singer and Eleanor Warren Singer, both born in Westmoreland county. Robert W Singer removed from Donegal township to Greensburg to take charge of the office of clerk of courts to which he had been previously been elected. Dr Singer was married to Miss Jennie Johnston of Fayette county and have five children, three boys and two girls. He has a very beautiful home. Dr Singer is one of the most talented of the young physicians of the county and his success is of that kind of which only come to men of brains and energy. p571 CYRUS B SIPE was born in Springfield township, Fayette county, Penna., September 6, 1846, and is a son of Jacob Sipe and Catherine Corpenning Sipe. Peter Sipe, grandfather, was born in Somerset county, Penna, and was a farmer and removed in an early day to what is now Springfield township where he settled on the farm now owned by William Drill. Jacob Sipe, father, was born in Springfield township, was reared on a farm and received his education in the old log schoolhouse under the subscription school masters. He married Miss Catherine Corpenning, daughter of John Corpenning of Somerset county. Cyrus B Sipe was raised on a farm and attended the subscription schools of Springfield township. Leaving school he engaged in farming and stock dealing in which he has ever since continued. He was married by Rev James Wakefield to Miss Lizzie Sparks, daughter of H L Sparks of Salt Lick township. Mr Sipe is a republican but is not politician. He has served six years as school director, is an upright business man and a highly respected citizen. p473 WILLIAM M SISLEY, an enterprising and successful merchant of Gibson near Connellsville, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Fayette county, June 14, 1858. His is a son of John L Sisley and Hannah J Wilgus Sisley, both natives of Fayette county and living. The paternal grandfather, Morgan Sisley, was born in Fayette county and engaged in farming for many years, but the latter part of his life was spent in keeping the Perry Hotel at Perryopolis. The maternal grandfather, Edward Wilgus, was by trade a shoemaker. John L Sisley, father, is a carpenter and has been a resident of Gibson for over twenty years, and in politics he is a democrat. William M Sisley was reared on a farm until he was eleven years of age, when he came with his parents to Gibson; received his education in the common schools and was engaged for ten years in carpentering. Leaving his trade in April, 1888, he commenced his present business of general merchandising. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Alice Kincell, daughter of Alfred and Evaline Kincell, both natives of Wheeler, Fayette county. They have three children living, two sons and one daughter: Joseph Sisley, Ella Sisley, and John A Sisley. At Gibson Mr Sisley has a good store, well filled with dry goods, notions, groceries, hardware and everything needed to supply the wants of his large custom. In political matters he is a republican, a member of the J O of A M and is one of the foremost and leading citizens of Gibson. p571 Squire SYLVESTER SKINNER of Stewart township was born in Fayette county in 1819 and received only the benefit of a common school education. He was married January 23, 1838, to Miss Adeline Thorp, a native of Fayette county, Penna, and daughter of James Thorp, Esq. They have ten children: Sarah Jane Skinner, Sabina E Skinner, James Skinner, David Skinner, John M Skinner, Abrah Skinner, Tabitha Skinner, Jefferson Skinner, George Skinner, Marcellus Skinner and Ella Skinner. Rev Skinner was a Baptist minister and held the office of justice of the peace for ten years. His death occurred on January 17, 1870.