Bios: N-R Surnames: Bates, 1888: Biographical History of Greene County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Marta Burns and others as shown. marta43@juno.com USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ______________________________________________________________________ Biographical History of Greene County by Samuel P Bates Nelson, Rishforth, and Co, Chicago, 1888 ______________________________________________________________________ INDEX Nickeson, Prof W M Orndoff, Eli Orndoff, W. B. Patterson, I B Patterson, J G Pettit, John Pettit, Joseph H Rea, J H Rea, Samuel W Reeves, Joseph Rich, Daniel Richey, Albert M Rinehart, Prof A I P Rinehart, Thomas Ritchie, J G Rogers, Thomas W Ross, John _________ p629 Prof W M NICKESON, principal of the Carmichaels High School, was born in Washington, Washington County, Penna, August 28, 1839. His parents, Solomon Nickeson and Phoebe Watson Nickeson, were also natives of Washington County, and of Scotch and German origin. His father, who is a farmer and stock grower, worked at the cooper's trade in early life. The Professor is a member of a family of thirteen children: five girls and eight boys. He was with his parents on the farm until eighteen years of ago, and attended the public schools of Washington County. He subsequently entered Waynesburg College, where he completed the regular course of study and afterwards received the degree of Master of Arts. After teaching in Greene and Washington Counties for ten years, he returned to Washington, studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1867. He resumed his teaching, however, and had been engaged therein for twenty four years when he was elected superintendent of schools in Greene County in 1881, and served a term of three years. Since then he has been principal of the schools of Carmichaels, making in all thirty one years that he has been connected with the schools of this and Washington counties. In 1866 Mr Nickeson married Anna S Gass, daughter of William Gass, whio is of Irish and German descent and a resident of Clarksville, Penna. Mr and Mrs Nickeson have two children: Frances M Nickeson and William Edmon Nickeson. Mr Nickeson has served as burgess of Carmichaels, also as justice of the peace for one term. He is a prominent member of the I O O F, and he and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a trustee and superintendent of the Sabbath school. ELI ORNDOFF by Carol Loar Jeannology@aol.com ELI ORNDOFF, farmer, P.O. Rogersville, Penn., one of the substantial citizens of Center Township, was born in Greene County, Penn., February 25, 1828. He is a son of William and Salome (Wisecarver) Orndoff, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They departed this life in Greene County, in 1885. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom eleven are living. Eli Orndoff was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, March 28, 1854, with Martha A. Wyly, who was born in Greene County, September 6. 1834. Mrs. Orndoff is a daughter of James and Mary Wyly (nee Neel), natives of this county. Mrs. Wyly died February 14, 1876. Mr. Wyly is still living. To Mr. Orndoff and wife have been born seven children - William H., Mary S., wife of Edmund Scott; James L., Susan, Joseph S., Barney and Mattie I. Mr. Orndoff has been a farmer all of his life, and owns 365 acres of land where he and family reside. In politics he is a Republican. A Biographical History of Greene County, Pennsylvania by Samuel P. Bates (Nelson and Rishforth and Co.: Chicago, 1888), p. 590. W. B. ORNDOFF by Carol Loar Jeannology@aol.com W. B. ORNDOFF, farmer and stock-raiser, Oak Forest, Penn., one of the substantial and industrious farmers of Center Township, was born in this county, January 15, 1837. He is the son of William and Salome (Wisecarver) Orndoff, who departed this life in 1885. William B. was united in marriage, September 12, 1868, with Mary E. Scott, who was born in Greene County, September 22, 1844. She is a daughter of John and Charlotte Scott (nee Mason), both natives of this county and residents of Jackson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Orndoff are the parents of five children - Bertha, Orvill D., Judson H., John D. and Hersey. Mr. Orndoff has been engaged in farming for many years, and owns 338 acres of land in Center Township. In politics he is a Republican, and has served on the school board in his township. A Biographical History of Greene County, Pennsylvania by Samuel P. Bates (Nelson and Rishforth and Co.: Chicago, 1888), pp. 590-591. p630 I B PATTERSON, farmer and stock grower, P O Carmichaels, Penna, was born on Ruff's Creek in Greene County, September 28, 1834. His parents, Thomas Patterson and Dorcas Bell Patterson, were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer and drover, and often sold stock in the Baltimore market on commission for the citizens of Greene County. He was the father of eight children, of whom I B Patterson is the next to the youngest. He was educated in the common schools of the county, chose farming and stock growing for his business, and owns 355 acres of valuable land in the county. In 1858 he married Mary E Barns, daughter of James Barns, whose portrait appears in this volume. It is said that Mr Barnes brought the first steam engine into Greene County, and was also founder of its first woolen mill. He departed this life in 1883 at the advanced age of ninety three years. Mr and Mrs Patterson are the parents of seven children: William B Patterson; Thomas Patterson; James L Patterson; Isaac N Patterson; John L Patterson; Minnie Patterson and Franklin M Patterson. Mr Patterson is a Democrat. Mr and Mrs Patterson are prominent members of the Carmichaels Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which they have ever been faithful, earnest workers. p630 J G PATTERSON was born in Franklin Township, Fayette County, Penna, August 23, 1830. He is a son of James Patterson and Jane Smith Patterson, who were born near Philadelphia and of Scotch Irish descent. Mr Patterson's father was a farmer, his family consisting of nine children, of whom J G is the seventh. He was reared in Fayette County, Penna, attending Madison College at Uniontown, and Greene Academy at Carmichaels, Penna. He studied medicine with Dr W L Lafferty of Brownsville, Penna, and practiced one year at Havana, Mason County, Illinois. He then engaged in the drug business in Pittsburgh, Penna, for a period of eleven years. In 1854 he married Miss Nancy J McAllister, daughter of John McAllister, and they are the parents of two children: Julian S Patterson, who is a physician at Carlisle, Penna, and Anna Patterson, wife of George L Denney of Fayette County, Penna. In 1862 Mr Patterson enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. When the company was organized, he was elected First Lieutenant. In 1863 he resigned on account of ill health, returned to Greene County, and engaged in the oil business, and subsequently in mechanical pursuits. In politics Mr Patterson is a Democrat, in religion a Presbyterian. His wife is a devoted member of the M E Church. p870 JOHN PETTIT, farmer of Swart's, was born in Washington Township, Greene County, Penna, January 22, 1831, a son of Isaac Pettit and Cynthia Hathaway Pettit, who were natives of Greene County and residents there until their deaths. In 1860 Mr Pettit was united in marriage with Rachel Pettit, who was born in Morris Township, January 2, 1840, a daughter of Charlie and Keziah Pettit, natives of Greene County and residents there until their death. To Mr and Mrs John Pettit have been born seven children: Eliza Pettit, wife of G H Loughman, who is the mother of two children-Olie M Loughman and Stanley J Loughman; Isaac Pettit; Mary A Pettit, wife of George Fry; Kizzie Pettit; Charlie Pettit; Frank Pettit; and Nora Pettit. Mr Pettit was raised on a farm and has been engaged in farming all his life. He owns 325 acres of land, all in Washington Township. He and his wife are consistent members of the Baptist Church. p870 JOSEPH H PETTIT, farmer, Swart's, Penna, was born in Washington Township, Greene County, Penna, May 6, 1837, a son of Isaac Pettit and Cynthia Hathaway Pettit, who were natives of Greene County, where they remained until their deaths. She departed this life in 1873, and her husband in 1881. December 13, 1862, Joseph H Pettit was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hedge, born in Greene County, February 2, 1846. She is a daughter of Aaron Hedge and Eva Fonner Hedge, natives of the same county, both deceased. The latter departed this life April, 1888. Mr and Mrs Pettit are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: Laura Pettit; Jessie Pettit; Cynthia Pettit; Martha Pettit; George Pettit; and Bert Pettit; and Eva and Mary, deceased. Having been reared on a farm, Mr Pettit has made farming his occupation through life and owns 148 acres of land where his family live. Mrs Pettit is one of the faithful members of the Baptist Church. p 631 J H REA, farmer and stock grower, P O Carmichaels, was born in Cumberland Township, August 26, 1831, and is a son of John Rea and Margaret Dowlin Rea, who were of Scotch Irish descent. His mother was a native of Pennsylvania, and his father, who was a blacksmith, was born in New Jersey and came to Greene Count in 1803 and died November 25, 1847. Of their ten children, nine grew to maturity, the youngest of whom is the subject of this sketch. He has lived all his life of a farm with the exception of two years spent in the army. He owns the farm of 106 acres where he now resides. He was united in marriage August 26, 1852, with Miss Orpha Worthington, daughter of Benjamin Worthington and Mary Long Worthington. Mrs Rea is of English origin. Their family consists of seven children: Calvin B Rea; Margaret Alice Rea, wife of James Craig; Frank L Rea, a stock dealer in the West; Mary M Rea; Walter G Rea; Anna V Rea; and John Linn Rea. They are all members of the Presbyterian Church in which Mr Rea has been elder, trustee, and superintendent of the Sabbath school. Mr Rea takes a great interest in educational matters, has served as school director, and filled most of the important offices of his township. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company F, First Pennsylvania Cavalry. At the regular organization of this company at Harrisburg, Penna, August 17, 1861, he was elected Captain, and was promoted to the office of Major, November 14, of the same year. He was discharged for disability, January 12, 1863, and was carried home on a stretcher, in what was then thought to be a dying condition. He is a member of the G A R Post. p631 SAMUEL W REA, farmer and stock grower, Carmichaels, Penna, was born in the township where he resides, February 2, 1829. He is a son of Jesse Rea and Mary Wright Rea, natives of Montgomery County, Penna. His parents were of Scotch Irish origin, and came to Greene County in May, 1828, where Mr Rea, who was a farmer all his life, died in 1870. Samuel W Rea was the only son in a family of four children. He was with his parents on the farm until he attained his majority, and attended the district school in the township and Greene Academy at Carmichaels. He has devoted his time to farming and the growing of fine stock, and has met with more than the average success. He owns a fine farm of 360 acres in Cumberland Township. Mr Rea was united in marriage in 1848 to Miss Ruth Ann Bailey, daughter of William Bailey and Zillah Johnson Bailey. Their children are: Jesse L Rea; Amanda Jane Rea, wife of H Kerr, and has one daughter, Ruth E Kerr; L M Rea, who married Josephine Hewitt, and is the father of one child, Anna Mary Rea; John M Rea; M Zillah Rea; E F Rea; C Albert Rea; and Calvin W Rea. William B Rea, Hannah Frances Rea, James W Rea and Nettie Rea are deceased. In politics Mr Rea is a Republican. He has been school director in his township, and filled important offices in Carmichaels Presbyterian Church, of which his family are all members. p632 JOSEPH REEVES, farmer and stock grower, was born in Cumberland Township, Greene County, Penna, November 23, 1816, and is a son of John B Reeves and Sarah Luse Reeves, natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer and lived to be eighty five years of age. His family consisted of twelve children: six sons and six daughters. Joseph Reeves was the sixth in the family, received his education in the common schools and chose farming as his business, which he has followed all his life. He started out in the world with nothing but a willing mind and strong muscle, first working by the day and month. He has met with marked success, and is now the owner of 550 acres of well improved land where he resides. In 1840 he married Miss Rebecca Clawson, daughter of Phineas Clawson and Hannah Ross Clawson, who were of English descent. Mr and Mrs Reeves were the parents of six children, five living: Hannah J Reeves, wife of Wesley Evans; Sarah Ellen Reeves, wife of J B Sharp; Eliza M Reeves, wife of James Chafen; Phineas C Reeves, and John L Reves. Their mother was a faithful member of the Baptist Church. Mr Reeves's first son, Phineas C Reeves, is a farmer and at present resides with his parents. He was born in Greene Township, January 9, 1850, and received a common education. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Davis. They have five children: Charles R Reeves, Rosa Pearl Reeves, Earnest J Reeves, Joseph B Reeves, and F A Reeves. In politics their father is a Republican, and is a leading member in the Methodist Episcopal Church. p632 DANIEL RICH, farmer and stock grower, Khedive, Penna, was born in Cumberland Township, Greene County, April 25, 1830, and is a son of David Rich and Margaret Morrison Rich. His parents were also natives of Greene County, and of German and English ancestry. His father and grandfather were both farmers and among the early settlers of the county. Daniel Rich is the ninth in a family of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity. He was reared on the farm, attending school in the township, and also graded school in Virginia. He chose farming as his occupation and is now the owner of 360 acres of valuable land in Cumberland Township where he resides and is regarded as one of the leading men of Greene County. He lived four years in Monroe County, Ohio, where he was united in marriage October 8, 1858, with Miss Lany Stephens, daughter of Levi Stephens, a native of Greene County, Penna, and of German origin. They have two children: A L Rich, born in Monroe County, Ohio, August 13, 1859; and Phoebe C Rich, who is the wife of Columbus Scott. Their son A L Rich was reared on their present farm in Cumberland Township, to which his parents returned soon after his birth. He was married October 8, 1882, to Miss Kate Harry, daughter of C C Harry, and they have one child, Stephen Harry Rich, an interesting boy of five years. In politics Mr Daniel Rich is a Republican and was elected justice of the peace in 1880, also in 1885. He is energetic and successful in his business and has always held the confidence of his neighbors. He has settled up fifteen estates for heirs in the neighbhorhood, to the entire satisfaction of the parties concerned. His family are all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as trustee and superintendent of the Sabbath school. p 633 ALBERT M RICHEY, now a resident of Iowa, was born in Fayette county, Penna, February 10, 1810. His parents were Samuel and Elizabeth Humbert Richey, natives of Pennsylvania and of German and English ancestry. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Leaving his native county at the age of twenty one, Albert came to Greene county, after having learned cabinet making in Fayette county, Penna, and carried on business until 1878. At that time he went West and engaged in the same business at Indianola, Iowa, where he still resides. His family consists of seven children. His oldest and only child in Greene County is Miss Emeline Richey of Carmicheals, Penna, where she is owner and proprietor of a large dry goods dress emporium. Miss Richey is deserving of special mention, her life having been so much out of the range of most of her sex. She was reared in Carmicheals and attended Greene Academy until 1854, when she was employed by J W Hathaway, as a clerk in his store. Here she displayed such excellent taste and good judgement in the selection and purchase of goods and such business ability, that Mr Hathaway soon trusted her to do all the buying in the East, and gave her complete control of the store during the last few years she remained with him. In the fifteen years she was with him, Mr Hathaway's business was far more prosperous than ever before. Miss Richey has met with the same success in her own store, which she opened in 1869. She has a good trade in dry goods and millinery, and also makes a specialty of fine dress making, receiving the patronage of many prominent ladies for miles around Carmicheals. She is always prompt and obliging, conducts her business in a business-like way and has met with marked success in all her undertakings. p698 Prof A I P RINEHART, superintendent of the public schools of Waynesburg, Penna, is among the prominent instructors of the county, and a man of marked ability as a teacher. He was born in Franklin Township, this county, April 17, 1860, and is the son of William Rinehart and Elizabeth Porter Rinehart, who were of English and German descent. His parents were natives of Greene County, and descendants of its early settlers. His father was a farmer, and of his family of nine children, Prof Rinehart is the oldest. He received his early education in the common schools and afterwards took regular courses in the Edinboro State Normal Schoo, graduating in 1883. He has since engaged in teaching as a profession, and his work has been confined to Greene County with the exception of two years that he was principal in the High School at Freeport, Armstrong County, Penna. In 1885 he was elected to his present position of principal of schools in Waynesburg. During vacation he has frequently instructed other teachers of the county. In 1888 he taught a very successful term in Jackson Township, his pupils being principally those who had themselves been teachers. Prof Rinehart is a genial, pleasant gentleman, and is held in high esteem by the teachers of Greene county. p633 THOMAS RINEHART, retired farmer and stock grower, Ceylon, Penna, was born in Greene County, February 14, 1802. His parents, John Rinehart and Peggy Inghram Rinehart, were of Irish and German descent. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the county, in which many descendants of both families now reside, some of them having held prominent positions therein. The present President Judge of Greene County is a nephew of Thomas Rinehart, the subject of our sketch. Mr Rinehart's father was a farmer all his life. Thomas Rinehart was his second son and was reared in Greene County, attending the subscription schools. He manifested excellent business proclivities early in life, and was untiring in his zeal to make the best of every opportunity, as a result of which he now owns a fine farm of 200 acres, where he lives in Cumberland Township. Here he was married and is the father of two children: Thomas Franklin Rinehart, and Margaret Ann Rinehart. Mr Rinehart is a Democrat, and he and his wife are consistent members of church. p698 J G RITCHIE, Chicago, Illinois, was born in Cumberland Township, Greene County, Penna, June 27, 1834. His parents were Col Newton J Ritchie and Anna Gwynn Ritchie, natives of Pennsylvania, now both deceased. They were the parents of four children, of whom two are now living: Mrs William Smith and the subject of this sketch. He was united in marriage February 10, 1876, with Miss Philinda Andrew, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 18, 1847. Her parent s were William Andrew and Mary J McConnell Andrew, the former a native of Washington County, Penna, and the latter of Virginia. Mr Andrew departed this life in 1850 and his widow in 1863. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living: Elizabeth Ritchie, wife of Samuel Bonar; Louisa Ritchie, wife of John Chambers; Mary J Ritchie, widow of Dr F M Denny; and Mrs J G Ritchie. The deceased was James A Ritchie who was killed in the late war. Mr and Mrs Ritchie are the parents of one daughter: Anna M Ritchie, born in Waynesburg, Penna, February 19, 1878. Mr Ritchie acquired his education in the common schools and Greene Academy at Carmichaels, Penna. He subsequently taught for a number of years, then practiced in partnership with A A Purman, Esq. Mr Ritchie served as District Attorney for Greene County after which he engaged in the hardware business for five years with his brother-in-law, William P Smith, in Waynesburg. He next turned his attention to the W & W R R enterprise, in which he took an active interest and was one of those most instrumental in procuring the road to Waynesburg. He served as first president of the road, was also superintendent, and is still one of the directors. In 1887 he went to Chicago and in company with J S Wolf, has been engaged in the real estate business. He and his wife own property in Greene County, Penna; Richland County, Ohio; and in Chicago. They are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. p634 THOMAS W ROGERS, photographer, who was born in Beallsville, Washington County, Penna, July 17, 1846, is a son of James R Rogers and Sarah McLean Rogers, also natives of Washington County. Mrs Sarah Rogers died in 1854. Mr Rogers, who is a carpenter and contractor, now resides in the state of Indiana. His family consists of seven children now living: five sons and two daughters (five dead). Thomas Rogers, who is the third son, was reared in Washington County on the farm and attended school at Beallsville. In 1861 he learned photography, at which he worked for over three years before he opened his establishment in Carmichaels, where he has been a very popular and very successful photographer. In 1869 Mr Rogers married Miss Belle Daugherty, daughter of Joseph Daugherty. They are the parents of five children: Olly Rogers; Velma Rogers; Wilber Rogers; Ina Rogers and Fred Rogers. Mr Rogers is modest and unassuming but industrious and energetic in his business, and has always had the respect and confidence of the community, from which he has received a liberal patronage. In politics he is a Republican; and he and Mrs Rogers are among the most faithful and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. p871 JOHN ROSS, retired farmer, Dunn's Station, Penna. The subject of this biographical sketch is one of the pioneering citizens of Washington Township, Greene County, born on his present farm, November 3, 1820. He was the oldest child of Thomas Ross, a native of this county who died in 1832. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Denney, a native of Jefferson Township, who after marriage resided in Washington Township until her death in 1847. They were the parents of seven children of whom three are living. John Ross married Miss Maria Loughman, October 7, 1847. She was born September 20, 1825, in Morris Township, Greene County, of which her parents, David Loughman and Christina Fonner Loughman, were also natives and residents therein until their deaths. Mr and Mrs John Ross have eight children: Hannah B Ross, wife of John Kendall; David Ross; Mary J Ross; Lydia Ross, wife of John W Kelley; Timothy Ross; Christina A Ross; Maria I Ross; and William Ross (deceased). Mr Ross was born and raised on the farm on which he now resides, and like his ancestors, has made farming and stockraising his business through life. His home farm consists of 237 acres of excellent land. He has most acceptably filled the offices of auditor and assessor of his township, and served as a member of the school board for fourteen years. He and his wife are among the most prominent members of the Baptist Church.