THOMAS H. ACKLESON, an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Smith township, is a son of Thomas, and grandson of Thomas Ackleson, Sr. The last named was born, reared and married in Ireland, and coming to America soon afterward, located in the Chartiers Valley, Allegheny county, Penn., and reared the following children: Robert (born on the voyage across the ocean), John, James, Samuel, Thomas, Isabel and Mary, all of whom lived to an adult age. The father passed his life in agricultural pursuits, both he and his wife dying on the home farm. Thomas Ackleson was born in 1800, on the home farm in Allegheny county. He received a limited education, then learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in connection with agriculture almost to the close of his life. He married Letitia McConnell, daughter of George McConnell, a native of Ireland, who served in the war of the Revolution and in the war of 1812. She was born in Allegheny county in 1802. To her were born Mary Ann (who married Andrew Butler, who died two years after, leaving one daughter, Mary E., now Mrs. William Adams of Allegheny county. She next married Bingham McKnight, and to them one son was born -Alexander- of Denver, Colo. He died in 1860), Sarah J. (unmarried, resides with her brother, Thomas H.), Isabel and Elizabeth (unmarried), Martha (deceased wife of John Woodburn), Thomas H. (of whom further mention is made), David McConnell (enlisted in Company I, First P. V. C., killed near Belle Plains) and Margaret (widow of George M. Pyle). Mr. Ackleson followed farming in Allegheny county for some time after his marriage, then came to Washington county, locating on a farm near Hill's Station, Cecil township and his last days were passed on a farm in Smith township. He was a Democrat before the war, afterward becoming a Republican; in private life as well as in public, he won the esteem of all. In religious connection he was a member of the U. P. Church. He died in 1881, having been preceded by his wife in 1856. Thomas H. Ackleson was born February 25, 1839, in Cecil township, this county, and in early life began to assist in the duties of the farm, being educated in the neighboring district schools. He married Margaret Scott December 25, 1867, who was born in 1846, daughter of Finley Scott, of Smith township, this county, and they have had the following children: David M. (deceased at the age of nine years) and Finley S., Thomas L., Ida M., Chessie E., Samuel S., Emma M., John H., Annie B., Lizzie and Jennie Viola, all living at home. Thomas H. and Margaret (Scott) Ackleson first settled on a farm near Bavington, Smith township, and for several years sold agricultural implements at Burgettstown, this county, Afterward selling out, he moved to a place near Bulger's Station, and shipped milk to Pittsburgh. In 1887 he moved upon the well-improved farm he now occupies. situated about one mile and a half northwest of Burgettstown, Smith township, where he is very extensively engaged in the shipping business, being the leading dairyman in the vicinity. He is decidedly practical and progressive in his work, and has been president of the first creamery and cheese factory in Washington county, located at Bulger's Station, and has served as school director different terms, and other township offices. He has always been a leader in progressive movements, and identifies himself with everything tending to aid or improve his special work. He and his esteemed wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, and politically he is an adviser and counselor in the Republican party.

Text taken from page 621 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by John R. Mort of Salt Pointe, NY as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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