JAMES AGNEW, a prosperous farmer of Mt. Pleasant township, is a son of James Agnew, whose father was a pioneer settler of Washington county, coming here in about 1784. James Agnew, father of subject, was born in 1803, in Chartiers township, this county, and was reared and educated on his father's farm. He was united in marriage with Nancy Jane Buchanan, a native of Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and the young people began life in a rude log cabin, on a farm now owned by their descendants, which was then as unbroken forest. The children born to these pioneers were Elizabeth, deceased wife of Joseph Porter, of Canton township; two sons that died in infancy; James and Nancy Jane (twins; Nancy Jane is the wife of William Stewart of Washington, Penn.) The father of this family died in 1880, in Mt. Pleasant township, his wife having passed away many years prior to his death. He was an active member of the Democratic party. James Agnew was born in 1842 on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township which he now owns, and received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. In 1881 he was married to Rebecca McDowell, a native of the same township, and daughter of John and Margaret (Miller) McDowell, also natives of Mt. Pleasant township, where they passed their married life. Mr. McDowell died in 1886, his wife several years before. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. After his marriage to Rebecca McDowell, James Agnew settled on the farm of 115 acres, which he has since been employed in managing. Mr. and Mrs. Agnew are members of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Prospect, and are always ready to do all in their power to further any laudable object.

Text taken from page 396 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Marilyn K. MacKendrick of N. Charleston, SC as part of the Beers Project. Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/ .

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