JOHN B. CARSON. The Carson family have for many years been prominently associated with the leading citizens of Washington county. Thomas Carson was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and coming to Washington county many years ago, was married to Mary Gibson, a native of Kentucky. They settled on the farm in Fallowfield township, which is yet owned by their descendants, and he also followed shoemaking, also serving many years as justice of the peace. At one time he was pursued by the Indians, and traveled seventy-five miles in one day, carrying his rifle, and thus escaped. He died in 1848, leaving the following children: Elizabeth (wife of James Young), Thomas G., Mary (Mrs. Grable), James S., John B., Ann (Mrs. Grable) and Charlotte (wife of John Carson). John B. Carson was born in 1802, on the old place on Pigeon creek, in Fallowfield township, Washington county, where he grew to manhood and received a district-school education. When a young man he was married to Sarah Scott, who was born in 1813, in Fallowfield township. The young couple first settled on a farm on Pigeon creek, and in 1846 moved to the homestead of 140 acres where their children are yet living. Mr. Carson voted with the Democratic party, serving in various offices, and in religion Mrs. Carson was a member of the Baptist Church. He died January 27, 1872, and September 17, 1887, his wife was laid beside him. Their children were born as follows: Newton (who was a real-estate dealer and founder of West Belle Vernon, deceased December 24, 1888), Mary (wife of Jackson Carson, of Fallowfield township), Smith (a farmer, living on Pigeon creek), Lewis (living in West Pike Run township), John B. (residing in Allen township), Jerome G., and Sarah J. (deceased). John B. Carson, son of John B. and Sarah (Scott) Carson, was born in 1848, in Fallowfield township, Washington county. He attended the schools of the county, afterward went to the Southwestern State Normal School at California, and afterward taught five terms near the home neighborhood. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Melissa Duvall, a native of East Pike Run township, this county, a daughter of J. P. and Sarah (Robison) Duvall, the father born in East Bethlehem township, and the mother a native of Washington county; both parents are now living in East Pike Run township. After his marriage John B. Carson located on the 130 acres in Fallowfield township, where he is now living. In 1874 he erected a good house, and in 1881 built a new barn. He is a prosperous farmer; in politics he votes the Democratic ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Zion Disciple church, in which he serves as an elder. They are the parents of six children, namely: Bertha L., Val C., Sarah Mabel, John Parker, Viola Isabelle and Jefferson P.

Text taken from page 1448 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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