WILLIAM P. CHERRY, sheriff of Washington county, was born May 8, 1839, in Mount Pleasant township. He is a grandson of Edward Cherry, who was a native of Scotland, having emigrated to Washington county at an early day. Aaron Cherry, father of subject, was born on a farm in "Cherry Valley," Washington county, and learned the carpenter's and cooper's trades. When a young man he was married to Margaret, daughter of John Benward, of Lancaster county. Mr. and Mrs. Cherry began wedded life on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township. After raising a large family, they moved to Urichsville, Ohio, where he followed his trade in connection with farming, making a specialty of violins and other fine musical instruments. He was a member of the U. P. Church, and died at Urichsville, in 1875, at the age of sixty-five years. The old house is yet standing, and the mantels, which are in an excellent state of preservation, are fine specimens of his handiwork. A part of the home is owned by his brother Edward P., who died in December, 1892. Since then that portion has become the property of our subject. William P. Cherry grew to manhood on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township, then learned the wagon and carriage making business at Hickory, Washington county. He first began business at Clokeyville, Washington county; then worked two years at Noblestown, being afterward in the employ of John Hallam, of Washington, for a time. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth P. V. I., under Col. Caldyer, of Pittsburgh. He took part in the following engagements: second battle of Bull Run, Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, his regiment having been badly broken during the last mentioned battle. At the battle of Mine Run, December 1, 1863, he was struck in the left breast by a minie-ball, which passed through the lung and lodged in his back, where it has yet remained, and still causes him some trouble. In 1863 he was captured by the enemy, and first taken to Belle Isle, where he was confined three months, then to Andersonville prison, where he remained seven months, thence to Savannah, Ga., where he was exchanged and three months later went home on a furlough. Some time after he returned to his regiment, and remained until the close of the war. On December 25, 1865 he selected a life companion in the person of Harriet E., daughter of John and Mary McBane, who came from Scotland to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he died. To the union of William P. and Harriet E. Cherry four children were born, namely: Adelaide, who died in infancy; Birdie S.; Lillian, and William, a graduate of Washington Business College, and now assistant deputy for his father. In 1866 Mr. Cherry was foreman of the Penn St. R. R. Line, occupying that position for some time. Mr. Cherry left Pittsburgh and moved to West Liberty, Washington Co., Penn., in 1869, where he worked as a journeyman; then opened a general carriage business at Sodom, Allegheny Co., Penn.; thence he moved to Houstonville, Penn., and conducted an extensive business for eight years; then moved to East Bethlehem township, and conducted business for seven years. In 1888 he was appointed deputy sheriff under George E. Lockhart, and in 1891 became sheriff of Washington county, which position he is now occupying. Sheriff Cherry has filled township offices, and is a member of William Harton Post. No. 519, G. A. R., at Centreville. He is also a member of the U. V. U., and of the I. O. O. F. In church relations he is identified with the Jefferson Avenue M. E. Church.

Text taken from page 133 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed April 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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