MICHAEL DAUGHERTY, a leading merchant of West Alexander, was born June 30,1819 in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn. He is a son of Roger Daugherty, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and coming to America when a young man, he was married to Ellen Aiken, a native of Maryland. They then settled in Washington county, Penn., first locating on Pigeon creek, where they remained several years, after which they came to Donegal township. To this pioneer couple the following children were born: Charles, Mary (Mrs. William Emorick), Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas Arnold), Isabella (wife of James Campsey), John, Bridget (Mrs. Samuel Kirk), Michael (our subject), Sarah (wife of S. Patterson), and Eleanor (Mrs. John Kirk). The mother of this family died February 23, 1866, aged seventy-nine years, four months, seventeen days. Michael Daugherty received his education at the subscription schools of Donegal township. At the age of eighteen years he was apprenticed to Joseph McKusky, of West Alexander, to learn the tailor’s trade, and remained with him three years. He afterward began business as a merchant tailor in partnership with Samuel Galloway, and so continued for ten years. Mr. Daugherty then purchased a confectionery store, which he has since carried on with well-merited success. On March 8, 1842, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of David Wilson, of West Alexander, and they had two children: Minerva (deceased), and R. B., of Washington borough. This wife dying May 15, 1849, he was next married on March 27, 1851, to Angelina, daughter of George Young, of West Virginia and they have had two daughters: Frances E. (deceased wife of Rev. E. J. Smith), and Ida M. (Mrs. James Sutherland). Mr. Daugherty is a representative, self-made man, having commenced life with but little, and by industry and enterprise had achieved success. He is a stanch member of the M. E. Church; in politics he was formerly a Whig, and is now an active worker in the ranks of the Republican Party. He has served as burgess of West Alexander, and as a member of the borough council, and is recognized as a useful loyal citizen.

Text taken from page 544 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by LuShelle Fletcher of Grand Island, NE as part of the Beers Project. Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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