A. B. DUVALL. The Duvall family, of which this gentleman is a prominent representative, has for many years been closely associated with the progress and improvement of Washington county. Alexander and Elizabeth Duvall were natives of Maryland, born of French descent. They came to Pennsylvania many years ago, and located in Washington county, where he lived several years, and then settled on a farm in Fayette county, near Brownsville, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. Of their children are named John, David, Jacob, Lewis, Eli, Jehu, Hiram and Elizabeth, all now deceased. David Duvall was born April 7, 1785, in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his youth on the home farm. He began life with no financial aid, but willing hands, an active brain, and stout body proved sufficient capital, and he soon acquired a comfortable property, all in agricultural pursuits. When a young man he was united in marriage with Mary Bailey, who was born in 1782, in East Pike Run township, and they reared the following family of children: Nancy, widow of S. Robison, now residing in California, Washington Co., Penn.; Eliza, wife of John B. Hanen, of East Pike Run township; Ruth, widow of George Garrett, a resident of California, Washington county; Mary; Alexander B.; John; Lewis; Abigail, and Sarah, of whom the four last mentioned are now deceased. The father in his political affiliations voted with the Republican party. He died August 24, 1865, having been preceded by his wife in 1862. Alexander B. Duvall, son of David and Mary (Bailey) Duvall, was born March 19, 1825, in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn. He received a subscription-school education, and grew to manhood on the home farm, working the old place on shares until the death of his father. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Josephine Pester, who was born in Washington county, Penn., a daughter of Moses and Elizabeth (Smith) Pester, also natives of this county. Her father was a cabinet maker at Coal Centre, Penn., and in politics voted with the Democratic party. He and his wife died in Coal Centre, leaving two children, Ann and Josephine (Mrs. Duvall). To the union of Alexander B. and Josephine (Pester) Duvall the following children have been born: Emma, David R., Nellie S., Carolus, Anna Thames, Chauncy Slocum, John Shanton, Flora G., Belva L., Pierre L., Alexander V., Cassius A., and Jessie. The old homestead contains 210 acres of well-cultivated land, and is universally admitted to be one of the finest farms in Washington county. In 1875 Mr. Duvall erected a handsome two- story house upon the property, commanding a beautiful landscape view for many miles, carrying the eye to the mountain beyond. Since 1852 he has been a member of the F. & A. M. at Coal Centre. He is a fearless, conscientious man, and worships at the Disciple Church, his wife being identified with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

Text taken from page 1214 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]