JOHN H. HILL, a prominent citizen of Claysville, is a native of West Bethlehem township, this county, born October 8, 1838, on the home farm. His ancestors were natives of the Emerald Isle, one family of whom, concluding to seek their fortunes in the New World, emigrated hither. They settled in Washington county, Penn., and took a "tomahawk right" of 600 acres, which has since been in the possession of their descendants, James (the father of the subject) now owning a portion of the original tract. They built their log cabin home near the site of the present commodious family residence. The Indians were numerous, and these early pioneers had many skirmishes with their copper - colored neighbors. An Indian lay in ambush for some time at a certain spring, and took every opportunity to seize the unsuspecting pioneer who chanced to come near, but he was finally killed. Of the children in this family little is known, but one son was born while the parents were crossing the ocean to America. This son grew to manhood, married and settled on the home farm in West Bethlehem township, and reared a family of children, three of whom were Joseph, John, and William. The father was a federalist in politics, and in religion was a member of the Baptist church. John Hill (grandfather of the subject) was born November 10, 1785, in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his youth on the home farm. He was united in marriage with Nancy Seargent, who was born December 25, 1789, and they had four children, namely: Jane, Sarah (Mrs. Joseph Grable), William and James S. Mr. Hill was a Whig in politics. In religious connection he was a member of the Baptist Church, and one of the founders of that society in Washington county. James S. Hill was born June 13, 1811, on the home farm in West Bethlehem township, this county, where he received his early education. On July 24, 1834, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Yohe, of German descent, and the following children were born to their union: Nancy (Mrs. Solomon Addleman), John H., Thomas T., and William H. Politically Mr. Hill was formerly a Whig, and since the formation of the Republican party has been actively connected with it. John H. Hill passed his early years on the home farm, and received a common-school education. On June 16, 1859, he was married to Elizabeth Wygandt, of Carroll township, this county, and they have had four children, namely: Frank (married to Artie Enlow), Ella J. (Mrs. Jacob Shoemaker), Nannie (deceased wife of E. Shivers, died May 14, 1890), and Albert G. Mrs. Elizabeth Hill died August 31, 1875, and on January 6, 1876, Mr. Hill was married to Sarah McElwee, daughter of John McElwee, whose father, Samuel McElwee, was born November 25, 1791 in Lancaster county, Penn., and on January 10, 1811 was united in marriage with Ruth Ann Edwards, who was born January 8, 1793, and she bore him children as follows: John, Samuel, and Lavina (Mrs. Robert Simmons). Mr. McElwee was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and traveled on the Philadelphia Conference, following his calling throughout his life. In political opinion he was a Whig. John McElwee passed his early youth in Chester county, Penn., and when a young man came to Washington county, where he drove stage on the National pike until the Hempfield (now the B. & O.) R. R., was established, when he served as a railroad agent until 1879. On February 28, 1840, he was married to Susan, daughter of Walter Noble, of Bradford county, Penn., and the young people made a permanent home in Claysville, this county. Their children are Sarah (Mrs. John H. Hill), Ruth A. (deceased) and Celia J. (deceased). Mr. McElwee was formerly a Whig, and after the organization of the party became a Republican. He was an active and enterprising citizen. He and his family were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. McElwee died January 20, 1880, and was followed by his wife November 3, 1884. In March, 1862, Mr. Hill enlisted in Company B, Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, known as "Ringgold Cavalry." He was sent to the Army of the Potomac, and appointed first clerk to Gen. Emery, of the regular army. He was afterward appointed chief clerk in the muster office, which position he filled until the close of the war. After his return home, Mr. Hill located in Valley Inn, then went to Kammerer, thence to Monongahela City, where he remained seven years, during which time he was elected high constable over three other aspirants for that office, receiving all the votes cast except thirty-six. Afterward he was engaged in the general commission business at Wheeling, W. Va. In 1884 he came to his present home in Claysville, Washington county, and engaged in the grocery business. In 1889, he was appointed postmaster at Claysville, and abandoned the grocery. Mr. Hill is a charter member of the Patterson Jobes Post, G. A. R., at Claysville, and is now serving his third term as post commander. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for twenty-three years, and is now D. D. G. P. of Washington county. He was also a charter member of the A. O. U. W. of Monongahela City, Penn., and is now a member of the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania, also a representative to the Grand Encampment of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R.

Text taken from page 759 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Tom Lum Forest of Somerville, MA as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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