WILLIAM PROUDFIT is descended from a well-known family of Washington county. David Proudfit, his grandfather, was a native of Scotland, and, coming to America, located in York county, Penn., where his son John was born January 28, 1775. In 1802 this John Proudfit came to Washington county, Penn., locating in Hanover township. On April 9, 1809, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Lyle, a native of Cross Creek (then Hopewell) township, born March 24, 1793, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hays) Lyle. Some time after their marriage, John and Elizabeth (Lyle) Proudfit returned to York county, as the father of John was growing old and feeble, and needed the care of his children. The young couple remained on the home farm until the death of the father, which event occurred in 1826. John and his family then again moved to Washington county, settling one mile west of Burgettstown, where he passed the remainder of his life. The trips across the mountains were fraught with much danger and inconvenience. On one occasion Mr. and Mrs. Proudfit rode 300 miles on horseback to visit relatives in York county, the wife carrying an infant in her arms, and many hardships were endured on the journey. The following children were born to these pioneers: David, born August 13, 1810, died September 19, 1813; John L. (deceased) born September 3, 1812; James K., born April 21, 1815, died February 25, 1816; Eliza J. (Mrs. Arthur Campbell, of Smith township), born January 2, 1817, died December 21, 1892; Agnes, born June 17, 1819, died August 15, 1824; Robert F., born December 23, 1821, died in Smith township, in September, 1886; Cinderella (wife of Jacob Proudfit, a native of Ashland county, Ohio), born September 16, 1824; William, born May 10, 1828; Andrew, born March 20, 1831; and Eleanor (Mrs. Thomas Shipley, of Hanover township, this county), born August 29, 1833, now in Hanover township.
William Proudfit was born and reared in Smith township, Washington county, attending the home schools and working on the farm during his boyhood. On January 4, 1855, he was united in marriage with Catherine Riddile, who was born April 5, 1833, a daughter of Samuel Riddile, of Smith township. She has borne him the following children: Elizabeth C. (Mrs. Hon. T. M. Patterson, of Burgettstown, Penn.), Margaret S. (wife of Dr. S. L. McCullough, of Frankfort Springs, Beaver Co., Penn.), Andrew A. (a farmer of Smith township), Mary J. (Mrs. Miller Russell, of Robinson township), Samuel R. (living at home), William R. (deceased), John L. (who is a student of Washington and Jefferson College) and Kate B. (residing with her parents). Mr. and Mrs. Proudfit resided on the home farm a short time after their marriage, then moved to a pleasant place situated at the confluence of Middle Raccoon creek with the main stream, his farm comprising 221 acres. He has followed general agriculture, including stock raising, and was extensively engaged in breeding fine sheep, being now much interested in the dairy business. Mr. Proudfit is a successful man in the best sense of the term, having won a large number of warm friends. Politically, he has always been a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Text taken from page 1168 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 March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]