ANDREW J. PROUDFIT is descended from a well-known family of Washington county. His grandfather, David Proudfit, 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 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. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hays) Lyle. Some time after their marriage John and Elizabeth (Lyle) Proudfit returned to York county, Penn., 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 father's death, which occurred in 1826, and 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 full of danger and accompanied with many inconveniences. On one occasion Mr. and Mrs. Proudfit rode three hundred miles on horseback to visit relatives in York county, Penn., 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 (deceased September 19, 1813); John L., born September 3, 1812 (deceased September 22, 1882); James K., born April 21, 1815 (deceased February 25, 1816); Eliza J., born January 2, 1817, was married to Arthur Campbell, of Smith township (and died December 7, 1892); Agnes, born June 17, 1819 (deceased August 15, 1824); Robert F., born December 23, 1821 (deceased); Cinderella, born September 16, 1824 (wife of Jacob Proudfit, a native of Ashland county, Ohio); William, born May 10, 1828; Andrew J., born March 20, 1831; and Eleanor, born August 29, 1833 (Mrs. Thomas Shipley, of Hanover township, this county). Andrew J. Proudfit was born on the old home farm, situated one mile and a half west of Burgettstown, this county, where he was trained to agricultural pursuits from early boyhood, receiving an education in the common schools. On January 21, 1865, he was married to Elizabeth Porter, who was born September 19, 1839, daughter of Andrew Porter, of Jefferson township, this county. One daughter has been born to Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Porter) Proudfit, namely: Ida A., who graduated from Washington Female Seminary in the class of 1890, and still remains with her parents. Since his marriage Mr. Proudfit has resided on a farm one and a half miles north of Burgettstown, and has followed farming and stock-raising, giving special attention to fine-wool sheep. He is well and favorably known as a good citizen and successful farmer, and is surrounded by many friends. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat. He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 994 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 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/.

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