JOHN W. PRY, one of the leading merchants of Burgettstown, was born May 9, 1846, in Cross Creek township. His father, Abraham Pry, was born November 10, 1813, in Hampshire county, W. Va., and died when the son was but four years of age. The child was left to struggle through the perplexities of boyhood unaided, but by dint of perseverance and energy he secured an education, and when about twenty-two years of age came to Washington county, Penn., settling in Cross Creek township. In 1840 he was there married to Rachel, daughter of David McClurg, of same township, and the young people settled on the farm where they are yet living. The following children have been born to their union: David M., Catherine J. (deceased), John W., William H. and Joseph M. (twins, the latter of whom is deceased), Abraham, Cynthia J. (deceased), Anna M. (deceased), Ambrose (living in Iowa) and Francis H. (deceased). The father of this family was originally a Democrat, then a Whig, and finally united with the Republican party, whose principles he now supports. He attends the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, contributing liberally to its maintenance. John W. Pry, second son of Abraham and Rachel (McClurg) Pry, passed his youth on the home farm, receiving a common-school education. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, being sent to the army of the Potomac in the vicinity of Richmond, Va., where he took part in the closing scenes of the war. In August, 1865, he was mustered out of the service and returned home, afterward remaining with his parents until twenty three years of age. He then moved on a farm in Cross Creek township, where he lived four years, and finally opened a general merchandise store in Burgettstown, where he has since been employed. On September 26, 1867, he was married to Mary E., daughter of John C. Rea, of Cross Creek township, this county. Mrs. Pry died January 5, 1887, and is buried in the family cemetery at Cross Creek. She left two children: Charles Lyle and Rachel C. Mr. Pry is a successful and energetic business man, and in politics is an active member of the Republican Party.

Text taken from page 916 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Marsha Richins of Columbia, MO as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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