CASPER SIGHTS, a well-known citizen of Donegal township, is the only male representative of the family in Washington county, Penn. The pioneer ancestor of that name was David Sights, who was born in Germany and came to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century, locating in Washington, Penn., where he was married to a lady of Welsh parentage, her parents having emigrated from Wales. Their children were as follows: John, William, Casper, Frazier, David and Jane, all now deceased. Of this family, John and William moved West and died there; Casper followed the business of a stone mason and contractor, and built all the bridges on the National pike between Claysville and West Alexander (he afterward went to Guernsey county, Ohio, and remained there until his death); Frazier also died in that county, and Jane married and went to Missouri, where she died. The father of this family kept a tavern for several years at Coon Island, Washington Co., Penn., where the stages then stopped on their regular route over the once famous road. He remained there several years, and then moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he followed farming. He died August 20, 1841, and his wife June 22, 1855. David Sights (father of subject) was born November 14, 1803, in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., and when a boy was brought with his parents to Coon Island, this county, where in boyhood he worked for different farmers, and attended the district school in the winters. On July 18, 1826, he was united in marriage with Martha McMillen, who was born November 12, 1803, a daughter of David McMillen. Their children were as follows: David F., born March 31, 1827 (deceased in New Comerstown, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio), was a harness maker; Elizabeth J., born March 8, 1829 (widow of E. B. Jolley, of near West Middletown, Penn.); Christianne, born March 31, 1831 (Mrs. J. L. McGill, of Donegal township); Casper (subject of our present sketch); John, born October 21, 1835, deceased; Susanna, born January 29, 1839, died unmarried; and Martha Ann, born June 27, 1841, now living with her brother Casper. After his marriage Mr. Sights settled three miles northwest of Claysville, Donegal township, on a part of the "William Derringer" tract. Some years afterward he purchased of Joseph Campsey an adjoining tract of land, where he erected a comfortable dwelling, and passed the remainder of his life. Politically he was a Democrat, and stood high in the esteem of his neighbors. He died July 6, 1861, and his wife died September 26, 1868. Casper Sights was born March 28, 1833, in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., and lived on the home farm until the death of his father, receiving a common-school education. When his father died he took charge of the farm which he now owns. On October 15, 1890, he was married to Catherine Ann, daughter of William Robertson, of Guernsey county, Ohio. They have had no children. In political life Mr. Sights is an active worker in the Democratic party, and has been frequently elected to township offices by his constituents. He is a member of the U. P. Church at West Alexander.

Text taken from page 1119 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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