JOHN C. SLOAN. The most successful men in the arena of life are not usually those who have been reared in the lap of luxury and idleness, but are men who have braved the bitter storms of hardship and poverty, hewing their way through every difficulty to positions of honor and prominence. Among the few who have thus risen from the ranks to places of recognized power and leadership, the Sloan family are most conspicuous. James Sloan was born in 1776, in County Tyrone, Ireland, and when a young man was married to Martha Sloan, who was born in 1779, also a native of that county. They were distant relatives, many of the early Sloan family having settled in County Tyrone years before. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan rented a farm of thirty acres, where he became a prosperous farmer, but the tenant system of Ireland contained many features which no high spirited man could brook with patience. When James Sloan first entered the presence of his landlord, he was required to take off his hat and place it under his arm. He obeyed, but inwardly vowed that never again would he submit to such an order. To quote his own words: "I am willing to remove my hat to superior worth, goodness or mental qualities, but not to a man whose sole distinction is his riches." With true Irish independence, James Sloan sold his lease, which was valuable, inasmuch as he was able to employ workmen, while his own time was occupied in attending markets. Determined to seek a home where none could force his fealty or homage, with his wife, her mother, and two children (Jane and John), he set sail from Belfast, bidding farewell to one little grave on the soil of old Erin. They touched at Liverpool, and after a six-weeks' voyage arrived at New York. During the trip so fierce a storm arose that the hatches of the vessel had to be battened down, confining the passengers below for twenty-four hours. In the meantime a sailor was washed overboard, but was rescued by a comrade. The elder passengers were troubled with sea-sickness, but the children were well, both crew and passengers finally arriving in New York, in the summer of 1804. The Sloans stopped two weeks with friends, and recruited from the long voyage, then proceeded on their journey, whither, they scarcely knew, but finally paused at Gettysburg, Penn., where they scoured a vacant house; the wife and her mother then began to mend their clothing and clean the household effects. It was harvest time, and for three weeks Mr. Sloan assisted the farmer who owned the house. He then secured a horse and cart, packed the household goods, and with the family journeyed westward to Washington county, Penn., where his wife had relatives. A month later they arrived in Hopewell township, this county, and remained for a time on the farm now owned by James Maxwell, then the home of an aunt of Mrs. Sloan. On this farm Robert was born August 8, 1804. Mr. Sloan had obtained a good sum of money from the sale of his property in Ireland, part of which he invested in the farm of seventy-five acres now occupied by his son, reserving the remainder for other uses. This land was a portion of the 500-acre tract granted to Col. Chambers, in consideration of his services in the Revolutionary war. A house (the first built of hewn logs) was then erected upon the farm (being considered a very luxurious dwelling in those days), and new settlers beginning to arrive, Mr. and Mrs. Sloan were found congenial associates in their new home. They had both united with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and brought their letters with them, which they placed in the Church at Upper Buffalo. After coming to this county, the following children were added to the family circle: Robert, William, Mary Ann, Margaret, James, Eliza, Martha, one deceased in infancy and John C. (whose name opens this sketch). The father voted the Democratic ticket until 1835, when he joined the Whig party. He died in September, 1851, in his sixty-fourth year; his widow reached her eighty-fifth birthday, and passed away August 18, 1865. Her mother, who had crossed the ocean with her children, lived with a bachelor son in Cross Creek township, this county, until she was one hundred years of age She then came to live with her grandson, John C., where she awaited the final call, living over again the happy days of childhood, knowing no care or anxiety, and finally passed away, peacefully as might a child, in her one hundred and ninth year. John C. Sloan was born September 8, 1820, in Hopewell township, this county, being nine years younger than the other children. He passed his boyhood on the home farm, attending the country school, of which he retains a vivid recollection, describing it as follows: "Built of round logs, the crevices chinked with clay; the great fireplace constructed of the same material, with an old fashioned stove, so large that it would hold great logs; the seats of hewed slabs without backs, upon which the luckless urchins sat and dangled their short legs, which in many cases failed by several inches to reach the floor." The first teacher, of whom Mr. Sloan has any recollection, was Joseph G. Chambers, son of Col. Chambers. Joseph G. Chambers was a remarkable man in many ways, possessing unusual intelligence; by self-exertion he won a place for himself beyond the reach of many even at that day. Possessing a wonderfully active brain, he prepared a system of English spelling; he discarded superfluous letters, having published a book to illustrate the plan. But his system was not adopted, the educational world then having had but little idea of phonic orthography, which he was one of the first to advocate in America. He was the originator of repeating guns, and attempted to have his invention patented, but there was much delay and trouble on the part of the Government. Agents of the English Government attempted to get control of the invention, offering a large sum of money. This fact coming to the knowledge of American officials, Mr. Chambers was put under surveillance for treason, being saved from harsh dealing only by the entreaties of influential friends. In the end he met with the fate of many inventors who have trusted the American Government for protection of genius his invention went begging for recognition. He was a pioneer leader in the now modern fields of literature and education, and, though not a lawyer, was well versed in legal matters, possessing all the legal qualifications of a jurist. In character, Mr. Chambers was, when necessary, stern and unflinching in matters of principle, withal being kind and affectionate in disposition, qualities which are seldom blended in one individual. A man of excellent judgment, and calm, well-balanced mind, he was frequently called upon to settle feuds and differences in his community, his decision being accepted as an ultimatum. John C. Sloan appreciated the advantages he enjoyed under the tutelage of so intellectual and cultured a professor, proving himself an apt pupil, and learning invaluable lessons which have greatly influenced his later life. Mr. Sloan's parents planned to give him a classical education as a preparation for professional life, and to that end he was sent, at the age of thirteen years, to an academy at Florence, this county. He remained there eighteen months, beginning a course in Latin literature, but was then obliged to return home and take charge of the farm, leaving his education somewhat deficient. He afterward attended Frankfort Academy one winter, and has since supplemented his early training with an extensive course of reading and general information, gleaned from active intercourse with business men. On October 16, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Ann Denny, who was born December 21, 1818, in Washington county, Penn., daughter of Robert and Lydia (McManus) Denny, old residents of Washington county, and to their union five children have been born, namely: James S., Martha Jane, Mary M., Robert D. and Lizzie A. Of this family the eldest son is married and living in Hopewell township; the others are yet residing with their parents. Mr. Sloan has inherited the characteristic spirit of energy and principles of integrity which are distinguishing traits of the majority of the Scotch-Irish race. He has ever taken an active interest in political matters, being among the first to aid any progressive movement. In earlier life he was an Old-line Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party he became an active worker in its ranks. In 1855 he was the first representative elected on that ticket to the General Assembly. He was one of the committee on agriculture, also on banking, and was instrumental in the passage of numerous bills of local interest, transacting a large amount of land-office business for his constituents. The principal act of that session of general importance was the sale of the public works, in which Mr. Sloan was actively interested. In 1857 an extra session of the Legislature was called, to consider some method of relieving the great financial crisis of that year, and a bill of relief was passed, after which the Legislature adjourned. To illustrate the financial condition of the country at that time Mr. Sloan was unable to pay his fare from Washington to Harrisburg with currency issued by any State bank of Pennsylvania, only three of the State banks having withstood the crash, and they had no paper in circulation. After his term in the Legislature had expired, Mr. Sloan determined to retire from public life, declining a renomination as representative, but has continued to serve in township and county offices. He has held all of the township offices except that of justice of the peace, which he declined. He was school director for twenty years, and served as director of the County Home for twelve consecutive years. He has kept pace with the progressive movements of each year, learning the best methods and systems of carrying on public work. He has visited most of the asylums and almshouses in the State, taking a very pardonable pride in the fact that Washington county is equal if not superior to any other. In his boyhood Mr. Sloan united with the Presbyterian Church, in whose teachings he was reared to manhood, and with his entire family is now connected with the Old Presbyterian Church at Buffalo. He was for many years a member of the board of trustees, also taking a deep interest in the Sabbath-school, where he has long taught an interesting Bible class.

Text taken from page 339 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL 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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